Diablo 4 Season 8 Belial’s Return Is Disappointing: Why Is It So Far From The Theme Of Lord Of Lies?
Dear Diablo fans, I believe you all know that the theme of Season 8 is the boss season, and since S8 preheating, the most concerned character among players is Belial who returned from Diablo 3.
To be honest, the image of this Lord of Lies has long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, so many players are excited about his strong return. This lesser evil has finally received the attention he deserves under the new engine and modern narrative. But after experiencing it, I just want to say that how much we expected Belial’s arrival, how disappointed we were with him.
Today, we will compare the image of Belial in Diablo 3 and why the developers’ previous portrayal of Lord of Lies is far better than Diablo 4 Season 8.
Background Of Belial In Diablo 3
Let’s go to the great city of Kehjistan, Caldeum, Jewel of the East. It has been conquered by Belial, one of the last lords of Hell. Our goal is to liberate the city.
Before we get to that, let’s take a look back at Diablo 3, specifically Act II. Belial is the mastermind behind the chaos in Caldeum, and his influence is evident from the moment you step into the city. The rumors and the feeling that almost everyone around you is an illusion are all manifestations of his manipulation of people’s hearts and minds.
Mind you, he didn’t just appear out of nowhere, he planned this all carefully. He disguised himself as Emperor Hakan II of Kehjistan, a seemingly benevolent ruler trying to help his people. But it was a perfect lie that took advantage of the people’s desperation. He used the power of deception to turn the people in the city against each other, sowing distrust and chaos from within.
In fact, the entire story revolves around this scene. As you continue to follow clues and witness strange events, the tension rises.
When Belial finally removes his disguise, it is a shocking and dramatic moment. He has not only transformed, but also revealed his true face as the architect of all the lies you have encountered. Even during the fight with him, he constantly tries to trick you with illusions and ground effects, which reinforce his persona - a master of deception!
Belial does exist, but his actual power has always been in his manipulation. His dialogue is arrogant, sarcastic, and full of half-truths. He is a true Lord of Lies, because this is the only boss whose most powerful weapon is not violence, but psychological warfare. He is elusive and you never know when he will suddenly attack you.
Belial’s Appearance In Diablo 4 Contradicts Its Theme
Now, let’s see how Belial performs in Diablo 4 Season 8. The name itself is exciting! What will we see?
Belial we see is just a glorified world boss, a mob leader for random ambushes, and a babbling, conceited villain who will insult you.
So, where are the lies in Belial? Where is the deception?
In Diablo 4, Belial is an openly aggressive character. He sends out Apparitions to break his enemies, rather than mentally manipulating them with clever lies. He reappears randomly every 5 seconds. So instead of Lord of Lies, we get a haunting nuisance!
The developers say his purpose is to control reality, but the way he’s presented, he seems to be everywhere, and the fight starts the moment we see him. This really undermines his identity as a master of deception.
He’s no longer a manipulator behind the scenes, but a guy who speaks his mind and keeps talking. This completely subverts his core identity as a master of deception.
Remember in Diablo 3, you had to uncover him off as a liar? But in Diablo 4, he's literally screaming at you at the top of his evil voice: I'm Belial, the Lord of Lies, come fight me to the death!
Honestly, it’s too direct and completely lacks the subtlety that makes his character so fascinating.
Additionally, the developers used the same Belial model from Diablo 3, which is a minor issue, but it only exacerbates the feeling of reused material and the lack of creative direction for the character.
And the threat Belial poses is quickly neutralized! He was supposed to be one of Great Evils, an important character, but now feels like a stepping stone to other goals.
And the foreshadowing of him in season 8 also felt less impactful. The player is just told that he is affecting everything, but we don’t feel the insidious nature of his lies like we did in Caldeum. It’s just a new boss ladder, a new set of abilities, and Belial as the protagonist.
Why Did Belial Perform So Poorly?
So, what went wrong? I think it’s because the developers seem to prioritize season mechanics, Boss Ladder and Boss Power over a powerful Belial and character-driven story.
They just want Belial to be a recurring boss and a way to farm Diablo 4 gold, which makes him feel less like a unique threat and more like a glorified elite monster.
Diablo 3 understood that Belial’s power came not from his size or direct combat prowess, but from his ability to warp perceptions and sow discord. He was terrifying not only physically, but psychologically.
Instead, Diablo 4 simply tried to make him a more active villain, robbing him of his unique and terrifying essence. This missed a great opportunity to expand his story in a meaningful way. Instead of a cunning, manipulative enemy that could really mess with your mind, we got a boastful brawler.
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While the new Boss Powers are cool, they don’t make up for the story damage to such an iconic character.
Ultimately, for me, Belial in Diablo 4 is no longer the same. He went from a master of manipulation to a generic demon boss who only taunts. This is a perfect example of how a lack of focus on the core identity of even a beloved character can lead to a disappointing portrayal.
So what do you think? Do you like Belial’s return in Diablo 4, or do you think he’s better now than in Diablo 3? See you next time!
May-29-2025
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Diablo 4 Season 8 Virtual C ...
Although Diablo 4 can be considered a stand-alone game, it can actually be played online and has some in-game transactions. The developers have made a lot of money from players through the battle pass, limited-time skins, and mounts launched each season. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to call this game a “semi-stand-alone game”. However, this part of the transaction is not transparent to players because these developers deliberately confuse their value, making it difficult for players to figure out how much money they have wasted on these contents. Recently, Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC) coordinated with European Commission to publish a set of guidelines specifically for virtual currencies in games, with the aim of protecting children and people who are susceptible to gambling temptations, as well as providing a more transparent player experience and complying with EU consumer protection laws. The virtual currency here does not refer to in-game currencies such as Diablo 4 gold or POE 2 currency, but refers to currencies such as FIFA 25 Points and Diablo 4 Platinum. In-Game Virtual Currency Principles CPC Network lists the following non-exhaustive key principles that CPC expects video game companies and gambling operators to follow when offering in-game virtual currency: 1. Product value display should be clear and transparent. 2. Practices that conceal the cash required for in-game digital content and services should be avoided. 3. Practices that force consumers to redeem unwanted in-game virtual currency should be avoided. 4. Consumers should be provided with clear and understandable pre-contract information. 5. Consumers’ right of withdrawal should be respected. 6. Contract terms should be fair and written in simple and clear language. 7. Game design and gameplay should respect different consumer vulnerabilities. These terms are intended to make the value of in-game virtual items more intuitive and understandable, and also to prevent developers from secretly manipulating and inflating the value of virtual items. And players as consumers have a right of withdrawal. These provisions are not laws, but a set of guidelines agreed upon by national authorities within the alliance that regulate gambling activities. This means that if a gaming company does not follow these guidelines, anyone who sues the company will have the support of national authorities and is likely to win. So the effect is immediate. Will Diablo 4 Be Affected? Undoubtedly, yes! Aside from the transactions between Diablo players, the game publisher has also introduced a currency called Platinum in the game. It is different from Diablo 4 Gold. It is a “premium currency” specifically used to unlock passes or limited skins. For example, it takes 1,000 Platinum to unlock a season pass, which is about 10USD, but the developers of Diablo 4 will not show you this when you intend to unlock the pass. And this is exactly the opacity that CPC wants to eliminate. Game