The launch ofDiablo 4: Vessel of Hatredbrought many updates to the base game along with the expansion content that makes up the DLC itself. With all these additions and improvements, the game overall has been made even better for all Wanderers who seek to explore the wilds of Sanctuary, and do a little good along the way. While some of the new things are exclusive to people who have purchased the expansion, many others are free additions to the entire game.
This expansion, thestory-richDiablo 4: Vessel of Hatred, was released on June 11, 2025, and features big additions such as the Spiritborn playable class, the Nahantu region to the map, and a massive narrative that picks up at the end of the main game’s campaign. These large updates overshadowed many of the smaller changes that are free for all players, such asadding the much-requested Party Finder system, increasing the max level to 60, a reworking of item quality, and more.
10Players Can Mark A Specific Teleport Circle As A Favorite
No More Guessing Where A Teleport Will Lead
Even small changes can sometimes be a big deal for players inDiablo 4, such as the seemingly subtle detail of marking a waypoint as a favorite. Byclicking on a waypoint on the map and selecting it as a favorite, whenever a player uses their Town Portal they will be brought to that pointrather than just being sent to whatever main city is in the region they are currently in.
A favorite waypoint doesn’t have to be inside a city either, but could be anywhere that a waypoint is located, including the Tree of Whispers. This allows players to make their experience a bit more streamlined when they are often traveling to a certain place. Of course, one can also simply open the map and choose a waypoint to travel to, but for swift access, the favorite feature is handy.
9New Party Finder System Is Finally Available
Search For Players To Help With Specific Focuses
One of the heavily requested features since the launch ofDiablo 4is the idea of a party finder for situations where large groups are necessary, or at least recommended. Alongside the release ofVessel of Hatred,Party Finder has been added to the base game for everyone playingDiablo 4, regardless of if they have the expansion.
Party Finder can be accessed by pressing Shift+P on a keyboard or on a controller by pressing the right D-pad button after opening the map.
In the Party Finder, players can select what type of activity they are looking for, including dungeons, open-world content, The Pit, etc. For those with theVessel of Hatredexpansion, The Undercity will also have its own tab. Players can either look for a group to join, or start a group. Starting a group will limit players to only the content that they have unlocked already.
There are also labels that can be applied: Playstyle, Social, and Gameplay. These allow players to narrow in on the type of group that they are looking for, including “carry request,” “farming,” and more.
8Runewords Are Returning, Better Ever
Numerous Combinations Can Be Crafted
Runewords aren’t exactly new toDiablo, having originally been a part ofDiablo 2gameplay. Similar to gems, Runewords can be powerful socketed boosts when added to an item or armor. There are two types of runes available, Rune of Ritual and Rune of Invocation, which must be combined in an item with two open sockets. Once combined,these Runes will become a Runeword and offer strong buffsfor the player.
Runes can be used to strengthen certain builds, and players will want to ensure they are thinking of what kinds of buffs would work for their character. Runewords require certain actions to trigger them, a set amount of Offering in most cases, and then will provide a benefit based on which Runes are used.
7Kurast Undercity Offers A Race Against Time For The Best Loot
Incredible Bosses Make It A Rich Experience
In theVessel of Hatredexpansion, players can unlock a timed-run activity known as the Kurast Undercity. In this small dungeon underneath Kurast,players have a ticking clock counting down as they run through the ruins.Defeating certain bosses or hitting certain points can add time to the clock, with end rewards based on how far a player can get in the three floors available for each Undercity run.
Players enter the Undercity by putting Tributes into the brazier at the entrance to the Undercity, which will then provide a choice of Bargains to customize rewards in the hope of getting specific outcomes. While this fast run can be a bit stressful as one watches the clock ticking down, the rewards that can be earned can be worth it.
6Season Of Hatred Rising Launched Alongside Vessel Of Hatred
Players Do Not Need The Expansion To Access The Seasonal Experience
Whether someone bought theVessel of Hatredexpansion or is playing the base game ofDiablo 4, the latest seasonal content with battle pass has begun. During this limited time event, Realmwalkers will occassionally rise up from the earth. Defeating these behemoths can open up a portal to the Seething Realms, where hordes of enemies guard powerful rewards.
This season is not the most involved when compared to previous seasonal content inDiablo 4, likely due to its release alongsideVessel of Hatred. Its unique currency type, Seething Opals, provides enhancements to loot drops and XP gains, as well as seasonal vendor XP for the Zakarum Remnants.
