The next Project Diablo 2 update dramatically expands the ARPG's ranged combat with an idea Blizzard never tried

Blizzard is currently throwing everything it can at Diablo 4 to see what sticks, but it's left the most iconic game in the series to roll quietly along for the past few years. If you're craving some classic ARPG action but with a modern twist, Project Diablo 2 Season 12 is exactly what you need. The fan-created project has been keeping one of the best RPGs of all time fresh by delivering periodic updates "as if development never ceased," and the team behind it has just given us a first look at what's coming with its next seasonal ladder.

I've already lamented that Diablo 2 no longer gets the love from Blizzard that it did for well over a decade after its initial launch, with just simple ladder resets and the occasional handful of holiday modifiers. Project Diablo 2, however, is comfortably more than enough to scratch the itch. There are all manner of new items, uniques, and runewords, along with regular balance overhauls to help lift the weaker options up to a viable power level. Then there's its expanded endgame, inspired by Path of Exile, complete with a mapping system, group dungeons, and even uber bosses to put your strongest builds to the ultimate test.

November marks an impressive five years of PD2, and Season 12 is shaking up probably my least-used weapons in the game. I've employed plenty of bows and crossbows in PoE 1 and 2, along with the likes of Diablo 3 (hello, Demon Hunter), but they've never appealed to me here, until now.

Rather than address the weapons directly, however, the PD2 team is attempting something Blizzard has never tried, and creating distinct ammo types with different rarities and modifiers. For bows, we get Crude Arrows, Sharp Arrows, and Razer Arrows; for crossbows, it's Light Bolts, Heavy Bolts, and War Bolts.

Arrows get implicit boosts to maximum damage based on their quality, while bolts get implicit shredding for enemy physical resistance. Additionally, both can have one socket on normal bases, or up to two with exceptional and elite bases. There will be crafting recipes and runewords designed specifically for them, although we don't get to see these today.

In addition to this, the team has created 12 unique options (six for arrows, six for bolts). The 'Tombsong' arrows, for example, allow you to summon four additional skeleton archers while equipped. They also buff them and increase both your pierce chance and the damage you'll deal to undead foes. The 'Frozen Sorrow' bolts, meanwhile, boost your cold skills, cut through enemy cold res, slow and steal mana from targets you hit, and have a chance to score double-damage deadly strikes.

Elsewhere, the developers of Project Diablo 2 have made a handful of other changes, including a rework to Blizzard that deals area-of-effect damage at the spot it lands. Corrupted zones are more likely to drop maps, and completing Anya's 'hell quest' will award you three tier-one maps rather than just one. If you like to zoom, large charms now have the ability to roll with faster cast rate and increased attack speed among their possible prefixes. The team has also implemented a search field for your stash to quickly find items.

There's no date set for the new Project Diablo 2 season yet, but project lead 'SenpaiSomething' says it will be confirmed during the next developer stream, which is currently scheduled for Saturday November 8 at 10am PST / 1pm EST / 6pm GMT / 7pm CEST. You can take a look through all the various arrow and bolt types that have been revealed right here. Keep in mind that you'll need a legitimate copy of Diablo 2 and its Lord of Destruction expansion to play.

Craving some more loot right now? Here are the best games like Diablo in 2025, along with the best gaming keyboard to sustain all those spellcasts with comfort and reliability.

What armament is your go-to in ARPGs, or do you always mix things up and keep it fresh? Join the PCGamesN Discord and make a case for your weapon of choice.