The release of Diablo 4 is happening this June and after the incredible response received during the beta weekends, Blizzard is looking to test its servers one more time in anticipation of launch day by calling all players to join in for a Server Slam in May. The popular dungeon-crawler series has many fans excited about the chance to fight back the hordes of hell. This Server Slam not only allows players to try out the game a little bit more but gives developers another chance to see what the server load will be like come June 6.
The idea of a Server Slam is a smart move on the part of the development team for Diablo 4. During the beta weekends, the popularity of the game raised some red flags for how well the Diablo 4 servers will handle launch day traffic. There was a larger response than ever before in the franchise’s history for the beta, which simultaneously showed just how many people are excited about returning to Sanctuary, and how much the servers at Blizzard will need to be boosted for the number of players.
What The Diablo 4 Server Slam Is
Diablo 4‘s Server Slam is a fun way for developers to prepare the game for launch by testing its servers while letting players experience another short period of seeing the first portion of the new adventure. Also, any players who did not participate in the beta weekends will have another chance to unlock the beta rewards offered exclusively for progression during the testing periods, and new rewards specific to this test as well. Developers listened to a lot of the player feedback during the beta weekends and are incorporating a brand-new build with adjustments based on that response.
What To Anticipate During The Diablo 4 Server Slam
Similar to the open beta weekend, Diablo 4‘s Server Slam will be live for one weekend in May to allow players to experience the Prologue and Act 1 of the game. The first zone, Fractured Peaks, will be open for everyone to explore and players can try out all five of the character classes: Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Rogue, and Sorcerer. Also like the beta, character progress will not carry over from the Server Slam to the full game launch.
Unlike the Diablo 4 beta that allowed players to get to level 25, this time players will only be able to reach up to level 20. For this testing period, all players will be able to again try to receive the beta rewards for making it to 20 and other objectives. Another change between the beta and Server Slam is that the Legendary Item drop rate is now set to be the same, or at least similar, to what will be experienced in the full release.
When The Diablo 4 Server Slam Will Take Place
Diablo 4‘s Server Slam will take place between May 12, 2023, at 12 p.m. PDT and May 14, 2023, at 12 p.m. PDT. Everyone can try the game during this time, regardless of if they have already pre-purchased the game or not. It is open to players on PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, and PS4, and will include couch co-op on consoles. Cross-play and cross-progression for all platforms will be active as well to further test the durability of the Diablo servers.
Rewards Players Can Earn During The Diablo 4 Server Slam
All the rewards available during the early access and open beta weekends will once again be available, including the Beta Wolf Pack Cosmetic Item. Players who previously earned the rewards will not need to earn them again, however, they are available to anyone who missed out.
Reward | Unlock Requirement |
|---|---|
Initial Casualty Title | Reach Kyovashad with one character |
Early Voyager Title | Reach level 20 with one character |
Beta Wolf Pack Cosmetic Item | Reach level 20 with one character |
Cry of Ashava Mount Trophy | Defeat Ashava with one level 20 character |
Though these awards are unlocked during either the previous early access and open beta weekends or this upcoming Server Slam, none of the rewards will be available until the full launch of Diablo 4 in June. After the game has been released, players who have completed the required objectives and purchased the game will find the rewards automatically connected to their game through their battle.net account information.
Players Can Try Again To Defeat Ashava During Server Slam
In order for players to earn the new Cry of Ashava Mount Trophy during the Diablo 4 Server Slam, characters will have to defeat Ashava at level 20. She is not an easy beast to defeat, especially when players are capped at only being able to reach 20 rather than the 25 from the last beta weekends. Ashava features sharp arm blades and scales that are stronger than plate mail and already proved to be challenging to players at level 25. Ashava will spawn every three hours starting on May 13 at 9 a.m. PDT until the final spawn on May 14 at 9 a.m. PDT.
This Server Slam is a great opportunity for people who are still debating on whether to purchase the game to try out Diablo 4 for free and is a smart move by developers to test the server capabilities prior to launch. Blizzard has had some shaky game releases in the past due to overloaded servers, and taking this extra step to test the servers will hopefully help to make things smoother on launch day. Diablo 4‘s Server Slam weekend will happen from May 12 to May 14 for everyone to participate on either PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, or PS4.
