Blizzard has confirmed that Diablo 4 is getting a Solo Self-Found (SSF) game mode in the future. The feature has long been requested, and the developer has revealed that while it’s coming to Diablo 4 at some point, players shouldn’t expect it to arrive as part of the Lord of Hatred expansion.
Solo Self-Found is a game mode where players can only use items they find in the world. Trading isn’t allowed, nor is boosting or participating in combat as part of groups. Players are totally alone in SSF, making for a much more difficult experience than usual. The feature is prevalent in many other action RPGs, including Diablo 3, where SSF players must play in private servers, completely isolated. The bonus is that SSF gamers get their own leaderboards in Diablo 3, standing as a true status symbol to the powerful items and builds that players have spent their time grinding towards, with no outside help. This would be especially important in any new version of Solo Self-Found, which would have a big impact on Diablo 4‘s The Tower leaderboards.
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Diablo 4 is Getting a Solo Self-Found Game Mode After Lord of Hatred
During Blizzard’s most recent Diablo 4 Sanctuary Sitdown on Discord, the developer revealed that Solo Self-Found is in the works to arrive in the future. Associate game director Zaven Haroutunian confirmed that SSF won’t arrive in time for Diablo 4‘s Lord of Hatred expansion, stating, “It will not be launching alongside Lord of Hatred. But I will say we’re still committed to doing it [SSF]. It’s just a matter of when we’re going to be able to do it. The team is actively working on it. It’s just not something that we’re planning on shipping alongside Lord of Hatred.”
“By the way, some of this is actually intentional. We want to put the game out there, we’re changing so much stuff. And before we say, ‘Go make a character that’s locked to solo,’ let’s make sure everything’s in a good place before we can actually do something like that.”
Haroutunian is aware that The Tower’s leaderboards is a major factor in players wanting SSF in Diablo 4, and acknowledged it in the Discord chat. “It’s logically tied very much to The Tower and leaderboards. That’s the core reason, I think people are really hunting for something like this, and that is still also in a beta phase.” Diablo 4‘s Tower and leaderboards were only added to the game just over a month ago, but the fact that they can be affected by players who buy or are gifted gear is a frustrating factor for some. Solo Self-Found would alter this, and put a huge focus on the players who earn their entire build through their own hard work.
It will not be launching alongside Lord of Hatred. But I will say we’re still committed to doing it [SSF]. It’s just a matter of when we’re going to be able to do it.
The Sanctuary Sitdown was a treasure trove of small pieces of information about the game’s future, covering the details missed during the recent Diablo 4 30th Anniversary Spotlight. It covered topics such as sets potentially returning to the game from Diablo 3, and offered more details on already-announced features like the highly requested loot filter. It’s a good opportunity to gain some insight into the design philosophy driving the ongoing development of Diablo 4.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred is set to release on April 28, 2026, bringing two new classes in what may be the biggest-ever content drop for the game to date. Recent Diablo 4 seasons have been a major hit with players, helping drive the game’s ongoing popularity. Lord of Hatred has a lot to live up to in that regard, but if it can land in the same way as previous seasons of the game, then it’ll be a great foundation for the next few years of Diablo 4 content.
- Released
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June 5, 2023
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
