Diablo 4 2.1 updates scraps buying mounts with gold, but fixes unkillable enemies

Coming to a PTR server on December 3, 2024, the new Diablo 4 2.1 update is quickly approaching. Following the broken launch of Spiritborn resulting in over 60% of players moving to the new class, Blizzard is releasing its first proper attempt to balance the new hero type alongside fixing a wealth of bugs.

Diablo 4 2.1 PTR fixes loads

Detailed in the game’s latest patch notes, Blizzard is releasing a swathe of fixes for the popular ARPG (sorry, Diablo-like) in the coming weeks. Alongside adding new items and runes for players to toy with, Blizzard is aiming to fix a load of issues that fans have been complaining about.

For example, Vessel of Hatred players who rely heavily on stagger builds have noticed a major issue in the Kichuk Stronghold. In this area, the Dweller in the Dark enemy can become unkillable once staggered, an issue that has affected the game since mid-October. This issue is finally fixed with this patch.

Even more interesting than killing unkillable enemies, Blizzard has massively revised how Mounts work within Diablo 4. Alongside being able to customise your Mounts anywhere in the game, the ability to buy Mounts with gold. Instead, every Mount in the game will be either an activity/quest reward or must be purchased via the in-game shop.

Balancing Spiritborn

Perhaps the most worrisome area of the upcoming 2.1 update, Blizzard has performed its first proper balance sweep on the new Spiritborn class. As the most-used class in the current Diablo 4 meta, many players are worried that the studio will sap the fun out of its current form.

In the patch notes, Spiritborn has seen some pretty substantial buffs instead of the nerfs many expected. However, as Blizzard is aiming to buff every class to match the new power lead, this is unsurprising. For example, here are the major improvements to the class’ skills:

Skills

• Enhanced Thunderspike – Vigor generated increased from 5 to 7
• Accelerated Thunderspike – Vulnerable duration increased from 2 to 3 seconds
• Sharp Thrash – Ferocity gain increased from 1 to 2
• Stinger – Damage increased from 70% to 77%
• Enhanced Stinger – Damage increased from 50% to 60% of its Base damage
• Concussive Stomp – Damage increased from 40% to 50%
• Enhanced Concussive Stomp – Maximum Barrier increased from 30% to 40% of your Maximum Life
• Invasive Payback – Cooldown reduced from 15 to 8 seconds
• Touch of Death – Touch of Death’s swarm now ignores Invulnerable enemies
• Razor Wings – Maximum active Razor Wings increased from 12 to 15
• Endurance – Vigor generated increased from 5/10/15 to 10/20/30
• Velocity – Generate 1/2/3 Vigor per second while moving
• Bastion – Thorns increased from 40/80/120 to 120/240/360
• Acceleration – Gain 1 additional Evade Charge. After you Evade, your Eagle Skills deal 8/16/24%[x] increased damage for 2 seconds
• Auspicious – Delay to gain Barrier after taking damage reduced from 5 to 2 seconds
• The Protector – Rank 5: The Protector’s domain pulses 100% of your Thorns as Physical damage to enemies within every second
• The Seeker – Rank 5: The Seeker’s damage is increased by 50% of your Critical Strike and Vulnerable Damage bonuses
• The Hunter – Rank 5: The Hunter’s initial damage will Execute Injured Non-Boss enemies
• The Devourer – Rank 5: The Devourer’s damage is increased by 150% of your Healing Received bonus

As a live-service game, Diablo 4 is constantly evolving—for better and for worse. However, with Patch 2.1, it seems that Blizzard is still dedicated to making the ARPG satisfying for millions of players. Is it succeeding?