Abyssal Lich

Barbarian

Druid

Necromancer

Paladin

Rogue

Sorcerer

Spiritborn


<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/you-can-play-as-the-butcher-in-diablo-4-season-12/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 12 added</a> a new hub in Gea Kul, but the layout quickly became a problem.</p>



<p>Vendors are spread too far apart, which makes simple things like salvaging or accessing your stash more annoying than they should be. It is already one of the biggest complaints this season. However, Blizzard is already responding.</p>



<p>Following feedback, community manager Marcus Kretz confirmed that <strong>multiple fixes are coming in the next patch.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gea Kul Layout Is Getting Fixed</h2>



<p>One of the most common complaints this season has been the layout of Gea Kul, where all the important NPCs are spread far apart. <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-season-12-vendors-too-far-apart/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Players pointed out how inconvenient it feels</a> to salvage gear and access the stash when the seasonal vendor is on the other side of town.</p>



<p>This means running back and forth across town, which just wastes time. In response, Marcus Kretz confirmed that improvements are coming very soon!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We&#39;re adding a Stash and blacksmith here in the next patch, expect notes later this week <a href="https://t.co/TufVS57hfc">https://t.co/TufVS57hfc</a></p>&mdash; Marcus Kretz (@MarcusKretz) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarcusKretz/status/2033696812025188818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>According to him, the <strong>next patch will add both a Stash and a Blacksmith closer to the seasonal &#8220;meat vendor&#8221;.</strong> He did not share more details, but patch notes are expected later this week.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bloodsoaked Sigils Also Getting Fixed</h2>



<p>That is not the only issue getting fixed. <strong>Bloodsoaked Sigils </strong>have also been frustrating to use, with many players feeling they are overtuned. Kretz confirmed that <strong>these are being tuned down to make them easier to complete. </strong></p>



<p>Changes like better town layouts can make a big difference over time, especially in a game where players constantly move between vendors, crafting, and inventory management.</p>



<p>Blizzard is already reacting quickly, so more fixes will likely follow in the coming weeks. This is good news!</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p>For more updates on Season 12, make sure to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">check out our Diablo 4 news hub</a>.</p>


Diablo 4 Fixes One of Season 12’s Most Annoying Issues


<p>Season titles return again in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/you-can-play-as-the-butcher-in-diablo-4-season-12/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 12 of Diablo 4</a>, and this one asks for something pretty extreme.</p>



<p>There is a hidden challenge called Over 9000 that only unlocks after reaching a 9000 killstreak. Once the streak hits that number, the game awards a Mythic killstreak indicator and <strong>unlocks the player titles Fresh and Meat.</strong></p>



<p>The challenge does not appear in the normal list before completion, so most players will only notice it after triggering it during long farming runs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hidden Challenge Rewards</h2>



<p>The requirement is exactly what the name suggests. The kill counter needs to reach <strong>9000 enemies without dropping the streak</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://wp-prod.icy-veins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/d4-steve-druid-over9000-achiev.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 128009" style="border-radius:8px" /></figure>



<p>After it triggers, the game awards:</p>



<p>• the <strong>Over 9000</strong> challenge<br>• a <strong>Mythic killstreak indicator</strong><br>• the titles <strong>Fresh</strong> and <strong>Meat</strong></p>



<p>The reference is obvious (most players will recognize the Dragon Ball reference immediately), and the titles are probably one of the most iconic ones we have had in a while. However, the requirements are quite intense.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://wp-prod.icy-veins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/d4-steve-druid-fresh-meat-title.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 128008" style="border-radius:8px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Screenshot from our Druid writer TheSteve unlocking the hidden achievement</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Helltide Farming Makes It Much Easier</h2>



<p>Keeping a streak alive that long sounds unrealistic in normal gameplay. <strong>Helltide farming helps a lot</strong>.</p>



<p>Helltides constantly spawn enemies across the zone, which makes it possible to keep chaining kills without the streak timer falling off. Running loops through dense enemy areas is currently one of the easiest ways to push the counter higher and higher.</p>



