Acolyte of Chayula

Barbarian

Druid

Necromancer

Rogue

Sorcerer

Spiritborn


<p>A Campfire Chat for Diablo 4 covering Abbatoir of Zir, the Midwinter Blight event, and itemization updates is scheduled for November 30 at 11 AM PST.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DIV Dev Campfire Chat coming in hot 🔥<br><br>🩸 Abattoir of Zir Endgame Dungeon<br>❄️ Midwinter Blight Event<br>⚔️ Itemization updates<br><br>Tune in on 11/30 @ 11AM PST for all the latest on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DiabloIV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DiabloIV</a>.<a href="https://t.co/vNnp8cM4Yw">https://t.co/vNnp8cM4Yw</a> <a href="https://t.co/uqUFdexQ5O">pic.twitter.com/uqUFdexQ5O</a></p>&mdash; Diablo (@Diablo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Diablo/status/1729208451564253626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Upcoming Dev Campfire Chat: November 30th


<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/">Diablo 4</a>&#8216;s 9th season, like all previous seasons, includes several seasonal journey objectives that players must complete to earn <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4s-season-9-adds-goats-as-pets-and-players-are-already-obsessed/">limited cosmetic rewards</a>. These objectives vary in difficulty, with some being straightforward while others can be more challenging. One objective that many players find particularly tricky in Season 9 is the Mastery Maker challenge.</p>



<p>Here are some of the best methods for completing the Mastery Maker challenge in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/">Season 9</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Mastery_Maker_Diablo-4.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 84543"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PvP Objectives</h2>



<p>The Mastery Maker challenge requires you to complete and master five Local Events on Torment IV within 30 minutes. </p>



<p>While many Diablo 4 players tend to avoid PvP areas, these challenges are generally quick and easy to complete, especially on Torment IV. Since these areas are often sparse during most times of the day, you can usually wrap them up in just five to ten minutes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Helltides &amp; Legion Events</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/helltide-guide/">Helltides</a> are always active and more populated than PvP zones. It&#8217;s easy to chain together multiple Local Events by moving through zones where a Helltide is currently active.</p>



<p>Legion Events also contribute to the Mastery Maker challenge, so if you haven&#8217;t done a Legion Event in a while, it&#8217;s worth jumping back in.</p>



<p>Reddit use <em>SonicfilT</em> shared a clever method on the Diablo 4 subreddit to knock out the Mastery Maker challenge. By hopping between the Ragged Coastline and Southern Expanse in Kehjistan, you can farm two back-to-back events that respawn quickly, making it easy to finish the Mastery Maker challenge.</p>



<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" data-embed-height="316"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1m1x4l7/psa_simple_way_to_complete_the_mastery_maker/">PSA &#8211; Simple way to complete the &#8220;Mastery Maker&#8221; seasonal objective</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/SonicfilT/">u/SonicfilT</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote>



<p></p>


Fastest Way to Finish Mastery Maker in Diablo 4 Season 9


<p>A new Diablo 4 player recently posted on Reddit after jumping into the game and finding it, well, a bit too easy. After picking the Necromancer and starting on the standard difficulty, they quickly switched to higher difficulty, but realized it still was not much of a challenge. So when does Diablo 4 actually get hard? Here is how it works!</p>



<p>You can check the original Reddit post here:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1m2lp2h/im_a_new_player_id_like_to_understand_some_things/">I&#39;m a new player, I&#39;d like to understand some things</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/fede9803/">u/fede9803</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Early Game Is Easy, And That Is on Purpose</h2>



<p>Most players agree that <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a>&#8216;s early levels (basically level 1 to 60) are meant to be very accessible. It is not just the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/necromancer/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Necromancer</a> that feels strong either. <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/spiritborn/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spiritborn</a> with <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Quill Volley" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Spiritborn_56.webp" alt="Quill Volley"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Quill Volley</span></span></a> or <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" data-tooltip-name="Stinger" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DUI_Skills_Spiritborn_8.webp" alt="Stinger"><span class="tooltip-spell-name d4-text">Stinger</span></span></a> Builds, or <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/sorcerer/builds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sorcerers</a> with Fire Spells can pretty much clear any early content too.</p>



