PTR Patch 2.4 Notes – Overview
Upcoming Changes
Patch 2.4 is slated to drastically overhaul the balance of Diablo 2 and welcome us into the first Ladder Season. Blizzard just released the full Patch Notes, a whopping 30 pages of new features! We cover everything you need to know to prepare for the launch in the PTR!
- PTR Patch Launch
- Class Balance Changes
- Mercenary Updates
- New Runewords
- Set Item Changes
- New Horadric Cube Recipes
- Area Changes
- Video Overview
PTR Patch Launch
Patch 2.4 will officially launch on the PTR (Public Test Realm) on Tuesday, January 25th 2022. The entire suite of new Runewords, Skill changes, and Horadric Cube recipes are available for us to begin testing and sending feedback. Blizzard states that the focus of the PTR launch is to empower lesser-used Skills and Items to enrich the overall game experience.
There will not be a Ladder season start on the PTR. All characters currently on the server will be wiped and replaced with a new set of Characters for players to test with.
Class Balance Changes
Every Character is seeing massive changes to their lesser-used skills and Synergy reallocation to better promote build diversity. We include every Skill changes, as well as highlighting what Meta Builds will be affected, and what off-meta changes you should be on the lookout for!
The biggest universal change is Skill's with Global Casting Delays (i.e. Cooldowns) are now on individual timers. Previously Skills like Blizzard would apply a Cooldown that would stop you from using frozenorb. This will no longer happen.
From the Developer Comments:
"We are re-evaluating Casting Delays by individualizing each of their cooldowns. This means that using a skill with a Casting Delay will no longer add the cooldown to all other skills that have Casting Delays. This will allow players to use more varieties of skills and promote more gameplay." - news.blizzard.com
The Amazon is seeing buffs to her Physical Javazon, "melee" skills and certain Bow and Crossbow skills targeted at gameplay in higher difficulties. The pure Physical Jabazon, Poison Javazon, and Lightning Melee Javazon are differentiated with these changes. Both Elemental Bowazons are empowered, and the Physical Bowazon has better utility, while strafe sees a large DPS increase. Lastly, you can no longer become Dodge-Locked, so the Passive Tree is a lot more rewarding to prioritize.
Impacted Builds
Click any Skill below to go to the Build Guide. These will be updated as we test during the PTR.
- fend
- freezingarrow
- lightningfury
- multipleshot
- poisonjavelin
- Strafe
New Builds
These Skills will be explored during the PTR and released as new Build Guides if they are strong.
- explodingarrow
Impale
- This skill is now an uninterruptible attack
- Attack Rating modification has been removed. Now this skill will always hit the target
- This skill now slows the target by a percentage for a duration
fend
- Attack Speed increased by 100% (Reduced the rollback frames value between each attack)
powerstrike
- Removed synergy from Lightning Fury skill
- Lightning Bolt synergy increased from +10% to +14%
- Critical Strike synergy increased from +10% to +14%
- Charged Strike synergy increased from +10% to +14%
chargedstrike
- Removed synergy from Lightning Fury skill
- Power Strike synergy increased from +10% to +14%
- Lightning Bolt synergy increased from +10% to +14%
- Charged Strike synergy increased from +10% to +14%
lightningstrike
- Removed synergy from Lightning Fury skill
- Power Strike synergy increased from +8% to +11%
- Lightning Bolt synergy increased from +8% to +11%
- Charged Strike synergy increased from +8% to +11%
poisonjavelin
- This skill’s damage scaling at high levels has been slightly adjusted
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
plaguejavelin
- Poison duration is now fixed at 3 seconds
- Poison Javelin synergy increased from +10% to +14%
- Casting Delay reduced from 4 seconds to 1 second
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
innersight
- This skill’s radius has increased by 35%
slowmissiles
- Missile slow now scales instead of staying at a flat base of 33%
- This skill’s radius has increased by 35%
- This skill will now reduce enemy missile damage based on skill level
valkyrie
- Casting Delay reduced from 6 seconds to 0.6 seconds
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
dodge
- The animation can now be interrupted and will no longer lock out the Amazon from performing other actions
avoid
- The animation can now be interrupted and will no longer lock out the Amazon from performing other actions
freezingarrow
- Mana Cost per level reduced from +0.5 to +0.25
magicarrow
- Increased the amount of physical damage converted to magic damage for the base level and per level
guidedarrow
- Damage bonus per level increased from +5% to +7%
strafe
- Removed the 25% weapon damage reduction from this skill
- Now also gives increased Attack Rating with +30% baseline and +9% per level
firearrow
- Mana Cost no longer increases per level
explodingarrow
- Damage scaling increased by about 50% for higher skill levels
- Fire Arrow synergy increased from +12% to +14%
- Mana Cost per level reduced from +0.5 to +0.25
immolationarrow
- Average Fire Damage per second scaling increased by about 100%
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
- Mana Cost per level reduced from +0.5 to +0.25
The Assassin sees a MASSIVE overhaul to the Martial Arts tree, good Quality of Life changes to Shadow Disciplines, and a decoupling of the Trap trees from deathsentry. The Assassin also sees a pseudo teleport because dragonflight no longer has a cooldown!
