Diablo 4: Season 8 "Return of Belial" Details and Release Date

Blizzard has officially announced the start date for Diablo 4's eighth season. The new season, titled "Return of Belial," will begin on April 29, 2025. Players in Ukraine can join the new season at 20:00 Kyiv time. This season promises to bring fresh content, new challenges, and exciting twists to the ongoing journey in Sanctuary, giving both new and veteran players plenty to look forward to.

Return of Belial and the New "Boss Lair" System

The central antagonist of the season will be Belial, the Lord of Lies. Players will face his "higher form" through a new system called "Boss Lair." This system allows for more dynamic boss battles, as players can summon these formidable enemies using special lair keys, obtained by defeating the random appearances of Belial after other bosses. This shift away from requiring specific materials to summon bosses will make the gameplay flow more smoothly and add unpredictability to the challenge. Players can expect to face a variety of powerful bosses, including Belial, with enhanced mechanics that elevate the battle experience.

The "Relicarium" System Replaces the Battle Pass

Blizzard has revamped the battle pass and introduced a new system called "Relicarium." Unlike the traditional battle pass, which offers a linear progression of rewards, the Relicarium allows players to select their desired rewards from thematic categories like weapons, beasts, and armor. These choices are unlocked using a new currency—tokens of favor—adding a layer of strategy and flexibility to reward progression. The basic Relicarium will be available for free, while players can purchase premium categories with platinum. This change gives players more control over the items they unlock and rewards them for their gameplay decisions in a way that feels more personalized and rewarding.

Increased Difficulty and New Boss Abilities

The game’s difficulty has been significantly increased, particularly in the 1–60 level range, to make progress feel more meaningful and rewarding. With this change, players will find that the early levels are not only more challenging but also more engaging. In addition, Blizzard has added 24 unique boss abilities that players can use to enhance their characters. These abilities will provide new strategies and opportunities for customization, allowing for a deeper level of gameplay. Some of these abilities will only be unlocked at higher levels of difficulty, such as "Torture I," adding an extra layer of challenge for more experienced players who want to test their skills.

Crossover with the "Berserk" Manga

In May 2025, Diablo 4 will feature a crossover event with the legendary manga "Berserk." This crossover will introduce iconic items such as the "Behelit," which players can collect and exchange for exclusive cosmetic rewards inspired by famous characters from the manga, including Guts and the Skull Knight. The event will bring a dark, gothic atmosphere to the world of Diablo, with visuals and themes inspired by the brutal and tragic world of "Berserk." Fans of the manga will be delighted to see their favorite characters and symbols come to life in the game, while Diablo players will enjoy the new lore and items this event brings to the franchise.

Launch Times for Season 8 by Region

Season 8 will launch simultaneously worldwide, ensuring that players across different regions can enjoy the new content at the same time. The following are the launch times for some regions, so players can mark their calendars and get ready to dive into the new season:

• Kyiv, Ukraine: 20:00 (April 29)
• London: 18:00 BST
• Paris/ Berlin: 19:00 CEST
• New York: 13:00 EDT
• Los Angeles: 10:00 PDT

This coordinated global release allows players from various parts of the world to experience the new season without delays, fostering a sense of unity and excitement across the Diablo 4 community.

Additional Changes and New Features

In addition to the major updates, Blizzard has made several smaller but impactful changes to the game. Class balance improvements have been made, with particular attention given to the Barbarian’s "Whirlwind" ability and the Druid’s "Earth Power," making these classes feel more powerful and engaging in combat. The difficulty of the "Torture" levels has been increased, giving players an even greater sense of accomplishment when they complete these difficult stages. Additionally, new bosses, including "Herald of Hate" and "Urivar," have been introduced, each offering a unique challenge and rewarding players with powerful loot. The seasonal journey also now includes more difficult tasks that are separated from the battle pass system, encouraging players to take on additional challenges and further enhancing the depth of the gameplay.

Conclusion

Season 8 of Diablo 4 promises to be filled with exciting events and challenges for both new players and veterans of Sanctuary. The introduction of new mechanics, increased difficulty, and exclusive rewards will ensure that this season is a significant milestone in the game’s development. Players can look forward to exploring the dark and twisted world of Belial, encountering new bosses, and enjoying fresh content that continues to expand the depth of the Diablo 4 universe. With the crossover event with "Berserk" and the changes to progression systems, there has never been a better time to dive back into Sanctuary for a thrilling new adventure. For more details on the new season, check out the patch notes here.