Diablo 4 is a surprisingly accessible game for players of a wide range of skill levels, offering multiple difficulty options for players to try their hand at. After making their way through the Normal, Hard, Expert, and Penitent difficulties, Diablo 4 players can access the even harder Torment difficulty tiers. However, players looking to tackle Diablo 4's ultimate challenge can also opt to play on Hardcore mode, where death is permanent, and there has never been a better time to play a Hardcore character than Season 9.
Hardcore mode includes the majority of Diablo 4's standard features but has a few additions to help players survive as best they can when they only have one life. The Scroll of Escape is an item exclusive to Hardcore mode that lets players immediately escape to a safe location if they ever find themselves at risk of dying, and items within the player's Stash as well as their Gold also carry over between Hardcore characters. Braving the horrors of Hardcore mode in Diablo 4 can earn players glory, even in defeat, as characters that die above level 10 earn a place in the Hall of Fallen Heroes, where players can look back at Hardcore characters who died before their time.
Diablo 4 Season 9 May Be the Last of Its Kind
Diablo 4 Season 9 stands out for one unexpected reason, but this could also be the last time the community sees a season like this.
Diablo 4 Season 9 is the Perfect Season to Play a Hardcore Character
Diablo 4's Hardcore Difficulty Offers an Exciting Change of Pace
While it may not be for every Diablo 4 player, Hardcore mode offers a substantially different experience than standard playthroughs since death can lurk around any corner, potentially ending a run at any time. As such, it can be an ideal way for longtime players to see the game in a brand-new light, as playing a Hardcore character suddenly requires players to play much more cautiously and invest in builds that emphasize Diablo 4's defensive stats like Life, Fortify, and Barrier in order to survive. After nine seasons, players who are finding the standard experience growing stale may want to try Diablo 4 on Hardcore mode.
Escalating Nightmare Dungeons Become a Nerve-Wracking Experience on Hardcore
One of the big draws of Diablo 4 Season 9 is the changes it has made to Nightmare Dungeons, including the addition of Escalating Nightmares that force players to tackle three Nightmare Dungeons consecutively, carrying over affixes between each one. While this challenge is tough enough for standard characters, it's a grueling task for Hardcore players to undertake. One Nightmare Dungeon on Diablo 4's Torment difficulties can be an arduous activity on its own, but chaining three in a row where the penalty for mistakes is permanent death is a different beast entirely.
To make matters worse, Escalating Nightmare Dungeons have some intense boss fights that could be potential run-killers for Hardcore players. Astaroth returns as Astaroth Reignited, the boss players on Torment difficulties will need to face after clearing all three dungeons in an Escalating Nightmare, and is considered as difficult as some of Diablo 4's hardest bosses, like Andariel and Lilith. What's more is that the Butcher also returns in Diablo 4 Season 9, haunting Nightmare Dungeons for fresh meat and ruining players' Hardcore runs.
Some unlucky Diablo 4 players can end up facing the Butcher alongside Astaroth in the same fight due to one potential Escalation Sigil affix.
Diablo 4's Season 9 Class Meta Lends Itself to Hardcore Players
When considering which class to play for a Hardcore character, players will need to prioritize staying out of danger and increasing their defenses with stats like Fortify and Barrier. In Season 9, this means Sorcerer and Necromancer are the ideal options for a Hardcore character since they can keep players out of direct fights with ranged combat. The Necromancer also benefits from abilities like Hemorrhage and Blood Surge that can Fortify its health for added safety.
Thankfully, both Sorcerer and Necromancer are top-tier classes in Diablo 4 Season 9 with a few great build options for Hardcore players:
- Hydra Sorcerer
- Blood Wave Necromancer
- Minion Necromancer
Hydra Sorcerers are one of Season 9's breakout stars thanks to the introduction of the Ophidian Iris, a unique amulet that massively buffs the Hydra skill. These Sorcerers can simply summon their Hydras to damage enemies for them while they maintain a safe distance to minimize the risk of inadvertent death. Necromancers can also play conservatively and summon minions to fight for them or utilize the Fortify stat to buff their Blood Wave for massive DPS potential while also bolstering their defenses.
Diablo 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
