Notes on Diablo IV's Eternal Realm after 10 Seasons
I've been playing Diablo IV since launch, having partaken in every season since the first. That was until season 9, when I opted to continue my lovely Torment 4 Necromantress in the Eternal Realm rather than chase this season's "collect a bunch of this new thing" du jour.
After this journey, I did jump back to seasonal play for season 10. On top of that, only a few weeks into season 10, I've somehow achieved everything for the season. Battle pass, seasonal questline and journey. I casually defeated Lilith on Torment 4 to get the secret title for my A+ 100% performance.
I'm not done yet, as I'm on a quest to reach Paragon Level 300. It would also be nice to pit push to level 150. Suspect I'll lose interest at some point.
So after a lot of seasonal play, and logging extensive time in the Eternal Realm, here's my thoughts.
You can still do the Battle Pass
One of my "fears" of skipping seasonal play is that I'd miss out on Battle Pass rewards. I sorta don't care about free cosmetics, as I typically buy what I want. Yes, you read that right. I'm the guy you're talking about when you bitch on Reddit, asking "who is even paying real money for these cosmetics?"
Having been through so many seasons, it's just a vanity metric I wanted to keep going. Fortunately, the Battle Pass rewards are still available while slumming it in the Eternal Realm. In fact, I was able to amass 99 favor tokens above and beyond the Battle Pass requirement and do some damage out of the gate during season 10.
Tisn't the season
You don't get any of this from the Eternal Realm. This was to be expected, but figured worth noting. None of the buffs, no seasonal questline or journey.
It's harder
Without the seasonal buffs, you've really gotta work harder on perfecting your build. It's kind of sad to see a character go from speed running pit level 100, reduced to barely getting through Torment 4 content.
That's the gift though, the gameloop isn't magically condensed into a few weeks of shitty gear that somehow can pit push with ease.
Build guides favor the season
Another obvious one, if you're a filthy casual that follows build guides, as I do, you won't find much in terms of Eternal Realm content. You can definitely follow a build, but you'll need to adjust for a lack of seasonal equipment and socketables.
This probably doesn't matter if you really get into doing your builds yourself.
Not everything new is seasonal
Season 10 definitely has gear, the chaos armor, that didn't make it to the Eternal Realm. That being said, non-seasonal uniques make it to the Eternal Realm when the season starts.
Mythic drops seem lower
Yes, I'm fully aware that the RNG can be a cruel mistress. Anecdotally, not even a full month into Season 10, I've already gotten 3 mythic drops from bosses.
I've yet to get a single mythic drop in Eternal Realm.
People do play Eternal Realm
The typical joke from Eternal Realm players is that it's them and like 3 other people playing. Maybe not as packed as playing seasonal, the Eternal Realm does in fact have players.
It's nice to focus on dungeons and side quests
For me, playing the season means focusing on the seasonal content. Get through the questline. Farm the fuck out of the new things that will vanish in a few months. Level up as fast as possible to get to Torment 4.
It's fine, but it's also nice to sit down and focus on finishing all of the dungeons and side quests in an area. It doesn't garner the most XP, but it's nice to see progress in the collection.
It could be better
The only real gripe I have about Eternal Realm is that it would be nice if you could opt-in to online gameplay. This isn't because I don't like being connected to servers, or don't have a decent connect. Nah, I just like to play solo, so I don't see much need in being connected to do so.
Eternal Realm is worth it
I enjoyed my time in the Eternal Realm. Seeing as I somehow aced the entirety of Season 10 in 2 to 3 weeks, it adds even more validity to the long game.
That said, with the seasonal buffs and ease of pit pushing, seasonal does serve a purpose if you're on a quest for XP and Paragon level 300 as I am.