Diablo 5 Will Favor Build Planning Over Action, Director Says
Diablo 5's director says the game is being designed around planning and investment, where the right build can beat any challenge.
Diablo 5 is being built around planning and investment rather than reflex-driven combat, according to the game's director. The design goal is that a well-planned build should be able to overcome any challenge, while some moment-to-moment execution mechanics remain in place.
The statement marks a shift in emphasis from Diablo 4, which leaned heavily on action. In the new approach, the work players put into a character before a fight matters more than what they do during it.
Blizzard has already shared a few details about Diablo 5 at BlizzCon, including that items will take up multiple inventory slots again — a return to the inventory pressure of earlier entries in the series.
The direction echoes a longer-running tension inside the franchise. Diablo 4 launched with Blizzard aiming to recreate Diablo 2, but the studio soon abandoned that goal and sped the game up toward Diablo 3's pace.
Even with Diablo 5 on the horizon, Blizzard has said it has no intentions of leaving Diablo 4 completely behind as long as people still play it.
Quick answers
What combat style will Diablo 5 use?
The director said the game will be designed around planning and investment, with the right build able to overcome any challenge, while still keeping some moment-to-moment execution mechanics.
Will Diablo 5 bring back multi-slot items?
Yes. At BlizzCon, Blizzard said items will take up multiple inventory slots again.
Is Blizzard dropping Diablo 4 for Diablo 5?
Blizzard has said it has no intentions of leaving Diablo 4 completely behind as long as people still play it.