<p>Events can also help extend a streak quickly. Hellspires and Blood Maiden fights spawn large waves of enemies and can push the counter up very fast if they appear during your farming route.</p>



<p>A few things help when trying this:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Subo for better minimap tracking</strong></li>



<li><strong>Builds with strong screen clear</strong>, like <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/cataclysm-druid-build/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cataclysm Druid</a></li>



<li><strong>Turning crossplay off,</strong> which can make farming routes less laggy and a bit smoother</li>



<li><strong>Ignore loot during the run</strong>. Stopping to pick things up can easily break the streak timer</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Strange Butcher Shrine Behavior</h3>



<p>There is also a strange interaction linked to <strong>Butcher Shrines</strong> (Shrines of Slaughter).</p>



<p>In rare situations, the shrine can keep spawning enemies repeatedly. When this happens, the kill counter can climb very quickly. Unfortunately, the behavior is difficult to reproduce reliably, so it is more of a lucky situation than something you can consistently plan around.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">One of the Hardest Seasonal Titles</h2>



<p>Most seasonal titles are unlocked naturally during normal play, or later by farming endgame content or bosses for mats that you would anyway want to grind for. This one usually requires a dedicated run where you focus entirely on keeping the kill counter alive.</p>



<p>Getting a 9000 killstreak takes time, the right farming route, and a <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/cataclysm-druid-build/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">build that can clear large groups</a> quickly. But if you manage to keep the streak alive long enough, you end up with one of the strangest titles in the season.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p>If you want to check out more updates on Season 12, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">visit our Diablo 4 news hub</a>.</p>


Hidden Diablo 4 Season 12 Challenge Requires a 9000 Killstreak


<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-season-12-makes-bosses-tougher-with-bloodstained-sigils/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 12</a> introduced a new exciting <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/you-can-play-as-the-butcher-in-diablo-4-season-12/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">change to PvP in Diablo 4</a>, letting players temporarily take control of the iconic Butcher inside the Fields of Hatred. On paper, it sounds like chaos in the best way possible! You turn into one of the game&#8217;s most feared bosses and hunt down other players. In practice, though, the community seems pretty divided.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Surprisingly Easy Way to Unlock PvP Achievements</h2>



<p>Before getting into the issues, there is a very good reason to do this event. Some <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1rt7bx0/butcher_pvp_trophy_this_season/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">players quickly noticed</a> that kills made during the event count toward PvP-related trophies and achievements. That is a big deal, especially since PvP has never really been a popular or easy part of the game to complete.</p>



<p>For example, the annoying &#8220;kill 5 players in PvP&#8221; requirement can now be done much more easily thanks to this mode. In short, if you have been missing PvP achievements for years, this event might be your best shot to finally complete those.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fun Idea, but Rough Execution</h2>



<p>Now, for the less positive side, this is where most of the discussion is happening. <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1rs4033/the_butcher_pvp_ceremony_of_slaughter_mode_is/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">According to player feedback</a>, the event often turns into a weird loop where everyone gathers around the shrine, <strong>takes turns becoming the Butcher, and then immediately gets deleted</strong> by the others.</p>



<p>Instead of an exciting hunt, it ends up feeling more like:</p>



<ul>
<li>Click the shrine</li>



<li>Turn into the Butcher</li>



<li>Get instantly killed</li>



<li>Repeat</li>
</ul>



<p>At higher levels, it gets even worse. Fully geared players can melt the Butcher in seconds, making it extremely hard to actually do anything meaningful when you are transformed. Some players even describe the mode as &#8220;the antithesis of fun,&#8221; mainly because there is no real strategy involved right now.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It Feels Better Early&#8230; Then Falls Apart</h2>



<p>Interestingly, not all experiences are negative. At lower levels or in smaller groups, the mode can actually feel somewhat balanced and chaotic in a good way, with players trading kills and trying to outplay each other.</p>



