Diablo IV: Season of Slaughter Unleashes The Butcher and a Doom Crossover

The second season for Diablo IV, titled Season of Slaughter, is set to launch on March 11 at 10 a.m. PST, introducing a brutal novel experience centered around transforming into The Butcher and a collaboration with Doom: The Dark Ages.

Become The Butcher

For the first time in Diablo history, players will be able to embody the iconic adversary, The Butcher. The seasonal questline, “A Taste of Power,” will guide players in mastering his abilities. Whereas the transformation isn’t permanent, opportunities to play as The Butcher will be available, including within the new Helltide event. As The Butcher, players will wield brutal powers, cleaving through monsters and unleashing hooks to drag prey to a bloody end. The Butcher form utilizes a unique killstreak mechanic, rewarding players with experience, rewards, and reputation as they chain kills together, culminating in the highest rewards at the “Massacre” level.

Doom: The Dark Ages Collaboration

Season of Slaughter features a crossover with Doom: The Dark Ages, bringing themed cosmetics to Diablo IV. Players can earn the complete Doom Slayer armor set for all playable classes. Additional cosmetic items include a mount skin inspired by the Mecha Dragon and a Cacodemon pet. Some themed add-ons will be available for free, while others will be exclusive to the in-game shop. The reliquary will offer iconic items from The Dark Ages, such as The Dark Ages shield and the head of a Cyberdemon, which can be displayed as a trophy on characters.

New Features and Updates

• Killstreak System: A new mechanic that rewards players for chaining kills, increasing the power of Bloodied Items.
• Bloodied Items: Items dropped by monsters that become stronger as a player’s killstreak increases.
• Slaughterhouses: Activities where players remain in The Butcher’s form throughout.
• Bloodied Sigils: Used to unlock Slaughterhouses.
• New Unique Items: Added to enhance character builds.

Paladin Early Access

Players will have the opportunity to try out the Paladin, the new playable class, for free from March 11 to March 18, with progression limited to level 25. Those who have pre-purchased the Lord of Hatred expansion will be able to upgrade their characters to the full version upon its release on April 28th.

Patch 2.6.0 Details

Patch 2.6.0 will be available for early download on March 9 at 10 a.m. PT on Battle.net, Xbox, PlayStation, and Codex. The patch includes feedback from the Public Test Realm (PTR), with additional changes highlighted in blue.