Blizzard recently previewed Diablo 3’s patch 2.1.0—a major content update that adds all manner of new content into the game, ranging from Greater Rifts, a new dungeon, a timed ‘Seasons’ mode, and a host of new weapons, armor, and items. There’s no release date for the upcoming patch, but Blizzard has since made it available for players to try out on the newly launched Public Test Realm.
Among the various new additions to content is an item that allows you to increase the number of sockets on any item with sockets in it to the maximum amount, and many old Legendary items have been given buffs and Legendary stats to make them more attractive to players.
The Monk and Demon Hunter classes have had their Dexterity stat tweaked to provide armor instead of dodge chance, thus improving their survivability tremendously. This is in addition to the many buffs and class changes being brought to each of the game’s existing classes. Notably, the new item buffs and changes to the Crusader’s Phalanx ability make the skill worthwhile in builds.
The patch also brings Greater Rifts, which scale in difficulty as you progress through them. There’s also a new dungeon type called the Cesspool that was previously scrapped from the game due to time and development limitations. Players will be able to encounter it in Nephalem and Greater Rifts.
There are also a host of minor changes, such as how Torment-only Set items can now be restored to their original appearance after being transmogrified.
To partake in the Public Test Realm, follow this step-by-step guide for entering it. You can copy an existing Diablo 3 character to the PTR to play with.
You can read the full patch notes here.