14 DAY TRIAL // Blizzard has just rolled out Diablo 3 update 2.1.0 onto the Public Test Realm and, in order to reveal everything that's featured in the major patch, much more details have been offered about the new Seasons, the Greater Rifts, or the other new things that are included in it.
Diablo 3 players have received quite a few updates in recent months, as after the successful Reaper of Souls expansion, Blizzard wants to make sure that fans continue playing the dungeon crawling RPG for as long as possible.
The new big patch is update 2.1.0, which is set to debut in the future but is now available on the Public Test Realm for all Diablo 3 owners to try out.
With this special pre-release, Blizzard has also revealed on its website more details about the Seasons or Greater Rifts mechanics, while also offering info about the leaderboards and the new Cesspools location that can be seen in certain rifts.
First up, the Seasons will represent a new game mode in which players start brand new characters and try to complete all sorts of achievements called Conquests.
"Similar to the separation between Normal and Hardcore game modes, Seasonal characters will have their own shared stash and artisan progression as well. Any items, gold, or Paragon experience earned during a Season will be rolled over to a player's non-Seasonal characters once the Season concludes," Blizzard said.
Special Legendary items, an exclusive Transmogrification set, and special achievements, not to mention places on the all-new leaderboards, are promised to those who participate in the new Seasons.
Those who want a bigger challenge while still in the main game can enjoy the new Greater Rifts, which can be opened using keys from regular Nephalem Rift guardians.
"Completing a Greater Rift within its allotted time will allow players to progress to the next level. Players can continue progressing through Greater Rift levels so along as they complete the Rift before its timer expires. Once a timer expires, players will reach the end of their current Greater Rift journey and their best results will be tracked in our new Leaderboard system."
The new leaderboards will track all sorts of achievements and data from players and allow users to compare their performances with others from their game region, their friends list, or their clan.
Last but not least, in the Nephalem and Greater Rifts, players now have a chance to explore a brand new location called the Cesspools. Initially designed to be a part of Westmarch in the Reaper of Souls expansion, the environment was cut out before launch. After a bit of tinkering, it's now ready to become a possible rift location.
Diablo 3 patch 2.1.0 is now available on Public Test Realm. It will go live for regular players in the future.