Oct 87 min read

Exploring Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred Release Times & Preload Guide for PC, Xbox & PlayStation

The Diablo 4 universe is expanding with the highly anticipated Vessel of Hatred expansion. As a Wanderer ready to become Spiritborn, this is your opportunity to explore the Nahantu Region in a fresh storyline that coincides with the launch of Season 6: Hatred Rising on October 7. The expansion is packed with content designed to challenge even seasoned players. Whether you're eager to explore the new Spiritborn class, tackle the Kurast Undercity dungeon, or dive into the Realmwalker event, there’s plenty to look forward to. Alongside the new character abilities and class features, the expansion introduces additional gameplay elements, including exclusive seasonal rewards, new Mercenaries, and unique crafting options to enhance your gear. With the latest Diablo updates introducing a larger scope and richer storyline, fans can anticipate weeks of engaging gameplay across new regions and dungeons. Here’s all you need to know about release times and how to preload on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.

Diablo 4 Season 6 & Vessel of Hatred: Global Release Times

The Vessel of Hatred expansion and Season 6 will launch simultaneously worldwide. Here's when you can access the new content based on your location:

October 7:

Los Angeles: 4 PM PDT
Toronto/New York: 7 PM EDT
Mexico City: 6 PM CST
Sao Paulo: 8 PM BRT

October 8:

London: Midnight BST
Paris: 1 AM CET
Helsinki: 2 AM EET
Riyadh: 2 AM AST
Seoul/Tokyo: 8 AM KST/JST
Sydney: 10 AM AEDT
Auckland: Noon NZDT

While Vessel of Hatred is an expansion that requires purchase, Season 6: Hatred Rising will be available to all players.

How to Preload Vessel of Hatred on PC, Xbox & PlayStation

You can get ahead of the game by preloading Vessel of Hatred and the Season 6 update across all platforms. Simply check your platform's store for the download.

Preloading is available now for Battle.net users on PC, while Steam players will need to wait until the official release on October 7. Here are the preload times for Xbox and PlayStation users:

October 5:

Los Angeles: 4 PM PDT
Toronto/New York: 7 PM EDT
Mexico City: 6 PM CST
Sao Paulo: 8 PM BRT

October 6:

London: Midnight BST
Paris: 1 AM CET
Helsinki: 2 AM EET
Riyadh: 2 AM AST
Seoul/Tokyo: 8 AM KST/JST
Sydney: 10 AM AEDT
Auckland: Noon NZDT

Download File Sizes for Vessel of Hatred

PC (Battle.net): The update weighs in around 40 GB with High-Resolution Assets. If you untick the option, it will be around 25 GB.
For console players, the exact file size is not yet available, but it should be in the same range.

What to Do First in Vessel of Hatred & Season 6

As soon as the expansion and update go live, the first thing you should do is ensure you’ve completed the main campaign or at least its prologue. This will allow you to jump straight into the Vessel of Hatred’s storyline by finding it in your quest log. We also highly recommend securing a mount before venturing into the Nahantu Region, as it will make exploring the new areas much easier. Prepare for a dark and thrilling adventure as Season 6 and Vessel of Hatred reshape the Diablo 4 experience.

How to Prepare for the Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred Expansion

Before diving into the Vessel of Hatred expansion, it’s essential to prepare properly. Start by ensuring that your Diablo 4 client is updated and that you’ve completed the main campaign’s prologue. This will allow you to jump into the new Nahantu Region immediately. If you haven’t yet, acquiring a mount will also significantly improve your travel time across the vast new region. Ensure you have enough storage space for the large update, which can be around 40 GB on PC, depending on the settings. By following these steps, you’ll be fully prepared to embrace everything the expansion has to offer.

What’s New in Diablo 4 Season 6: Season of Hatred Rising?

Diablo 4 Season 6, titled Season of Hatred Rising, introduces several exciting features. Players will journey through the Nahantu Region, tackling new dungeons like the Kurast Undercity and engaging in the Dark Citadel activity. The highly anticipated Spiritborn class is also launching, giving players fresh gameplay experiences. Alongside new Mercenaries and the Realmwalker event, the season brings an entirely new dimension to Diablo 4. Even if you don’t purchase the Vessel of Hatred expansion, all players can access the Season 6 content, ensuring plenty of new content for both seasoned veterans and newcomers alike.