Impacted Builds
Click any Skill below to go to the Build Guide. These will be updated as we test during the PTR.
New Builds
These Skills will be explored during the PTR and released as new Build Guides if they are strong.
- tigerstrike
- phoenixstrike
fistsoffire
- Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level
clawsofthunder
- Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level
bladesofice
- Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level
tigerstrike
- Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level
cobrastrike
- Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level
phoenixstrike
- Attack Rating bonus increased from +15% to +25% baseline, and from +7% to +10% per level
dragontalon
- Now consumes only 1 of each Martial Arts charge when cast
- Now always hits the target only if the Assassin has any Martial Arts charges
dragonclaw
- Now consumes only 1 of each Martial Arts charge when cast
- Now always hits the target only if the Assassin has any Martial Arts charges
- Damage bonus per level increased from 5% to 15%
dragontail
- Now consumes only 1 of each Martial Arts charge when cast
- Now always hits the target only if the Assassin has any Martial Arts charges
- Damage bonus per level increased from 10% to 20%
dragonflight
- Now consumes only 1 of each Martial Arts charge when cast
- Now guarantee hits the target only if the Assassin has any Martial Arts charges
- Casting Delay removed
- Damage bonus per level increased from 25% to 35%
fade
- Tooltip updated to now show the physical damage resist reduction
venom
- Buff Duration scaling per level changed from 4 seconds to 12 seconds (matching Burst of Speed and Fade)
shadowwarrior
- Casting Delay reduced from 6 seconds to 0.6 seconds
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
shadowmaster
- Casting Delay reduced from 6 seconds to 0.6 seconds
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
shockweb
- Removed synergy from Death Sentry skill
- Charged Bolt Sentry synergy increased from +11% to +17%
- Lightning Sentry synergy increased from +11% to +17%
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
chargedboltsentry
- Removed synergy from Death Sentry skill
- Fire Blast synergy increased from +6% to +9%
- Lightning Sentry synergy increased from +6% to +9%
lightningsentry
- Removed synergy from Death Sentry skill
- Shock Web synergy increased from +12% to +18%
- Charged Bolt Sentry synergy increased from +12% to +18%
fireblast
- Removed synergy from Death Sentry skill
- Shock Web synergy increased from +9% to +11%
- Charged Bolt Sentry synergy increased from +9% to +11%
- Wake of Fire synergy increased from +9% to +11%
- Lightning Sentry synergy increased from +9% to +11%
- Wake of Inferno Sentry synergy increased from +9% to +11%
wakeoffire
- Fire Blast synergy increased from +8% to +10%
- Wake of Inferno synergy increased from +8% to +10%
wakeofinferno
- Removed synergy from Death Sentry
- Fire Blast synergy increased from +10% to +18%
- Wake of Fire synergy increased from +7% to +18%
bladesentinel
- Casting Delay reduced from 2 seconds to 1 second
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
- Missile speed increased by 20%
- Weapon Damage increased from 37% to 75%
- Blade Fury synergy added: +10% Damage per level
- Blade Shield synergy added: +10% Damage per level
bladefury
- Blade Sentinel synergy added: +10% Damage per level
- Blade Shield synergy added: +10% Damage per level
bladeshield
- Duration baseline value increased from 20 seconds to 120 seconds (matching Burst of Speed and Fade)
- Duration scaling per level increased from 5 seconds to 12 seconds (matching Burst of Speed and Fade)
- Weapon Damage increased from 25% to 75%
- Blade Sentinel synergy added: +10% Damage per level
- Blade Fury synergy added: +10% Damage per level
- Tooltip updated to now display Radius
The Barbarian is seeing a rework to Combat Skills to promote more synergy point allocation and viability of iconic Skills. For the Throw-Barb enthusiasts, buffs are incoming to throwingmastery and doublethrow. grimward sees a tremendous change in applying a Slow and reducing enemy Physical Damage Reduction!
