Time: 2025-10-29
Diablo 4's Season 11, "Lesser Evils," brings a terrifying twist by unleashing Duriel, Belial, and Andariel into the game's core activities. However, this innovative integration has ignited community frustration, creating a clear divide between expansion owners and base-game players.
Seasonal Mechanics: The Evil's New Playground
The new season dynamically weaves the Lesser Evils into Sanctuary's daily grind:
Duriel now infests Helltides, replacing the Blood Maiden with a more sinister encounter.
Belial weaves his deception within The Pit, appearing as a potential final boss.
Andariel brings her poison to the Kurast Undercity, offering powerful seasonal rewards upon defeat.
While this concept brilliantly makes the villains feel more present, it comes with a significant catch that is locking some players out.
The Andariel Problem: A Paywall in Season 11
The core issue lies with Andariel. To challenge her new seasonal version in the Kurast Undercity and earn the associated progression rewards, players must own the Vessel of Hatred expansion. Base-game players can only fight her original, non-seasonal incarnation, effectively barring them from a segment of the seasonal journey.
This marks a first for Diablo 4 and confirms Blizzard's earlier warnings that future seasons would leverage expansion content.
Community Backlash: "We Feel Left Behind"
The decision has sparked heated discussions on platforms like Reddit. Many players express disappointment, feeling that seasonal progression—a core part of the live-service experience—should remain accessible to all.
One popular suggestion from the community is for Blizzard to allow Andariel to spawn in a base-game activity like Helltides, ensuring no one is excluded. However, Blizzard has not indicated any plans for such adjustments, signaling that this is the new normal.
Looking Ahead: The Inevitable Expansion Lock
With Vessel of Hatred priced similarly to the base game, the gap between the two player groups is widening. Season 11 serves as a clear signal that owning the latest DLC is becoming essential to experience the complete Diablo 4 lifecycle.
For players aiming to conquer the new threats of Season 11 and optimize their build, having the right resources is key. For those looking to enhance their journey, MMOMAX offers a secure platform to buy Diablo 4 items and gold, giving you the edge against the invading Lesser Evils.