Blizzard continues to respond appropriately to community discontent. Patch 3.1.1a, released on July 16th for PC and July 17th for consoles, radically overhauled the crafting and acquisition system for Mythic items. The developers effectively admitted they overdid it with their experiments in Season 14. “Not every idea works as intended,” said Dan Tanguay, design director for the Diablo 4 live service.
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Removing the Equip Limit for Mythic Items
The most controversial aspect of the update is the complete removal of the equip limit for Mythic items crafted in the Cube. Previously, players could only equip one such item at a time; the rest had to be obtained as random drops. In practice, this meant that even if you crafted a perfect ring, the second slot was often empty or occupied by a patently weaker alternative.
With the release of patch 3.1.1a, this restriction has been completely lifted—at least until the end of Season 14. In Season 15, the developers plan to revisit the mechanics, but with a caveat: if the system is deemed too strong, the restriction may be reinstated for a specific crafting path. For now, you can safely collect multiple Mythic items in a single build.
Guaranteed Drops in Undercity on Torment Difficulty
Important changes have affected Undercity. The chances of Mythic items dropping after using Mythic Tributes have been significantly increased. At Torment level 10, the probability has increased significantly, and at level 12, a Mythic item drop has become guaranteed.
This is a significant step forward. Previously, players on the forums reported running 15 Undercity runs at T12 without seeing a single Mythic item. Now, the developers effectively guarantee a reward for completing the highest difficulty.
Farming Superior Lair Keys and Pandemonium Fragments
Superior Lair Keys have been added to the final repeatable chests of Glints of Hope. Previously, they were only available randomly, but are now a consistent drop. This unlocks Pandemonium Fragments, which are needed to craft Mythic items through the Horadric Cube.
Additionally, patch 3.1.1a increased the drop rate of Mythic and Iconic unique items from the Corrupted Reaper boss. According to player reports, one user obtained two Mythic items in four playthroughs—something previously unheard of.
Direct Item Upgrades in Diablo 4 Season 15
Blizzard has confirmed its plans for Season 15, and they look promising. The reworked Horadric Cube will remove the ability to recraft Mythic items with random results. Instead, you will be able to directly upgrade a selected unique item to a mythic level while preserving the original item.
This means you take the specific unique item you want to upgrade and turn it into a mythic level—without the risk of receiving a random item of the same class. This radically changes the approach to crafting: you can now purposefully upgrade your build, rather than gamble.
However, the developers warn that they will be closely monitoring the new mechanics and may reinstate some of the restrictions if something goes wrong. For now, though, it is the green light.
Season 15 Release Date Season of Death Awakening
The Season of Death Awakening began on June 30, 2026, and will run until September. Season 15 is expected to begin on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. This means players have approximately two months to prepare for the upcoming changes by stocking up on resources, Pandemonium Fragments, and unique items for future upgrades.
Dangerous Bug with Wendigo Brand Ring in Patch
The unique ring “Wendigo Brand” deserves special attention. The ring’s effect is simple: every 15 enemies killed in the last 30-60 seconds increases damage by 2% and maximum health by 1%. Due to a bug, when the effect reaches the maximum 50 stacks and begins to reset, the ring removes the character’s current health, not the bonus health. Players report that after the stacks reset, the character is on the brink of death. The issue is not new—the first complaints surfaced back in April. Only recently did Blizzard confirm that it is investigating the incident. Until a fix is released, hardcore players are strongly advised not to use this ring.
Mythic Item Farming Changes Before and After Patch
Diablo 4 Season 15 Preparation Guide
Considering the upcoming changes, it makes sense to start preparing early. Here is what you can do today:
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Stock up on Pandemonium Fragments. After Season 15, you will need them to directly upgrade unique items. Currently, Fragments can be farmed from the Corrupted Reaper and through the Glints of Hope reputation board.
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Collect Superior Lair Keys. They are now available in Glints of Hope chests. These keys grant access to bosses that drop Fragments.
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Save unique items you want to upgrade. In Season 15, you will be able to directly upgrade them to Mythic—but only if you have them.
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Avoid using Wendigo Brand. At least until the bug is officially fixed, especially if you are playing in Hardcore mode.
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Stay tuned for announcements. Blizzard can adjust its plans at any time. For example, the developers have already warned that they may reinstate the equipping restriction on crafted Mythic items if the new system proves too strong.
Patch 3.1.1a Results and the Game Outlook
Patch 3.1.1a is more than just another update. Blizzard acknowledged that it overreacted with restrictions in Season 14 and is quickly addressing the situation. The removal of gear caps, guaranteed drops at T12, and plans for direct upgrades in Season 15 all restore control over leveling to players. Yes, the ring bug still looms large, but at least it is being investigated. If the current pace continues, by the start of Season 15, Diablo 4 could be the most farmer-friendly version of the game ever.
