Patch 2.1.0 released this week for Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition

I’m a couple days late in getting this up, but Tuesday saw the release of Patch 2.1.0 for the Xbox One and PS4 version of Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition. This marks the first significant patch to the game since release, and draws Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition closer in content and design to the PC version of Reaper of Souls.

The patch notes will give you all the details via Blizzard’s site, but I’ll highlight the biggest and best changes and additions below.

Greater Rifts are introduced, bringing new challenges to players that have slowly been creeping up on that Torment VI mark. Greater Rifts differ from standard rifts, in that they take a specific type of keystone to open, which drops randomly from Rift Guardians in the Nephalem Rifts. Greater Rifts are also timed, and your run of the mill enemies and elites will not drop any loot. Instead, you’ll want to finish these rifts as quickly as possible, and Rift Guardians defeated in Greater Rifts will drop a larger amount of loot than normal. Beating a Greater Rift also provides one of two rewards, the ability to upgrade the new Legendary Gems (also dropping from Greater Rift Guardians), or a new Greater Rift keystone that leads to a harder, higher level.

The already mentioned Legendary Gems are another big addition, providing a new, unique way to outfit your hero with powerful skills. Legendary Gems can only be socketed into jewelry items, meaning you can only sport three at a time. But Legendary Gems offer some unique effects, like bonus damage to enemies suffering movement penalties, or increased damage for a limited time after defeating elite packs. Legendary Gems can also be upgrade by a vendor that spawns at the end of a Greater Rift, and each upgrade can enhance the existing power, along with a level threshold that will unlock an additional function in the gem. Having trouble finding new gear to enhance your existing characters? Look no further than Legendary Gems.

The Vault is a new area, accessible via defeated Treasure Goblins, which have a chance to leave open a portal to their realm when killed. Short on gold? The Vault will be your answer, with a unique boss and other goodies to check out. There’s even a very useful Legendary Gem for those lucky enough to enter and defeat Baroness Greed.

Other changes and additions include The Cesspools, a new map type for Nephalem and Greater Rifts. Two-handed weapons have been overhauled, making them useful again. A unique item dubbed Ramaladni’s Gift will grant a socket to a weapon without one, freeing up a stat slot to be better enhanced through enchanting. Plus, most classes have seen changes or alterations, and certain Legendary items have been enhanced to bring them more in line with what’s currently accessible via the PC version of the game.

Essentially, if you’re still playing or have yet to play Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition, you’ll find that Patch 2.1.0 provides plenty of reason to do so.