Diablo IV gets a surprise final open beta with pre-launch gameplay updates

Diablo IV is getting a surprise final open beta session next month. During their developer live stream, held early Friday, Blizzard Entertainment confirmed that they are opening the doors to Fractured Peaks for the third time on May 13 at 12:30 a.m. IST / May 12 at 12:00 a.m. PT in the States. -United. Dubbed the “Server Slam” weekend, the event will run until May 15 at 12:30 a.m. IST / May 14 at 12 p.m. PT, and is intended to test Diablo 4’s server infrastructure and durability. As before, access will be open to all players, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X, with cross-play and cross-progression support enabled.

Any progress made during Server Slam won’t carry over to the full launch of Diablo IV, so now might be a good time to try out a new class or build. Players will be sent back to the snowy tundras of Fractured Peaks – the first zone – to re-experience the prologue and Act 1 in its entirety, with level capped at 20. Choose from five classes: Barbarian, Druid, Rogue, Sorcerer , and Necromancer, and explore the lands at will, hunting down any demons that lurk in the darkness. It should be noted that the drop rate of legendary items will be reduced during this time, to reflect the drop rates at lower levels. Its effects were inflated in the previous beta, so players get a taste of what to ultimately expect in Diablo IV.

In terms of content, it’s the same beta version as before, with several quests and the city of Kyovashad where you can repair and buy new equipment, improve potions, etc. However, this release will include a range of bug fixes and updates to balance the experience ahead of launch day. Expect buffs and nerfs for certain classes – the first for Barbarians and Druids, who underperformed at lower levels in previous beta sessions. During this time, Necromancers will receive nerfs to their undead minions and a corpse explosion, which will now deal less damage.

Additionally, 24 hours after the beta begins, starting May 13 at 9am PT / 9:30pm IST in India, World Boss Ashava will appear every three hours. Defeating this monstrosity will grant players a “Mount Cry of Ashava trophy,” which appears as a horn. Participating in the Diablo 4 Open Beta also offers other rewards for completing certain goals. For example, reaching Kyovashad with a character grants you the title “First Victim”, while reaching level 20 earns you the title “Early Voyager”. Server Slam Weekend also includes support for couch co-op on consoles.

After some delays, Diablo IV finally turned gold earlier this week, which means production is complete and ready for release. Earlier this month, the studio explained its endgame progression, which brings back the Nightmare version, in addition to global launch times for standard and early access.

Diablo IV releases June 6 on PC (via Battle.net), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X. As mentioned earlier, the open beta starts on May 13 at 12:30 a.m. IST / May 12 at 12 p.m. PT in the US.

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