howl
- Tooltip updated to now display Radius
battlecry
- Tooltip updated to now display Radius
warcry
- Damage increased by about 30%
- Tooltip updated to now display Radius
shout
- Duration baseline increased from 20 seconds to 30 seconds (matching Battle Orders)
- Tooltip updated to now display Radius
battleorders
- Tooltip updated to now display Radius
battlecommand
- Duration baseline increased from 5 seconds to 30 seconds (matching Battle Orders)
- Tooltip updated to now display Radius
grimward
- Radius baseline value increased
- Now also Slows and increases Damage Taken for nearby enemies.
- Find Potion synergy added: +5% Damage Taken per level
throwingmastery
- Added chance to pierce
leap
- Baseline minimum distance increased
- Speed of the leap motion increased by 75%
- Tooltip updated to now display Knockback Radius
leapattack
- Speed of the leap motion increased by 75%
- Damage baseline increased from 100% to 200%
- Attack Rating baseline increased from 50% to 100%
- Attack Rating per level increased from 15% to 20%
- Leap synergy increased from +10% to +15% Damage per level
berserk
- Shout synergy replaced with Battle Orders
doublethrow
- Added damage bonus with 16% baseline and 8% damage increase per level
frenzy
- Increased Stamina synergy added: +0.4 Seconds per Level
The Druid is receiving the most changes and updates, with every Skill tree seeing massive reworks. The Fire Druid will see the most benefits from the changes to Casting Delay, making it highly competitive. Wind Druid gets better Crowd Control function, and Werewolf/Werebear Druid gets better damage and Skill point economy overall. The Summon Druid may also step into the spotlight as a new viable end-game build.
firestorm
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
moltenboulder
- Missile speed increased by 100%. Missile range decreased by 100% (The overall travel length remains the same)
- Casting Delay reduced from 2 seconds to 1 second
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
- Volcano synergy increased from 10% to 12%
fissure
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
volcano
- Molten Boulder synergy increased from 12% to 16%
- Tooltip updated to now show Volcano duration
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
armageddon
- Casting Delay has been removed for this skill
- Physical Damage significantly increased
- Tooltip updated to now display Physical Damage
- Volcano synergy changed to increase Physical Damage instead of Fire Damage, and increased from 14% to 18%
arcticblast
- Removed synergy from Hurricane
- Base damage and level scaling increased by ~100% (also to compensate for the incorrect damage calculation in the past)
- Controls are updated so that the skill now casts in free form and no longer locks onto one target at a time
cyclonearmor
- Can now be cast while in Werewolf or Werebear form
twister
- Damage scaling increased by 50%
- Arctic Blast synergy added: +20% Stun Duration per level
hurricane
- Casting Delay removed
- Can now be cast while in Werewolf or Werebear form
werewolf
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
- Changed how attack speed is determined while transformed as a Werewolf. Attack speeds while transformed should match attack speeds while untransformed (enhanced by the Werewolf's increased attack speed).
rabies
- Attack Rating bonus increased from +7% to +10% per level
- Poison Creeper synergy increased from 18% to 20%
fury
- Attack Rating bonus increased from +7% to +10% per level
werebear
- Changed how attack speed is determined while transformed as a Werebear. Attack speeds while transformed should match attack speeds while untransformed (enhanced by the Werebear's increased attack speed).