<p>But once gear and Paragon levels come into play, the balance breaks down quickly, and the Butcher starts feeling more like a target than a threat. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Missed Opportunity for PvP?</h2>



<p>A lot of players agree on one thing: the idea itself is great. It does make you want to try out PvP for once. Turning players into the Butcher could have been a perfect way to create a more balanced and unique PvP mode, especially in a game where PvP has always struggled to find its place.</p>



<p>Some suggestions from the community include:</p>



<ul>
<li>Spawning as the Butcher randomly instead of at a shrine</li>



<li>Giving temporary invisibility or escape tools</li>



<li>Significantly buffing the Butcher&#8217;s survivability</li>
</ul>



<p>Right now, though, it feels like the system was not pushed far enough to really work. You either have to find a group where everyone agrees to keep it fun, or you are just going to get instantly melted by high-level players.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tips to Complete PvP Objectives Faster</h2>



<p>If you are jumping into this event mainly for achievements, there are a few tricks that can make things much easier. </p>



<ul>
<li>Play during <strong>off-peak hours</strong>. PvP zones will be much quieter, so you have less risk of getting instantly killed</li>



<li>D<strong>isable crossplay</strong> because this reduces the number of people in the Fields of Hatred</li>



<li><strong>Coordinate with other players</strong> and take turns getting kills or helping each other progress</li>



<li><strong>Survival matters more than aggression</strong>. Sometimes it is best to avoid fights and focus on easier targets</li>
</ul>



<p>Despite its flaws, the event is still worth it. If you are chasing achievements or seasonal objectives, it is absolutely worth jumping into the PvP zone during Season 12. And at the very least, it is a different kind of chaos, even if it does not always land the way it should.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more guides and information, check out <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our latest news</a>!</p>


Players Turn the Butcher PvP Event Into a ‘Take Turns and Die’ Simulator


<p>We are now almost a week into Season 12, and players are still experimenting with the <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/fastest-way-to-level-in-season-12-with-killstreaks-and-slaughterhouses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fastest ways to level in Diablo 4</a>. Early strategies mostly focused on Slaughterhouses and Helltides, but for Paragon levels, there is another method that is currently starting to gain a lot of attention: <strong>farming the Butcher inside Infernal Hordes.</strong></p>



<p>According to a recent community discussion, the Butcher currently grants extremely high experience compared to most enemies in the activity. When he appears multiple times in the same run, the Paragon gains add up very quickly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Butcher Is an XP Machine</h2>



<p>The strategy is fairly simple. You just have to run <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/infernal-hordes-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Infernal Hordes</a> on a difficulty where enemies die very quickly, usually Torment 1 or Torment 2, and focus on killing the Butcher as soon as he appears.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1rv16e0/crazy_high_exp_gain_method_for_infernal_hordes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Players report</a> that each Butcher kill can grant close to half a Paragon level. During a full Infernal Horde run, that can result in very large gains. One player even wrote that they gained <strong>15 to 20 Paragon levels in a single run</strong> simply by rushing the Butcher whenever he spawned. </p>



<p>Part of what makes this strategy work is the <strong>Relentless Butcher</strong>, a version of him that can appear repeatedly during certain Infernal Horde runs. In Bloodied Horde runs, he can spawn multiple times during the waves, which means several high-XP kills in a single activity.</p>



<p><strong>To access these runs, you need Bloodied Infernal Horde keys. </strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Burning-Butcher.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image 36989" style="border-radius:8px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lower Difficulty Can Be Faster</h3>



<p>This is one of those situations where higher difficulty does not necessarily mean faster progression.</p>



<p>Since the goal is to kill the Butcher as quickly as possible, it is generally best to run a tier where he dies in just a few seconds. If the fight takes too long, the overall experience gain drops quickly.</p>



<p>Because of this, the suggestion is to<strong> farm on</strong> <strong>Torment 1</strong>, even for characters capable of handling much harder content. </p>



<p><strong>The faster the Butcher dies, the faster another one can potentially spawn during the run.</strong></p>