developers must clearly mark the value of their virtual products. And because of the existence of this clause, “Should avoid forcing consumers to invest in unwanted game virtual currency.” Players will be able to unlock these in-game contents directly with cash, rather than exchanging cash for Platinum in the game and then using them to unlock in-game virtual items. The key point of virtual currency is that it can distinguish the value you actually get from the amount you have to use. Since digital assets can be freely distributed, while companies benefit from people using currency for short-term consumption, they actually prefer you to use and recharge virtual currency as much as possible because this is the driver of their ongoing revenue. Therefore, people not making frequent consumption and becoming conservative with virtual currency will hurt the revenue of game publishers. These provisions will effectively combat situations where in-game items cost $6 to unlock, but you can only redeem $5 of virtual currency. Diablo 4 often faces this problem in Platinum, where the 1,000 Platinum pack is too little to unlock most skins, but the 2,800 Platinum pack will leave some Platinum to entice players to continue consumption to “not waste”. In other words, this clause will combat the practice of game developers forcing consumers to consume. What Should Diablo 4 Do? In order for game publishers to avoid being investigated by state laws due to Consumer Protection Act, any electronic games or other content released should be reviewed and modified if necessary. These new key principles will bring significant changes to many existing games because they target practices that are currently common in the market. If the developers of Diablo 4 fail to complete the review and transformation in time, they may face a fine of up to 4% of their annual turnover. In any case, this is a good thing for players. This new clause does not affect the exchange of Diablo 4 Gold and items between players, but mainly targets the publishers of the game. Currencies such as Platinum will not disappear in a short time, because the value of these virtual currencies is not fixed and can be manipulated by game developers at will. However, publishers, including Diablo 4, should mark the real product value below the virtual items. If this policy is implemented smoothly, we can predict that other game manufacturers, including Diablo 4 developers, will use the trick of “using virtual currency is more favorable than using real money” to attract players to exchange their virtual currency with real money. The actual results of these new guidelines remain to be seen. All companies need some time to adjust, and the changes should happen in the next period. Perhaps we will see these changes in Season 8. Although this only applies to players in Europe, once there is a clear and mature set of rules regarding in-game virtual items, it will be beneficial to all consumers.Mar-25-2025
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Diablo 4 DLC: How To Get Ra ...
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred expansion has introduced a fresh new Spiritborn class as well as several new Uniques, including Rakanoth’s Wake and Harmony Of Ebewaka specialized for Spiritborn. This article focuses on these two new Diablo 4 Items. Especially for those players who have chosen Spiritborn as their class, please keep reading. How To Get Rakanoth’s Wake Unique Boots? Rakanoth’s Wake is characterized by appearing in most of Spiritborn’s best late game builds. It rarely appears randomly in Overworld. Instead, players are required to head into a specific endgame activity, completing requested tasks and leveling to required rank to get this Unique boots as a drop in the game. To increase the chance of a drop, it is recommended to use items such as Seething Opals of Equipment. As a set of unique boots offered to Spiritborn, this means that players have a chance to get this item when their Spiritborn reaches level 40. Moreover, if you are satisfied the conditions lie below, this Unique item shares much more opportunity to be generated. Torment 1 or higher difficulties. The class being played is max level (60). A Seething Opal of Equipment is active. Moreover, most of Unique items can be farmed from one of Lair Bosses or activities in the endgame. And running Infernal Hordes serves as the best farming activity for Rakanoth’s Wake. To unlock Infernal Horde, you are required to complete the questline of “The Eyes of the Enemy” at World Tier 3: Nightmare difficulty. And then, you are given an Infernal Compass, which is used to open the portal to Infernal Horde. Which Builds Use Rakanoth’s Wake? Rakanoth’s Wake serves as a powerful boost for most of the boost, especially for those players who have used Spiritborn’s Brillance passive. But more than that, it also can be applied to those builds that depend on non-physical damage, such as Poison builds. Here lies the conclusion of those popular builds which use Rakanoth’s Wake: Evade Eagle Build Quill Volley Eagle Build Soar Gorilla Build Stinger Centipede Build Touch of Death Centipede Build All Rakanoth’s Wake Affixes + [10–23.5%] Movement Speed + [1–8.8%] Cooldown Reduction + [21 - 35%] Resistance to all Elements + [47–75] Non-physical Damage When performing a skill features a cooldown, you explode and cause Fire Damage. How To Get Harmony Of Ebewaka Helm? Similar to Rakanoth’s Wake Boots, Harmony Of Ebewaka Helm is also required to hit late-game power spikes of Spiritborn, so it is best to farm it in the first place. As a Unique Helm, Harmony of Ebewaka serves as a drop from any monster in higher difficulties (Torment 1+), which means that a tough fight will repeatedly launch between you and Beast in the Ice. Whether Tormented or Standard versions, Harmony of Ebewaka can drop as a reward. But considering the fact that the cost to summon Beast in the Ice in Standard version is one-third of the cost in its Tormented variation, it is reasonable to deal with the boss in standard version. Although Harmony of Ebewaka can drop as a reward in the game, the chance is low, and it is far less efficient than farming directly. Alternatively, you can actively participate in Helltide Events that are active on the map, which will show up every hour and farm as many Cinders as possible that are required to open chests. If you are to believe in your good luck, then try it at Purveyor of Curiosity. However, the rarity of equipment obtained through this channel is random, ranging from Magic to Mythic Unique items. Therefore, there is a certain risk, making this transaction not so cost-effective. Harmony Of Ebewaka Affixes And Effects Some useful stats like damage reduction and Velocity ranks upgrade always remain huge attraction among players, but the real shining point of Harmony Of Ebewaka offers comes to all abilities an additional spirit-type tag rewards. And the specific tag information is based on your second Spirit Hall bonus. [+26] to all Stats [+50.7%] Damage [19.5%] Damage Reduction [17.6%] Critical Strike Chance Based on your final Secondary Spirit Hall choice, the skills come to additional Jaguar, Gorilla, Centipede, or Eagle skills. All of your skills deal [+30%] damage per Spirit Type they have. Which Builds Use Harmony Of Becky? Although this brand new Harmony of Ebewaka Unique is exclusive to Spiritborn class, it appears in mountains of popular build, such as Centipede Touch of Death Spiritborn Quill Volley Eagle Spiritborn Crushing Hand Gorilla Spiritborn Thrash Jaguar Spiritborn Also Read: Long-Term Diablo 4 Promotions & Giveaways - Real And Valid The above is an introduction to the newly introduced Uniques applicable to Spiritborn class - Rakanoth’s Wake Boot And Harmony Of Ebewaka Helm. If you are desperate for the method for more valuable items, welcome to enter iGMeet discord and join the discussion. And there are raffles held from time to time on Giveaway channel, where delicate items in the game are given away for a limited time. Thanks for reading.Oct-20-2024
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Diablo 4 Season 5: How To M ...
Blood Lance build is a powerful non-minion-dependent build in Diablo 4 Season 5 that allows the class to deal massive damage to enemies from a distance, and can also amplify its effects with other skills and equipment. This build is considered A-tier in the current endgame meta. It is a great option for players who prefer Priests of Rathma, especially those who prefer to use a non-summoning, efficient Necromancer build. After reading this guide, you will know how to optimize Blood Lance Necromancer build for the leveling and endgame phases. Best Blood Lance Leveling Build Players need to select skills in a specific order to ensure the best Blood Lance build. To enable additional skill points, you can first use Diablo 4 Gold to unlock Renown points and focus on adding solo Necro passives, which will provide significant boosts to