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Adjustments to Weapon Implicit Affixes in Season 4 - Diablo 4
In the latest update for Diablo 4, Patch 1.4.0, players were met with significant changes to various items, skills, and stats. These alterations were made to prepare the game for its fourth Season and to pave the way for the highly-anticipated Vessel of Hatred expansion. One noteworthy adjustment in this update is the modification of Implicit Affixes on Weapons.
Implicit Affixes are fixed attributes tied to specific weapon types that cannot be altered. For instance, Crossbows have the Implicit Affix of Vulnerable Damage, while Swords have Critical Strike Damage. In Patch 1.4.0, many of these Affixes have been reduced significantly.
Although losing damage output due to these changes may sting, it's important to understand that these modifications are necessary. The goal is to reduce the inflated damage values that have currently impacted the game negatively. Allowing players to deal absurdly high amounts of damage in a single hit diminishes the sense of scale and player power. Additionally, it makes balancing gameplay incredibly challenging.
Weapon Type Changes
Here is an overview of the changes made to the Implicit Affixes on different Weapon Types:
| Weapon Type | Old Value | New Value |
| Axe | +20.0% Damage to Healthy Enemies | +12.5% Damage to Healthy Enemies |
| Bow | +28.0% Damage to Distant Enemies | +16.8% Damage to Distant Enemies |
| Crossbow | +32.0% Vulnerable Damage | +23.0% Vulnerable Damage |
| Dagger | +14.0% Damage to Close Enemies | +8.4% Damage to Close Enemies |
| Focus | +5.5% Cooldown Reduction | +3.8% Cooldown Reduction |
| Mace | +52.5% Overpower Damage | +37.5% Overpower Damage |
| Polearm | +40.0% Damage to Injured Enemies | +25.0% Damage to Injured Enemies |
| Scythe | No Change | No Change |
| Staff | +25.0% Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies | +15.0% Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies |
| Sword | +12.5% Critical Strike Damage | +7.5% Critical Strike Damage |
| Totem | +5.5% Cooldown Reduction | +3.8% Cooldown Reduction |
| Two-Handed Axe | +40.0% Damage to Healthy Enemies | +25.0% Damage to Healthy Enemies |
| Two-Handed Mace | No Change | No Change |
| Two-Handed Scythe | No Change | No Change |
| Two-Handed Sword | +25.0% Critical Strike Damage | +15.0% Critical Strike Damage |
| Wand | +7.0% Lucky Hit Chance | +5.0% Lucky Hit Chance |
These changes have elicited a wide range of reactions from players. Some appreciate the balancing efforts, as it ensures fair and engaging gameplay, while others may lament the loss of damage output from these modifications. Ultimately, these adjustments pave the way for a more dynamic and enjoyable gaming experience.
Conclusion
The changes to the Implicit Affixes on Weapons in Patch 1.4.0 of Diablo 4 may have stirred mixed opinions among players. However, it is undeniable that these modifications are necessary to address the flaws in the game's damage values and overall balance. By reducing the inflated damage output, Blizzard aims to restore a sense of scale and player power while creating a more balanced and rewarding experience.