Yesterday, we told you Bashiok contacted Blizzplanet and other Diablo III fansites to alert us of possible patch 1.0.5 datamined misconceptions that would come as doomsday nerfs, and that a blog would be released shortly after the patch.

Today, Bashiok offers just a sneak peek preview of what the upcoming patch 1.0.5 will offer Diablo III Players.

Eldorian Edit: I just wanted to give a quick explanation on Infernal Machine. It sounds like to me this will be very similar to the Pandemonium Event in Diablo 2. Basically you fight uber versions of the bosses with some mobs thrown in and the loot you get is pretty elite. Since it says there’s some assembly required then it will probably play out like the Pandemonium Event where you need to get certain items to even open it. Think of it like opening Whimsyshire right now in Diablo 3 with the Staff of Herding you needed to create.

As for the “Players 8” this was something else in Diablo 2 that I think players in Diablo 3 will enjoy and love. Basically it’s a setting that allowed you to set the difficulty of the game as if there were 8 players present – except that it’s just you. However, it would play like a multiplayer game so that you got ALL the loot that would normally drop as if it were an 8 player game. So it increases the difficulty and the loot drops. It’s just another way for players to farm once they start face rolling inferno.

We’ll have articles in the coming days providing all the details on the upcoming patch, but we wanted to give you a sneak peek at what major features to expect.

Defensive Skill Changes

In our eternal quest to promote build diversity; we’ll be making changes to defensive skills across the board while simultaneously reducing incoming damage. The net result is a survivability buff for players, and an increase in build options as defensive abilities become less “mandatory.”

New Event: Infernal Machine

The Infernal Machine is a device that will allow level-60 players to battle “uber” versions of some of Sanctuary’s most nefarious bosses. While the rewards for defeating these bosses will be great, some assembly is required.

New System: Monster Power

Similar to the “Players 8” command in Diablo II, the Monster Power system is designed to give players more control over how challenging enemies are in each difficulty.

This and more is coming in Patch 1.0.5! Stay tuned for all the gory details.