Introduction

The latest expansion for Diablo 4, *Vessel of Hatred*, has captivated players and critics alike, offering fresh content and challenges. However, underneath the thrilling gameplay lies a significant issue that many gamers are encountering: a shortage of crucial crafting materials. This has become a talking point among the player community, especially in light of upgrading gear, which has proven to be an exasperating ordeal.

The Material Shortage Challenge

As gamers dive deep into the endgame content, upgrading gear through rerolling, tempering, and masterworking becomes a critical part of boosting their character’s power. The catch? While rare and legendary materials are relatively abundant through standard gameplay and salvaging, players are finding themselves sorely lacking in common materials—particularly Iron Chunks and Rawhide Leathers.

The Staggering Requirements

For each upgrade, players often require dozens of these materials. To illustrate the issue, one player reported needing a staggering 90 Rawhide Leathers just to move forward with their fifth upgrade, out of a total of twelve. This staggering requirement puts immense pressure on players, as farming common materials feels almost like a chore when compared to the ample supply of rare and legendary ones. Most players, chasing those shiny legendary items, tend to dismantle gear that yields more rare materials than the common ones, further exacerbating the material drought.

Blizzard's Response

Interestingly, Blizzard has responded to player feedback with a hotfix aimed at addressing other material shortages, specifically Angelbreath. While this fix was designed to help max-level players who were lagging behind in potion tiers, it overlooks the more pressing shortage of common materials that players are facing as they progress in the *Vessel of Hatred* expansion.

Alternative Material-Gathering Methods

Currently, players are directed toward alternative material-gathering methods, such as the Tree of Whispers. However, even diligent efforts there yield meager returns. One player shared that after completing a full round of the activity, they only managed to collect 110 Rawhide Leathers—far from sufficient for their upgrade needs at higher levels.

Continued Frustration

During the review period, this material shortage was even worse, reportedly causing significant frustration and halting progress for many. Players had hoped that noted adjustments to these requirements before launch would alleviate the issues, but many feel that the problem still persists.

Conclusion and Community Outlook

So what does this mean for players? If you find yourself constantly running out of what should be common materials, rest assured, you are not alone. The community is vocal about these challenges, and given the recent responsiveness from Blizzard regarding other issues, there is a glimmer of hope that a hotfix targeting the shortage of common materials may soon be on the horizon.

As the gaming world watches and waits, stay tuned for updates, and keep those crafting fingers crossed! Don’t forget to follow our ongoing coverage and join the conversation on social media!