The release of Diablo 2: Resurrected has been hindered by controversies surrounding Activision Blizzard, resulting in less visibility for the re-released classic ARPG. That hasn't stopped Blizzard, or more specifically the team previously known as Vicarious Visions, to carry on robust post-launch support for it. In fact, the team at Blizzard is now moving forward with an exciting development. Diablo 2: Resurrected will soon start its first Ladder season, replete with entirely new content and balance changes.
With the start of Diablo 2: Resurrected's first Ladder season, Blizzard will offer players an entirely unique way to experience the now 21-year-old ARPG. The patch arriving with the Ladder's start will feature balance changes never before seen, including alterations to all of Diablo 2: Resurrected's character classes. The last time Diablo 2's classes received balance changes is said to be Patch 1.13c, which Blizzard releases on March 23, 2010. These are the first official changes made in over a decade.
But the upcoming patch won't be limited to only balance changes. New content and features are also being added to Diablo 2: Resurrected. The most prominent new content confirmed so far is the addition of new Rune Words. These will be Ladder-exclusive for the Ladder's duration and then added to the base game once the season ends. Blizzard will also be introducing new Horadric Cube Recipes that will upgrade item quality for Set items, plus Set changes including entirely new Set bonuses.
Blizzard will seemingly not be adding any entirely new gear for Diablo 2: Resurrected's first Ladder season, unless you consider new Set bonuses to be akin to adding new items. For now, however, that's the extent of the new content. There's no comment on more expansive content additions at this point, like new classes or abilities. If Diablo 2: Resurrected's first Ladder season is a success, that'd likely be a persuasive argument for further building on the original Diablo 2 experience, of course.
Specific changes for Diablo 2: Resurrected's first Ladder season have yet to be revealed. There are no new Rune Words or class balance changes to mention yet. That should change on Thursday, December 16, however. A Blizzard livestream at 11:00 AM PT will have the development team showcasing some of its planned changes.
Similarly, there is no release date planned for Diablo 2: Resurrected's first Ladder season yet, either. A PTR update, Patch 2.4, will arrive in early 2022, and Blizzard will move forward from there. Once the Ladder does start, it's expected to last a tentative four months, but that could change, too. Blizzard is broaching new territory with Diablo 2: Resurrected's Patch 2.4, and is more than aware of what that means. It's moving carefully, at least until Diablo 2 fans tell them they want more, faster.
Diablo 2: Resurrected is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.