There's no reason for the circle. It's not logical Dark And Darker Gold. Put portals and then more than the necessary hell portals. If you don't have an orange one, you'll be being dragged to hell. The circle isn't a death sentence which does not have to take your health. If they leave the circle, they can take the darkness mechanic that was consumed.

Im loving the game, but it's like they are trying to slam 3 types of games into one.

I'm talking about removing the circle could make going to hell a Coinflip (as in if you have to go there, it's entirely due to luck)

Circle is also a good way to introduce equipment burn, otherwise there would be nothing (any Ai you get in a fight while already having loot will not be able to kill you on its own)

This makes the more rapid pace possible (something I actually enjoy especially when i need to do a bunch of stuff for work and can't get around to playing a small)

If they are able to keep the ring then remove the consuming it. Theres no reason not to be able to tank it if you have the heals. It's not an BR because the collapsing line is just a source of conflict and with increasing numbers of players pushing into the session (now 18) there's less opportunities for all.

The circle makes for faster pacing which makes the game much more entertaining. It's true that sometimes you are consumed by darkness when you're the last player standing. This is because a portal is either too far away or you don't even know there's one. I've experienced a few times , where i've been consumed by darkness and had an entire bag of loot. Oh cheap Dark And Darker Gold, I was mad for a short time and then "play again" was clicked and I'm all set to go.