Diablo 4 Season 3 release date – start time, preload, and new changes

Diablo 4 Season 3 release date – start time, preload, and new changes
Nico Vergara Updated on by

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If you’ve completed most of what Blizzard had to offer in their hit ARPG’s second season, you may be wondering when the Diablo 4 Season 3 release date will be. Players are predictably eager to experience a new story and more seasonal content after Season 2 proved to be a hit with the community. So, with this in mind, we’ll be covering when the upcoming season begins here to give you ample time to prepare beforehand.

Of course, if you aren’t quite finished with grinding out Uber Uniques in-game, you may have an easier time finding what you need by learning how to get Tibault’s Will and how to get all Malignant Rings in Diablo 4. Otherwise, keep reading to find out when the next hellish season in Sanctuary starts.

When is the Diablo 4 Season 3 release date

The Diablo 4 Season 3 release date is on January 23, 2024, for all platforms, including the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Blizzard has confirmed this through the game’s main menu, explicitly stating that Season 2 will end on the previously mentioned date.

In addition, global community development director Adam Fletcher revealed that Season 3 will not be suffering any delays through an X (formerly Twitter) post. In a separate message, Fletcher also stated that the community will hear more about the third season’s release in the coming weeks, along with a stream date.

Community director Adam Fletcher followed up on the previous promise by revealing that a Diablo 4 Season 3 Developer Update livestream will take place ahead of the update’s launch. During this time, the development team will be discussing new season details, new gameplay features, and QoL updates, so make sure to tune in.

This would be similar to how Diablo 4’s first and second seasons began and ended after Season 1 concluded on October 17, 2023, with Season 2 starting on the same day. However, the developers could still end up changing the date, so we will continue to update this page with the latest information as soon as it’s announced.

Diablo 4 Season 3 start time

The Diablo 4 Season 3 start time will begin at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM GMT, much like the past seasons. Expect the game to go live in all regions simultaneously. Here are some other start times from timezones to help you plan your Diablo 4 Season 3 grind:

  • 1 PM EST
  • 7 PM CET
  • 3 AM JST

Season 3 start time US

  • 10 AM PT on January 23, 2024
  • 1 PM ET on January 23, 2024

Season 3 start time UK

  • 6 PM GMT on January 23, 2024

Diablo 4 Season 3 preload

A preload has already gone live for all platforms for Diablo 4 Season 3. This will be followed by a minor update right when the Season of the Construct launches across the world. Check your device to ensure that this update is already downloaded for a headstart into the new Season.

Diablo 4 Season 3 questline

Like past updates, Diablo 4 Season 3 will present players with a completely new questline that focuses on its seasonal theme. Once the Season of the Construct kicks off, you’ll be able to jump into the exciting new plot that revolves around the legacy of Zolton Kulle and his ancient magical invention, the Loom. Of course, no story is complete without a sinister villain to foil the hero’s plot, which is where the malicious Demon, Malphas, comes in.

With Malphas having twisted the Loom to heed his whims, your task throughout the story will be to thwart the Demon’s plans by eliminating its hordes and purging the Loom of Malphas’ influence. Naturally, your fight against the new seasonal Elite will eventually lead to a climactic boss fight in the deadly Vaults, where numerous elemental Hazards and Constructs also await to end your adventure.

There’s a new Gatehall town center under Kehjistan which will serve as the main base of operations in Diablo 4 Season 3’s seasonal questline. In the seasonal realm, you’ll be able to progress your battle pass and the seasonal journey for new rewards and challenges. Vault dungeons and Arcane Tremors are other new mechanics introduced with Season of the Construct. Open Wardwoven Chests to get stacks of the special Zoltun’s warding buff against the traps of Lilith. Play and get these rewards before your seasonal character is returned to the Eternal Realm once more.

A group of demons in a dark environment, hinting at the upcoming release date of Diablo 4 Season 3.
Image via Blizzard

What’s new in Diablo 4 Season 3

Diablo 4 Season 3, entitled Season of the Construct, will, as usual, have a completely different theme than its predecessors. Whereas Season 1 and Season 2 focused on the Malignant and Vampires, respectively, the third season will revolve around constructs both good and evil. According to Blizzard’s official announcement, you can partner up with your very own spindly-legged mech called the Seneschal Companion, which can help you fight off would-be attackers and augment your abilities. Being able to purchase an extra stash tab will help all the obsessive collectors out there while near-permanent Helltides let you collect rare resources more easily.

Season of the Construct Seneschal Companion

Similar to Season 2’s Vampiric Powers, you’ll have the chance to enhance your Seneschal Companion’s capabilities through the use of Governing and Tuning Stones you find in the Vaults. The former determines what kinds of attacks your companion can execute, while the latter improves upon those skills and also helps it provide greater utility. You’ll be able to select 2 Governing Stones and 6 Tuning Stones out of 12 and 27 choices, respectively, so you’ll have plenty of room to experiment.

A screenshot of Diablo 4, the highly anticipated game in Season 3.
Image via Blizzard

It’s also worth remembering that Governing and Tuning Stones function somewhat similarly to Nightmare Sigils: you need to level them up to unlock their full power. You’ll be able to level each one up by collecting and fusing duplicates of each stone. This will make each of the abilities and attacks they grant more potent, making it easier to breeze through the content in the new season.

Season of the Construct leaderboards

Blizzard has revealed that leaderboards will arrive in Sanctuary with the Season 3 update alongside The Gauntlet. This new in-game addition features a weekly rotating dungeon that will allow you to compete for the top spot on the previously mentioned leaderboards. Those who claim the top weekly scores will have their (user)names immortalized in the Hall of the Ancients, so plenty of bragging rights abound for the best of the best.

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The Seneschal champion augments your playstyle in Diablo 4

With the right equipment, you can blaze through the Gauntlet to enter the Hall of the Ancients.

Will there be quality-of-life updates in Diablo 4 Season 3?

Yes, Blizzard will introduce a handful of quality-of-life updates as part of the Diablo 4 Season 3 patch. These tweaks include the following:

  • Longer Helltides
  • Enhanced movement with W-A-S-D keys
  • Additional Stash tab
  • Improvements to skill tree reallocation
  • UI improvements when trading gold
  • Increased drop rates for Beast in the ice summoning items

These won’t be the only QoL changes the developers will be making. So, if you want to learn more about what they’ll be tweaking, make sure to tune into the Diablo 4 Season 3 Developer Update livestream that’s taking place soon.

That covers all you need to know about the Diablo 4 Season 3 release date. For more on the game, check out our guides on how to get The Oculus in Diablo 4, how to get Black River Scythe in Diablo 4, and how to get Godslayer Crown in Diablo 4 to pass the time.

Diablo 4 Season 3 release date FAQ

Is a Diablo 4 season the same as an expansion?

No, seasons are free while expansions are paid content.

Will Diablo 4 Season 3 have a preload option?

Yes, it does have a preload option.