<p>Additional experience bonuses can make this farm even stronger. Using XP potions, incense, or buffs like Forgotten Wisdom from Nightmare Dungeon fountains can help to greatly increase experience gains during these runs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Paragon Farm for Season 12</h2>



<p>Paragon leveling usually slows down a lot once players reach higher levels, which often leads people to stop playing a season earlier than expected. Methods that speed up Paragon progression, therefore, tend to attract a lot of attention.</p>



<p>On top of that, this method may also help level new characters or friends quickly. Players say bringing a low-level character into a higher-level group running Infernal Hordes can push them up quickly, thanks to the large experience gains.</p>



<p>It is unclear if this interaction is completely intentional or simply an unusually efficient combination of Infernal Hordes and the Butcher&#8217;s reward values. In any case, Infernal Hordes farming is quickly becoming another <strong>strong option for players trying to level faster in Season 12.</strong></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p>For more updates on Season 12 and the next expansion, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">visit our Diablo 4 news hub</a>.</p>


Diablo 4 Butcher walking towards a plate wearing class, the atmosphere is intense.

Diablo 4 Players Find Huge Paragon XP Farm in Infernal Hordes


<p>Diablo 4 players love towns where everything is close together. A quick trip to the blacksmith, stash, and vendor makes farming sessions much smoother.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/you-can-play-as-the-butcher-in-diablo-4-season-12/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 12</a> does the exact opposite.</p>



<p>So, of course, players are starting to share their <strong>frustration about the seasonal hub in Gea Kul</strong>, where important vendors are spread across the city. Instead of handling everything in one place, you often end up running back and forth across town just to salvage gear, access the stash, or spend seasonal currency.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Vendors Are Spread Across the Entire City</h2>



<p>Seasonal activities often take place in different towns across Sanctuary. In Season 12, the main hub is Gea Kul, a city most players already consider one of the more awkward towns in the game.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://wp-prod.icy-veins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/d4-s12-hub.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 127632" style="border-radius:8px" /></figure>



<p><strong>The problem with this town is simply that the vendors are too far apart.</strong></p>



<p>You regularly return to the seasonal vendor to spend resources or claim rewards. After that, you still need to travel across the city to reach the blacksmith, stash, or other important services.</p>



<p>Here are just two examples of what other players have to say about this:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1rtm7dm/why_no_smith_near_meat_vendor/">Why no smith near meat vendor?!</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Quenancy/">u/Quenancy</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p><em>&#8220;I just want to dismantle trash closer than running around town for a minute.&#8221;</em></p>



<p>&#8220;<em>The meat vendor location makes me hate Gea Kul as a city.</em>&#8220;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Friction of Small Problems Can Add Up</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://wp-prod.icy-veins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/d4-s12-meat-vendor.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 127633" style="border-radius:8px" /></figure>



<p>The extra travel time is not a huge issue on its own. The problem appears once you repeat the same trip over and over during farming sessions.</p>



<p><strong>Players return to town constantly to salvage gear, upgrade items, or manage their stash. Running across the city every few minutes quickly starts to feel like wasted time.</strong></p>



<p>It comes as no surprise that more and more players say they avoid using Gea Kul for most town activities. Instead, they teleport to cities with better, closer layouts, such as Cerrigar, which is generally considered one of the most convenient towns in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-has-a-very-busy-spring-ahead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a>.</p>



<p>From there, they handle salvaging, stash management, and other tasks before returning to the seasonal hub through their portal. It is not perfect, but for a lot of players, it is still faster than running across Gea Kul every time. </p>



<p>Hopefully, this is not something we will see more often. Vendor layouts that force players to run across the entire city slow everything down, especially in a game where you return to town constantly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Will Blizzard Move the Vendors?</h2>



<p>Blizzard has not commented on the vendor layout in Season 12 yet. Since this is a short season, though, the chances of NPC vendors being moved are rather slim.</p>



<p>Yes, vendor positions have changed before in Diablo 4, so adjustments are always possible. However, at this point, players will probably just continue using other cities for crafting and stash management until they need to return to the seasonal hub.</p>



<p>Luckily, Season 12 is widely seen as more of a filler season before the launch of Lord of Hatred. The expansion will introduce Temis, which already looks like a much better town hub, with <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-temis-endgame-hub-lord-of-hatred/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vendors placed much closer together</a> from what we have seen so far.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p>For more updates on Season 12 and Lord of Hatred, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">head to our Diablo 4 news hub</a>.</p>


Why Are Diablo 4 Season 12 Vendors So Far Apart?


