The Season of Ethereal Memory returns! Here’s how Diablo 3’s Ethereal weapons will work in Season 32

Diablo 3 Season 32: Season of Ethereal Memory, starts on July 12 with another classic theme for our enjoyment: the latest season is based on a special one, as the original theme of Ethereal Memory was in honor of the release of Diablo 2: Resurrected. But are the Ethereal items coming to Diablo 3 this season the same as their original Diablo 2 counterparts?

Here’s how Ethereal items work in Diablo 3 Season 32:

• Ethereal items are only here for the duration of the season. The season preview blog describes them as “rare, powerful, and fleeting.” They will not suffer from durability loss but only drop during the season. When the season ends, they’re gone. However, once you collect an ethereal, it will live forever in your transmog options. (Provided you unlock them with a feat of strength.)
• Ethereals are drop-only, and they will drop at any level. This is one of the few times we can’t blame Kadala, folks. You cannot get them from Kadala or upgrades through Kanai’s Cube; they are only available from monsters, chests, and destructables. Luckily, they’re level-agnostic — you could see one drop for your level 1 Barbarian from a random chest! But maybe don’t hold your breath on that with the drop rate “set between Ancient and Primal items.” You’ll still need to wait for level 70 to see an Ancient version drop.
• Each class has three options, but you can only equip one at a time. Sorry, Barbarians, no dual-wielding your two one-hander options. We will see some familiar names in the Ethereal pool during Season 32: Demon Hunter’s Windforce, Witch Doctor’s The Gidbinn, and Wizard’s The Oculus are just a few examples of existing D3 legendaries that will get an Ethereal glow-up for this season.
• The power combination is entirely random. The legendary power that rolls on your Ethereal could come from any of your class’ pool of weapon legendary powers — including class-specific off-hand options — and any of your class passive skills. Your Ethereal’s powers will not stack; no picking your Scythe of the Cycle in Kanai’s cube and doubling its strength with an Ethereal.
• Ethereals can only be augmented. You cannot cube the legendary power, reforge/enchant to re-roll the item stats, trade, dye, or transmog. What drops is what you get. You can use Ramaladni’s Gift to add a gem slot.

It seems like there are a lot of restrictions, right? And these items are definitely more “influenced by” the D2 version of Ethereals than their reality. But I promise it’s worth it. Ethereal items are so strong—it’s a real rush to see the sheer damage you can output with one equipped. Get out there, melt some faces, and don’t forget the “Ethereal Recollection” Feat of Strength!