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Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred (D4)

Do You Need to Play Diablo 3 First?

Add to Watchlist

★ NEW: Season 10 Guide | Season 10 Release Date
┗ Seasonal Content: Chaos Rifts | New Uniques
┗ Seasonal Mechanic: List of Chaos Perks & Chaos Armor
★ Season 10 Best Builds & Best Chaos Perks
★ Check out our Vessel of Hatred expansion guide

Diablo 4 - Do You Need to Play Diablo 3 First

Playing Diablo 3 first is not required to enjoy Diablo 4 (D4). Check out if you need to play Diablo 3 before playing Diablo 4, and learn more about the connections between the two games!

List of Contents

Do You Need to Play Diablo 3 First?

Not Necessary to Enjoy Diablo 4

Diablo 4 - Not Necessary to Enjoy Diablo 4

Players do not need to play Diablo 3 first to enjoy playing Diablo 4. While Diablo 4's story is connected to the events of the previous games, no prior knowledge of the earlier games is required to understand and appreciate the game.

In addition, your player character is not a returning character from the previous games, meaning they're unique to Diablo 4's main storyline.

Diablo 4 Timeline: The Story So Far

New Players May Miss Out on References

However, Diablo 4 features a few returning characters and references to the older games, which some players may miss out on or overlook if they haven't played Diablo 3 or other prior games in the franchise.

One of these returning characters is the Butcher, a recurring boss in the Diablo franchise, which has a random chance to spawn in Diablo 4's numerous Dungeons.

Diablo 3 Background

Isometric ARPG Similar to Diablo 4

Diablo 3 - Isometric ARPG Similar to Diablo 4

Diablo 3 was first released on May 15, 2012, for Windows and OS X, with versions for the PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch slowly being released over the years.

Like Diablo 4, Diablo 3 was an isometric action RPG focusing on character progression, tearing through hordes of foes, and grinding for increasingly powerful loot.

Takes Place 50 Years Before Diablo 4

Diablo 3 - Takes Place 50 Years Before Diablo 4

According to an official tweet by the Diablo Twitter account, the events of Diablo 3 took place 50 years before the start of Diablo 4. We speculate that the storyline of Diablo 4 may reveal what happened between the end of Diablo 3 and the beginning of Diablo 4.

Diablo 4 Related Guides

Diablo 4 - Tips and Tricks

Beginner Guides and Best Tips for Getting Started

Tips and Tricks

Starter Guides
Skill Tree Explained List of Controls
Character Customization Options How to Make a Battle.Net Account
Best Settings for PC Best Settings for Console
Difficulty Settings and World Tiers Guide Best World Tier: Adventurer or Veteran?
List of All Status Effects: Buffs and Debuffs Compatible Video Card List
Best Equipment for Early Game Can You Play Split Screen?
PC Controller Support Best Quest Order
What to Spend Gold On Combat Guide: How to Beat Hard Enemies
Stat Guide: All Stats Explained Early Game Guide: What to Do First
Tips and Tricks
Respec Cost Guide EXP Farming Guide
Battle Pass Guide Renown System Guide
Where to Sell Items Faded Plaque Puzzle Solutions
How to Summon the Golem What is Hardcore Mode?
How to Get a Whispering Key and Open Silent Chests How to Highlight All Interactables
Elective Mode: How to Assign Skills Can You Change Classes?
How to Stagger Bosses How to Create a Clan
List of Shrine Effects How to Get Missed Legendary Drops
Legendary Farming Guide List of Challenges and Titles
Trophies and Achievements Guide Multiplayer Guide: How to Play Co-Op With Friends
How to Use Aspects How to Skip Campaign and What Carries Over
How to Claim All Rewards and Preorder Bonuses How to Farm Expertise Quickly
How to Teleport to a Party Member's Location How to Evade
Party Bonuses and Group Scaling Explained What is Level Scaling?
Mutterlock Chest Puzzle: How to Open How to Get the Darkblade
What Does Mark For Blood Do? Powerleveling Guide
How to Make a Build How to Clear Dungeons Fast
How to Trade Best Season Blessing for Season 1
How to Hunt for Treasure Goblins Close vs Distant Explained
What is Strength What is Dexterity
What is Intelligence What is Willpower
How to Reset Dungeons What is the Armor Cap?
How to Unlock Pets How to Use the Party Finder Feature
How to Skip Cutscenes How to Level Mercenaries Fast
The Armory Explained -
Endgame Content
What to Do After the Campaign Leaderboards Release Date
Ancestral Items Guide How to Farm Uniques
Class Specializations
Barbarian Arsenal System Rogue Specialization
Sorcerer Enchantments Druid Spirit Boons
Necromancer Book of the Dead -
FAQs
What is the Max Level? Should You Uninstall the Beta?
Can You Zoom Out? Do You Need to Play Diablo 3 First?
Are There Set Items in Diablo 4? Does Diablo 4 Have Followers?
Can You Change Your Name? How to Use Two-Handed Weapons
What Is the Maximum Party Size? Can You Augment Equipment?
Where is Kyovashad? What to Inscribe into the Wood in Kyovashad
Is There WASD Movement? How to Update Graphics Drivers
How to Change Voice and Text Language List of Accessibility Features
Should You Use Keyboard or Controller? How to Show FPS and Latency
Campaign Length: How Long to Beat Should you Sell or Salvage?
How to Save What Happens If You Die?
What Happens When Items Break? Is There A Guest Pass?
How to Use Voice Chat List of Hairstyles and Hair Colors
Can You Minimize the Map? How to Save Outfits
How to Take Screenshots on PC Rarity Explained: What Does Rarity Affect?
Is Deckard Cain in Diablo 4? Is There a Monthly Fee?
Is Loot Shared Between Characters? Missables and One-Time Events Guide
Best Character Name: Are Names Unique? List of Secrets and Easter Eggs
Are There Private Servers? Is There a Loot Filter?
What Are Archetype Caches? Paragon Migration Explained
What are Extractable Aspects? -

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