<p>More and more players in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-has-a-very-busy-spring-ahead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> are starting to bring up concerns about <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Materials_38.webp" alt="Obducite"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Crafting Material" data-item-quality="normal">Obducite</span></span></a> drop rates in <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/you-can-play-as-the-butcher-in-diablo-4-season-12/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 12</a>. The crafting material currently feels much rarer than it did in previous seasons. Obducite is one of the main resources used for Masterworking gear, and upgrading a full set of equipment often requires large amounts of it. <strong>The material was never extremely common, but seasonal players are currently experiencing drop rates that feel unusually low.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where Did the Obducite Go?</h2>



<p>The problem became clear once multiple discussions appeared on Reddit, with hundreds of players sharing similar experiences about struggling to gather enough Obducite.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:316px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1rthl0v/please_revert_obducite_changes/">Please revert obducite changes</a><br> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Pirate186/">u/Pirate186</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/">diablo4</a></blockquote><script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>&#8220;<em>It is really annoying how low the Obducite is this season. It does not even make me want to play more. I feel like writing the season off as a loss and just dip.</em>&#8220;</p>



<p>Many of the comments say the situation feels very different compared to the previous season. Last season, it felt easy to farm large amounts. Run a few Goblin Treasure Nightmare Dungeons, and suddenly you had tens of thousands of <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Materials_38.webp" alt="Obducite"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Crafting Material" data-item-quality="normal">Obducite</span></span></a> ready for upgrades. The difference now feels quite dramatic.</p>



<p>Naturally, players say the problem becomes much more apparent once you start Masterworking multiple pieces of gear. <strong>The material quickly turns into a huge hindrance</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Balance Issue or Bug?</h2>



<p>Between all of the comments, one idea that keeps coming up in the discussion is that Obducite may have simply been rebalanced too heavily. <strong>The previous season probably dropped too much of it, but now the current numbers feel like the opposite extreme.</strong></p>



<p>&#8220;<em>It was probably too common last season. Sounds like they went too far. Somewhere in between would probably be perfect.</em>&#8220;</p>



<p>So, right now, a lot of players say they are focusing on upgrading only a few pieces of gear instead of experimenting with multiple builds like they did before. </p>



<p>Then again, another possibility is that the drop rate is simply bugged. Season 12 already launched with multiple technical issues, so the Obducite situation could just be an unintended problem.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Will It Be Fixed Soon?</h2>



<p>Blizzard has already released <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-addresses-season-12-bugs-and-killstreak-audio-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a few hotfixes for Season 12</a> during the first days of the season, fixing issues related to quests, runes, and various gameplay problems. If the <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Materials_38.webp" alt="Obducite"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Crafting Material" data-item-quality="normal">Obducite</span></span></a> drop rate turns out to be a bug, a fix could (hopefully) arrive fairly quickly. However, <strong>Blizzard has not commented on the situation yet.</strong></p>



<p>Until then, farming enough Obducite may slow down Masterworking progress for a lot of players in Season 12.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p>For more updates on Season 12 and beyond, make sure to <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">visit our Diablo 4 news hub</a>.</p>