<p>The game is set up like a long tutorial at the beginning. You level fast, get gear often, and go through most fights, including <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/quick-reference-campaign-leveling-guide-for-diablo-4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">campaign</a> bosses, pretty easily. It&#8217;s very &#8220;casual friendly,&#8221; and some players even call it a good &#8220;dad game&#8221; because of that.</p>



<p>That said, if you are new, it is still a good idea to focus on the main campaign first instead of doing every side quest. Too many detours can slow you down, and you will unlock more once the story is done.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Unlocking Harder Content &#8211; Torment &amp; the Pit</h2>



<p>Things get real after level 60. That is when you unlock <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/world-tier-difficulty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Torment difficulty</a>, but it is not automatic. You need to complete <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/the-pit-of-the-artificers-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pit in Cerrigar</a> to access it.</p>



<p>Torment 1 is the starting point, but as you progress in The Pit, you unlock even harder tiers:</p>



<ul>
<li>Pit 25 unlocks Torment 2</li>



<li>Pit 40 unlocks Torment 3</li>



<li>Pit 55 unlocks Torment 4</li>
</ul>



<p>Once you start pushing Torment 3 and above, the difficulty gets harder. Bosses can one-shot you if you are undergeared, and you really start needing proper builds and good stats on your items. It is no longer just about pressing buttons. You will need to plan and grind.</p>



<p>The Pit is basically the toughest content in the game right now. It goes all the way up to level 150, and only a few top players are clearing past 120+.</p>



<p>If you are just starting, that probably sounds wild, and it is. The Pit is both a gear check and a skill check. Torment 4, for example, is around the same difficulty as Pit 55. Anything beyond that requires top-tier builds, paragon levels, glyphs, and a good understanding of how stats work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gearing, Paragon, and Build Stuff</h2>



<p>Up to level 60, you will find new gear upgrades all the time. After that, things slow down, but that is where Paragon levels kick in. You will also find Ancestral items, and start to care more about Legendary powers, glyph bonuses, and affix rolls.</p>



<p>Some items, like <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/how-to-farm-uniques-from-bosses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uniques</a>, can not be changed, so they are either good as-is or they are not. But most gear can be crafted better over time. A lot of the game&#8217;s real grind is in figuring out what works for you, and how to push it further.</p>



<p>It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but you will get used to it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What About Seasons?</h2>



<p>Diablo 4 has <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-season-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seasons</a> that reset every few months. You start with a new character, and there is always some <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new mechanic or seasonal story</a> to follow.</p>



<p>Once you have completed the campaign once, you don&#8217;t have to do it again. You can skip straight to the good stuff in later seasons. There is also a <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/latest-season-journey-for-diablo-4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season Journey</a> that gives cosmetic rewards, and of course, the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/reliquaries-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Battle Pass</a> if you are into that.</p>



<p>Most of the real grind and high-difficulty play happens in these seasonal journeys.</p>



<p>If you are unsure about which class to play this season, you can also check our <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/tier-lists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">updated tier lists</a>!</p>


Understanding World Difficulty, Campaign, and Progress in Diablo IV


<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a>&#8216;s Pit system looks like it should reward you the higher you go, but if you are hoping for better loot drops the more you push, you might be disappointed extremely fast. A recent Reddit discussion went over this exact question. Is <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/the-pit-of-the-artificers-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pushing high Pit </a>levels actually worth it for loot? The short answer from literally everyone is no.</p>



<p>You can check out the original post here if you are interested:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1m1mp84/are_there_any_loot_benefits_to_pit_pushing/">Are there any loot benefits to Pit Pushing?</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Mesden084/">u/Mesden084</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Do You Get From Pit Pushing?</h2>



<p>Basically, actual Pit Pushing is just for your own personal achievements. There are no benefits of doing it other than that.</p>



<p>Yes, the higher you go you will see a really tiny increase in loot quantity, but not in actual quality. So yeah, you will get more stuff, but not better stuff. And since enemy HP starts scaling in crazy ways, the effort does not really match the reward.</p>



<p>Also, <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Materials_41.webp" alt="Murmuring Obols"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Currency" data-item-quality="normal">Murmuring Obols</span></span></a> do increase a little in higher Pits, but most players agree they are not that important anymore, not with better <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Materials_41.webp" alt="Murmuring Obols"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Currency" data-item-quality="normal">Murmuring Obols</span></span></a> farming options available through other content.</p>



