Blizzard’s Diablo 4 has taken another step forward with the release of its Vessel of Hatred expansion, introducing a new system that allows players to fight alongside Mercenaries. These NPC companions follow in the footsteps of their Diablo 2 and Diablo 3 counterparts, but with notable improvements in terms of personality, storylines, and abilities. Despite these advancements, the Mercenaries in Diablo 4 fall short in a critical area: gear customization.
Mercenaries Bring New Depth to Diablo 4
Diablo 4’s Mercenaries are more than just battle companions. Each Mercenary is equipped with a backstory, unique quests, and their own skill trees, adding a new layer of depth to the game. Players can interact with these characters and select which Mercenary to bring along, depending on their needs in combat. Whether you’re a solo adventurer in need of constant support or a group player utilizing Reinforcements, Mercenaries are designed to enhance gameplay.
Source: Blizzard Entertainment
Once unlocked, these Mercenaries can be found at The Den in Nahantu, offering flexibility and strategy for players. The skill trees allow for progression, making the Mercenaries grow stronger alongside the player as they traverse through the dark world of Sanctuary. Their introduction has been praised for providing more variety and customization options compared to earlier versions in the series.
However, despite these advancements, there is one significant limitation that has left some fans disappointed: Diablo 4 does not allow players to equip Mercenaries with gear.
In past Diablo titles, especially Diablo 2 and Diablo 3, players could customize their companions by equipping them with weapons, armor, and other gear, providing an additional layer of strategy. The gear not only boosted the Mercenaries’ abilities but allowed players to tailor their companions to suit specific builds or fight difficult enemies.
In contrast, Diablo 4 limits Mercenaries to their skill trees, without the ability to modify their equipment. While the skill trees offer direction for character growth, players lose out on the strategic aspect of gearing their Mercenaries for specific encounters. This has led to a mixed reception, with some players feeling that the Mercenaries in Diablo 4 are not as integral or customizable as those from earlier games.
Source: Blizzard Entertainment
In Diablo 2, Mercenaries were hired based on the act the player was in, offering different abilities depending on the region. Players could outfit them with gear to strengthen their performance, and hiring Mercenaries added a layer of financial and tactical planning. Diablo 3 went even further with its Followers system, where players could equip their companions with gear and take advantage of the Emanate system, which granted additional bonuses based on the equipped items.
The lack of gear slots for Diablo 4’s Mercenaries is seen as a step back by many, particularly for those who enjoyed building and optimizing their companions in earlier installments. The addition of skill trees is appreciated, but it doesn’t entirely make up for the missing customization options.
The Future of Diablo 4’s Mercenaries
Despite the limitations, Diablo 4’s Mercenaries have been largely praised for their polished design, engaging storylines, and the added depth they bring to gameplay. Their personalities, voice acting, and the ability to choose when and how they accompany players are a step forward for the series. Still, the omission of gear customization could be a point for future updates.
Blizzard has shown a willingness to listen to player feedback, and there’s hope within the Diablo community that future updates or expansions might address the concerns surrounding Mercenary gear. Until then, Diablo 4 players will have to make the most of the new skill trees and enjoy the richer narrative experience offered by these companions.