Players Are Struggling to Find Obducite in Diablo 4 Season 12


<p>Blizzard pushed a couple of <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4</a> hotfixes this week, addressing a few small bugs that were affecting <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Season 12</a>.  The fixes target a few different problems that were pointed out by many players after the launch of the season, including enemy spawns from <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/fastest-way-to-level-in-season-12-with-killstreaks-and-slaughterhouses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shrines of Slaughter</a>, a seasonal quest progression bug, and a problem with the <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Runes_V2_16.webp" alt="Ceh"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Rune of Invocation" data-item-quality="magic">Ceh</span></span></a> rune not working as intended.</p>



<p>Here is a quick overview of the latest hotfixes.</p>



<div class="blizzard-blue-post">
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            <img decoding="async" class="blizzard-logo" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/public/blizzard-icon-small.png" alt="Blizzard Logo" />
        </div>
        <div>
            <a class="source-link" target="_blank" href="https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/hotfix-1-march-12-2026-260/242915"><span class="white">(</span> Source URL <span class="white">)</span> </a>
        </div>
    </div>
    <hr class="blizzard-line" />
    <h3>HOTFIX 1 &#8211; March 12, 2026 &#8211; 2.6.0</h3>
    <div class="blizzard-blue-post-content">
        <p><strong>Bug Fixes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Fixed an issue where Shrines of Slaughter could spawn more enemies than intended.</li>
</ul>
    </div>
</div>



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    <div class="d-flex align-items-center">
        <div>
            <img decoding="async" class="blizzard-logo" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/public/blizzard-icon-small.png" alt="Blizzard Logo" />
        </div>
        <div>
            <a class="source-link" target="_blank" href="https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d4/t/hotfix-2-march-13-2026-260/243138"><span class="white">(</span> Source URL <span class="white">)</span> </a>
        </div>
    </div>
    <hr class="blizzard-line" />
    <h3>HOTFIX 2 &#8211; March 13, 2026 &#8211; 2.6.0</h3>
    <div class="blizzard-blue-post-content">
        <p><strong>Bug Fixes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Audio for Killstreaks before Massacre (Phase 5) will no longer play.</li>
<li>Fixed an issue where progression could be blocked during the <em>A Taste of Power</em> seasonal quest.</li>
<li>Fixed an issue where the Ceh rune failed to spawn Wolves.</li>
</ul>
    </div>
</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players Pointed Out a Couple of Additional Bugs</h2>



<p>A few other, both small and more severe bugs, have been pointed out by players recently, including things like:</p>



<ul>
<li>Boss Lair sigils are getting somehow &#8220;replaced&#8221; during Level 100 Pit/Tower</li>



<li>Bloodied 750 ilvls imprinting the lowest rank</li>



<li><a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Materials_38.webp" alt="Obducite"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Crafting Material" data-item-quality="normal">Obducite</span></span></a> drop rates that are incredibly low</li>



<li>Another rune not working as intended: <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Runes_V2_0.webp" alt="Cir"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Rune of Ritual" data-item-quality="magic">Cir</span></span></a></li>



<li>Some players also reported <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Quest_MiscTrinkets_11.webp" alt="Resplendent Spark"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Crafting Material" data-item-quality="normal">Resplendent Spark</span></span></a> not dropping from Lilith</li>
</ul>



<p>Either way, the current bugs that have been addressed are already a good step for the season, even if they are not huge gameplay changes. The Killstreaks audio is causing some confusion, as a lot of players were enjoying the voicelines and would have rather had it tuned down, instead of completely removed. </p>



<p>Blizzard will most likely release more of those small hotfixes throughout the season to fix bugs that appear once millions of players jump in and test things out, so keep your eyes peeled!</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more guides and information, check out <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our latest news</a>!</p>


Diablo 4 Addresses Season 12 Bugs and Killstreak Audio Issue


<p><strong>Season 12</strong>&#8216;s <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-reveals-season-12-with-killstreaks-bloodied-items/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new Killstreak system</a> is more than just a fun mechanic. The longer you chain kills together, the more experience and seasonal reputation you earn.</p>



<p>The real trick is pairing Killstreaks with certain <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/helltide-guide/#helltide_activities" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helltide activities</a>. When you do that, progression speeds up a lot. And it is not just about experience either. This setup also lets you level your seasonal reputation quickly and farm Bloodied items almost constantly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to Farm Slaughterhouses for Bloodied Gear</h2>



<p>Very early in Season 12, it becomes clear that Slaughterhouse keys are the gateway to some of the best loot. Here is how the system works.</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Farm Slaughterhouse Keys</strong>
<ul>
<li>They can drop during Helltide events. Once you have enough, you can open Slaughterhouses, which are instanced areas where you temporarily <strong>become</strong> <strong>The Butcher</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li><strong>Become The Butcher</strong>
<ul>
<li>Inside the Slaughterhouse you can kill guards, enemies, and basically everything in sight.</li>



<li>Every kill gives<strong> </strong><a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Quest_CorpseParts_7.webp" alt="Fresh Meat"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Crafting Material" data-item-quality="normal">Fresh Meat</span></span></a>, the currency used to obtain Bloodied items.</li>



<li>More kills means more Fresh Meat, which means more chances at Bloodied gear.</li>
</ul>
</li>



<li><strong>Exchange Fresh Meat for Bloodied Items</strong>
<ul>
<li>Once you have enough Fresh Meat, head to the <strong>Butcher vendor in Gea Kul</strong>.</li>



<li>From there, you can choose which item type you want, such as swords or gloves.</li>



<li>Rarity appears to be random, although higher difficulty tiers like Torment may increase the chance of getting Ancestral items. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Helltide Shrines and Bonus Killstreak XP</h2>



<p>While running Helltide events, do not forget about the <strong>Shrines of Slaughter</strong>.</p>



<ul>
<li>Handing in <strong>Meaty Offerings</strong> lets you temporarily become The Butcher without spending a Slaughterhouse key. </li>



<li>Use this time to build Killstreaks quickly and boost both experience and seasonal reputation.</li>



<li>Everything you kill while transformed also rewards <a class="icy-gtnbrg-link" href="#"><span class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip"><img decoding="async" class="icy-gtnbrg-tooltip-img" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/static/d4/latest/images/icons/2DInventory_Quest_CorpseParts_7.webp" alt="Fresh Meat"><span class="tooltip-spell-name" data-item-type="Crafting Material" data-item-quality="normal">Fresh Meat</span></span></a>, which means even more Bloodied items.</li>
</ul>



<p>You can also optimize this a bit. Farming Helltide chests on a lower difficulty first lets you collect Meaty Offerings faster. <strong>Once you have enough, switch to the highest difficulty you have unlocked before activating the shrine.</strong></p>



<p>While transformed into The Butcher you are extremely strong and hard to kill, so the higher difficulty translates directly into much bigger XP gains. On Penitent difficulty, for example, experience rewards will be roughly 175% higher.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border"><img decoding="async" src="https://wp-prod.icy-veins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/d4-s12-butcher-gameplay-and-abilities.webp" alt="Diablo 4 Season 12 gameplay image of the Butcher, running around in town, surrounded by a fiery aura. The bottom of the image displays the skill bar, showing different Butcher (non-player) abilities." class="wp-image 127277" style="border-radius:8px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Farming Rotation</h2>



<p>So to keep it simple, head into Helltides first and farm Shrines while collecting Slaughterhouse keys. Once Helltide ends, open your Slaughterhouses, farm Fresh Meat, then spend it on Bloodied items in Gea Kul. Repeat the cycle once the next Helltide starts.</p>



<p>This is currently one of the fastest ways to level, grind seasonal reputation, and farm Bloodied gear at the same time.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p>For more updates on Season 12 and Lord of Hatred, <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/">visit our Diablo 4 news hub</a>.</p>


A reflection of the Butcher, staring at a shiny axe, seeing his own reflection in Diablo 4. The rest of the image is dark, with grunge background.