the character in the late game. Book Of The Dead Setup When making a Blood Lance build, the following is the best setup: Skeletal Warriors–Sacrifice Skeletal Mages–Sacrifice Golems–Sacrifice In this build, minions are not relied upon to participate in the fight, but they are sacrificed to enhance the Necromancer’s abilities. Choosing to use these minions makes the build less effective than if they were sacrificed alone. Leveling Rotation When approaching a group of enemies, you should first use Decreptify to slow them down and make them vulnerable. Then cast Corpse Tendrils to stun them and increase the chance of additional corpses. Next, use Blood Mist to deal lethal damage to the enemies from a distance. Once your minions engage the enemies, use Bone Storm for large-area damage. Start firing Blood Lance continuously for the major attack. After Corpse Tendrils wear off, attack the enemies with Corpse Tendrils again to maximize corpse spawns, stun the remaining enemies, and even increase their poison levels. As bodies pile up, cast Corpse Explosion to clean up the surviving enemies. Legendary Aspects As you progress through level 50 or play through the story, you can find some useful Legendary Aspects. For example, you can find Sacrificial, which boosts Sacrifice Minion buffs, in Ruins of Eridu in Hawezar. Grasping Veins, which increase critical strike chance for Corpse Tendrils, can be found in Corrupted Grotto in Kehjistan. To boost Blood Lance damage, you can find Blood Seeker’s in Mercy’s Reach in Fractured Peaks. To make it easier to complete these activities, you can follow Giveaway channel in iGMeet discord, which will release product giveaway information from time to time. Remember to be active in the discord group. Best Blood Lance Endgame Build After reaching level 50 and unlocking Paragon Board, you can re-specify an endgame version of your Blood Lance Necro build. In the endgame build, you will keep the exact same configuration as before during the upgrade process. Unless you want to adjust or remove certain minions, you don’t need to make any changes. Endgame Book Of The Dead Setup Same as leveling build, it is best to sacrifice your minions. Skeletal Warriors–Sacrifice Skeletal Mages–Sacrifice Golems–Sacrifice Just remember that an individual Necromancer will become less powerful. Endgame Rotation Skill rotation in the endgame phase is the same as used during levelling. When approaching enemies, the same skill order should be followed. For specific instructions on how to use skills when approaching enemies in combat, please refer to the previous detailed instructions. Decreptify Corpse Tendrils Blood Mist Bone Storm Blood Lance–Main Skill Corpse Explosion Paragon Board You will start to gain Paragon points after reaching level 50, and will no longer gain points for previous skills. Paragon system has a unique mechanic, and players need to choose a progression path from a variety of boards with different themes and benefits. While each path is different, you can effectively strengthen your character by planning your route on Paragon Board and choosing Glyphs that are most critical to your build. Once you reach Paragon level 15, make sure to pick up these particular Glyphs in the recommended order below to ensure that you are on the best path for your Blood Lance build. As you accumulate more Paragon points, you will unlock more options on Paragon Board. Level 15 Corporeal Exploit Dominate Essence Sacrificial Amplify Level 21 Essence Dominate Exploit Corporeal Amplify Sacrificial Blood Lance Endgame Item Build Once you have collected the following equipment, it is up to you to choose which ones to use, and you can even choose to mix and match. This will greatly enhance your Blood Lance Necromancer build in Diablo 4. Each piece of gear is designed to maximize the potential of your Blood Lance build, giving you a decisive advantage and ensuring you can sustain the fight against the game’s toughest challenges. Shadow Sin Runic Mail of Disobedience Shadow Guardian Heroic Rival Corpse Revenge Imp End Wraith Voup Blood Seeker’s Choker Ring of Potent Blood Sacrificial Ring By continuously optimizing your build and gear selection, you will return to the battlefield with even more devastating force, conquering all enemies who dare to challenge you. I wish you a fruitful adventure in Season 5, and leave your legend in the world of the game.Aug-28-2024
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Unlocking Diablo 4 Season 3 ...
