Fast answer
The answer before the background
Diablo 4 items should be evaluated by whether they complete the active build, not by color or item power alone. Check the base slot, Greater Affixes, tempering or crafting state, Legendary Aspect or Unique power, sockets and the stat that the main damage engine actually scales from. Lord of Hatred adds Talisman equipment: a Seal opens Charm slots, ordinary Charms can stack useful affixes and Set Charms grant partial or complete set bonuses. The 3.0 loot filter can hide irrelevant drops and import shared filter strings, but it cannot decide whether your current resource, defense or breakpoint is already solved.
Evaluation
Use a keep-or-salvage checklist before comparing item power
| Layer | Keep when | Reject or hold when |
|---|---|---|
| Base and slot | The item can equip the required weapon or armor role | It disables a class mechanic or needed slot. |
| Affixes | Two or more directly support the active loop | The largest number is unrelated to the build. |
| Greater Affix | The starred stat is valuable and the rest can be repaired | The star is on a dead stat for this setup. |
| Aspect / Unique power | It enables or strongly multiplies the declared engine | It belongs to another skill with no fallback. |
| Sockets / Runes | The plan and materials are known | A destructive craft would consume a rare input blindly. |
| Talisman | Seal and Charm set match the activity | A partial set replaces a complete defensive solution. |
Rarity
Unique and Mythic labels do not remove trade-offs
A Unique can be a build-enabler or simply a strong optional piece. A Mythic Unique can have broad power while displacing the Aspect, resistance or utility the build needs. Patch 3.1.2 changed several Uniques and Talisman bonuses, so an old 'best in slot' label is not self-validating.
Lord of Hatred also changed old item assumptions. The Horadric Cube can reroll, transmute and create several item types, while legacy items from before the redesign may remain functional but cannot be treated as current crafting bases. Keep a backup plan for every rare dependency.
Loot filter
Filter for the next upgrade, not for someone else's finished account
Create separate rules for leveling, endgame base items, target Uniques and crafting materials. A strict endgame filter can hide useful transition gear on a new character. Imported codes should be read, named and versioned before activation because they may target a different class, season or economy.
Trading and item-sale searches need extra care. Use only in-game-supported and official-account paths, understand which items are bound or restricted, and never share Battle.net credentials. A paid listing does not prove that an item is legal, deliverable or safe.
FAQ
Common questions
What do stars on items mean?
They mark Greater Affixes. The starred stat still needs to be valuable for the active build.
What is the Talisman system?
Lord of Hatred equipment using a Seal and up to six Charm slots, including class and general set bonuses.
Are all Mythic Uniques best in slot?
No. A Mythic may displace a necessary Aspect, resistance, resource or activity-specific effect.
Can I import a loot filter?
Yes after the 3.0 update, but inspect its patch, class and assumptions first.
Sources
What we checked
Official listings establish current availability and product facts. Community pages are used for mechanics and build history, then labeled separately.
- OfficialOfficial Diablo IV Steam listing
- OfficialOfficial Lord of Hatred and 3.0 overview
- OfficialOfficial Diablo IV patch notes
- OfficialOfficial Lord of Hatred item systems
- OfficialOfficial 3.1 item changes