With Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred now in full swing, players have been diving deep into Blizzard's highly anticipated first expansion to the ARPG behemoth. Boasting a brand-new zone, stunning visuals, and brutal, fluid combat, the DLC has been widely praised for its content-rich update to one of 2023’s most acclaimed games. But as players dig into the lush and deadly jungles of Nahantu, many are running into a consistent problem: a lack of Diablo 4 Items essential crafting materials.

The Beauty and the Grind

The Vessel of Hatred expansion delivers a lot to be excited about. Critics and players alike have celebrated its rich atmosphere, hauntingly beautiful music, and satisfying combat mechanics. Lauren from PCGamesN notes in her review that the expansion stands out for its “musical majesty” and “gory combat,” making it a worthwhile return for seasoned adventurers. The addition of new main story content—something fans have been clamoring for since launch—is especially appreciated.

However, while the expansion gives players more to do, it also demands more from them—especially when it comes to crafting and upgrading. Whether you're brewing powerful elixirs or upgrading your healing potions to survive the punishing new encounters, you'll quickly find that certain materials like Bundled Herbs and Angelbreath are in constant short supply. Add in the game’s new level cap of 60 and its gold-guzzling upgrade requirements, and you've got a recipe for frustration.

The Material Shortage Problem

Potion upgrades are a critical component of character progression in Diablo 4. They aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re essential for survival, especially in high-difficulty modes and late-game content like the multiplayer-focused Dark Citadel. To reach the top-tier potion upgrade, you'll need:

500 Bundled Herbs
100 Angelbreath
5 million gold

That’s not including the requirements for earlier upgrades, which means players will spend a lot of time farming rather than fighting. This bottleneck has been a sore spot for many in the community, leading Blizzard to act quickly.

Blizzard’s Response: Hotfix 2 for Patch 2.0.2

To address the growing frustration over material scarcity, Blizzard rolled out Hotfix 2 for Patch 2.0.2 on October 9, 2024. The update brings some much-needed relief by increasing the drop rates of the two key crafting materials from bosses and elite enemies.

Here’s a breakdown of the new drop mechanics:

Dungeon Bosses (Level 30–49): Now drop 10 Bundled Herbs and 2 Angelbreath

Campaign Bosses (Level 50–60): Now drop 30 Bundled Herbs and 7 Angelbreath

Elites in Torment Difficulties: 10% chance to drop 4 Bundled Herbs, 2% chance to drop 4 Angelbreath

These changes are designed to make resource collection feel more rewarding and less of a grind, giving players more time to enjoy the expansion’s core gameplay instead of endlessly farming zones.

Additional Fixes and Stability Improvements

Beyond the crafting system, the hotfix also includes a few important bug fixes:

Resolved a persistent pop-up related to the Citadel Community Challenge
Fixed progression-blocking bugs during the Undercity: The Promise quest
Various stability improvements to enhance the overall gameplay experience

These tweaks ensure smoother campaign progression and help eliminate a few pain points that could otherwise disrupt immersion and pacing.

Tips for Resource-Hungry Players

Even with improved drop rates, gathering the resources you need can still take time. One useful companion to keep in mind is Subo, one of the best mercenaries introduced in Diablo 4. Subo will actively point out nearby resource drops, saving you time and effort on your material hunt.

Pairing Subo with one of the top-performing builds for the Vessel of Hatred expansion can supercharge your progression. Whether you're going all-in on a Spiritborn character or leaning into a classic Sorcerer or Barbarian, having the right build makes a huge difference—especially in tougher zones.

Looking Ahead: Nahantu and Beyond

The release of Vessel of Hatred marks a new chapter in Diablo 4’s evolving journey. With more endgame content, an expanded level cap, and stronger story direction, Blizzard is clearly positioning the game for long-term growth. The introduction of the new jungle zone, Nahantu, offers fresh terrain, eerie threats, and a vibrant aesthetic that feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the original game’s somber tone.

While material scarcity briefly slowed momentum, Blizzard's quick response shows they’re listening to community feedback and making adjustments to improve the experience. For those still hungry for loot, lore, and demon-slaying glory, Diablo 4 continues to deliver.

Final Thoughts

The Vessel of Hatred expansion may be beautiful, brutal, and content-packed, but it’s not without its hurdles. Thankfully, the recent hotfix goes a long way toward smoothing out one of Diablo 4 admissions the DLC’s biggest pain points. Whether you’re a returning player or a new adventurer, the update ensures a more enjoyable, balanced grind toward power and prestige in Sanctuary.

If you’ve yet to dive in—or just want more loot-filled adventures—be sure to explore some of the best Diablo-like games on PC or follow Diablo 4 updates via PCGamesN’s daily news, reviews, and guides.

Happy hunting, wanderer. May your bags be full of herbs, your gold plentiful, and your potions potent.