Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatredwent a long way to expand upon the base game in some much-needed ways well over a year after its initial launch. Additions like the Kurast Undercity dungeon and the multiplayer-focused Dark Citadel gaveDiablo 4’s endgame loop a shot in the arm for players burnt out on the base game’s endgame offerings. However, Vessel of Hatred still left the game lacking in one department that seemed primed to be a core part ofDiablo 4’s challenge in the lead-up to and at launch.
The multiplayer side ofDiablo 4has been really hit-or-miss, withBlizzard reporting that mostDiablo 4players are playing the game solo. While the game includes multiplayer activities like the PvP Fields of Hatred and the new Dark Citadel complete with a party finder function, these features are still largely underutilized compared to the single-player content available. Arguably the most popular co-op activity isDiablo 4’s World Boss raids, which makes the lack of a new world boss in Vessel of Hatred all the more surprising and an important addition for the next expansion to consider.
Current World Bosses in Diablo 4
Prior to launch, the greatest challenge of theDiablo 4beta was Ashava the Pestilent, the World Boss that players could slay to earn special rewards when the full game launched. This incentive gave groups of players a great reason to team up and take down the raid boss whenever she spawned in Sanctuary. At launch, two more World Bosses became available on a rotating basis, and along with Ashava, Avarice and Wandering Death could be encountered at predetermined intervals aroundDiablo 4’s map.
However, over a year has passed sinceDiablo 4’s launch and these three world bosses remain the only ones in the game. WithVessel of Hatred adding the new region of Nahantuto the map, it would have been the perfect opportunity to add another World Boss with the potential to spawn in this region and give players an even greater reason to group up in the DLC. However, the opportunity for this addition has passed for now, with the next most likely chance forDiablo 4to introduce a new World Boss coming whenever the next expansion is released.
Diablo 4’s Next Expansion Should Add a New World Boss
Although it is likely still a ways off, thenextDiablo 4expansion has a clear directionto take the game after the ending of Vessel of Hatred leaves the fate of the Church of Light and Mephisto up in the air. With Vessel of Hatred filling in the remaining area ofDiablo 4’s current world map, it stands to reason that the next expansion could take players to a new continent within Sanctuary to places like Khanduras or Westmarch. If this is the case, it would make a lot of sense for this new location to feature one or even several new World Bosses exclusive to the region.
Vessel of Hatred’s Dark Citadelgoes a long way toward reviving the ailing multiplayer side ofDiablo 4, but it doesn’t quite recapture the same level of cooperative effort that existed during raids against Ashava during the open beta. With World Bosses being one of the easiest cooperative activities to participate in, only requiring players to travel to the location of the boss' spawn to join the fight, going all-in on this activity would be the best way to get players engaged with the game’s multiplayer. Revitalizing the World Boss system with new raid bosses in the next major expansion could be just whatDiablo 4needs to bring burnt-out players looking for a solid co-op experience back into the fold.
Diablo 4
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Diablo® IV is the ultimate action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or explore an expansive end game and shared world where players can meet in towns to trade, team up to battle world bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play, cross-progression, and couch co-op on Xbox.This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.