<p>If you really want your <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/the-pit-of-the-artificers-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pit</a> run to be efficient, it is all about speed clearing, not difficulty pushing. Ideally, you want to clear a Pit in 60-90 seconds. If it is taking longer than 2 minutes, you are probably better off dropping to a lower level.</p>



<p>This is because clearing Pits that way will let you level your Glyphs really fast. Once your Glyphs are maxed, the only real reason to keep pushing high levels is for your own personal achievement. That&#8217;s it. </p>



<p>So if you want to make the most out of your Pit run, simply take a level you can comfortably clear under 60 seconds, and farm this one until your Glyphs are max level.</p>


Is Pit Pushing in Diablo 4 Worth It for Loot? Community Says Nope!


<p>Hardcore <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo IV</a> players are still losing Characters to crashes and lag, and Blizzard is not fixing it. Since the launch of Diablo IV, one of its most passionate communities, Hardcore players, continues to face devastating losses. But it is not due to bad decisions or skill issues. Instead, these permanent character deaths are happening because of ongoing technical problems with the game itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deaths Caused by Blizzard&#8217;s Issues, Not Player Mistakes</h2>



<p>According to recent reports published on Reddit and community forums, Hardcore players are losing high-level characters due to issues entirely outside their control.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1m1vwea/blizzard_wheres_the_protection_against/">Blizzard, where’s the protection against disconnects, crashes, and client errors in hardcore?</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Over_Gazelle4384/">u/Over_Gazelle4384</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
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<p>The problems include:</p>



<ul>
<li>Sudden disconnects</li>



<li>Client crashes during combat</li>



<li>Lag spikes and input delays</li>



<li>Unannounced forced updates</li>



<li>Ongoing server instability</li>
</ul>



<p>Many of these players invest dozens or even hundreds of hours into their characters, only to see them wiped from existence in an instant because of technical bugs. In Hardcore mode, death is permanent, and there is no &#8220;try again&#8221; button.</p>



<p>&#8220;<em>It&#8217;s soul-crushing</em>,&#8221; one player wrote. &#8220;<em>You do everything right, and then the game just decides it&#8217;s over</em>.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Blizzard Refuses to Restore Lost Hardcore Characters</h2>



<p>Even when players provide video evidence, logs, or clear proof that the death was caused by the game&#8217;s instability, Blizzard offers no support. There is no recovery system, no rollback option, and not even an acknowledgment of the issue. </p>



<p>This has left the Hardcore community frustrated.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Competing ARPGs Found a Solution</h2>



<p>As mentioned in the previous Reddit post, the situation is especially disheartening when compared to other popular ARPGs like <a href="https://www.poe-vault.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Path of Exile</a> and <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/last-epoch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Last Epoch</a>, which have built-in safety nets to protect Hardcore players:</p>



<ul>
<li>Emergency logout systems that disconnect players when a crash or freeze is detected</li>



<li>Desync shields to prevent character damage during server hiccups</li>



<li>Pause features or grace periods during disconnects</li>
</ul>



<p>These features acknowledge the inherent risks of playing online Hardcore modes, and provide meaningful safeguards.</p>



<p>Despite continuous feedback and repeated community outcry, Diablo IV still lacks:</p>



<ul>
<li>Any kind of safeguard or logout trigger</li>



<li>A rollback or character restoration policy</li>



<li>Even a public statement addressing the issue</li>
</ul>



<p>For a game with such a loyal community, and a Hardcore mode that is supposed to challenge the best of the best, it is a downer that Blizzard has not implemented even the most basic protections.</p>



<p>Hardcore players are among the most engaged in the Diablo IV community. Their frustration is not just about losing characters, it is about losing trust. Until Blizzard addresses the issue directly or implements meaningful systems to prevent these technical deaths, many Hardcore players are reconsidering if the risk is even worth it.</p>



<p>Current hopes are around the recent blurry announcements of game-changing adjustments planned for the game in the upcoming seasons. Maybe some sort of safeguard systems will be added soon after all! </p>


