TL;DR
- Complete main campaign to unlock seasonal skip option for new characters
- Fully explore world map and unlock waypoints for account-wide progression
- Collect Altars of Lilith for permanent stat boosts across all characters
- Clear Strongholds to access hidden waypoints and maximize fast travel
- Update game with latest patch and log in with main character before season start
Mastering Diablo 4’s seasonal structure requires understanding what carries forward and what resets. Season of the Malignant introduces fresh progression systems while maintaining certain account-wide achievements from your previous gameplay.
The inaugural season launches on July 20, demanding character creation from scratch while preserving specific account-level accomplishments. This hybrid approach balances fresh starts with rewarding your prior dedication through permanent unlocks that benefit all subsequent heroes.
Seasonal content delivers substantial additions including exclusive legendary equipment, unique items, and a comprehensive battle pass loaded with cosmetic rewards. The core seasonal narrative involves battling corrupted Malignant Monsters to extract their powerful Malignant Hearts – special gems providing game-changing abilities.
According to Diablo 4 associate game director Joseph Piepiora, campaign completion grants permanent skip privileges for all future characters. This crucial time-saver applies directly to seasonal characters, allowing immediate immersion in new content rather than replaying the main storyline.
This campaign skip proves invaluable since seasonal questlines chronologically follow the conclusion of the main narrative. Without primary campaign obligations, your leveling strategy shifts toward efficient dungeon clears and world event participation.
Campaign completion becomes a one-time account achievement, enabling optional skips for every new character created. You can begin directly in Kyovashad at level 1 and immediately access all seasonal features without narrative prerequisites.
Diablo 4’s July 18 patch introduced critical preparation requirements. Ensure you log in at least once with your most progressed character to trigger account-wide progression tracking. This single login captures crucial data that transfers to your seasonal character upon Season of the Malignant’s commencement.
As confirmed by general manager Rob Fergusson during developer discussions, revealed world map sections persist when creating seasonal characters. This makes comprehensive Sanctuary exploration a high-priority preparation task before season launch.
Thorough map completion involves discovering every zone and sub-zone, plus activating all waypoints and fast travel locations. Remember these critical exploration nuances:
Strategic Stronghold clearing unlocks essential fast travel points across Sanctuary’s diverse regions.
Altars of Lilith provide permanent account-wide stat enhancements, making them invaluable for seasonal character power progression.
Beyond basic preparation, seasoned players should focus on resource optimization and strategic planning. Understanding the Class Guide principles can help inform your seasonal character selection based on Malignant Heart synergies.
Common preparation mistakes include neglecting Altar of Lilith collection and underestimating Stronghold requirements. These oversights can cost hours of progression time during the critical season start period when efficiency matters most.
Advanced optimization involves pre-planning your build path using knowledge from our Weapons Unlock guide methodologies. Research how new legendary powers might complement existing class abilities before committing to a seasonal main character.
Time investment varies significantly based on preparation completeness. Full map exploration typically requires 8-12 hours, while Altar collection adds 3-4 hours. Stronghold clearing demands another 2-3 hours depending on your current power level and familiarity with encounter mechanics.
For comprehensive seasonal strategy, consult our Complete Guide for additional insights into endgame preparation and long-term planning strategies that extend beyond the initial season launch period.
Action Checklist
- Complete main campaign to unlock seasonal skip option
- Fully explore Sanctuary map and activate all waypoints
- Collect all Altars of Lilith for account-wide stat bonuses
- Clear all Strongholds to unlock hidden waypoints
- Log in with main character post-July 18 patch to sync account data
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Diablo 4 – 7 Things To Do To Prepare For Season Of The Malignant Essential preparation strategies to maximize your Diablo 4 Season of the Malignant experience
