Season 21 updates for Diablo III are headed to the PTR alongside Patch 2.6.9 for two weeks of testing before presumably going live on all platforms shortly thereafter. As with previous seasons Season 21 introduces a new theme, this time focused on elemental damage, whilst rounding out the new Class Sets with the arrival of new Demon Hunter and Necromancer gear.

First up though, Season 21's theme Trials of Tempests will see your character periodically channel an elemental power every two minutes:

Meteors rain from the skies around you.

Breathe lightning.

A wall of flame engulfs everything.

Release twisters of pure energy.

Crush your foes under the weight of rolling snowballs.

It definitely sounds interesting, but the overall impact will no doubt come down to damage capabilities of each elemental attack and how it scales or changes according to the gear you've got equipped. Details are a little light, but it sounds like that will be the case - as the infamous Stone of Jordan ring is getting an update. And it sounds like the SoJ is being positioned as a Season 21 piece of jewelry. Very cool.

Stone of Jordan

Added power: Each of your elemental's damage bonus is equal to your highest static elemental bonus to skill.

Season 21 doesn't stop there as the final two classes in line for new sets are now ready to step up to receive their gear - the Demon Hunter and the Necromancer.

First up the Demon Hunter's Set - Gears of Dreadlands.

2-Piece Bonus

• Gain a Momentum stack when attacking with a Primary skill. Each Momentum stack lasts 2 seconds at a maximum duration of 10 seconds. Your Primary skills deal 10% more damage per stack of Momentum.

4-Piece Bonus

• Casting Strafe against enemies will automatically shoot your last used primary skill, and also give 60% damage reduction while strafing and for 5 seconds after. While casting Strafe, you move faster per stack of Momentum.

6-Piece Bonus

• Your primary skills deal 10000% more damage

And with the focus on Primary Skills and Strafe it sounds extremely versatile - thanks to the Demon Hunter being somewhat of a great class for Primary builds. To complement the new set, several existing items are getting a buff - opening the door to a number of different variations.

Leonine Bow of Hashir

• Bolas have a 30% 100% chance on explosion to pull in all enemies within 24 yards, and also deal 100-150% increased damage.

Emimei's Duffel

• Bolas now explode instantly and deal 150-175% increased damage.

The Ninth Cirri Satchel

• Hungering Arrow has 20-25% is guaranteed to pierce and also deals 450-600% increased damage.

Odyssey's End

• Enemies snared by your Entangling Shots take 20-25% 100-150% increased damage from all sources.

Hunter's Wrath

• Your primary skills attack 30% faster and deal 45-60% 150-200% increased damage.

Holy Point Shot

• Impale throws 2 additional knives and deals 75-100% increased damage.

Now the new Necromancer Set - Masquerade of Burning Carnival

2-Piece Bonus

• Your Simulacrums no longer take damage, gains all runes, and its cooldown is refreshed when you die.

4-Piece Bonus

• While you have a Simulacrum, damage is reduced by 50%. Damage you take is split with your Simulacrums as well.

6-Piece Bonus

• Your Bone Spear deals 10,000% increased damage. Simulacrums gain triple this bonus.

This new Necromancer set focuses on Simulacrums but also paves the way to several buffs for the class - something that has been a little overdue. Firstly the Pestilence set sees its Corpse Lance and Corpse Explosion damage increase go from 1650% to 3300%, with the Grace of Inarius Bone Armor damage reduction going up too. Corpse Explosion gear like the Grasps of Essence is also getting buff - which should make the Necromancer more viable when tackling the higher Torment difficulties. In fact the base skill is getting buffed from 350% to 1050% weapon damage.

For the full PTR 2.6.9 Patch Notes - head here.