Diablo III Public Test Realm Patch 1.0.5 Released

Blizzard have released their Public Test Realm client for the upcoming Diablo III patch, version 1.0.5. Although the previous patch brought some major changes to the game, Blizzard are clearly wasting no time improving the title. Not quite a beta, but not quite a full version, the PTR client will allow Blizzard to test and fine tune the update on a live audience.

Here’s the main new features from the current changelog:

New System: Monster Power
Similar to the “Players X” command in Diablo II, Monster Power is a system designed to give players more control over how challenging enemies are in each difficulty. With this system, players can choose to increase the health and damage of monsters according to different “power levels” and in return they’ll receive scaling bonuses to experience (for heroes levels 1-60) as well as boosts to Magic Find and Gold Find (for heroes level 60 only) which will stack above the 300% cap. The option to increase Monster Power will be available to all players starting at level 1 in the Quest Selection window, and can be adjusted separately for Normal, Nightmare, Hell, and Inferno difficulties.
New Event: Infernal Machine
The Infernal Machine is a device that will allow level 60 players to battle “uber” versions of some of Sanctuary’s most nefarious bosses. While the rewards for defeating these bosses will be great, some assembly is required. Only the most powerful Nephalem can unlock the secrets to building the Infernal Machine, but once forged the device can be used to open portals to special encounters featuring not one, but two bosses which have been augmented from their original versions, both in terms of difficulty and appearance. Defeating each boss pair will provide players with extra items and gold, as well as a chance to find components for a new Legendary ring.

Players interested in joining the PTR should check out Blizzard’s FAQ page on the subject.