Diablo 4's First Season: Season of the Malignant
Diablo 4’s first season, the Season of the Malignant, has been a breath of fresh air for the RPG game, as players are experiencing the kind of vibe the game should have had from the beginning. However, while the recent balance patch that came along with Season 1 has been met with dissatisfaction from players and even Blizzard itself, the season’s introduction of Malignant Hearts, gems that give bonuses equivalent to Legendary items, has already caused a huge shift in the game’s meta, adding a new dynamic to Diablo 4 gameplay.
Players are enjoying the way the new system allows for experimentation with different builds and playstyles, even if they aren’t considered viable by hardcore Diablo players. Even if the balance changes aren’t to your taste, the power of the Malignant Hearts provides a much-needed relief from the slow progression of Diablo 4’s regular mode, the Eternal Realm. Here’s why.
The Power of Malignant Hearts
I’ve been playing Diablo 4 since the start, and while I’ve enjoyed some aspects of the game, the grind of Eternal Realm farming and the lack of power in my character became increasingly frustrating as time went on. The introduction of Malignant Hearts has changed that. They provide a whole new layer of gameplay that offers creative ways to amplify all of Diablo 4’s classes, and embraces a playstyle that the game should have catered to from the start – experimentation.
You get the first Malignant Heart by completing Act 1, but the real excitement begins in Act 2. You can either loot them from corrupted enemies in Malignant Tunnels or craft them using a new currency called Empyreal Essence. The beauty of this system is that it allows you to play with builds that aren’t considered viable by hardcore Diablo players, which is liberating.
For example, I’ve been enjoying a Wizard build that focuses on using orbs instead of the typical Archon meteor build. The build takes advantage of the fact that you can stack up to five Malignant Hearts, so I’ve been using four Archon Mines and one Archon Meteor. The Hearts’ bonuses are so good that it’s made this build viable, and it’s been fun trying out new things.
The power of the Malignant Hearts is so significant that it’s changed the way you play the game. There are so many viable options now that you can empower your character in a way that wasn’t initially possible, with the only drawback being the time it takes to farm for Empyreal Essence. It’s a small price to pay for the freedom to experiment.
A Fun Factor with a Caveat
While the system has introduced a much-needed fun factor to the game, it does come with an important caveat. You are required to complete the campaign before you can access the Malignant Hearts, so if you’re like me and want to jump right in, it means you have to slog through the same repetitive gameplay that has made Eternal Realm such a grind. It’s a bit of a shame, since a season shouldn’t be any different to the rest of the game.
If you’re someone who isn’t bothered by the Eternal Realm grind, but still can’t stand the state of the game at launch, then Diablo 4’s first season is right up your alley. There’s a significant amount of content to enjoy for the season, with a new Legendary, achievements, and a whole new tier of gem, and hopefully it’s enough to keep you entertained until the next Diablo 4 update.
