Diablo IV

Season 14 · Patch 3.1.2

Season July 1, 2026

Season 14 has arrived with update 3.1.0, and Blizzard is addressing one of Diablo 4's most tedious endgame grinds: gem farming. The changes target the Horadric and Flawless Horadric Gem systems introduced in the Lord of Hatred expansion, which require players to craft these powerful gems through the Horadric Cube rather than finding them as drops.

The previous system created a monotonous grind where players ran Seer's Reach dungeon repeatedly during Season 13 to acquire gem fragments that could eventually be converted into Grand Gems and then up the crafting chain. This hours-long process became notorious among the community for its repetitive nature.

What Changed

Patch 3.1.0 brings two major improvements to the gem system:

Gem fragment drop rates have been significantly increased in Torment X difficulty and above, reducing reliance on farming specific dungeons like Seer's Reach

The Jeweler's gem conversion recipes now require only two types of gems instead of three, streamlining the process of converting unwanted fragments into desired gem types

Conversion recipe overlap has been reduced, making it easier for players to target specific gems needed for their builds

The Amalgamation recipe at the Horadric Cube remains unchanged: five Grand Gems craft one Horadric Gem, and five Horadric Gems craft one Flawless Horadric Gem.

What This Means for Players

Players investing in endgame builds that rely on high-tier gems will find gem acquisition far less tedious. The reduced conversion requirements mean fewer wasted resources when pivoting between builds or farming for alternative gear setups. Torment X content becomes more rewarding not just for its existing loot tables but now serves as a practical source for gem progression.

However, this comes alongside increased grind elsewhere in Season 14. Mythic items have received randomized affixes under Blizzard's "Mythic Uniques 3.0" system, making perfect item acquisition longer despite some PTR adjustments to the initial randomness.

What's Next

Blizzard will continue monitoring player feedback on both the gem changes and Mythic item randomization throughout Season 14. The developer has acknowledged in interviews that Mythic item changes are controversial but views them as necessary for Diablo 4's long-term health. Players should expect ongoing adjustments based on community response to these endgame systems.