The highly anticipated Diablo 4 Season 8, titled Belial's Return, is almost upon us, bringing with it significant updates, gameplay tweaks, and a revamped boss system. Scheduled for release on Tuesday, April 29, this season is sure to shake up the game in exciting ways, especially with its focus on boss battles and class adjustments.

In a recent developer stream, Blizzard unveiled key details regarding class balance changes, the introduction of a new Lair Boss ladder, and an innovative Reliquary seasonal rewards system. Below, we break down the major changes that will shape your Diablo 4 experience in Season 8.

Belial's Return: New Lair Boss Ladder

One of the biggest highlights of Diablo 4's Season 8 is the return of Belial, the demon lord, as the centerpiece of the revamped Lair Boss system. This season is aptly dubbed ' Season of the Bosses', as Blizzard is giving a fresh look to the game's boss battles.

Belial will take center stage as the Supreme Form Lair Boss, making him the most formidable boss encounter yet. Not only will players face him directly, but there's also a chance that Belial's smaller form will randomly spawn during other boss battles, testing players' skills in unexpected ways. Defeating this smaller form is the key to unlocking the full battle against Supreme Belial, as he will drop a Lair Key that allows you to summon him.

The new Lair Boss system streamlines boss summoning, and unlike previous iterations, summoning bosses is now completely free. The system also introduces two additional bosses: Harbinger of Hatred and Urivar, alongside Belial. These additions bring fresh challenges and greater variety to the boss ladder, providing a thrilling experience for all players.

Class Balance Changes: Buffs for Berserkers and Druids

Season 8 also brings class balance changes to help fine-tune gameplay. Key adjustments include buffs for Barbarians and Druids, which should make these two classes feel more powerful and versatile.

·Barbarian Whirlwind Buffs: Barbarians who favor the Whirlwind skill will see a significant power boost, making this skill more effective in battle. The improvements aim to make Barbarian builds more satisfying, particularly for those who enjoy melee combat and AoE damage.

·Druid's Earthen Might Buff: The Druid's Earthen Might ability will be getting a generous buff, helping Druid players unleash even greater power when utilizing earth-based abilities. Druids will now have an easier time maintaining their form and dealing damage with their nature-centric powers.

·Additionally, other class adjustments are expected, including a rework to the Sorcerer's Avalanche skill, which will give the Sorcerer more flexibility and power in its execution.

New Reliquary Rewards System: Goodbye Battle Pass

Season 8 marks the departure of the traditional battle pass system in favor of the Reliquary rewards system. The Reliquary system splits rewards into multiple separate catalogs, with the first catalog available for free. Players can access additional catalogs by upgrading to the premium version, similar to the battle pass structure.

However, unlike the battle pass, the Reliquary system allows players to purchase individual Diablo 4 Items within each catalog using a new currency called Favor Tokens. These tokens can be earned by completing seasonal quests and slaying monsters. Favor Tokens are capped at 99 at any given time, so players are encouraged to spend them regularly. Any unused tokens at the end of a season will carry over into the next.

Additionally, completing an entire catalog will reward players with a bonus item, making this new system more flexible and rewarding compared to the linear progression of previous battle passes.

Season 8 Boss Highlights

·Belial: As the main antagonist of the season, Belial's Supreme Form will be the hardest boss fight in the Lair Boss ladder. Be prepared for a challenge like never before.

·Harbinger of Hatred & Urivar: These two new bosses will add more variety and excitement to the Lair Boss ladder, offering new tactics and rewards for those who dare to fight them.

Additional Updates

·Free Lair Boss Summoning: In an exciting change, summoning bosses in Season 8 is now free. No more cost for bringing in the Lair Bosses, allowing players to enjoy the action without worrying about extra fees.

·Seasonal Quests: As always, seasonal quests will play a significant role in unlocking the season's rewards. Completing them will earn you Favor Tokens to buy Diablo 4 items that can help you progress through the Reliquary system.

Get Ready for Belial's Return!

With Diablo 4 Season 8 just around the corner, there's a lot to look forward to. From the new Lair Bosses to the class buffs and the Reliquary rewards system, this season promises to offer something for both new players and veterans. Belial's Return is sure to keep players on their toes, especially with the revamped boss system and the added difficulty of Supreme Belial.

Mark your calendars for April 29, and get ready to face the new challenges that await in Diablo 4 Season 8!