Blizzard’s next Diablo 4 expansion, Lord of Hatred, will raise the game’s Torment ceiling from 4 to 12, the team said during a Wudijo interview with Associate Game Director Zaven Haroutunian. Watch the interview on YouTube for the full conversation.
The extra Torment tiers are meant to let more activities scale into true late-game power instead of leaving players with a narrow set of efficient farming options. Blizzard described those higher tiers as moving things closer to how the Pit scales, and specifically called out content such as Helltides and Infernal Hordes as examples of activities that will see reward scaling alongside difficulty.
That jump from Torment 4 to Torment 12 is the headline change. Blizzard’s goal is to make wider parts of the game viable for endgame progression rather than forcing players into a small number of routes. Players have reacted unevenly to the idea. Some welcome the finer granularity because current Torment jumps can feel abrupt. Many others worry that adding eight new tiers risks turning progression into more pure stat scaling, a criticism previously aimed at Diablo 3 when it extended to Torment 16.
Community discussion about the Torment change is live on Reddit. See the original post and comments below:
LOH will be increasing difficulty to Torment 12
byu/Loofahs indiablo4
Item systems and new build options
Alongside Torment changes, the interview revealed a new take on the Horadric Cube. Blizzard framed the Cube as a tool for item modification rather than raw item crafting. The system should let you improve blue and yellow bases so they remain useful longer. Blizzard did not include white items in the Cube plan at this time. The Cube will also craft charms and seals. Developers described a mechanic that can convert a favorite unique item into a charm, which adds another layer of long-term planning for gear beyond primary slots.
Blizzard shared a few example effects to illustrate the kind of build variety the expansion aims to add. Examples included a Druid with companion bears, and Rogue options such as a permanent Shadow Clone or an auto-cast that triggers the equipped Marksman basic skill. Those examples suggest the team is aiming for changes that alter play patterns rather than only increasing raw damage.
Other expansion systems
Several additional systems were mentioned that will affect endgame loop and progression. Blizzard said it will increase stash space, and that Solo Self Found is still planned though it will arrive after the Tower is in better shape. The Echoing Hatred activity will require a very rare key that can drop from anywhere. Echoing Hatred is built around endless waves where rewards scale based on how far a player gets.
Warplans appear intended as a flexible reward customization system for activities. Blizzard gave examples such as adding Burning Butcher spawns to Helltides or allowing Pit clears to grant loot and currencies instead of Glyph upgrades. If implemented as described, Warplans could let players choose which activities advance their preferred progression goals.
Blizzard first revealed and teased the expansion at The Game Awards, and later, they scheduled a developer update focused on the Warlock and the next season on March 5 All told, Torment 12 is the biggest single change announced, but the Cube, Warplans, Echoing Hatred, and stash increases together suggest a broad reshaping of Diablo 4’s endgame if everything ships as described.
What do you think? Join the conversation and tell us in the comments whether Torment 12 will make endgame less linear or simply add another layer of stat scaling. Follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram.
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred
