Diablo 4 Follower System Leaks: Mercenary is Coming in D4 Vessel of Hatred?

Diablo 4 Follower System Leaks: Mercenary is Coming in D4 Vessel of Hatred?

12/26/2023 6:13:27 PM

Tag: Diablo 4 Beginners guide Event Guide

Could Diablo 4 be gaining a new follower or mercenary system with its first expansion - Vessel of Hatred? If recent leaks are to be believed, Blizzard may be working on adding depth to character progression and customization through the implementation of a robust mercenary mechanic. Here's a breakdown of what we know so far based on leaked information, and what such a system could look like in D4.

Follower systems have become an expected feature of modern ARPGs after proving their worth in Diablo 2 and Diablo 3. Years of iteration have shown that well-designed mercenary characters can substantially improve build diversity and the endgame experience if implemented intelligently. With Diablo 4 still evolving, the rumors of a follower system being explored point to Blizzard wanting to take full advantage of what the genre has learned.

Diablo 4 Follower System & Mercenary in Vessel of Hatred DLC?

Two separate leaks have highlighted discussion within Blizzard about adding a mercenary component to Diablo 4. The first centered around equipment and skill tree possibilities for mercenaries, suggesting deep customization would be a focus. The second leak provided more context, mentioning Berserker, Bounty Hunter, and other potential mercenary archetypes under development codenames.

Diablo 4 Follow System & Mercenary

While not confirming anything is final, the fact that mercenary mechanics were in the design conversation stage so early indicates their importance to Blizzard's vision. Both leaks portray a system intended for post-launch rather than being rushed - a good sign potential issues could be identified and addressed beforehand.

Overall, the mercenary details align with how Blizzard has matured Diablo over the years, moving from Diablo 2's barebones mechanics to the deeper follower integrations in Diablo 3. A rich mercenary experience on par with modern ARPG standards seems the goal. But how might such a system manifest in D4?

1. Equipment and Skills for Mercenaries

Gearing up mercenaries was a highlight of Diablo 2, and Diablo 3 followers also had customizable loadouts. D4 looks poised to take this a step further with in-depth equipment and skill systems hinted at in the first leak.

Complex talent trees allowing players to specialize mercenaries seem likely. Different archetypes like tank, DPS, or support roles may require varied pathing. Equipment slots and customizable looks would keep progress satisfying.

Sharing legendary affixes through "emancipate" style drops, as Diablo 3 introduced, adds synergy between player and mercenary progression. Finding the right unique effects to power up both characters intensifies the hunt.

Mercenary archetypes could offer varied playstyles. A Berserker mercenary focused on damage may use two-handed weapons, while a shield-bearing Defender spec functions as a bodyguard. Endless combinations would emerge from the interplay of subclasses, builds, and gear.

Meaningful choice and room for mid-endgame experimentation appear the goal - the type of depth Diablo fans expect. However implementation will decide if the system enhances or distracts from the core gameplay.

2. Managing Mercenaries

A robust follower system means little without consideration for how it impacts the overall experience. Careful thought must go into how mercenaries integrate with regular gameplay.

Monster AI handling would avoid requiring micro-control of multiple units during regular combat. Smart pathing and targeting keep mercenaries autonomous teammates enhancing each fight rather than extra entities to shepherd.

Summoning and dismissing mercenaries via shrines or camps maintains the pace of action while letting players adapt team compositions on the fly for different areas or challenges. A clean interface displays their statuses.

Limiting direct micromanagement preserves focus on the player character. Deeper optimization happens gradually through equipment and talent choices rather than pause-menu fiddling. Mercenaries augment fights intuitively without pause breaks.

Progression paces abilities, upgrade costs, and other mechanics to maintain an ever-strengthening yet undemanding relationship. Mercenaries empower without mandatory tending that saps fun given their assistive role.

While developing full classes takes significant resources, smart mercenary roles avoid requiring new animations/voicelines each time. Troop archetypes that fit Diablo's existing art provide a cost-effective way to boost variety.

3. Potential Follow Systems

With Diablo 2's mercenary revamps and Diablo 3's follower tweaks providing lessons, certain advanced systems could take the experience up another level for endgame D4:

Multi-Mercenaries: Allowing matching 2-3 mercenaries to a player creates new synergies and formation strategies for tackle high-level challenges.
Dynamic Upgrades: As players level, mercenaries receive skill point allocations to upgrade abilities periodically while maintaining equipment autonomy.
Contracts: Assign mercenaries temporary objectives awarding bonus loot on completion to encourage dynamic interactivities.
Soul Shards: Let players capture rare monster essences to empower mercenaries with situational bonuses vs. those enemy types.
Clans: Form small mercenary squads where equipment shares bonuses across the unit for organized cooperative play.
Events: Design seasonal or episodic multiplayer content focused on commanding squad-based operations vs unique threats.

Carefully employing systems like these allows approaching mercenaries not just as a gear management sidebar, but as a full dimension of endgame play unto themselves for those seeking deeper complexity.

The first Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred expansion provides a prime opportunity to introduce mercenaries in a considered manner based on iteration elsewhere. If executed with the same care as other D4 systems, mercenaries could vastly improve character progression, build diversity and group gameplay while respecting the game's core rhythm.

Time will tell how involved Blizzard ultimately aims to make the mechanic, but early signs suggest something substantive rather than superficial. Fans can hope their implementation matches this apparent ambition to positively enrich Sanctuary's eternal struggle.