As Diablo 4 prepares for its inaugural season on July 20, the development team has provided a tantalizing glimpse into the future of the game: the Season of the Malignant. This season brings several new additions and improvements to the base game, making it one of the most significant updates since the game’s launch. But what truly has the community excited is the introduction of Malignant Hearts.
But these aren’t just shiny baubles to be collected on a whim. They are, in fact, a fundamental shift in how players approach the endgame of Diablo 4.
As part of the season’s narrative, a malevolent curse known as Malignance is spreading across the world of Sanctuary that’s transforming living beings into formidable foes. While terrifying, this also provides an opportunity: defeat these monstrous creatures and acquire their Malignant Hearts, ripe for capture using a Cage of Binding. It’s a dangerous game to play, as the ritual to acquire a Heart may pull more Malignance towards you, but the power gained is well worth the risk.
With 32 unique Malignant Hearts, each granting unique powers, the incoming additions will immerse all players in strategic decisions and the thrill of discovery. At the time of writing, Blizzard has released four different Hearts types: Vicious Hearts (providing offensive bonuses), Brutal Hearts (granting defensive boosts), Devious Hearts (specializing in utility powers), and Wrathful Hearts, an ultra-rare variant that can be slotted into any colored socket, creating a compelling incentive for dedicated players.
These Hearts form a core part of a player’s arsenal in the Season of the Malignant. Much like Diablo 3’s Legendary Gems, these Hearts provide powerful bonuses when correctly matched with their socket colors, ensuring that they become central to shaping player builds. Further, by salvaging unwanted Hearts, players can create materials for crafting more desirable ones, adding a depth of crafting not seen in Diablo 4 since launch.
The thrill of hunting Malignant Hearts also adds a fresh layer to the game’s endgame content. Blizzard has confirmed that players can target-farm these Hearts, but success depends on more than just a lucky roll of the dice. Players will also need to find Infested rolls on top-tier jewelry and ensure the new socket is the correct color.
But for those who crave certainty, Blizzard has revealed that Malignant Hearts can be crafted using Cormond’s wagon while answering one of the significant criticisms of the game at launch. And for the truly committed, the endgame features all-new Malignant Tunnels. Here, players can utilize Invokers, special items crafted from salvaged Hearts, to farm more Malignant Hearts from the Malignant enemies residing within.
This season promises not only a challenge but a complete reset: an empty stash, no currency, and a reliance on knowledge and strategy. With the promise of new Legendary Aspects and Uniques, and, of course, the Malignant Hearts, this season will put players’ skill and dedication to the ultimate test.
While much remains unknown about the Season of the Malignant, one thing is clear: the introduction of Malignant Hearts will transform the landscape of Diablo 4, adding new layers of strategy, farming, and crafting. As players eagerly await July 20, we can only speculate on how these powerful items will redefine builds and reshape the Sanctuary.
So, as we stand on the precipice of this new season, let’s embrace the unknown. After all, isn’t the joy of discovery, the thrill of the unexpected, what keeps us playing? Remember: we have three months to figure out the best builds and strategies.
With so much uncertainty, maybe we should take Blizzard’s advice to take a step back from the game for a couple of days before creating a new character to enjoy Season 1 of Diablo 4.
