Diablo 3 Getting Challenge Rifts in Update 2.6.0

As of update 2.6.0, Diablo 3 will start offering a new kind of rotating weekly challenge. They’re going to be called Challenge Rifts, and they’ll let you try out new builds with no strings attached.

Experimenting with builds can be fun, but it’s a commitment. If don’t put too much thought into it before you start and it turns out you don’t really like your new build, well… tought luck. Challenge Rifts should take the edge off by letting you try out different builds for a while without any effort on your part.

They’re going to be verbatim copies of Greater Rifts other players have cleared. Blizzard will pull data about the layout of the dungeon, the character build and equipment, enemy positioning and pretty much every other variable. So when Monday comes round, you’ll be able to play the same Greater Rift that xXprettyboy69Xx played, complete with his skills, weapons and armor. And if you like it, you can then go on and create a clone for yourself.

Of course, there’s also going to be rewards. If you beat the original runner’s time, you’ll get a bundle of goodies, which includes blood shards, crafting materials and other items. You should also expect a leaderboard, so you can compare yourself with others while competing on a level playing field. Here’s what Adam Puhl, the man behind the idea, had to say about it:

It’s an adrenaline rush. When you’re racing that clock, it can be some intense, heart-pumping action. I’m really hoping it’s an opportunity for players to hone their skills, sharpen their reactions, or polish their resource management. It’s also a great opportunity to highlight build diversity. Not every skill will be in a top build, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of fun ways to play Diablo.