5The Dark Citadel Raid Provides New Endgame Content
Co-Op Raid Against The First Khazra
The Dark Citadel provides new multiplayer endgame content forDiablo 4,offering a challenging raid-like experience. Though it can be completed by two players, it is designed for groups of four to attempt together, which also provides a good reason for some to try out the Party Finder system. Players can only unlock this new endgame challenge after completing the Pit of the Artificer on tier 20, which can only be attempted afterhitting the max level, level 60.
Several bosses and hordes of enemies cover three wings of the citadel, where, ultimately, the Khazra are trying to summon a very powerful boss. The rewards gained from successfully completing the Dark Citadel depend on which Torment Level the run was completed on, but can be some of the strongest rewards in the game. Completing the Dark Citadel on Torment IV gives the best, most premier, loot drops.
4Mercenaries Provide Assistance In Combat
Primary And Reinforcement Mercenaries Can Save The Day
Similar to the Followers that players could have inDiablo 3, withVessel of Hatredthere are now four mercenaries inDiablo 4that players can hire to fight by their side. The term hire is a bit of a misnomer, as there is no exchange of currency for them to join the party. Players must have access to theVessel of Hatredexpansion to get access to these Pale Hand Mercenaries, and complete some short introductory storylines for each which will bring them to their new home in the Den.
All Diablo 4: Vessel Of Hatred Mercenary Companions Explained
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred brings four Pale Hand Mercenaries into the game for players to hire one or two as companions in their journeys.
While completing quests and saving Sanctuary with a mercenary companion, players can level up their reputation with that NPC. For the first several levels, players can select which skills the mercenary will have. As they reach higher levels, rewards can be acquired from these new friends, as well as achievements.
3Nahantu Brings A Lush Jungle Full Of Lore
First Visited In Diablo 2
The jungle of Nahantu has a special place in the lore for longtime fans ofDiablo, with players first visiting the previously-unnamed location of this jungle inDiablo 2. To those outside of this jungle region south of Kehjistan, the area is known as Torajan, andhas a very distinct culture and feeling from the rest of the continent. Deckard Cain also referenced the area when speaking of the Umbaru tribes of the Teganze region.
Nahantu is not only home to the expansion content ofVessel of Hatred, but provides a beautiful change of scenery for players. Despite Mephisto’s influence bringing darkness and evil to the land, there is still a lot of greenery and beauty to be found here.
2Vessel Of Hatred Continues Diablo 4’s Story
A Rich And Emotional Journey
The ending ofDiablo 4left things on a bit of a cliffhanger, with many anxious to know the fate of Neyrelle and the soulstone. This expansion,Vessel of Hatred, picks up on that thread and gives more of the narrative. Players enter the jungles of Nahantu while following Neyrelle’s trail, andit is a race against the Lord of Hatred in order to save the entire worldfrom Mephisto’s goals.
Diablo 4: Vessel Of Hatred Final Boss & Ending Explained (In Detail)
Vessel of Hatred picks up the main story of Diablo 4 where the base game left off, and features an emotionally charged ending and final battle.
Diablo 4devs have previously stated that there will be more expansions coming in the future. Therefore, this new ending of the game withVessel of Hatredis not likely to be the actual end. Seasonal content is not part of the main story campaign ofDiablo 4, so the overarching narrative will only be continued in expansion DLCs.
1Spiritborn Class Is A Fun Addition
Versatile Class With Four Spirit Guardians
Diablo 4’s new class, the Spiritborn, which was added withVessel of Hatred,is an incredibly fun character to play. At the time of writing, it is currently expected that developers will be making significant changes to the class to make it more balanced with others, although many players wouldrather the developers take a different approachto solve this problem.
The four Spirit Guardians that the Spiritborn can call upon offer a fun new way to customize playstyles for the game, with many unique abilities to use. This is the best way to mix things up and offers a new experience to playingDiablo 4.
Source:Diablo/YouTube
Diablo 4
Players are set to return to the world of Sanctuary in Diablo 4. Set after the events of Diablo 3’s Reaper of Souls DLC, Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto, has been summoned to the world and has assumed power in the absence of demons and angels. Lilith establishes Sanctuary as a haven for refugees caught in the crossfire between hell and heaven. Wanting to protect her kind from the recently emerged Nephelem, Lilith is banished to the void. Now she has returned, seeking revenge for the crimes committed against her
