Most MMORPGs, because of their multiplayer nature, use existing combat modes or simply add a new gameplay mode, then add real-time leaderboards to incentivize competition and enhance engagement.
Diablo 4 originally introduced a leaderboard system in Season 3 in 2024, via The Gauntlet, but it was ultimately canceled after Season 6.
While the cancellation may have been due to mediocre performance and players’ negative reviews, the performance of Diablo 2: Resurrected’s seasonal ladder system clearly demonstrates the need for leaderboards, and Diablo 4 should improve them rather than remove them.
Thus, as Diablo 4 progresses into Season 9, while this season has also gained traction with new dungeons and seasonal powers, it’s undeniable that a complementary leaderboard would have performed even better.
Because leaderboards not only reward you with additional Diablo 4 gold, but also incentivize you to diligently clear related dungeons and quests for a higher ranking, this new mechanic should be explored further, further enhancing its value.
Based on this, IGGM will analyze the role of leaderboards in Diablo 4, drawing on the experience of The Gauntlet, and determine whether it’s worth returning to the game.
If you have other Diablo 4-related needs, such as getting more Diablo 4 gold or learning about other Season 9 gameplay guides, you can also gain something by visiting IGGM!
What Is The Gauntlet?
This mode is actually a feature introduced in Diablo 4 Season 3: Season of the Construct. It resets each week to present you with a new dungeon challenge. Your goal is to efficiently traverse the dungeon, defeat enemies, and earn loot.
Each class has its own leaderboard, with separate rankings calculated for hardcore and solo play styles. These rankings reset weekly. If you rank in the top 10, you’ll have a chance to enter Hall of the Ancients as a commemorative member.
As you fight in this mode, the game sets a meter called Zoltun’s Warding. As you encounter danger, the meter depletes. Only by successfully completing the dungeon before it depletes can you earn valuable chests as rewards.
Why Was This Mode Canceled?
The Gauntlet itself didn’t have any major gameplay issues. Its flaw lay in its vulnerability, which allowed it to be easily exploited by players with ulterior motives, such as through malicious boosting to manipulate leaderboards or arbitrarily selling accounts that allowed access to Hall of the Ancients.
As these practices became increasingly difficult to manage and disrupted the experience for average players, this mode was canceled after three seasons.
At the time, the development team stated that they would rework and reintroduce The Gauntlet at a later date. However, three more seasons later, the promised leaderboards remained unfulfilled, leaving Diablo 4’s endgame still missing a key piece.
The Birth Of The Unofficial Leaderboard
Curious about the ultimate level of Diablo 4 skill, players have created an unofficial leaderboard, even without any additional rewards.
This leaderboard, based on The Pit dungeon, lists the top players in that dungeon, along with their time, class, and build to complete the current level.
This not only provides a platform for powerful Diablo 4 players to show off their skills, but also provides a reference for you to play with. By understanding the character builds of the top players, you can understand which classes and builds are most effective in the current season.
How Should The Official Leaderboard Return?
In fact, the success of the unofficial The Pit leaderboard and the past failure of The Gauntlet demonstrate that leaderboards don’t need fancy decorations. They should simply accurately reflect the current level of player skill and provide rewards such as Diablo 4 gold to the top players.
Therefore, the return of leaderboards doesn’t necessarily require entirely new dungeons or quests like The Gauntlet. For example, Season 9 could directly integrate existing dungeons like Escalating Nightmares or Infernal Hordes.
Alternatively, since Season 8 introduced Lair Boss Ladder concept, leaderboards could be created based on how quickly players defeat different lair bosses and which class they use.
In fact, if the development team has sufficient time and effort, leaderboards could be implemented for most Diablo 4 modes, even if the rewards aren’t as generous.
This would not only provide more references for improving average players but also encourage top-ranked players to continuously develop new strategies and builds, enhancing the richness of the game.
Furthermore, leaderboards for existing gameplay modes can more effectively break down data like level and completion time compared to The Gauntlet, providing a more reliable reference while also avoiding the instability associated with new gameplay modes.
The Best Time To Return
In fact, Diablo 4 has been criticized for its lack of innovation for several consecutive seasons. With 2025 already midway through, major changes to the season mechanics aren’t realistic. Furthermore, the second DLC isn’t expected to release until 2026.
Therefore, to enhance the game’s appeal and enrich Diablo 4’s endgame content, the return of leaderboards is best done sooner rather than later. Even though Season 9 is already midway through, adding leaderboards via a subsequent patch is entirely feasible.
Alternatively, a slight delay could be made until the release of Diablo 4 Season 10. While this would be a few weeks later, it would create more buzz for Season 10 and have more development time, allowing the new leaderboards to perform better in future Diablo 4 releases.
In short, the return of leaderboards is essential for Diablo 4. While The Gauntlet had its shortcomings, there are numerous ways to improve them – the development team should tackle these challenges head-on, not avoid them.
