One of the core joys of Diablo 4's endgame lies in hunting down the elusive, powerful, and often game-changing Mythic Diablo 4 Items. Unlike other tiers of gear, Mythics are rare drops, usually obtained from Lair Bosses or through crafting with Resplendent Sparks and Runes. Their rarity is matched by their potential power, meaning the time investment often pays off. However, not all Mythics are created equal. Among the Season 9 additions, one item stands out-but not for the right reasons.

Nesekem, the Herald, a Mythic Glaive intended for the Spiritborn class, is widely regarded as one of the least useful Mythics in the current Season 9 lineup. While obtaining any Mythic can feel like an achievement, this particular weapon often fails to provide the versatility, synergy, or raw power that Spiritborn players need to optimize their builds. In many ways, acquiring Nesekem, the Herald, can feel more like a disappointment than a reward.

Why Spiritborn Players Should Be Wary of Nesekem, the Herald

The most glaring limitation of Nesekem, the Herald, is its class restriction. Whereas many Mythics in Diablo 4 are either universally equippable or usable across multiple classes, Nesekem is locked exclusively to Spiritborn. While this exclusivity ensures that other classes won't accidentally take it off the loot table, it does little to make the weapon appealing for the Spiritborn themselves.

Season 9 has seen a resurgence of Spiritborn popularity, driven by builds leveraging Balazan's Maxtlatl, Rake, or Quill Volley. The problem? Nesekem, the Herald, simply does not synergize well with most top-tier Spiritborn builds, meaning that even if you are lucky enough to acquire it, its impact will likely be underwhelming.

Stats and Affixes of Nesekem, the Herald

On paper, Nesekem does not look terrible. The inherent stats and unique affix provide solid boosts:

Inherent Affix:

·+400% Damage to Elites

·+200 to All Stats

·+1200 Maximum Life

·+250% Critical Strike Damage

·+450% Overpower Damage

Unique Affix:

Every 2 seconds, the player randomly marks a nearby enemy. Marked enemies are Vulnerable, and attacks against them are guaranteed to Critically Strike and Overpower. Hitting a marked enemy 10 times removes the mark.

The appeal of these stats lies in their raw numbers: +200 to all stats, significant health boosts, and extreme increases to both Crit and Overpower Damage. However, the reality is less impressive. Fixed stat bonuses like +200 to all stats are less effective than percentage-based boosts, particularly in late-game content where scaling matters more.

Additionally, Season 9 nerfs to Overpower Damage further diminish the weapon's effectiveness. Even though the unique affix offers a theoretically powerful crit and overpower mechanic, the random targeting and hit-count requirement mean the bonus can be inconsistent, leaving players frustrated in high-density encounters.

Comparing Nesekem to Other Spiritborn Weapons

When assessing any Mythic weapon, the comparison to other obtainable Diablo IV Items in Diablo 4 is crucial. Unfortunately, Nesekem, the Herald, rarely competes with other Spiritborn-specific Unique or Legendary options.

·Rod of Kepeleke: A favorite for Quill Volley Spiritborn builds, this weapon makes Core skills free to cast, massively improving damage output and resource management.

·Wushe Nak Pa Unique Glaive: Ideal for Evade-focused Spiritborn, boosting Spirit Hall Bonuses and allowing for sustained Ferocity without downtime.

·Legendary Weapons with Aspect of Plains Power: Even the most optimized Spiritborn builds often rely on Legendary weapons paired with this Aspect to maintain maximum Ferocity, a synergy that Nesekem simply cannot match.

For players invested in high-level Spiritborn builds, the opportunity cost of crafting or farming Nesekem is significant. Each Resplendent Spark and rune spent on this Mythic is a resource not spent on a more versatile, high-impact weapon.

