Blizzard has a problem it wants to fix in Diablo 5, and that problem is level-scaling. Game director Joe Shely revealed at BlizzCon that the next entry in the series will take a “somewhat different approach” to how enemy strength tracks the player’s power, drawing more from Diablo 2 than from Diablo 4.
Shely spoke during a roundtable interview at BlizzCon, as reported by PC Gamer. His comments suggest Blizzard is ready to break with the automatic level-scaling system used in Diablo 3 and Diablo 4, a change that could finally let players walk back through old zones and feel the weight of their progress.
Shely’s Case Against Automatic Scaling
The issue, as Shely sees it, is simple: automatic scaling removes the moment of triumph. When enemies always match your level, you never get that surge of power that comes from leveling up.
“Diablo is a game that, in many ways, is about your character getting stronger and when the monsters get stronger at the same time, especially outside of your control… You’ve filled the experience bar, you get stronger, you should feel awesome now: a wave of light pulses out from you, a bunch of monsters die.”
He continued, “And sometimes automatic scaling can get in the way of that feeling, which is so core to it, and that’s why this is a really important question. And so, we’re going to take a somewhat different approach to that in Diablo 5.”
What Automatic Scaling Actually Does
Automatic level-scaling means the world adjusts to you. Enemies scale upward as you gain levels, so you never face foes that outmatch you. That flattens the sense of growth.
Players who return to early-game areas after leveling find the experience unchanged. The monsters aren’t easier, they’re just scaled down. There’s no visual reminder of how far you’ve come.
Why Diablo 2 Inspired the Change
Diablo 2 took a different path. Its enemies didn’t scale automatically. Blizzard’s decision to move toward that model in Diablo 5 reflects awareness of the desire to feel powerful, according to Shely.
The company is aware of the desire to feel powerful, and the current system in Diablo 4 (and 3) betrays that feeling, according to Shely.
What Shely Won’t Reveal
Shely didn’t say exactly what the new approach will be. He admitted the team hasn’t fully discussed level-scaling yet. But the direction is clear: Blizzard is moving away from automatic scaling, and the inspiration is Diablo 2.
The company has also signaled that itemization and loot systems will draw on Diablo 2 mechanics, including more complex inventory management. Taken together, these design choices point toward a more demanding, friction-filled experience.
The Path of Exile Comparison
Looking at everything we’ve learned about Diablo 5, it’s clear Blizzard is aiming for a tougher game. The design favors the kind of player-friction and challenge found in Path of Exile 1 and 2, games known for their punishing difficulty.
That’s a significant shift from recent entries in the series. Diablo 5 appears to want both.
The Long Wait Ahead
There’s a catch. Diablo 5 isn’t due for release until spring 2029. That’s a long time to wait to see if the promises hold.
Shely’s comments are promising, but they’re still early. The full design remains under wraps, and the final product could look very different from what he described at BlizzCon.
What We Make Of It
The most interesting takeaway is the willingness to change a core system used across two successive games. Blizzard is treating level-scaling as a variable, not a constant.
That’s a good sign. Blizzard is aware of the desire to feel powerful, and the current system in Diablo 4 (and 3) betrays that feeling, according to Shely.
Whether the new approach lives up to the promise is a question for the final game. Shely’s description of a wave of light and dead monsters suggests the intention is strong. Whether the execution matches it is a question for when Diablo 5 arrives.
For now, the wait begins.
Source material: “Blizzard to take "a somewhat different approach" to level-scaling in Diablo 5, suggesting more influence from Diablo 2 than Diablo 4,” Eurogamer.
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