Fastest Way to Level in Season 12 With Killstreaks and Slaughterhouses


<p>With the launch of <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/guides/diablo-4-latest-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diablo 4 Season 12</a>, Blizzard has also released a crossover event with DOOM: The Dark Ages. The collab brings a few <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-x-doom-collab-brings-free-items-and-iconic-slayer-gear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">themed cosmetics inspired by the DOOM Slayer universe</a>, including armor sets, pets, and a mount. You can obtain a small selection of free rewards through the new seasonal Reliquary, such as DOOM-themed weapon cosmetics and a few accessories.</p>



<p>Additional free items will also appear in the in-game shop over the next few days, allowing you to claim some cosmetics without spending Platinum.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://wp-prod.icy-veins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/d4-doom-collab-free.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 127305"/></figure>



<p>However, most of the larger cosmetic items are only available through the in-game shop. And they are definitely not cheap.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Most of the Collab Cosmetics Are Paid</h2>



<p>The full collaboration includes a big collection of premium cosmetics, such as:</p>



<ul>
<li>A mega bundle containing multiple DOOM-themed armor sets</li>



<li>One armor set that can be worn by all classes</li>



<li>Additional class-specific armor sets</li>



<li>Two pets</li>



<li>One mount</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://wp-prod.icy-veins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/d4-doom-shop.webp" alt="" class="wp-image 127276"/></figure>



<p>These items are sold through separate bundles in the shop, and purchasing everything adds up quickly. According to calculations <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/diablo4/comments/1rr51ok/to_get_the_doom_armor_pets_and_mount_you_are/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shared by players on Reddit</a>, buying the full set of DOOM cosmetics can cost <strong>around $125 in total</strong>.</p>



<p>That price has surprised a lot of players, especially since it is close to the cost of a new game or expansion. Literally, buying <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/diablo-4-next-expansion-announcement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lord of Hatred</a> is cheaper than buying the cosmetics.</p>



<p>Players are now debating to know if the price is justified or not. Some argue that cosmetics are optional and primarily aimed at collectors or players willing to spend more on customization. Others said they were disappointed that the most iconic DOOM-themed armor sets were not obtainable through gameplay.</p>



<p>One highly upvoted Reddit comment summed up the reaction from many players:</p>



<p>&#8220;<em>The armor bundle alone is as much as an expansion</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p>Another one pointed out that while the event does offer free rewards, most of them are weapon cosmetics rather than full character skins. Some players were hoping to unlock something a bit more unique during the &#8220;event&#8221; itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Always the Same Issues</h2>



<p>The way this DOOM crossover works will feel familiar to anyone who has played Diablo 4 before. All the other collab events have generally followed the same setup:</p>



<ul>
<li>A free seasonal reliquary with smaller cosmetic items</li>



<li>A premium shop with all the big cool skins, pets, and mounts</li>
</ul>



<p>Some players were hoping for something extra this time, like a mini questline or special challenges linked directly to the collaboration. But for now, the event mostly sticks to the seasonal Reliquary and the cash shop.</p>



<p>That said, even without spending money, you can still unlock a few nice DOOM items by just killing enemies, completing the collab Reliquary, and participating in the Season 12 content. Sure, these rewards are smaller than the paid cosmetics, but they still give you a way to add a bit of DOOM to your characters during the season.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://wp.icy-veins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/d4-doom-reliquary.webp" alt="Diablo 4 doom collab reliquary" class="wp-image 126237"/></figure>



<p>Be aware that right now, you might also encounter an issue with the Reliquary currency for DOOM not dropping. If you do run into that problem, you will have to be patient until the issue is fixed.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>For more guides and information, check out <a href="https://www.icy-veins.com/d4/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our latest news</a>!</p>


Diablo 4 Doom Collaboration skin and weapon skin

Diablo 4 Players Shocked by Price of DOOM Collab Cosmetics

Diablo 4 Paladin Unique items. The image shows three different unique item tooltips

Diablo 4 Fixes One of Season 12’s Most Annoying Issues

Gea Kul Layout Is Getting Fixed

Bloodsoaked Sigils Also Getting Fixed

Diablo IV News