Diablo 4 Season 8: Belial’s Return – Features, Builds, and What to Know

Diablo 4 Season 8 official artwork showing Belial’s Return

Diablo 4 Season 8, titled Belial’s Return, has arrived and brought a host of new features, challenges, and rewards. Whether you’re a seasoned demon slayer or just returning to Sanctuary, Season 8 promises high-stakes action with fresh mechanics and a focus on iconic bosses. Let’s explore what makes this season special, highlight the best builds, and touch on key updates and current issues.

What’s New in Diablo 4 Season 8: Belial’s Return?

Season 8: Belial's Return centers around the Lord of Lies, Belial, who now sits atop the revamped Boss Ladder. The main draw this time is the introduction of Boss Powers. Players earn these by defeating bosses spread across Sanctuary. According to IGN’s in-depth breakdown, there are 24 Boss Powers—each offering a Main and Modifier effect—to boost your character's builds in exciting ways.

A new event called Apparition Incursions lets you unlock some Boss Powers early, adding variety to leveling runs. This event features timed boss rushes, culminating in a Belial encounter. The Boss Ladder has been reworked: you can now challenge powerful bosses without collecting prior summoning materials, streamlining the path to endgame content.

Additionally, new Lair Bosses like Urivar and Harbinger of Hatred join the fray, each with distinct mechanics and rewards.

Best Builds for Diablo 4 Season 8

Whether you’re focused on leveling fast or mastering endgame content, Season 8 features recommended builds for every class:

  • Barbarian: Upheaval (leveling), Earthquake (endgame)
  • Druid: Lightning Storm (leveling), Cataclysm (endgame)
  • Necromancer: Minion (leveling), Blood Wave or Bone Spear (endgame)
  • Rogue: Dance of Knives (leveling), Death Trap (endgame)
  • Sorcerer: Firewall (leveling), Lightning Spear (endgame)
  • Spiritborn: Quill Volley (both leveling and endgame)

These builds allow players to maximize the new Boss Powers and handle the increased difficulty. For more expert analysis, IGN and Maxroll provide updated guides for every class to get the most out of your Season 8 adventure.

Twitch Drops and Community Rewards

To celebrate the Season 8 launch, Blizzard has added new Twitch Drops for Diablo IV. By linking your Battle.net and Twitch accounts and watching eligible Diablo 4 streams, you can earn unique weapon cosmetics and mount trophies. The event runs from April 29 to May 13, giving plenty of time to claim your loot. Plus, supporting your favorite streamers by gifting subscriptions can unlock the exclusive Skull Behelit mount trophy.

The detailed FAQ on Blizzard's news post covers earning and claiming drops, redeeming codes, and troubleshooting issues. Make sure to claim earned rewards promptly, as unclaimed codes expire after seven days.

Battle Pass "Reliquaries" and Launch Issues

A major change in Season 8 is the shift from the classic Battle Pass to the Reliquaries system. However, some players have encountered bugs where Platinum is deducted, but the pass and cosmetics do not unlock. The team at Windows Central advises caution and recommends waiting for a fix before purchasing. You can read the latest updates and troubleshooting steps directly in their breakdown of the Reliquary bug.

Players who have saved previous Battle Passes to activate in a later season have also found they cannot redeem them due to the new system, causing understandable frustration. Blizzard is actively investigating the issue and posting updates as they become available. Stay tuned to community channels for news on fixes.

Tier Lists and Tips for Getting Ahead

Season 8’s central theme is bossing, so optimizing your build and gear for boss encounters is key. For detailed tier lists covering leveling, bossing, endgame, and speedfarming, consult Maxroll’s resources, featured in IGN’s comprehensive guide. This will help you select the right class and playstyle for your objectives, whether pushing the new Pit endgame or clearing Nightmare Dungeons fast.

Conclusion: Is Diablo 4 Season 8 Worth Your Time?

Diablo 4 Season 8: Belial’s Return stands out thanks to its all-new boss powers, challenging content, and enticing community rewards. While there are launch bugs—especially with Reliquaries—the gameplay innovations and build diversity offer something for every adventurer in Sanctuary. Dive in, claim your Twitch Drops, experiment with top builds, and prepare to face Belial and his minions for a rewarding challenge!