Summary
Diablo 4has changed dramatically over time after its rocky launch last year, with Blizzard continuously adding content and fixing the game’s several issues after hearing player feedback. The Vessel of Hatred expansion is the epitome of this approach, as the update not only adds new content exclusive to the paid DLC, but also improves the base game for everyone, including the addition ofnew active and passive skills forDiablo 4’s base classes. On top of that, the Spiritborn is front and center of the release, making a big splash in the game’s meta and proving to be the best class for the time being.
This is due to an increased level of polish for the class compared to the starting fiveDiablo 4classes, and it helps that the Spiritborn has access to some incredible skills that can easily be combined regardless of one’s Spirit Hall choices. However, one Spiritborn skill stands out for being incredibly strong from the get-go, and improving even further when reaching the endgame. This is the new Quill Volley skill, belonging to the Eagle line, which launches several feathers forward to damage enemies in a cone. Fans may have to act fast and use it while they still can, though, as it will likely be nerfed in the future - possibly like itsPath of Exilecounterpart.
Why Diablo 4’s Quill Volley Builds May Not Be Long For This World
Diablo 4’s Spiritborn is Likely to Catch a Big Nerf Soon
The Spiritborn’s Quill Volley skill is extremely strong for three specific reasons. They are the following:
Skills that “shotgun” are typically projectile-based and have the ability to make multiple projectiles overlap at close range, dealing damage for each of them that hits a target.
As such, Quill Volley is arguably the singlebest skill inDiablo 4since it deals massive AoE and single-target damage at once, which can further be increased by items and passive skills. This is the same problem thatPath of Exileran into with its Spectral Throw skill, which could initially shotgun with Support Gems like Lesser Multiple Projectiles and Greater Multiple Projectiles, dealing incredible single-target damage without giving up clear speed.
Why Quill Volley is Likely to Be Nerfed in Diablo 4 Like Spectral Throw in Path of Exile
Blizzard is not new to making new classes strong on launch for theDiabloseries, so it’s possible that the Spiritborn won’t be nerfed - or at least, not in the short term. However, Quill Volley is dominating the endgame charts, and it’s hard to imagine it will stay this way for long. Be it a damage nerf or a mechanical nerf, it’s quite likely this will happen at some point, possibly as soon as Season 7. If the latter option is what Blizzard goes for, it seems plausible that Quill Volley won’t be able to shotgun anymore, making it still great for smaller enemies, but not as deadly againstDiablo 4’s bosses.
This is the same route thatPath of Exilechose for Spectral Throw, which was given an internal cooldown of less than one second for each damaging instance per cast, meaning just one projectile can damage enemies at close range. Quill Volley is currently even stronger thanks to its dedicatedDiablo 4Nahantu Aspect, as it can shotgun both when cast and when the projectiles come back, essentially tearing through all targets. Vessel of Hatred has its pros and cons in its current state, but the Spiritborn makes for a fun addition in terms of gameplay, though Quill Volley proves it may have been overtuned a tad too much.
Diablo 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. Embark on the campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through beautifully dark settings and a gripping story, or explore an expansive end game and shared world where players can meet in towns to trade, team up to battle world bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players – no lobbies necessary – with cross-play, cross-progression, and couch co-op on Xbox.This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.
