Diablo 4 Item Quality Rework: The Rise of Ancestral Items & The End of Sacred Items

The itemization in Diablo 4 has always been a cornerstone of the game’s experience, with players chasing after the perfect gear to optimize their builds. However, the developers at Blizzard noticed that Sacred and Ancestral items, which were meant to be the pinnacle of power, had lost their luster due to how commonly they dropped. To restore the excitement of finding top-tier gear, Blizzard has implemented significant changes in the latest update. Here’s everything you need to know about the rework of item quality in Diablo 4.

Diablo 4 Item Quality Rework

The Rise of Ancestral Items

Ancestral items have been redefined as the ultimate endgame gear in Diablo 4, making them highly sought-after treasures for players aiming to perfect their builds. Here’s what you can expect from these revamped items:

Ancestral Items Drop in Torment 1: Ancestral items now only start dropping once you reach Torment 1 difficulty. This change ensures that these items are exclusive to players who have progressed far enough to take on the most challenging content in the game.
Always at Item Power 800: Every Ancestral item you find will have a guaranteed Item Power of 800, the highest possible in the game. This makes each drop a potential game-changer, offering unparalleled power to enhance your character.
Exclusive Greater Affixes: Ancestral items are the only gear that can roll Greater Affixes, special modifiers that provide significant bonuses. These affixes make Ancestral items stand out, offering customization options that are truly impactful for your build.
Guaranteed Greater Affix: Every Ancestral item will come with at least one Greater Affix, ensuring that even a single drop has the potential to elevate your character’s performance.

The End of Sacred Items

While Ancestral items have been elevated, Sacred items have been retired from the drop pool. This decision was made to prevent Sacred items from diluting the significance of high-tier gear. Here’s how the change affects Sacred items:

No More Drops: Sacred items will no longer drop in the game. This change underscores the shift in focus towards Ancestral items as the pinnacle of power in Diablo 4.
Legacy Status: If you currently have Sacred items equipped or in your inventory, they will be marked as ‘Legacy.’ These items can still be used, but they cannot be upgraded any further. This allows you to keep using your favorite Sacred items without them being a part of future progression.

General Item Quality Adjustments

Diablo 4 General Item Quality

In addition to the changes to Sacred and Ancestral items, there have been several other adjustments to item quality across the board:

Non-Ancestral Item Power Cap: All non-Ancestral items are now capped at Item Power 750. This ensures that Ancestral items stand out as the ultimate gear tier.
Legendary Item Consistency: Legendary items dropped at Level 60 and above will always have an Item Power of 750. This change creates a clear distinction between regular gear and the powerful Ancestral items.
Masterworking: Items with Item Power 750 can now be Masterworked up to four times. This feature allows players to further enhance their gear, adding another layer of customization and power.
Item Power Adjustments: With the introduction of the new Realm-wide Paragon system and the corresponding adjustment of Character Levels, items with Item Power over 540 are being scaled down to 540. However, affixes on these adjusted items will be rerolled at the highest values within their respective ranges, ensuring they remain powerful options for your character.

Developer’s Vision

The changes to item quality in Diablo 4 reflect Blizzard’s commitment to making the endgame more rewarding and exciting for players. By making Ancestral items rare and powerful, and phasing out Sacred items, the developers aim to reignite the thrill of finding truly game-changing gear. Here’s what they had to say about these updates:

“We felt Sacred and Ancestral Items lost their specialness and flair due to how common they became. These changes transform Ancestral items into mighty endgame items worth the chase.”

Conclusion

The rework of item quality in Diablo 4 is a significant step toward ensuring that the endgame remains engaging and rewarding for players. With Ancestral items now representing the pinnacle of power and Sacred items being retired, players can look forward to a more focused and satisfying loot chase. As you venture into the depths of Torment 1 and beyond, the promise of finding that perfect Ancestral item will keep you pushing forward in your quest to conquer Sanctuary.

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