Should You Skip Campaign Or Not In Diablo 4: Season 1?

Deciding whether to skip Diablo IV's campaign in Season 1? Weigh the pros and cons of immediate seasonal access versus campaign rewards and XP.

Alright, let's break down whether you should dive straight into the new seasonal content or play through the campaign in Diablo IV's first season. We've got the pros and cons laid out to help you make the best call for your playstyle.

Think of it this way: playing the campaign gives you a clearer path forward, especially if you're trying to progress through the Journey objectives. Plus, you get those guaranteed legendary drops from the end-of-act bosses, which is pretty sweet for leveling. On the flip side, if you skip the campaign, you get immediate access to the shiny new seasonal mechanic – the Malignant Hearts. These are super cool because they slot into your jewelry and offer some really impactful buffs that can totally shape your build from the get-go.

The main thing to remember about seasons is that usually, the seasonal stuff doesn't kick in until you've finished the campaign. That means if you're playing through the story, you might be missing out on some potent build-altering effects for a good chunk of time. For Season 1, these Malignant Hearts are a big deal. We're seeing Necromancers absolutely shredding with Corpse Explosion builds thanks to the Sacrilegious Heart, and Druids or Sorcerers are getting massive Crit Lightning Storm synergy from The Picanta. These aren't just minor tweaks; they're fundamentally changing how people are playing from level 1 all the way to the endgame.

So, for this first season, even though those guaranteed legendaries from campaign bosses are tempting, it really feels like skipping the campaign is the way to go to maximize your enjoyment of the new Malignant Hearts and their build-defining power.

While the campaign does offer a solid XP boost, which might tempt some players, the real draw for Season 1 is the Malignant Hearts. These unique items replace gem slots in your jewelry and provide powerful, build-altering buffs. For example, the Sacrilegious Heart can auto-detonate corpses for Necromancers, and The Picanta enhances critical lightning builds for Druids and Sorcerers. These mechanics are impactful from the very start of the season, making early access crucial for optimizing your character.

Ultimately, for Season 1, the benefit of jumping straight into the Malignant Hearts and their build-enhancing capabilities seems to outweigh the guaranteed legendaries and XP from completing the campaign. It's all about getting the most out of the new seasonal content right from the beginning.