Diablo IV Season 8, titled Belial’s Return, launches on April 29, 2025, at 12 p.m. CT, ushering in a new era of darkness, deceit, and high-stakes action. Blizzard’s latest seasonal update centers around Belial, the Lord of Lies, who emerges from the shadows to manipulate Sanctuary once again. From captivating new storylines to reworked endgame systems and customizable boss powers, Season 8 offers one of the most expansive and engaging seasonal experiences yet.

Season Overview: Lies in the Shadows

The central narrative of Season 8 revolves around the “Lord of Lies” questline. Players begin their journey in Kyovashad, speaking to a mysterious Stranger near the Waypoint. From here, they unravel a disturbing rise in Apparition Monsters, phantasmal entities that signal Belial’s growing influence.

New Allies

You won’t face the deception of Belial alone. Two new allies assist in the investigation:

Sayeena, a retired Vizjerei mage, brings arcane knowledge and skepticism to the fight.

Jarius, a self-declared knight of the Cathedral of Light, offers valor but harbors secrets of his own.

This unlikely duo accompanies you through Season 8’s primary questline, deepening the lore while delivering high-stakes conflict and character-driven drama.

Apparition Incursion Events: Boss Rush Meets Mystery

One of Season 8’s core mechanics is the Apparition Incursion, a new open-world, multiplayer boss rush event. These encounters rotate across Sanctuary and are marked by Belial’s signature glowing green eye. During the event, players fend off waves of monstrous illusions. Defeating enough waves triggers a unique Apparition Boss—10 in total, each dropping exclusive rewards.

Rewards Include:

Boss Powers (explained below)

Spectral Ash (used to upgrade Boss Powers)

Unveiler’s Oath reputation, which is exchangeable for rare seasonal items

These events are available across all difficulties and allow players to farm essential powers, resources, and cosmetics in a fast-paced, replayable format.

Boss Powers System: Customize Your Combat Style

One of the most exciting additions in Season 8 is the Boss Powers System, which allows players to tailor their builds using unique active and passive effects earned through seasonal content.

How It Works:

Total Boss Powers: 24 (each with a Main and a Modifier)

How to Unlock: First-time kills of World Bosses, Apparition Bosses, and Lair Bosses

Equippable Slots: 1 Main Power + 3 Modifier Powers

These Boss Powers range from devastating nukes to clever utility effects. For example:

Wandering Death’s Chest Beam

Main: Channeling a skill spawns a beam that deals 300% Frostbite damage per second

Modifier: Instantly executes non-boss enemies under 15.5% HP and restores 25 Primary Resource

Belial’s Crystal Decoy

Main: Spawns a taunting crystal that explodes for 600% Shadow damage after 3 seconds

Modifier: Activating the main power fears nearby enemies and adds bonus Shadow damage

These powers enable entirely new synergies, breathing life into both meta and experimental builds.

Lair Boss Overhaul: Tiers, Hoards, and Fair Loot

Lair Bosses are getting a major overhaul in Season 8. Instead of farming specific materials, bosses now drop Hoard loot chests after defeat. Each player uses Lair Boss Keys to open their individual Hoard, eliminating loot ninja issues in co-op groups.

New Lair Boss Tiers:

Initiate – e.g., Beast in the Ice, Grigoire

Cost: 12 Keys

Greater – e.g., Duriel, Andariel

Cost: 3 Keys

Exalted – e.g., Belial himself

Cost: 2 Keys

This restructuring aligns well with Belial’s theme of fairness vs. deception, allowing every player to earn their due rewards without conflict.

Reliquaries Battle Pass System: Pick Your Path

Season 8 introduces Reliquaries, a reimagined Battle Pass system that offers flexible progression. Instead of a single linear path, players can choose reward tracks that align with their interests.

Available Reliquaries:

Belial’s Return (Free) – Includes Platinum, a mount, weapons, mount armor, and a Town Portal skin

Weapons – Focused on weapon skins and effects

Beasts – Grants pets, mounts, and trophies

Armor – Full transmog sets per class

Event Reliquary – Offers Diablo IV x Berserk crossover cosmetics (May 6 – June 3)

Currency: Favor Tokens

Earned by playing the game, these tokens unlock Reliquary rewards at your own pace and preference.

Season Journey & Blessings: Earn Power and Companions

The Season Journey returns in Season 8, packed with powerful rewards and collectibles. One of the most exciting additions is Iris the Cat, a new pet unlocked upon full completion of the journey.

New Season Blessings

With Reliquaries replacing traditional progression, Smoldering Ashes now drop as Chapter rewards. These ashes can be spent on Blessings such as:

Urn of Oaths – Increases Unveiler’s Oath rep gains

Urn of Masterworking – Boosts Obducite drop rates

Urn of Lies – Raises Belial’s spawn chance after Lair Boss fights

Urn of Ancestral Whispers – Enhances cache chances from Whispers

Urn of Glyphs – Increases glyph upgrade outcomes

These strategic buffs further optimize your seasonal farming loop and endgame efficiency.

Tejal’s Shop: Premium Cosmetics & Mount Bundles

Cosmetic hunters will have plenty to browse at Tejal’s Shop, which refreshes with new premium bundles on April 29 at 12 p.m. PDT.

Featured Bundle: Fetters of the Nether Lion

Mount: Sha’lawai, the Nether Lion

Trophies: Shade light Lantern & Nether Lion’s Fangs

Cost: 2,800 Platinum

This demonic-themed bundle fits the eerie tone of Belial’s Return and is perfect for players looking to show off seasonal prestige.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Play Season 8

Whether you're returning to Sanctuary or playing Diablo IV for the first time, Season 8: Belial’s Return offers one of the most compelling seasonal arcs to date. With innovative features like Boss Powers, flexible Reliquary Diablo 4 Items rewards, and engaging world events like Apparition Incursions, there’s no shortage of fresh content. Belial’s deceit might cloud Sanctuary, but your journey through the lies is bound to be unforgettable.

So sharpen your blades, equip your powers, and trust no one. The Lord of Lies is watching.