maul
- Damage bonus per level increased from 20% to 30%
- Attack Rating bonus increased from +20% to +40% baseline, and +10% to +15% per level
- Tooltip Stun value will now properly cap at 10 seconds, which follows the core game's Stun duration cap
shockwave
- Maul synergy increased from 5% to 10%
fireclaws
- Damage increased by 75%
- Removed synergy from Fissure
- Removed synergy from Volcano
oaksage
- Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
- Physical Damage Resist in Normal Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%
- Physical Damage Resist in Nightmare Difficulty reduced from 100% to 25%
- Physical Damage Resist in Hell Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%
heartofwolverine
- Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
- Physical Damage Resist in Normal Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%
- Physical Damage Resist in Nightmare Difficulty reduced from 100% to 25%
- Physical Damage Resist in Hell Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%
spiritofbarbs
- Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
- Aura no longer returns a percentage of damage when hit. Now the aura will deal a flat amount of damage when the aura-effected targets are attacked.
- Physical Damage Resist in Normal Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%
- Physical Damage Resist in Nightmare Difficulty reduced from 100% to 25%
- Physical Damage Resist in Hell Difficulty increased from 0% to 25%
raven
- Number of hits per Raven reduced from 12 to 5, and no longer increases per level
- Attack Rating bonus per level increased from 15% to 30% (now also displays in the tooltip)
- Modified the AI so that the Ravens attack more often
- Damage level scaling significantly increased
- Summon Spirit Wolf synergy added: +12% Damage per level
- Summon Dire Wolf synergy added: +12% Damage per level
- Summon Grizzly synergy added: +12% Damage per level
summonspiritwolf
- Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
- Attacks now deal cold damage and chill for a duration (Provides utility with chilling and acts as an alternative damage type compared to Dire Wolves)
- Damage level scaling increased by 10%
- Base Life increased by about 80%
- Life now increases by 10% per level
- Updated the tooltip to display each synergy bonus value
summondirewolf
- Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
- Damage level scaling increased by 30%
- Base Life increased by about 90%
- Life synergy reduced from 25% to 15% (This is because the base life was increased, and Spirit Wolf and Grizzly now gain Life per level)
- Updated the tooltip to display each synergy bonus value
summongrizzly
- Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
- Base Life increased by ~15%
- Life now increases by 10% per level
- Updated the tooltip to display each synergy bonus value
poisoncreeper
- Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
- Poison damage level scaling significantly increased
- Life scaling increased by 100%
- Rabies synergy added: +10% Poison Damage per level
carrionvine
- Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
- Life recovery has been reworked to be +1% Healing per level, instead of using a diminishing calculation ranging from 3%-12%
solarcreeper
- Min Life and Max Life values are averaged to always be the same, accurate to the tooltip
- Mana recovery has been reworked to be +3% Mana baseline with +1% Mana per level, instead of using a diminishing calculation ranging from 1%-8%
The Necromancer is already in a good spot power wise. The changes here seem to be targeted in increasing Summon diversity and viability. Bone Necro also sees a small bump in synergies, so they won't fall off so hard in the late game.
Impacted Builds
Click any Skill below to go to the Build Guide. These will be updated as we test during the PTR.
- bonespear
- corpseexplosion
- Summoner raiseskeleton
- poisonnova
New Builds
These Skills will be explored during the PTR and released as new Build Guides if they are strong.
- Summoner raiseskeletalmage
raiseskeletalmage
- Percentage HP per level increased from 7% to 10%
- Poison total damage scaling increased by about 750%. Poison duration no longer scales and now lasts 4 seconds
- Cold damage scaling increased by about 50%
- Lightning damage scaling increased by about 5%
- The tooltip will now properly display the Life scaling per level
bloodgolem
- Now gains Max Life per level
- Damage scaling per level has been increased
irongolem
- Thorns no longer return a percentage of damage when hit. Now thorns will deal a flat amount of damage when the aura-effected targets are attacked.