Vessel of Hatred File Size and Download Times on All Platforms

The file size for Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred expansion depends on your platform and settings. On PC, the download is around 40 GB if you opt for High-Resolution Assets. If you disable these assets, the download shrinks to around 25 GB. Pre-loads are already available for Battle.net users, while Xbox and PlayStation players can start their pre-loads on October 5. Steam players must wait until the content goes live on October 7 to download the expansion. Make sure to free up enough space ahead of time to ensure a smooth pre-load process on your platform.

How to Access New Content in Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred

Once the Vessel of Hatred goes live, you can access the new content by completing the prologue of Diablo 4’s main campaign. While completing the entire campaign is not required, having a mount will make navigating the new Nahantu Region easier. Once ready, the campaign for Vessel of Hatred will appear in your quest log, allowing you to begin your journey in the Nahantu Region. Be sure to explore the new dungeons, engage in the Realmwalker event, and experience the powerful Spiritborn class as you take on new challenges in the expansive update.

Can You Play Diablo 4 Season 6 Without the Expansion?

Yes, you can fully enjoy Diablo 4 Season 6 without purchasing the Vessel of Hatred expansion. While the new Nahantu Region and related quests are locked behind the expansion, Season 6’s other content is accessible to all players. This includes the new class, Spiritborn, along with events like the Realmwalker and activities like the Dark Citadel. Additionally, new Mercenaries and various seasonal rewards will be available. The expansion simply enhances the overall experience, but the core Season 6 gameplay is designed to keep everyone engaged and excited for what’s next in Diablo 4.

Prepare for Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred's Grand Arrival

Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred expansion and Season 6 content offer an outstanding mix of fresh adventures, new regions, and distinct gameplay features that will challenge even seasoned players. Whether you choose to purchase the expansion or stick to the free Season 6 content, it's essential to be well-prepared. Completing the prologue and unlocking your mount early ensures smoother access to the Nahantu Region. Additionally, preloading the game saves time when the update drops, allowing you to dive right in without delays. Keep up with the latest gaming news to stay informed about any additional updates, balance changes, or seasonal events that may enhance your experience further. Plan ahead to make the most of what Diablo 4’s latest content has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred expansion?

The Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred expansion is the game's first major expansion, set to release alongside Season 6. It introduces the Nahantu Region, a new storyline, and the Spiritborn class. Players can also expect new dungeons like the Kurast Undercity and activities such as the Dark Citadel. The expansion offers a variety of new content for those who purchase it, but Season 6's updates and features are available to all players. Vessel of Hatred focuses on expanding the Diablo 4 world with new challenges and adventures.

Q2. Do I need to complete the campaign to play Vessel of Hatred?

No, you don’t need to finish the entire campaign to start the Vessel of Hatred expansion. However, you do need to complete the main campaign's prologue to unlock access to the new Nahantu Region and expansion-related content. If you're eager to dive into the action right away, finishing the prologue and acquiring a mount will help you navigate the expansion more easily. While completing the entire campaign provides more context, it's not mandatory to enjoy the new content from the Vessel of Hatred expansion.

Q3. How much storage space is required for Vessel of Hatred?

The Vessel of Hatred update varies in size depending on your platform. On PC, it’s approximately 40 GB if you choose to enable High-Resolution Assets. If you decide to opt-out of these assets, the download size is reduced to around 25 GB. For console users, exact file sizes are not yet confirmed, but they are expected to be similar to the PC version. It's recommended to clear at least 40 GB of storage on your system to ensure a smooth installation process when pre-loading or downloading the update.

Q4. Can I play Season 6 without purchasing Vessel of Hatred?

Yes, Season 6’s content is available to all Diablo 4 players, even if they don’t purchase the Vessel of Hatred expansion. While the new Nahantu Region and story are exclusive to expansion owners, everyone can access the new Spiritborn class, participate in the Realmwalker event, and enjoy other features like the Mercenaries and Dark Citadel activity. Diablo 4’s seasonal updates are designed to provide fresh gameplay for all players, regardless of whether or not they invest in the additional expansion content.

Q5. When can I preload Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred?

Preloading for Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion is available at different times depending on the platform. Battle.net users can start preloading right away. PlayStation and Xbox players can begin preloading on October 5 at 4 PM PDT (Los Angeles), 7 PM EDT (New York), or midnight BST (London). Steam users will have to wait until the expansion officially goes live on October 7 to download the update. To avoid delays, it’s best to preload as early as possible, especially if you're on console.