Improving the Herb Gathering System in Diablo 4

Some topics in the gaming community will always spark controversy - in-game mechanics, drop rates, itemization, and the availability of certain resources have all been hot topics among players since the release of the popular game Diablo 4. Today, we'll be diving into the controversial Herb system in Diablo 4, sharing our thoughts and ideas for potential improvements.

The Issue with Herb Farming

Currently, gathering enough herbs in Diablo 4 can be quite challenging. The only way to obtain them is through open-world farming or completing side quests that reward herbs. However, finding herb nodes in the world can be a complete guess, as they often appear and disappear at random. Additionally, the yield from these nodes is disappointingly low. It's frustrating to spend time searching for herb nodes only to receive a measly amount, especially when you need a substantial quantity to upgrade your potions.

This system discourages players from engaging in herb farming, as it feels unrewarding and counter to the typical farming objectives in Diablo games. Rather than providing a sense of progress and power-building, herb farming becomes a temporary solution to patch up weaknesses. It's evident that the herb collection system needs serious improvements in order to enhance the overall gaming experience.

Possible Solutions

• Improving Herb Farming

One approach to address the herb shortage in the game is to improve the yields from herb nodes, increase their density in the open world, and adjust their respawn rates. However, a more impactful solution would be to reduce the reliance on open-world farming and introduce alternative methods for herb gathering.

• Indoor Herb Nodes

Currently, players can only gather herbs in outdoor areas, completely excluding indoor dungeons and vaults. This limitation not only isolates players from valuable herb resources but also disrupts the gameplay flow. To address this issue, we propose allowing certain mobs inside dungeons to drop herbs. This change would significantly increase the availability of herbs and provide players with more opportunities to gather these essential resources.

• Alchemy Vendor

Another aspect that contributes to the herb scarcity problem is the absence of an Alchemy vendor. The Blacksmith, Jeweler, and Occultist all have sales representatives, but the Alchemist is left without a direct sales option. This limitation can be resolved by adding pre-made Elixirs, such as resistances, armor, and health potions, to the Alchemist shop. Although these pre-made Elixirs would not be as potent as crafted or dropped ones, they would serve as a useful alternative for players running low on resources and enhance the overall quality of life in the game.

• Salvaging Unwanted Elixirs

Lastly, the inability to salvage unwanted Elixirs contributes to the overall frustration with the herb system. While other crafting professions have options for salvaging and recycling unwanted items, the Alchemist lacks this ability. We propose adding the ability for players to salvage unwanted Elixirs, allowing them to receive component Essences that can be used in place of the corresponding herb. This change would provide players with a solution to manage their potions effectively and alleviate the issue of low herb stocks.

Final Thoughts

The herb-gathering system in Diablo 4 is in dire need of improvement. The current mechanics discourage players from engaging in herb farming due to the low yields, limited availability in indoor areas, lack of a dedicated Alchemy vendor, and the inability to salvage unwanted Elixirs. Implementing changes such as improving yields, introducing indoor herb nodes, adding an Alchemy vendor, and allowing players to salvage unwanted Elixirs would greatly enhance the gaming experience and provide a more rewarding and enjoyable Diablo 4 experience.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the herb-gathering system in Diablo 4. Do you have any ideas for changes or improvements? Let us know in the comments below!