Highlights
A matchmaking system that offers additional support and rewards to players who choose to play solo would greatly enhance the gameplay and overall enjoyment of Diablo 4, reducing the tedious grind and improving the overall experience.
Playing in a group in Diablo 4 offers several benefits including an increased experience point boost, the capability to revive fallen teammates, and enhanced strength in PvP battles. This makes group play the preferred method of gameplay. While the current clan feature in Diablo 4 offers some matchmaking capabilities, the inclusion of additional options like the Summoning Pools or the "Call For Help" and "Answer The Call" systems from The Division games could significantly enhance player cooperation and coordination.
Blizzard should strongly consider implementing a matchmaking feature for Diablo 4 to enhance the player experience. Playing in co-op offers numerous benefits, and solo players could greatly benefit from extra assistance and advantages. The journey to reach max level and complete the Paragon Point Boards in Diablo 4 is arduous, but playing with a party can alleviate the grind. In addition to standard activity-based matchmaking options, exploring unique styles of matchmaking could prove useful. Solo players should have easier access to the other benefits of playing in a group, even if they don't necessarily need the XP boost provided by nearby players.
Diablo 4 is Better With Friends
In Diablo 4, players are encouraged to team up through various incentives. One such incentive is the experience point boost that is provided when other players are nearby. Although players do not have to be in the same party, playing in a group ensures that this boost is always active. It is common for players to temporarily team up with random nearby players for World Events, but the XP buff can also benefit players in other activities throughout the game.
In addition to the experience boost, playing in co-op mode allows players to revive fallen teammates, except in Hardcore mode. While companions are still valuable in Hardcore mode, the ability to revive teammates is often overlooked. Whether it is during a boss fight, a World Event, or a Nightmare Dungeon, successfully reviving a teammate can significantly impact the outcome of battles.
What A Matchmaking Feature Could Look Like in Diablo 4
Additionally, playing Diablo 4's PvP mode becomes highly advantageous when participating as a group. Although Diablo 4 currently lacks a dedicated healer or support character class, players who team up with others will enjoy the benefits of strength in numbers. This advantage is particularly noticeable in solo PvP matches, as solo players struggle to compete with the combined might of a group. This concept holds true for Diablo 4 as a whole, as playing solo can prove more challenging compared to playing cooperatively. However, this discrepancy becomes especially pronounced in PvP battles, where players can cleverly exploit the advantage of group play.The clan feature in Diablo 4 serves as a foundation for a matchmaking system, but it can lead to an awkward situation where players within a clan fail to collaborate effectively. Challenges such as varying time zones, world tier difficulties, and progression levels in the game's main story make it difficult for randomly assembled clans to coordinate and play together regularly, unlike traditional matchmaking features.
Considering the numerous benefits that Diablo 4 offers to cooperative players, it is surprising that the game currently lacks substantial cooperation facilitation. Apart from the standard activity-based matchmaking features, even a minimalistic approach like the Summoning Pools matchmaking in Elden Ring would greatly enhance the cooperative experience in Diablo 4.
The inclusion of the "Call For Help" and "Answer The Call" matchmaking options from the Tom Clancy's The Division games would be a valuable addition to Diablo 4. This type of matchmaking aligns with The Division games' Shepherd system, wherein players earn a unique title based on their Shepherd rank. Incorporating both matchmaking and a reputation system would greatly promote cooperation in Diablo 4. Additionally, it would be a bonus if Diablo 4 follows The Division 2's example by offering stylish player titles. Diablo 4 is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.