firegolem
- Holy Fire level bonus per level increased from 1 to 2
bonearmor
- Damage Absorbed per level increased from 10 to 15
bonespear
- Teeth synergy increased from 7% to 8%
- Bone Wall synergy increased from 7% to 8%
- Bone Spear synergy increased from 7% to 8%
- Bone Prison synergy increased from 7% to 8%
bonespirit
- Teeth synergy increased from 6% to 8%
- Bone Wall synergy increased from 6% to 8%
- Bone Spear synergy increased from 6% to 8%
- Bone Prison synergy increased from 6% to 8%
weaken
- Damage reduction now scales based on level, from just 33%, to now 33% and +1% per level
decrepify
- Tooltip updated to now show the status changes
The Paladin's foundational builds are left alone, and lesser-used Skills are getting touched to increase their utilization. The FoHDin (fistoftheheavens) emerges as a viable farming build in PvM play. The Radial damage Auras dealing more damage incentivizes aggressive zeal and charge builds.
Impacted Builds
Click any Skill below to go to the Build Guide. These will be updated as we test during the PTR.
New Builds
There does not appear to be any "new" builds for the Paladin. We're going to see a shift in power relative to the current Builds' position, comparatively. We're excited to see if certain Hammer based skills might be dethroned as the king of the Paladin builds.
resistfire
- Tooltip now displays max resist bonus
resistcold
- Tooltip now displays max resist bonus
resistlightning
- Tooltip now displays max resist bonus
blessedaim
- Tooltip now displays passive Attack Rating bonus
holyfire
- Area damage now scales based on the distance of the enemy to the caster. It will now deal a range from 100% damage to 200% based on the furthest distance to the closest distance to the caster.
- Damage level scaling increased by about 90%
- Resist Fire synergy increased from 18% to 24%
- Salvation synergy increased from 6% to 10%
holyfreeze
- Area damage now scales based on the distance of the enemy to the caster. It will now deal a range from 100% damage to 200% based on the furthest distance to the closest distance to the caster.
holyshock
- Area damage now scales based on the distance of the enemy to the caster. It will now deal a range from 100% damage to 200% based on the furthest distance to the closest distance to the caster.
thorns
- Aura no longer returns a percentage of damage when hit. Now the aura will deal a flat amount of damage when the aura-effected targets are attacked.
sanctuary
- Area damage now scales based on the distance of the enemy to the caster. It will now deal a range from 100% damage to 200% based on the furthest distance to the closest distance to the caster.
sacrifice
- Damage to self now reduces per level, from 8% to 8%-1%
conversion
- Maximum conversion chance increased from 50% to 90%
smite
- Tooltip now shows that the skill always hits
holybolt
- Removed synergy Blessed Hammer
- Damage increased by 50%
- Now pierces targets (Undead and Allies)
- Prayer synergy increased from 15% to 20%
fistoftheheavens
- Casting Delay reduced from 1 second to 0.4 seconds
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
- Holy Bolts now pierce targets (Undead and Allies)
- No longer forces you to attack when out of mana
- Improved targeting functionality for auto acquiring enemies
Sorceress is seeing buffs to under-used skills and the addition of Synergies in the Lightning Tree. nova returns to glory with big damage increases! Hybrid Sorceresses also see a big quality of life improvement with Casting Delays no longer overlapping. blaze will get a movement speed increase, time to start trailblazing new builds!
Impacted Builds
Click any Skill below to go to the Build Guide. These will be updated as we test during the PTR.
- blizzard
- blizzard + fireball
- enchant
- fireball + nova
- firewall
- frozenorb
- frozenorb + meteor
- hydra
- lightning
- meteor
- werebear
New Builds
These Skills will be explored during the PTR and released as new Build Guides if they are strong.