Hardcore Diablo 4 Players Keep Losing Characters to Game Issues


<p>Blizzard has quietly launched a surprise event in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> called the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/gift-of-the-tree-cache-event-live-in-diablo-4-worth-the-grind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gift of the Tree Cache</a>, giving players an extra reason to take on Grim Favors. For a limited time, turning in 10 Grim Favors to the Tree of Whispers will reward you with not one, but two Whisper Caches.</p>



<p>The event is already live and will continue until July 22 at 10 PM PST. The double cache reward helps speed up leveling by giving extra gear and materials.</p>



<p>However, players have noticed that not all cache types are included in the bonus.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What&#8217;s Missing</h2>



<p>After turning in a few Favors at the tree, players started to pick multiple different caches, and noticed some of them don&#8217;t actually grant you the bonus cache! Especially the Greater Collection of Keys cache:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1m1k37d/greater_collection_of_dungeon_keys_doesnt_give_an/">Greater Collection of Dungeon Keys doesn&#39;t give an extra whisper cache FYI</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Bodycount9/">u/Bodycount9</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>One Reddit user reported, warning others not to expect two caches from that particular reward choice, and others in the comments confirmed the Greater Collection of Keys does not give and extra whisper cache.</p>



<p>If you were planning on stocking up on keys during the event, well you won&#8217;t.</p>



<p>It is unknown if this is just a current bug, or if Blizzard meant for this specific cache to not give a double reward. Maybe to prevent players from accumulating too many keys. </p>



<p>If you want to farm the event, you are better off picking any other cache that will grant you an additional reward!</p>


Diablo 4 Event Doubles Whispers Caches – But With a Catch!


<p>If you have recently picked up a Scroll of Restoration in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo IV</a>, and you are unsure what it actually does, or how best to use it, you are not alone. Many players, especially those just starting to get into the game&#8217;s endgame systems, assume the scroll gives unlimited tempering retries or resets the item completely. That is not quite the case.</p>



<p>Let&#8217;s break it down and clarify what this scroll really does, and more importantly, what it doesn&#8217;t.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Are Scrolls of Restoration?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Scrolls-of-REstoration.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 63199" /></figure>



<p>The Scroll of Restoration is designed to give you another chance at tempering an item. <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/tempering-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tempering</a> allows you to add powerful affixes to your gear. However, you are limited in how many times you can try. Once those tempering charges are used up, you can no longer reroll new affixes on that item.</p>



<p>That is where the scroll comes in. Using it restores some charges once, giving you a few additional tries.</p>



<p>But here is where new players often get caught: the scroll does not reset your current affixes. If you have already managed to roll one good stat but not the other, you don&#8217;t have to start from scratch. You can simply re-roll the missing affix using your new set of charges.</p>



<p>So, to be clear:</p>



<ul>
<li>The scroll restores tempering charges, not the actual affixes.</li>



<li>It only works once per item. You can not use multiple scrolls on the same piece of gear.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Avoiding Common Mistakes</h2>



<p>The most common error players make is assuming they can use the scroll at any time or more than once. If you have already used it on a weapon or armor piece, that&#8217;s it, you won&#8217;t be able to restore its tempering charges again.</p>



<p>You also have to be careful after using a Scroll. You only have a few last tries, so once you roll something that feels ok, even if it is not perfect, keep it. It saves you the frustration of using your last charge and getting something totally irrelevant for your build, ruining your item.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Strategic Tips Before Using a Scroll</h2>



<p>Before you jump to use a Scroll of Restoration, consider the following:</p>



<ul>
<li>Use all your tempering attempts first. Don&#8217;t waste the scroll if you have not exhausted your original tries.</li>



<li>If one affix is good, and the other is not, don&#8217;t re-roll both. Focus on tempering just the one that missed.</li>



<li>Save your scrolls for your best gear. These items are limited, so you will want to save them for high-end weapons and armor where every stat counts.</li>



<li>Temper before enchanting. It is much cheaper and safer to do your tempering first, then finish off your item once you know it is solid.</li>
</ul>



<p>While the Scroll of Restoration is a good way to save tempering mistakes, it is not a magic reset button. Knowing exactly how it works, and when to use it, can help you avoid burning through your resources or destroying valuable gear. </p>


