One of Diablo IV Gold the key lessons players hope Blizzard learns is that complexity does not always equal improvement. The old battle pass may have been simple, but it was clear and accessible. The new Reliquary system may offer “choice,” but it also introduces uncertainty, frustration, and a higher likelihood of accidental spending. A rewards system should feel like a celebration of progress-not a monetization minefield.
For now, players have little choice but to adapt or opt out. Many remain loyal to Diablo 4’s core gameplay and world-building but are deeply disappointed by the direction its seasonal structure has taken. If Season 9 fails to reverse course, Blizzard risks alienating a large portion of its most passionate audience.
Diablo 4’s Reliquary System: A Monetization Maze That Misses the Mark
Season 8 of Diablo 4 promised change, and it certainly delivered-though not in the way fans had hoped. At the center of this controversy is the new Reliquary system, Blizzard’s replacement for the traditional seasonal battle pass. While it was pitched as a more personalized and flexible experience, players are discovering that it’s less a refinement and more a frustrating maze of microtransactions and confusing reward paths.
Gone is the predictable, linear structure of the original battle pass. Instead, players are greeted with Reliquaries-separate categories of unlockable rewards tied to Favor Tokens, a new in-game currency. Favor Tokens can be earned through gameplay, offering what should be a free path to progress. However, the system’s implementation suggests a strong tilt toward paid progression, a shift that has left much of the player base deeply unhappy.
Reddit user Loika was one of the first to shine a spotlight on the flaws, prompting an avalanche of responses from frustrated players and a detailed breakdown by sites like Wowhead. Loika’s screenshots show how every item that can be unlocked with Favor Tokens can also be instantly purchased using Platinum, Diablo’s premium currency. In fact, the game seems to encourage this-prominently featuring the buy Diablo 4 Gold Platinum purchase button over the free claim option.