- Blaze
- nova
frostnova
- Damage level scaling increased by about 25%
blizzard
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
frozenorb
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
frozenarmor
- Base duration increased from 120 seconds to 144 seconds
shiverarmor
- Damage level scaling increased by about 25%
- Base duration increased from 120 seconds to 144 seconds
chillingarmor
- Damage level scaling increased by about 200%
- Duration bonus per level increased from 6 seconds to 12 seconds
- Chill length bonus per level for level 16+ increased from 1 second to 2 seconds (matching Shiver Armor)
- Defense baseline increased from 45% to 60%
- Defense bonus per level increased from 5% to 7%
- Frozen Armor damage synergy increased from 7% to 9%
- Chilling Armor damage synergy increased from 7% to 9%
nova
- Static Field synergy added: +5% Lightning Damage per level
thunderstorm
- Static Field synergy added: +7% Lightning Damage per level
- Duration baseline increased from 32 seconds to 144 seconds
- Duration bonus per level increased from 8 seconds to 24 seconds
- Tooltip updated to now display Radius
energyshield
- Tooltip updated to display more information about the Mana consumed and the Telekinesis synergy
inferno
- Base damage and level scaling increased by about 75% (also to compensate for the incorrect damage calculation in the past)
- Warmth synergy increased from 13% to 16%
- Controls are updated so that the skill now casts in free form and no longer locks onto one target at a time
- Mana Cost baseline reduced from 7 Mana per second to 4 Mana per second
- Range baseline increased by 75%
blaze
- Damage scaling increased by about 60%
- Warmth synergy increased from 4% to 6%
- Removed synergy from Fire Wall
- Now also increases Run/Walk Speed by 2% per level
- Tooltip now also displays Blaze duration
firewall
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
meteor
- Casting Delay will no longer share its cooldown with other skills that have Casting Delays
- Tooltip updated to now display Casting Delay
hydra
- Casting delay removed
- Limited max number of Hydra groups to 6
- Fire Bolt synergy increased from +3% to +5%
- Fire Ball synergy increased from +3% to +5%
Mercenary Updates
The Mercenary changes for the Act 1, 3 and 5 aim to increase their viability to better compete with the Act 2 Merc's stranglehold on the meta. Stat scaling differences across Difficulties are now normalized. Each Difficulty will grant the same total Stats at every level.
Act 1 Rogue
Cold Arrow
- Added FreezingArrow
Fire Arrow
- Added explodingArrow
Act 2 Desert
Can now be purchased in all variations in the Nightmare and Hell difficulty to give easier access to all Auras.
Thorns (Combat - Nightmare)
- Thorns aura level scaling increased and will now continue scaling up beyond the highest-level threshold up to max level.
Act 3 Iron Wolf
- Life baseline and scaling increased by about 25% (Now has Life similar to the Rogue Archer)
- Defense baseline and scaling increased by about 40% (Now has defense closer to the Rogue Archer)
- Resistances baseline and scaling increased by about 20% (Now has the highest resistance baseline compared to other mercenaries)
Cold
- Now casts GlacialSpike more often
- GlacialSpike level scaling increased
- frozenarmor level scaling increased
Fire
- Removed inferno
- Added firebolt
- Increased chance of the Iron Wolf casting fireball
- Added enchant - Now the Iron Wolf will cast Enchant on himself, the player, and nearby allies
Lightning
- Added staticfield
- chargedbolt level scaling increased
- Increased chance of the Iron Wolf casting lightning
Act 5 Barbarian
- Life baseline scaling increased (Now has the most Life compared to other mercenaries)
- Defense baseline and scaling increased and the scaling at higher levels was reduced (Now has the highest defense baseline compared to other mercenaries)
- bash level scaling increased and will no longer be capped at level 80
- stun level scaling increased and will no longer be capped at level 80
- Added battlecry
New Runewords
Runewords are a massive part of Diablo 2's itemization. In Patch 2.4 we'll receive a single change to an already existing Runeword. 7 NEW Runewords are introduced to the game for players to explore!