Diablo 4 Scroll of Restoration Explained: What You Need to Know


<p>A cornerstone of Diablo 4&#8217;s endgame is farming, fighting, and effectively climbing the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/lair-boss-system-guide/">boss ladder</a>. Here&#8217;s everything you need to know about farming ladder bosses in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/">Season 9</a>!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to Start Climbing the Boss Ladder</h2>



<p>To farm the higher-tier bosses, which generally have better loot tables for all classes, you must ascend the boss ladder. The journey begins by farming Lair Boss Keys.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Lair-Bosses-Ladder.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 67896"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where to Get Lair Boss Keys</h2>



<p>The chart above illustrates how Lair Boss Keys are broken up into multiple sections. <span style="margin: 0px;padding: 0px">For example, keys related to the Initiate ladder bosse</span>s, such as <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/echo-of-varshan-boss-guide/">Varshan</a> or the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/the-beast-in-the-ice-boss-guide/">Beast in the Ice</a>, can be obtained through various open-world activities, including Helltides.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Boss Progression and Loot Tables</h2>



<p>Defeating Initiate Lair Bosses will grant new keys for accessing Greater Lair Boss chests. Once you run out of keys, the cycle continues. However, it&#8217;s important to verify which boss you want to farm, as each Lair Boss has a unique loot table. Be sure to review your character build before heading out on the hunt.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quick Tips for Farming Ladder Bosses</h2>



<ul>
<li>Initiate Lair Bosses are the easiest to face.</li>



<li>As you go up the ladder, bosses gradually become more difficult.</li>



<li>You do not need Lair Boss Keys to summon the boss, only to unlock the chest after it is slain.</li>



<li>All Initiate Lair Bosses drop not only the associated key for the next boss they are linked to, but they also drop Stygian Stones, which can be turned into a Lair Key for any Greater Lair Boss.</li>



<li>Slaying any Lair Boss has a chance for Belial to ambush you, which is the main way of obtaining a <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_S8_BossPower_Currency_3.webp" alt="Betrayer's Husk"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Lair Boss Key" data-item-quality="normal">Betrayer&#8217;s Husk</span></span></a>, allowing you to challenge him at full power.</li>



<li>Keep in mind <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/astaroth-boss-guide/">Astaroth</a> is not a part of the bosses on the ladder, and only comes from <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/astaroth-boss-guide/">Escalating Nightmares</a>.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Full Guides and Further Reading</h2>



<p>For the full details on how to tackle all the ladder bosses in Season 9, check out our in-depth Lair Boss System guide.</p>


Climbing Diablo 4’s Season 9 Boss Ladder Is More Than Just RNG


<p>For a limited time, players offering Grim Favors to the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/tree-of-whispers-guide/">Tree of Whispers</a> in Diablo 4 will receive a bonus cache as part of the Gift of the Tree Cache event! This event runs from now until <strong>July 22nd at 10 PM PST</strong>.</p>



<p>With this surprise event now live, it&#8217;s a perfect opportunity to dive into <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/">Season 9: Sins of the Horadrim!</a> Players who join the season later will benefit even more from the Gift of the Tree Cache event, as it is especially helpful for leveling fresh characters, who will be able to focus on the bonus rewards provided by the Tree of Whispers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is the Gift of the Tree Cache Worth It?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gift-of-the-Tree-Cache-event.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 84204"/></figure>



<p>While more events are always welcome during Diablo 4&#8217;s mid-season to keep players engaged, and helping with the grind or offering new rewards, is the Gift of the Tree Cache event really worth it?</p>



<p>Some members of the community have highlighted that this event is improperly timed for the theme of Season 9, since everyone is busy with the new <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/nightmare-dungeon-guide/"><strong>Escalating Nightmares</strong> &amp; <strong>Horadric Strongrooms</strong>.</a></p>



<p>Rather, this event would have been significantly more fitting for Season 8, since that season&#8217;s theming revolved around the rework of the Tree of Whispers. As it stands, there&#8217;s not much incentive for players to engage with this new event unless they are joining the season late.</p>


Gift of the Tree Cache Event Live in Diablo 4 – Worth the Grind?


