Reliquary Rethink: Diablo 4’s Battle Pass Overhaul Leaves Players Disappointed
The launch of Diablo 4’s Reliquary system in Season 8 was meant to reinvent the seasonal progression experience-but instead, it’s left a bitter taste in the mouths of many longtime players. What was pitched as a flexible, more player-driven reward system has quickly become one of the most criticized additions to Blizzard’s dark fantasy ARPG.
Initially, the Reliquary system appeared to be a meaningful evolution. Unlike the previous linear battle pass model, Reliquaries allowed players to choose which rewards they wanted to pursue. In theory, this offered customization and a sense of agency. However, players soon discovered that the changes brought with them a slew of frustrating design choices, monetization traps, and a notable reduction in value.
A post by Reddit user Loika sparked widespread discussion after highlighting how Reliquaries are structured. The most controversial point? While players can earn “Favor Tokens” by playing the game and use them to unlock items, those same rewards can also be bought instantly with Platinum-the game’s premium currency. Worse still, the game’s UI heavily favors the Platinum purchase path, putting it front and center while burying the free option behind secondary prompts.
The monetization feels subtle but insidious. Loika used an in-game example: a cosmetic armor set that could be unlocked for either 15 tokens or 750 Platinum (around $7.50). Players on PC are shown the Platinum purchase button as the default action, and there’s no confirmation screen-meaning one accidental click can drain your wallet. This kind of design has been labeled by some in the community as “predatory,” particularly when younger or less experienced players are involved.
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