As the Midwinter Blight event in Diablo 4 comes to a close on January 2, eager anticipation surrounds the finale of Season 2: Season of Blood, ending on January 23. Diablo enthusiasts brace for the onset of Season 3, with Blizzard dropping tantalizing details that promise a game-changing experience. In this guide, we unravel the mysteries of Diablo 4 Season 3, covering everything from the start date to leaderboards, rewards, events, and crucial preparations. Diablo 4 Season 3 Start Date: The Dawn of a New Era The curtain rises on Season 3 of Diablo 4, scheduled to commence on January 23. With the development team on a Christmas New Year break until January 4, the live stream or season announcement is anticipated around January 8 or 9. As tradition dictates, the end of Season 2 seamlessly ushers in the beginning of Season 3. Mark your calendars for a journey into the unknown as Diablo 4 unveils its latest chapter. Diablo 4 Season 3 Leaderboards: A Competitive Odyssey Fan-driven community leaderboards, a staple in Diablo 4, are set for a transformation. The current setup, associated with the Abattoir of Zir, will give way to an official in-game system dubbed "The Gauntlet." Season 3 will introduce separate leaderboards for each class, alongside two-player, three-player, and four-player leaderboards. These global leaderboards promise a more connected and competitive experience, leaving behind the manual submission woes of the past. Diablo 4 Season 3 Rewards: The Spoils of Victory In the heart of The Gauntlet lies a points system, meticulously crafted for speed-focused gameplay. Weekly resets for solo barbarian leaderboards maintain the thrill of competition. Rewards, tiered across various brackets, ensure a more inclusive experience. As monsters and chests drop Proofs of Might, your score climbs, echoing the rewarding system seen in Diablo Immortal. Season 3 pledges not just prestige for the top-ranked, but acknowledgment for players across different skill brackets. Diablo 4 Season 3 Events: Helltide Unleashed Helltide, a cornerstone event, undergoes a transformation in Season 3. With a duration extended to 55 minutes and a mere 5-minute downtime between cycles, Helltide becomes a near-continuous adventure. This evolution offers players consistent opportunities to delve into demonic realms, collecting souls, Fiend rolls, and other loot without prolonged waits. Diablo 4 Season 3 invites you to embrace the intensified rhythm of Helltide. Diablo 4 Season 3 Class Changes: A Balancing Act The Diablo 4 landscape anticipates potential adjustments to specific builds. Calls for nerfs echo for builds like Ball Lightning Sorc, HoTA Barb, and Shred Druid, perceived as potentially overpowered. The struggling Necromancer class might receive buffs for its weaker builds. Rogue's Twisted Ritual skill, considered overpowered in certain interactions, stands as a candidate for a necessary adjustment. Most notably, the much-debated mechanic of snapshotting gear buffs demands a reconsideration for a fair competition on the leaderboards. Diablo 4 Season 3 Item Level 925 Drops: Unveiling New Horizons Season 3 brings a promise of new sources for item level 925 gear, adding depth to the loot experience. While currently tied to Duriel, these new sources, yet to be explicitly detailed, are underway. Season 3 holds the key to farming 925 gear, rewarding activities like gauntlet runs and leaderboard achievements. Diablo 4 Season 3 Trading: Streamlining the Exchange Console players in Diablo 4 have faced the challenge of tedious gold trades due to input limitations. Blizzard addresses this concern in Season 3 with a new gold input option for controllers. This enhancement simplifies large trades, fostering a more accessible and efficient trading market for console players. How to Prepare for D4 Season 3: A Tactical Approach 1. Crafting Material Stockpile: Gather crafting materials like Death's Tomes, Fiend Materials, and other components for seamless gear upgrades. 2. Strategic Resource Saving: Preserve rare crafting resources like Blood Amber for rerolling high-level items, anticipating increased value in the upcoming season. 3. Gold Farming: Amass gold through loot sales, preparing for robust trading or crafting endeavors in Season 3. 4. Build Planning: Research and plan your class and build for Season 3, ensuring a strategic advantage from the outset. 5. Greater Rifts and Paragon Levels: Maximize experience gains by pushing Greater Rifts and building Paragon levels for a competitive edge in the new season. 6. Alternate Character Gear: Equip alternate characters with backup gear sets, facilitating rapid build experimentation in the evolving Season 3 landscape. As the Diablo 4 community stands at the threshold of Season 3, these insights offer a compass for the uncharted territories that lie ahead. Prepare, strategize, and brace yourself for the relentless challenges of Diablo 4 Season 3, where victory favors the prepared!Jan-18-2024