Diablo 4’s Season of Blood is what many players hope will be a redemption for the seasonal content of the game. The developers have already made changes based on player feedback, including increasing the number of Unique equipment drops and preventing gear below a certain quality from dropping at higher world tiers. However, the focus of the season for many players is the new Vampiric Power system.
These powers allow players to further individualize powerful builds, or go in a completely new direction. However, it can be difficult to get started – how do you unlock your Vampiric Powers, what do you need to do to activate them, and which ones should you choose? Keep reading to find out all of this and more.
How To Unlock Vampiric Powers
Vampiric Powers are unlocked in your character’s inventory. To enter the correct menu, select the Vampiric Powers tab (located on the far left, next to the Weapons and Armor tab).
Here, you should see a list of Vampiric Powers that are grayed out or in full color. This denotes what you have unlocked, much like the Aspects collection. Above it is a Pentagram with five empty slots, and there is a button near the bottom of the window that says something to the effect of “Spend 25 Potent Blood.”
To unlock a new Vampiric Power, you’ll need to click on this button, assuming you have enough Potent Blood. You’ll then be given three options to choose from – click on the Power you wish to unlock or upgrade to complete the process. Once you’ve selected a power and paid the Potent Blood, it is unlocked and ready to use.
How To Get Potent Blood
Potent Blood is a crafting resource received from completing Seasonal Objectives, opening Opulent Coffins, and defeating Bloodseeker enemies. Of particular note is the Blood Harvest – an Overworld event similar to Helltides.
How To Equip Vampiric Powers
Once you have a Vampiric Power unlocked, it will show up as colored in your Vampiric Powers inventory. To Equip it, click and drag the power to an empty slot in the Pentagram at the top of the window. While this is all it takes to equip the power, ensure you meet the requirements to activate it, or it will not give you any benefits.
Prerequisites For Activating Vampiric Powers
Each Vampiric Power requires a certain amount of Vampiric Pacts in order to remain active. There are three types of Pacts, Divinity, Ferocity, and Eternity. One of your powers, for instance, may require two Divinity and one Ferocity. If you are not wearing gear with at least this number, the power with remain inactive. Vampiric Powers cannot share pacts, so you’ll need to have plenty equipped.
Pacts are located on your gear (rolled randomly when it drops) and can be switched out when necessary using the alchemist and some acid. However, to conserve resources it is advised to wait until the mid to late game before doing so. A full set of gear will have a maximum of 20 pacts.
The Best Vampiric Powers
The total number of Vampiric Powers can be overwhelming, especially considering that you are capped out at five active. While many are build-dependent, some are universally useful, and therefore great to use if you aren’t sure what to take next. These are Metamorphosis, Undying, and Prey on the Weak.
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis allows your character to turn into a swarm of bats when evading. Any enemies you pass through while in this form are afflicted with a Vampiric Curse (which can synergize with other Vampiric Powers) and take 160-240 damage. This allows anyone regardless of class to benefit from a mini version of the Necromancer’s Blood Mist, a highly viable end-game build.
Undying
Undying is a defensive power capable of healing you through the stray damage you’re bound to take in higher World Tiers. Casting any skill while this power is active heals you for 3% life, and double that if you are currently below 50% life.
Prey On The Weak
Prey on the Weak allows players to deal extra damage to vulnerable enemies – around 16% (depending on the level of the power). In addition, any enemy currently afflicted by a Vampiric Curse is considered Vulnerable. For this reason, it is particularly strong when paired with Metamorphosis.