Diablo 3 to expand end-game content with 100 level Paragon system

Diablo 3 veterans who have hit the RPG's 60-level cap will be rewarded with a variety of further challenges when a Paragon system is introduced with patch 1.0.4.

As detailed on the Diablo 3 blog, the Paragon system adds 100 extra levels on top of the existing 60 character level system. Any experience a veteran player earns after maxing out their character will be funnelled into their Paragon progress.

There are 100 Paragon levels to achieve, and each brings increases to core stats, magic find and gold find. For bragging rights, a coloured border will appear on your character profile, evolving as you progress to advertise your increasing status.

Blizzard estimates it should take players about as long to earn a Paragon level as it did to go from level 59 to 60, with requirements to increase from there. Hitting the top tier of Paragon levels should take the same time and dedication as hitting level 99 in DIablo 2, the developer believes.Happily, Nephalem Valor will provide a 15% experience bonus per stack for Paragon levels.

The new system will hopefully take some of the futile sting out of a play session which doesn't turn up a new and interesting bit of equipment. "We know that a lot of you out there are level 60 - maybe on multiple characters - and this system provides a way to make progress every time you log in to the game," Blizzard said.

Diablo 3 has been criticised by fans for its lack of end-game content; original franchise creator David Brevik expressed his disappointment in some of the game's design decisions. Blizzard has been quite frank in acknowledging the criticism and working to address it. Patch 1.0.4 is expected at the end of the month.