Blizzard Reduces Power of Top Spiritborn Build Due to Server Lag Issues

Blizzard recently unveiled changes to the widely-used Evade Eagle Spiritborn build in Diablo 4, addressing significant server performance issues linked to its overwhelming effectiveness.

Since its debut in the Vessel of Hatred expansion, the Evade Spiritborn build has taken the Diablo 4 meta by storm. Gamers have utilized this build to inflict massive damage while maintaining a near-invulnerable status thanks to the Evade skill.

By repeatedly using Evade, players could dispatch foes with ease, resulting in impressively quick clear times for high-level content. While it has been a dominant and will likely remain a top-tier build—complete with our comprehensive guide—it was anticipated that a nerf would be implemented eventually.

An existing bug enabled players to interrupt Evade animations, enabling much quicker casting than developers intended. This led to significant lag issues that rendered the game “unplayable,” a sentiment echoed by many players, including popular content creator Rax.

Just a quick update on some plans. We will have some additional client patches and hotfixes coming out this week. Some possibly as early as this afternoon/evening. These will hit on some crash related items and some of the hot button items from the weekend. We also looked at…

— Adam Fletcher (@PezRadar) October 14, 2024

In a statement from community manager Adam Fletcher on X, Blizzard recognized the technical difficulties, confirming, “We examined the Evade animations for the Spiritborn and identified a bug.”

The developers confirmed that players will no longer be able to chain together Evade casts seamlessly. Instead, the animation timing will revert to the usual Evade cast rate across all circumstances. This adjustment is scheduled for patch 2.0.3, anticipated later this week.

Rax shared his insights regarding the nerf in a video. He noted, “This modification affects everyone’s gameplay experience,” mentioning that he encountered lag during his sessions. “I ventured into Helltide last night, and the number of Evade Spiritborn players was overwhelming; it hindered my play,”he stated.

Though Rax acknowledged that the nerf might reduce overall damage potential, he maintained that the Spiritborn class still ranks as one of the most formidable options available.

Despite the upcoming adjustments, there remains a call for balance within the player community. Rax pointed out that, while the Evade Eagle Spiritborn build is indeed powerful, it isn’t the single viable build players can resort to.

“The Quill Volley build also offers various methods to achieve astronomical damage,” he mentioned, indicating that the Spiritborn will still remain competitive. With patch 2.0.3 on the way, players will be required to adapt their strategies accordingly.

While this nerf could diminish the supremacy of the Evade Eagle Spiritborn build in Diablo 4, it continues to be regarded as one of the leading options. As players navigate these changes, they’ll discover novel strategies to overcome challenges and enhance their gaming experience.

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