The suggestion, submitted by TheCruelHand on the Diablo 4 subreddit, is simple: instead of being permanent, Strongholds in Diablo 4 could be subjected to a weekly reset. In addition to Diablo 4 Items becoming repeatable, Strongholds would change their modifiers similarly to how Nightmare Dungeons have different affixes, and even the bosses could be fully randomized. Given that it doesn't take long to clear a Stronghold, it wouldn't hamper Diablo 4 players too much in restoring every Stronghold's waypoint.

Another genius idea for Diablo 4's Strongholds came from Kyriolex in the same thread, where they suggested that players could also (optionally) tackle Nightmare Strongholds by activating Nightmare Mode through Stronghold Sigils. Though some fans are worried that the novelty would wear off quick, having the ability to break up the current monotony at endgame would be appreciated. The grind to obtain a perfect set for gear for any Diablo 4 class is far longer than it used to be in Diablo 3, and having to run the same content over and over again is hardly anyone's idea of fun.

On the flip side, turning Strongholds into a weekly grind might backfire, as it could easily introduce a bothersome grind for players to deal with every Thursday. Perhaps the best solution instead would be to place the reset button into the players' own hands. Ultimately, Season of the Malignant in Diablo 4 will introduce Malignant Tunnels to the game, and though they may not be the repeatable Strongholds that players have been asking for, they should still hopefully add new depth to Diablo 4's endgame.

Though Diablo 4 players who create Hardcore characters tend to be fully aware of the consequences, a new griefing method may cause them to unceremoniously end their playthrough in an unfair way. The Hardcore community has come a long way since Diablo 2, as it also found new battlegrounds in Azeroth, prompting the developers to add an official Hardcore mode to World of Warcraft. Accomplishments, achievements, and victories in Hardcore are valued tenfold, as players can lose entire weeks of progress in the blink of an eye.

Many Hardcore players have lost their characters to Uber Lilith in Diablo 4, and the appeal of the playstyle primarily lies in that rush of adrenaline – of knowing that one fatal mistake separates a completed Hardcore journey from having to start over. Though most in the community accept that a disconnect or some other factor beyond their control can (and will) end a Hardcore run, a significant amount believes that fairness needs to be preserved.

Griefing exists in a gray area of sorts when it comes to Hardcore, as Diablo 4 players can choose to engage in PvP content at their own peril. However, Clear-Document-5598 posted an incident on the Diablo 4 subreddit that made some people rethink their stance on Hardcore content. Completing Helltides in Diablo 4 is one of the best ways to earn rewards at endgame, and given that they take place in the open world, it's not uncommon for strangers to group up. After the Helltide is completed, griefers will teleport to the PvP zone, and then bait players into teleporting to their location to fight the next boss or event. Though Clear-Document-5598 saw through the deception on time, others may not be so lucky.

It's certainly a devious method that may catch careless players off-guard, as it attacks their eagerness instead of naivety. The endgame of Diablo 4 boils down to chasing Nightmare Dungeons, random events in the open world, Helltides, and World Bosses, which makes it easy for griefers to mask their intentions to players stuck in a grindy mindset. Comments below the post have compared the method to the infamous Nigerian prince scam, stating that the best way to navigate through Hardcore mode in Diablo 4 is to automatically assume the worst from any social interaction.

Ultimately, with Season of the Malignant on the horizon, most Hardcore players will move on to seasonal content. Given that a Level 100 Nightmare Dungeon in Diablo 4 was only recently completed on Hardcore, it's a game mode that will have plenty of longevity over the course of Diablo 4's first season. Though some players have already complained about fatigue setting in, Blizzard hopes that Malignant Hearts will keep the fans engaged for buy Diablo 4 materials longer than the Eternal Realm could provide.