Blizzard has published a preview of its upcoming Diablo 3 update for Season 28: Rites of Sanctuary. Season 28 is lining up to be one of Diablo 3's most substantial updates in some time, as it will be adding the powerful Altar of Rites to the game. The update will also be adding a useful feature for earning the rare Primordial Ashes currency, doing a balance passover for the Monk class, and sweeping through various Diablo 3 items needing adjustments.It's a very exciting time for fans of the Diablo franchise. Obviously, what's most exciting is the quickly approaching release of Diablo 4. Blizzard has been building up to this moment for years, and come June 6 the sequel Diablo fans hope they've been waiting for will arrive. But in the meantime, fans still have plenty to be excited about. Both Diablo 2: Resurrected and Diablo 3 continue to receive semi-frequent updates. There's a flavor of Diablo available for every fan.Update 2.7.5 for Diablo 3 will be coming to the ARPG's Public Test Realm starting on January 31, giving players seven days of testing before Blizzard does its final preparations for Season 28's launch. The biggest addition of the season is the Altar of Rites, found within the Festering Woods. Players use materials they've gathered on the Alter to unlock increasingly powerful permanent power-ups, including pure damage buffs, increased chances at rare items, and also boons when using potions.
With the Altar of Rites demanding Primordial Ashes to unlock certain buffs, Blizzard is adding a new way to earn the currency. Salvaging a Primal Item will now rewards 55 Primordial Ashes. Primordial Ashes can now also be used to craft a Primal Item in Kanai's Cube. Monk changes are somewhat more nuanced, but the changes largely focus on extending the Monk's buffs 2-4x their current duration.
Various individual item and equipment set changes have also been made. For example, the Barbarian's Horde of the Ninety Savages 6-piece bonus increases Frenzy's bonus damage 2,000% per stack instead of 1,000%. Similar buffs have been made to the Necromancer's Masquerade of the Burning Carnival Bone Spears and the Wizard's Typhon's Veil Hydras. A number of Demon Hunter items dealing with Spike Traps have also been changed or improved.
Season 28 of Diablo 3 has yet to receive an official release date, but it's expected around mid-February at the latest. With each season lasting at least 12 weeks, that means Season 28 should carry Diablo fans into May – just a few weeks short of Diablo 4's start. It's possible Blizzard may try to push one last big Diablo 3 season out before shifting focus on Diablo 4, but it's also possible this is Diablo 3's curtain call. It should be a good one, whatever Diablo 3's future may bring.
Diablo 3 is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.