Diablo 4’s Latest Goblin Event Mirrors Diablo 3 Experience

Let me tell you, I’ve never been this pumped for a March of the Goblins event in Diablo 4 before. Usually, by the time these events roll around, I’ve already snagged most of the gear I want. And let’s be honest, treasure goblins haven’t been the most thrilling part of Diablo 4. But this year, March 4 marks the start of something fresh and exciting, and I’m all in. Returning are the beloved treasure goblin variants from Diablo 3—and they’re not just a temporary fling; they’re here to stay. Personally, I’m thrilled to see Diablo 3 elements making a comeback and wouldn’t mind if a few more followed suit.

When does March of the Goblins start?

Mark your calendars! March 4 at 10 a.m. PST (1 p.m. ET or 6 p.m. GMT) kicks off the event, which runs until March 11. Expect an increased appearance of treasure goblins in Sanctuary starting then, and keep an eye out for six new goblin types, each hoarding their special loot.

These new goblins bring a bit of nostalgic flair for Diablo 3 fans while adding a fresh twist to Diablo 4. Be on the lookout for familiar faces like Odious Ector, dropping crafting materials, including rare Obducite when you’re tackling torment difficulties. Then there’s the opulent Gilded Baron, showering players with mountains of gold. Glittering Prym is another gem enthusiast, scattering Runes, Gem Fragments, and more during the event. Curious Murl hands out Murmuring Obols in handy collectible bags, so no need to stress about inventory space. The Gelatinous Syrus is an exciting wildcard—fragmenting into numerous goblins upon attack and offering Legendary items, Gold, and Boss summoning gear. As if that weren’t enough, the enigmatic Fancy Old Fedric—a brand new and extremely rare addition—guarantees a Mythic Unique and a Resplendent Spark whenever spotted.

These new goblins are essentially modern counterparts to the old favorites from Diablo 3. Glittering Prym and the Gilded Baron throw back to the gem hoarders and gold kings of the past. Not to mention, Gelatinous Syrus pays homage to the Gelatinous Sire from Diablo 3, beloved for its explosive loot potential. Moreover, a new mythical goblin is entering the scene, which I might never encounter, but just knowing it’s out there makes me eager to hunt.

For those interested, I’ve put together a guide on how to maximize your chances of finding these treasure goblins. I’ve invested countless hours farming goblins in Diablo 3 for unique rewards and secret levels, making these upcoming additions to Diablo 4 exceptionally thrilling.

With features like the Armory resurfacing in Season 7 and these new goblin variants, Blizzard seems to be tapping into its rich history to fill content gaps in Diablo 4. But why stop at goblins? There’s still much more to explore.

Diablo 3 wasn’t bad—and the more Diablo 4 embraces this, the better

The Diablo franchise has always walked a complicated path. Initially, it was supposed to merge MMO features, but those concepts were left on hold until Diablo 4 came into play.

Diablo 3 had a rocky start, criticized for its real-money auction house and vibrant color palette, which split the fanbase. Despite that, it transformed post-Reaper of Souls into something that offered consistent seasonal updates and a more satisfying loot grind. Although its progression system became overly reliant on green item sets, limiting the loot chase outside those items, many aspects were truly enjoyable.

It’s heartening to see Blizzard acknowledging Diablo 3’s strengths by reintroducing elements like the diverse goblins. While Diablo 4’s release leaned into a darker theme catering to the old-school Diablo 2 audience, the latest tweaks show Blizzard’s willingness to adapt to modern preferences by dialing back the intense grind.

Adding the Armory and new loot goblins are quick wins to enhance Diablo 4’s content, but there’s room for even more quality-of-life improvements—borrowing from what players loved in the past.

We’re not getting a loot filter, but could there be another solution we’ve already had?

The conversation around a loot filter raises mixed feelings. While I didn’t see it as essential for Diablo 4, the sheer volume of loot in specific areas recently got me thinking.

A loot filter could allow us to see only the gear valuable for our builds or progression, but Blizzard hesitates, wanting all loot tiers to feel significant. However, there’s potential in revisiting Diablo 3’s approach, like using salvaging pets, which streamlined inventory management by automatically transforming lesser items into materials.

Cosmetic companions in Diablo 4 already assist with collecting crafting materials. Expanding their utility to handle unnecessary loot could resolve our clutter woes without losing the essence of every item’s potential.

With an expansion not expected until 2026, Blizzard could keep players engaged by embracing more Diablo 3-like additions. Including fan-favorite elements such as Whimsyshire and the Cow level could keep the excitement alive as we await new content.

Season 8 delayed by 2 weeks

Recently, Diablo 4’s General Manager, Rod Fergusson, revealed a slight delay for Season 8, originally set for April 15, now kicking off on April 29. Accompanying this announcement was a teaser about an “old friend” making a return, stirring excitement across the community.

While Diablo himself isn’t likely to make an appearance just yet, many fans speculate about who it could be. Zoltun Kulle? Deckard Cain brought back? Maybe Tyrael, whose fate post-Diablo 3 remains shrouded in mystery?

While delays can be frustrating, they often lead to a better overall experience. I, for one, am all ears to see what’s next in line from Blizzard.