Season 9 overhauls Diablo 4’s itemization with changes to affix rolls, unique item drop rates, and a more flexible crafting system. Players now have greater control over perfecting their gear — but also face tougher decisions. This guide breaks it down.
New Crafting System Explained
Season 9 introduces a refined Blacksmith and Occultist UI, offering more control over gear rerolls and upgrades. The new “Mythic Essence” currency allows players to lock in Diablo 4 Items affixes while rolling the remaining ones — giving you a higher chance at optimal gear.
Where to Farm Crafting Materials
The best materials now come from Nightmare Dungeons, elite mobs in Helltide, and salvaging legendary items. Prioritize salvaging duplicates over selling them, as you’ll need Fiend Rose, Forgotten Souls, and Grave Dust for high-end crafting.
Target Farming Specific Gear Slots
Rather than hoping for random drops, players can now target farm through activities like the Tree of Whispers. Complete bounties that grant rewards for a specific slot (e.g., rings or helmets), giving a more focused path to gear perfection.
Prioritizing Affixes That Matter
Each class and build thrives on different stats. For example, Rogues need Critical Damage, Vulnerable Damage, and Dexterity, while Necromancers prioritize Essence Cost Reduction, Minion Damage, and Cooldown Reduction. Lock these stats in first during reforging.
Upgrading Legendary to Unique Quality
Season 9 introduces new transmutation recipes at the Alchemist that allow certain high-roll legendaries to be upgraded to unique-tier, provided they boss unique items match a class-specific archetype. Use this sparingly, as it requires rare Mythic Orbs.
Balancing Cost vs. Perfection
While perfect gear is ideal, players must balance gold and material costs with actual performance gains. Often, a near-perfect item with 3 good affixes can outperform a perfect one with high reroll cost.
Mastering crafting and upgrade mechanics in Season 9 is essential for late-game efficiency, PvP dominance, and high-tier boss survival.