Diablo IV's premier season, the Season of the Malignant, is on the horizon, promising exciting new content and a plethora of cosmetic rewards through the game's Battle Pass system. Each new season will entice players back to Sanctuary with new adventures and challenges, regardless of whether they have completed the campaign or reached level 100 with a character. To fully appreciate and enjoy everything the Season of the Malignant has to offer, there are specific steps players should consider taking in preparation. This guide highlights what you should be doing to prepare for this new chapter in Diablo IV.

1. Complete the Main Campaign

While it may seem like a given, it's crucial to note that all additional content in Diablo IV's Season of the Malignant becomes accessible only after the completion of the main campaign. Evidence of this completion can be verified by unlocking the Tree of Whispers and viewing the end credits. This requirement was established even before the announcement of the Season, as the new story content will continue from where the main campaign plot left off.

2. Explore the Full Map

Although participation in the Season of the Malignant necessitates the creation of a new character, some progress from the Eternal Realm will carry over to the new Season, including the map. Along with map completion, all Renown earned in the Eternal Realm will also transition into the new Season. This means you'll have additional Skill Points and Paragon Points immediately available for your seasonal character, accelerating the leveling process. If you haven't already, aim to unlock the Horse by completing a specific side-quest to expedite the process. Additionally, explore all points of interest to unlock fast travel points and earn extra Renown. Completing dungeons to acquire Aspects and unlocking all Altars of Lilith, whose bonuses also carry over to seasonal characters, are other beneficial preparatory actions.

3. Strategize Your New Character

The Season of the Malignant introduces new mechanics that will shake things up, but you can start strategizing about your new character and its build right away. Given that completing the Diablo IV campaign and discovering all of the Sanctuary maps can be time-consuming, it might be helpful to switch things up with a completely different class than the one you've previously used. Personally, having completed the main campaign as a Rogue, I'm contemplating creating a Barbarian or Druid character for the Season of the Malignant. This change will provide a fresh perspective and new methods to dominate the numerous adversaries I will encounter in the coming weeks.

Preparation for Diablo IV's first season, the Season of the Malignant, involves more than just waiting for its arrival. Adequate preparation entails completing the main campaign, exploring the full map, and strategically planning your new character. By taking these steps, you can ensure you fully experience and enjoy all that the Season of the Malignant has to offer. So gear up, strategize, and prepare yourself for the thrilling adventures that await in Diablo IV's inaugural season.