Crafting Requirements for Nesekem, the Herald

One of the reasons Nesekem, the Herald, is even less appealing is its crafting cost. Players who want this Mythic must buy Diablo IV Items heavily:

·2 Resplendent Sparks

·6 Yul Runes

·6 Wat Runes

·6 Tal Runes

For comparison, crafting other Mythics like Heir of Perdition or Shroud of False Death offers a more universally beneficial payoff, often providing utility across multiple builds or classes. Given the resource-intensive nature of Mythic crafting, investing in Nesekem is generally seen as a poor return on investment.

The Practical Issues with Nesekem

Even if a Spiritborn player decides to use Nesekem, several practical issues limit its utility:

1. Random Targeting: The Unique affix depends on the random marking of enemies. In tightly packed battles or chaotic situations, the affix may not target the optimal enemies.

2. Hit-Count Requirement: The marked enemy must be hit ten times before the mark disappears. This can be tedious, especially in fast-paced encounters with many mobs.

3. Scaling Limitations: Fixed stat bonuses don't scale with gear or character level, making them weaker relative to percentage-based stats or adaptive affixes in the endgame.

4. Overpower Damage Nerf: Season 9's global adjustments to Overpower Damage reduce one of the weapon's main strengths.

Combined, these issues make Nesekem an underwhelming choice, especially when considering the difficulty of obtaining it.

Better Alternatives for Spiritborn Players

Given the shortcomings of Nesekem, Spiritborn players have several better options for weapons in Season 9:

Rod of Kepeleke

·Best for Quill Volley builds

·Core skills become free to cast, maximizing DPS

·Easier to obtain than a Mythic and more impactful in standard play

Wushe Nak Pa Glaive

·Suited for Evade Spiritborn builds

·Boosts chosen Spirit Hall Bonus

·Provides reliable damage and defensive synergy

Legendary Weapons + Aspect of Plains Power

·Maintains maximum Ferocity, crucial for high-level rotations

·Provides predictable, scalable stats rather than RNG-dependent affixes

These alternatives are often easier to acquire, more synergistic, and provide immediate gameplay benefits without the resource investment required for crafting Nesekem.

Mythic Farming Strategy in Season 9

For players still hunting Mythics, it's important to prioritize resource allocation. Mythics in Diablo 4 are powerful but rarely interchangeable, meaning the wrong Mythic can waste hours of farming. Here are a few tips:

1. Identify the Most Useful Mythics First: Determine which Mythics improve your build before investing Resplendent Sparks and Runes.

2. Avoid Nesekem Unless You Have a Specific Use Case: Only craft this Mythic if you're experimenting or building a novelty Spiritborn setup.

3. Farm Lair Bosses Strategically: Focus on Lair Bosses that drop Mythics you genuinely need rather than chasing every drop indiscriminately.

4. Balance Crafting vs. Loot: Sometimes crafting is more reliable than farming, but it's also expensive. Always weigh resource cost against potential benefit.

By following these strategies, players can maximize Mythic returns while minimizing wasted materials on underperforming items like Nesekem, the Herald.

Conclusion

Nesekem, the Herald, is a cautionary tale for Diablo 4 Season 9 players chasing Mythics. While the weapon has some respectable stats on paper and a unique crit-overpower mechanic, its limited class applicability, resource-intensive crafting, and inconsistent unique affix make it a poor choice for most Spiritborn builds.

Season 9 offers a wide array of Mythic options, from universally useful gear like Heir of Perdition to powerful Spiritborn-friendly Uniques like Rod of Kepeleke. For players seeking to maximize damage, survivability, and build synergy, these alternatives are almost always a better investment than Nesekem.

In short, while finding a Mythic drop is always exciting, not all Mythics are worth your time, effort, or crafting materials. Spiritborn players, in particular, should approach Nesekem, the Heral, with caution and prioritize weapons that complement their high-level rotations. By doing so, players can ensure that every Resplendent Spark, rune, and hour spent farming contributes meaningfully to their endgame power and enjoyment.

Ultimately, Nesekem, the Herald, may have its niche uses or appeal to novelty collectors, but for most Spiritborn players in Season 9, it's better to skip it and save resources for Mythics that will truly make a difference in combat.