Diablo 4 Server Slam Beta: Start Time, Preload, Platforms, and More

The next Diablo 4 beta is just around the corner. The game may be coming on June 6, but Blizzard is giving us one last chance to play before the game’s official launch with the upcoming Server Slam event. Here’s what we know about the Server Slam beta, including when it starts and stops, what platforms it will be on, what’s changed from the previous beta period, and the rewards you can reap.

When is the Diablo 4 Server Slam Beta?

The Diablo 4 Server Slam dates and times are 12 p.m. PDT on May 12 to 12 p.m. PDT on May 14.

When Can You Preload the Diablo 4 Server Slam?

You can preload the Server Slam early, starting May 10 at 12 p.m. PDT. It will be available through Battle.net on PC and each console’s storefront on PlayStation and Xbox. Here are the steps provided by Blizzard:

“PC

• Launch the Battle.net client. If Diablo IV is not already in your Favorites bar, you can add it by clicking on the + icon. Alternatively, you can find Diablo IV by accessing the All Games page. You’ll see Diablo IV at the top of the list.
• Once you get to the Diablo IV Game Page, click the dropdown menu under Game Version and select the Diablo IV – Server Slam option. Click the blue button that says Install. The game will begin to install, and once it’s available, click Play to Launch.

Xbox

• Launch the Xbox Store and search for Diablo IV–Server Slam. Select Download.

PlayStation

• Launch the PlayStation Store and search for Diablo IV–Server Slam. Select Download.

For those that still have the Diablo IV Open Beta downloaded:

• Once the Early Download period begins, an update will be available for you to download. After Server Slam starts, you can begin your journey into Sanctuary.”

What Platforms Will the Server Slam Beta Be On?

The best part about the Server Slam is that no matter what platform you play on — whether it’s Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, or PC — you can join up for Server Slam.

Console players will be able to enjoy couch co-op; cross-play and cross-progression will be enabled across all platforms. As in the Early Access Beta and Open Beta, the entirety of the Prologue and Act 1 will be open to all players, and you’ll be able to explore all of the Fractured Plains, the first Zone. The available classes will include Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Rogue, and Sorcerer.

What’s New in the Diablo 4 Server Slam Beta?

All of that might sound pretty similar, but Blizzard has made some changes to Server Slam:

• Any character progress made during the Early Access and Open Beta weekends will not carry over to Server Slam. Additionally, any character progress made during Server Slam will not carry over to launch.
• You may level up characters to Level 20, after which you’ll cease to gain Ability Points but can continue to slay demons and earn alluring gear.
• The Legendary Item drop rate has been altered to reflect the drop rate that will be present in the launch version of Diablo 4.
• The version of Diablo 4 available during Server Slam will include all the bug fixes and updates Blizzard announced previously.

Battle Ashava and Earn Rewards

In addition, you’ll be able to tackle Server Slam’s biggest challenge: Ashava. According to Blizzard, Ashava is “a lumbering behemoth with two razor-sharp arm blades, scales stronger than plate mail, and hell-bent on ripping through all who interrupt her quest to bathe Sanctuary in poisonous bile.”

Because your character will only be able to reach Level 20, she should be pretty challenging. The good news is you’ll have plenty of chances to fight her. Ashava will spawn for the first time on May 13, starting at 9 a.m. PDT. She’ll spawn every three hours after that until the final spawn on May 14 at 9 a.m. PDT.

You’ll also be able to earn Server Slam rewards just for playing, including a new reward: the Cry of Ashava Mount Trophy. In addition, you’ll be able to earn any rewards they missed during the Early Access and Open Beta. Those rewards are listed below, but if you’ve already earned them, you don’t have to earn them again.

• Initial Casualty Title: earned by reaching Kyovashad with one character.
• Early Voyager Title: earned by reaching Level 20 on one character.
• Beta Wolf Pack Cosmetic Item: earned by reaching Level 20 on one character.
• Cry of Ashava Mount Trophy: earned by defeating Ashava with one Level 20 character.

For more information on how to download the Diablo 4 Server Slam beta, check out Blizzard’s blog on Server Slam, and for everything you need to know about Diablo 4 ahead of time, head over to our D4 guides hub.

Featured image by Blizzard Entertainment.