Diablo IV

Season 14 · Patch 3.1.2

Season June 23, 2026

Blizzard Entertainment is launching Season of Death Awakening on June 30, marking the first season of Diablo 4's next era following the conclusion of the Age of Hatred story arc that began with the base game's launch in 2023. The season brings a macabre new narrative involving ruptures spawned from dark rituals across Sanctuary, alongside significant changes to Mythic item mechanics and a limited-time Warlock class trial.

This release follows the recent Lord of Hatred DLC, which introduced the Warlock as Diablo 4's latest playable class. Blizzard is offering players a chance to try the demon-summoning class free of charge before committing to the expansion purchase, continuing a strategy first employed with March's Paladin free trial.

What's New

Season of Death Awakening introduces three distinct rupture types that comprise the new seasonal endgame activity:

Ruptures spawn waves of new Gravehound monsters across Sanctuary

Players have a chance to summon the enormous Realmwalker boss by engaging these encounters

Defeating the Realmwalker grants access to the Deathtoll Chamber mini-dungeon

The Deathtoll Chamber contains lair keys needed to access this season's Lair Boss Hoard content

Blizzard reversed its controversial PTR plan regarding Mythic Unique items. Instead of removing guaranteed stats that synergized with Mythic powers, the updated approach provides two guaranteed bonuses:

Preserves what makes Mythics distinctive in Diablo 4's item ecosystem

Opens new possibilities for build diversity

Players can swap exactly one guaranteed bonus while other stats roll randomly

A free Warlock class trial runs from June 30 through July 7 on all platforms, allowing players to experience the class up to level 25. Progress carries over if players purchase the Lord of Hatred DLC.

An Overwatch crossover launches at season start with Eye of the Overwatch currency, earned from elite and champion monsters. This currency unlocks themed cosmetics featuring Reinhardt, Genji, Reaper, Mercy, Brigitte, Moira, Roadhog, and Kirkio. Items will also be available in Diablo 4's cash shop.

What This Means for Players

The Mythic item change is the most significant mechanical shift for endgame buildcrafters. With two guaranteed bonuses preserved and one modifiable slot, players can now adapt Mythic drops to fit specific builds without losing core synergies—a direct response to PTR feedback that caused widespread backlash when original plans surfaced.

Warlock trial offers a low-risk introduction to the class's demon-summoning mechanics for players on the fence about purchasing Lord of Hatred. The level 25 cap provides enough gameplay to assess whether the class matches personal playstyle preferences.

The rupture-based endgame activity creates fresh farming opportunities through Deathtoll Chamber runs and Lair Boss Hoard access. Competitive players should prioritize understanding rupture spawn patterns and Realmwalker encounter mechanics during the first week to establish early season advantages in progression pushes.

Overwatch crossover cosmetics appeal primarily to collectors and fans of hero shooter aesthetics, though the bright character designs represent a notable tonal shift from Diablo 4's grimdark visual identity.

What's Next

Season of Death Awakening launches June 30 with full seasonal battle pass content, free pet rewards for seasonal participation, and new legendary item drops integrated into the loot pool. Blizzard has not announced specific duration for this season, though typical Diablo 4 seasons run approximately three months.

The Warlock free trial concludes July 7—players interested in sampling the class before purchasing Lord of Hatred should plan accordingly. Post-trial, the expansion remains required to access the full Warlock experience including all skill trees, paragon boards, and seasonal progression with the new class.