- Insight can be used with Bows and Crossbows
Pattern (Claws Only)
| Stats | ||
| 'TalOrtThul' Required Level: 23 +30% Faster Block Rate 10% Bonus to Attack Rating +40-80% Enhanced Damage Adds 17-62 Fire Damage Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage Adds 3-14 Cold Damage +75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds All Resistances +15 +6 to Strength +6 to Dexterity +2 to Mana after each Kill Socketed (3) |
Plague (Swords)
| Stats | ||
| 'ChamShaelUm' Required Level: 67 25% Chance to Cast Level 15 Poison Nova on striking 20% Chance to Cast Level 12 Lower Resist when struck Level 13-17 Cleansing Aura when equipped +1-2 to All Skills +20% Increased Attack Speed +220-320% Enhanced Damage -23% to Enemy Poison Resistance +0.3% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level) 25% Chance of Open Wounds Freezes Target +3 Socketed (3) |
Unbending Will (Swords)
| Stats | ||
| 'FalIoIthEldElHel' Required Level: 41 18% Chance to cast Level 18 Taunt on striking +3 To Combat Skills (Barbarian Only) +20-30% Increased Attack Speed (varies) +300-350% Enhanced Damage +9 To Maximum Damage +50 To Attack Rating +75% Damage to Undead +50 Attack Rating Against Undead 8-10% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies) Prevent Monster Heal +10 To Strength +10 To Vitality Damage Reduced By 8 +1 Light Radius Requirements -20% Socketed (6) |
Wisdom (Helms)
| Stats | ||
| 'PulIthEld' Required Level: 45 +33% Piercing Attack +15-25% Bonus to Attack Rating 4-8% Mana Stolen Per Hit +30% Enhanced Defense +10 Energy 15% Slower Stamina Drain Cannot Be Frozen +5 Mana After Each Kill 15% Damage Taken Goes to Mana Socketed (3) |
Obsession (Staves)
| Stats | ||
| 'ZodIstLemLumIoNef' Required Level: 69 Indestructible 24% Chance to cast level 10 Weaken when struck +4 To All Skills +65% Faster Cast Rate +60% Faster Hit Recovery Knockback +10 to Vitality +10 to Energy Increase Maximum Life 15-25% Regenerate Mana 15-30% All Resistances +60-70 75% Extra Gold from Monsters 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Socketed (6) |
Flickering Flame (Helms)
| Stats | ||
| 'NefPulVex' Required Level: 55 Level 4-8 ResistFire Aura When Equipped +3 To Fire Skills -10-15% to Enemy Fire Resistance +30% Enhanced Defense +30 Defense Vs. Missile +50-75 to Mana Half Freeze Duration +5% To Maximum Fire Resist Poison Length Reduced by 50% Socketed (3) |
Mist (Bows & Crossbows)
| Stats | ||
| 'ChamShaelGulThulIth' Required Level: 67 Level 8-12 Concentration Aura When Equipped +3 To All Skills 20% Increased Attack Speed +100% Piercing Attack +325-375% Enhanced Damage +9 To Maximum Damage 20% Bonus to Attack Rating Adds 3-14 Cold Damage Freeze Target +3 +24 Vitality All Resistances +40 Socketed (5) |
Set Item Changes
Some Set Items receive a change of their bonuses:
Arcanna's Tricks
Arcanna's Deathwand + Arcanna's Flesh + Arcanna's Head + Arcanna's Sign
- Increased +25 Mana to +50 Mana (2 Items)
- Added Regenerate Mana 12% (3 Items)
- Added +1 to All Skills (Full Set)
Arctic Gear
Arctic Binding + Arctic Furs + Arctic Horn + Arctic Mitts
- Changed 6-14 Cold Damage to +2-198 to Maximum Cold Damage (+2 Per Character Level) (Full Set)
Bul-Kathos' Children
Bul-Kathos' Sacred Charge + Bul-Kathos' Tribal Guardian
- Increased +20 Fire Damage to +200 Fire Damage (Full Set)
- Increased +25 Defense to +200 Defense (Full Set)
- Added 10% Life Stolen Per Hit (Full Set)
- Added +20% Deadly Strike (Full Set)
Cathan's Traps
Cathan's Mesh + Cathan's Rule + Cathan's Seal + Cathan's Sigil + Cathan's Visage
- Added Regenerate Mana 16% (2 Items)
Civerb's Vestments
Civerb's Cudgel + Civerb's Icon + Civerb's Ward