<p>After yesterday&#8217;s hotfix hiccup, where Blizzard <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-pc-patch-2-3-1-rolled-back-due-to-crash-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rolled back</a> and <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/update-on-diablo-4-pc-patch-2-3-1-roll-back/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">re-issued a patch</a> for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a>, some players have noticed something missing: one of <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 9</a>&#8216;s most frustrating <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/latest-season-journey-for-diablo-4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seasonal Journey</a> objectives has been quietly removed.</p>



<p>Specifically, the requirement to &#8220;deactivate 100 monster affixes with spell infusions&#8221; has vanished without a trace.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Buggy Task From the Start</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:500px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1m11iht/blizzard_actually_removed_the_most_annoying/">Blizzard actually removed the most annoying season journey requirement…</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Cloudkiller01/">u/Cloudkiller01</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Players on Reddit quickly noticed the objective was gone, with many expressing relief. The achievement had long been buggy: its progress would randomly reset when switching infusions, transitioning maps, or even just logging back in.</p>



<p>&#8220;<em>I had it at 12, then 7, then 0, then 16… It made no sense</em>,&#8221; one player wrote. &#8220;<em>Mine reset every time I entered a Pit</em>,&#8221; another added. &#8220;<em>Glad it&#8217;s gone, it was genuinely busted</em>,&#8221; said someone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Was It a Problem?</h2>



<ul>
<li>Progress would reset unexpectedly, especially if you changed your spell infusion, preventing you from finishing your journey.</li>



<li>For some, progress seemed fine, until it suddenly was not.</li>



<li>Others managed to complete it but feel frustrated that their effort now feels wasted.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>TL;DR</strong>: The task was mostly bugged and frustrating for a lot of players.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Is It Gone for Everyone Now?</h2>



<p>Some players say they still see the task showing up, so it&#8217;s apparently not gone for everyone at this point.  Blizzard is maybe rolling out a fix for the issue gradually and it&#8217;s not hitting all accounts at the same time.</p>



<p>We checked in our own game, and it was indeed gone for us, so the Reddit post does not seem like a troll. However, some players do report it still being there. </p>



<p>As of now, there has been no official statement from Blizzard confirming the change, or explaining it. It is also unknown if the task is gone until they fix it, and may reappear later on, or if it really was just removed entirely.</p>



<p>In case you still have this seasonal journey task in your game, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/stuck-on-master-spellcrafter-in-diablo-4-this-quick-trick-helps-you-finish-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here is a quick fix</a> you can try to get it done nonetheless!</p>


Blizzard Quietly Removed Diablo 4’s Most Hated Journey Tasks


<p><strong>UPDATE: </strong>Patch 2.3.1 is now live!</p>



<div class="blizzard-blue-post">
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            <a class="source-link" target="_blank" href="https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/pc-patch-231-rollback/227822/5"><span class="white">(</span> Source URL <span class="white">)</span> </a>
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    <hr class="blizzard-line" />
    <h3></h3>
    <div class="blizzard-blue-post-content">
        <p>Patch 2.3.1 is now live again for all platforms. We appreciate your patience!</p>
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<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>Blizzard has posted an update about the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-pc-patch-2-3-1-rolled-back-due-to-crash-issues/">recent Patch 2.3.1 rollback</a> on PC for <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/">Diablo 4</a>.</p>



<div class="blizzard-blue-post">
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            <img decoding="async" class="blizzard-logo" src="https://static.icy-veins.com/wp/static/public/blizzard-icon-small.png" alt="Blizzard Logo" />
        </div>
        <div>
            <a class="source-link" target="_blank" href="https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/pc-patch-231-rollback/227822"><span class="white">(</span> Source URL <span class="white">)</span> </a>
        </div>
    </div>
    <hr class="blizzard-line" />
    <h3></h3>
    <div class="blizzard-blue-post-content">
        <p>Quick update &#8211; We’re looking to have this issue addressed soon, and players may see updates for patch 2.3.1. by today. We don’t have an exact time, but will be quick to post updates once 2.3.1 is officially live.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your patience on this.</p>
    </div>
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<p>As the post entails, we don&#8217;t have a set time or date when <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4s-july-15-patch-for-season-9-buffs-almost-every-class/">Patch 2.3.1</a> will be brought back to live. Blizzard thanked players for their patience and is expected to share more updates once the issue is resolved.</p>



<p>Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops!</p>


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