Which effects do not persist to a new game?

In the original Diablo, after defeating Diablo (or whenever you feel like it) you can start a new game with the same character retaining your character stats and items. Except that some things do not persist to the new game. The ones I know about are:

  • Effects from the Gloomy shrine
  • Effects from the Weird shrine
  • The unique Lightforge mace (according to Jarulf's Guide, this morphs into a different item when you start a New Game)

Are there others?

Note 1: Not sure if there would be differences between single-player and multi-player, but I'm playing single-player.

Note 2: Obviously, available quests, quest status, monsters, dungeon-layout, and whatnot all do not persist to a new game. I am asking specifically about items, item stats, and character stats/spells.


I've read completely through a couple of guides and tried many things out for myself. Here is what I have learned:

Character Modifications

There is really nothing that changes for your character between games. The only one that does is that you lose any spell effects that you currently have, which you would anyway for simply entering town.

  • Modifications to your max mana via Sacred, Ornate, and Fascinating shrines persist to the new game
  • Modifications to your max health via Black Death zombies persist
  • Items you are wearing and carrying persist. Items left on the ground in town do not.
  • Spells effects do not persist such as Infravision and Mana Shield.
  • Any town portal you have does not persist.
  • Openings to Caves, Catacombs, and Hell are based on your level in multiplayer and therefore appear in the new game. In single player, these openings are always closed on a new game.

Item Modifications

Not all item stats persist to a new game!

  • The Lightforge mace morphs when you carry it to a new game. (I haven't seen this happen and have no idea what it morphs into)
  • Effects from the Weird shrine do not persist to a new game. This was doubted (for good reason), so here is some proof:

Sword affected by Weird Shrine: Damage 3-9

Same sword after starting new game: Damage 3-8

  • Effects from the Gloomy shrine do not persist to a new game. This was also doubted, so here is more proof:

Helm affected by Gloomy Shrine: Armor 14

Same Helm after starting new game: Armor 12

  • Effects from Hidden Shrine do persist. The helm pictured above was also affected by a Hidden Shrine.
  • Changes based on Warrior's Repair skill and Sorcerer's Recharge skill persist.
  • Current durability and spell charges persist

Note: Any effect received from a Goat Shrines or Cauldron will persist in the same manner as one from the named shrine.


I realize that this thread is long dormant, but I found another exception worth noting. The Constricting Ring morphs when carried over to a new game as well. I was wearing it when I defeated Diablo and when I started a new game, it had morphed into the Ring of Engagement, which...ironically, I already had in my inventory. The really weird part though is that the max resistance was permanent. I was maxed out across the board even when I took the ring off.