- Increased Fire Resist +15% to Fire Resist +25% (2 Items)
- Added 25% Bonus to Attack Rating (Full Set)
- Added 4-396 Defense (+4 Per Character Level) (Full Set)
Cow King's Leathers
Cow King's Hide + Cow King's Hooves + Cow King's Horns
- Added 5-495 Defense (+5 Per Character Level) (2 Items)
- Added +100 to Life (Full Set)
- Added +1 To All Skills (Full Set)
Infernal Tools
Infernal Cranium + Infernal Sign + Infernal Torch
- Added Maximum Mana 20% (Full Set)
- Added Cannot Be Frozen (Full Set)
Iratha's Finery
Iratha's Coil + Iratha's Collar + Iratha's Cord + Iratha's Cuff
- Added +24% Piercing Attack (3 Items)
Milabrega's Regalia
Milabrega's Diadem + Milabrega's Orb + Milabrega's Robe + Milabrega's Rod
- Added Cannot Be Frozen (3 Items)
- Added +2-198 To Lightning Damage (+2 Per Character Level) (2 Items)
Naj's Ancient Vestige
Naj's Circlet + Naj's Light Plate + Naj's Puzzler
- Added 1-148% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (+1.5 Per Character Level) (2 Items)
- Increased Replenish Life +10 to Replenish Life +20 (Full Set)
- Added +2 To Fire Skills (Full Set)
- Added Increased Maximum Life 12% (Full Set)
Sazabi's Grand Tribute
Sazabi's Cobalt Redeemer + Sazabi's Ghost Liberator + Sazabi's Mental Sheath
- Added Poison Length Reduced by 75% (2 Items)
- Added +1 To All Skills (Full Set)
- Added Damage Reduced by 16% (Full Set)
Vidala's Rig
Vidala's Ambush + Vidala's Barb + Vidala's Fetlock + Vidala's Snare
- Added 7% Mana Stolen Per Hit (2 Items)
- Changed Adds 15-20 Cold Damage to +1-148 to Maximum Cold Damage (+1.5 Per Character Level) (Full Set)
New Horadric Cube Recipes
Players can upgrade their Normal and Exceptional Set Items to the next item tier using the Horadric Cube. This will bring some item variety to end game builds.
| Recipe | Result |
| 1 Ral Rune + 1 Sol Rune + 1 Perfect Emerald + Normal Set Weapon | Exceptional Version of Set Weapon |
| 1 Lum Rune + 1 Pul Rune + 1 Perfect Emerald + Exceptional Set Weapon | Elite Version of Set Weapon |
| 1 Tal Rune + 1 Shael Rune + 1 Perfect Diamond + Normal Set Armor | Exceptional Version of Set Armor |
| 1 Ko Rune + 1 Lem Rune + 1 Perfect Diamond + Exceptional Set Armor | Elite Version of Set Armor |
Area Changes
- Players now must smash the Compelling Orb to enter the Durance of Hate, instead of killing the Council. This means the Khalim's Will quest needs to be completed to use the Durance of Hate Level 2 Waypoint.
- Monster Levels in the following areas have been increased for Hell Difficulty:
| Area | Previous Hell Level | New Hell Level |
|---|---|---|
| Act 1 – Underground Passage Level 2 | 83 | 85 |
| Act 2 – Stony Tomb Level 1 | 78 | 85 |
| Act 2 – Stony Tomb Level 2 | 79 | 85 |
| Act 3 – Arachnid Lair | 79 | 85 |
| Act 3 – Swampy Pit Level 1 | 80 | 85 |
| Act 3 – Swampy Pit Level 2 | 81 | 85 |
| Act 3 – Swampy Pit Level 3 | 82 | 85 |
| Act 3 – Disused Fane | 84 | 85 |
| Act 3 – Ruined Temple | 84 | 85 |
| Act 3 – Forgotten Reliquary | 84 | 85 |
| Act 3 – Sewer Levels 1 | 84 | 85 |
| Act 5 – Abaddon | 81 | 85 |
| Act 5 – Pit of Acheron | 82 | 85 |
| Act 5 – Infernal Pit | 83 | 85 |
| Act 5 – Drifter Cavern | 84 | 85 |
| Act 5 – Icy Cellar | 83 | 85 |
Video
Maxroll D2R Team
We are excited and can't wait to dive into all of these upcoming changes in the PTR. Hopefully Patch 2.4 adds a lot of variety and increases the playability of currently unused Skills. There is potential for smaller and bigger changes to our existing build guides, and we are looking forward to creating more based on them. Let us all give Blizzard the feedback they need to improve our Diablo 2 experience even further!
The D2R Maxroll Team