We've extensively played Diablo 4 this week, uncovering a plethora of details about the upcoming season. This guide will focus primarily on leveling, ensuring that you're adequately prepared to excel in the new season.

 

• Two Paths to Leveling
• Blizzard's Changes to XP
• Engaging with the Overworld
• - Priorities
• Nightmare Dungeons
• Seasonal Themes & Vampiric Powers
• The Try Hard Method
• - Preliminary Steps
• - Main Method
• Overworld Leveling Method
• Convergence Point
• Pro Tips
• Final Thoughts

 

 

↖ Two Paths to Leveling

• Overworld Fun: For players who wish to enjoy the game's story, challenges, and exploration. Although slightly slower, this method offers richer rewards and a fulfilling experience.
• Race to 100: For those who prioritize speed over experience. This method focuses on chaining dungeon runs, maximizing XP gains. However, this could mean missing out on new content and rewards introduced by Blizzard.

 

↖ Blizzard's Changes to XP

In response to player feedback, leveling is now about 40% faster. Blizzard's intention is to encourage more players to engage in Overworld events and activities, with increased rewards for hell tides, grim favors, whispers, and blood harvests.

 

↖ Engaging with the Overworld

 

↖ - Priorities

• Legion Events: Occurring every 25 minutes, these events, with their XP and potential legendary drops, should be a player's primary focus.
• Whispers & Grim Favors: Locate dungeons with a door symbol, complete them for grim favors, and then exchange at the Tree of Whispers.
• World Bosses: While they've been made more challenging, their rewards are substantially better.
• Blood Harvest: Season 2's theme is outdoors. Engage with this new mechanic, balancing its activities with other tasks.

 

- Renown & vampire Powers

Players should aim to claim all renown and progress the vampire quest line to unlock vampire powers, enhancing their character's abilities.

 

↖ Nightmare Dungeons

Introduced in World Tier 3, these dungeons are crucial for XP. Focus on them, but be strategic: not all dungeons offer the same value.

 

↖ Seasonal Themes & Vampiric Powers

Engage with the season's themes and ensure you're maximizing the potential of your vampiric powers.

 

↖ The Try Hard Method

Suitable for: Players who enjoy dungeons, racers striving for top leaderboard spots.

 

↖ - Preliminary Steps

Initiate the Vampire Quest. Without it, you won't earn rewards in dungeons, regardless of the season's focus.

 

↖ - Main Method

• Head to the Dopamine Tunnels.
• These tunnels are renowned for their density. Your goal here is not to clear the entire dungeon.
• Enter, clear the beginning parts, teleport to town, reset the dungeon, and re-enter. Repeat. This is where the "try hard" moniker comes in - it's repetitive but rewarding.
• Get your class mechanic at level 15. Necromancers will achieve this at level 25.
• Continue with the Dopamine Tunnels until level 48.
• Undertake the Capstone challenge.
• Ensure to clear the Hope's Light Stronghold in the top-left. This will be essential later.
• Return to the Dopamine Tunnels until level 57 or higher. Due to recent game changes, your level scales, so you might even need to grind past level 57.
• Eventually, switch to Nightmare Dungeons and increase to World Tier 4.
• Your focus should now be on the Nightmare Dungeons until you hit level 100.

 

↖ Overworld Leveling Method

While the guide primarily covers the "try hard method," it's essential to note that leveling up in the Overworld might not be much slower.

• Benefits of the Overworld route: More gear, more materials, a more comfortable gaming experience.
• Downsides: Less XP compared to the dungeon method, but the gap has narrowed thanks to recent Blizzard updates focusing on XP bonuses exclusive to the Overworld.

 

↖ Convergence Point

Regardless of your chosen leveling method, both routes converge at World Tier 4, where players will then focus on Nightmare Dungeons.

 

↖ Pro Tips

• Before moving to World Tier 3, unlock the top left stronghold to access the second-best nightmare dungeon.
• Always have Elixir of Death Evasion handy, especially when transitioning to higher tiers.
• While Diablo 4 gold has been buffed, resources are still vital. Engage in Hell Tides regularly to ensure a steady supply.

 

↖ Final Thoughts

Whether you're racing through dungeons or immersing yourself in the Overworld, remember the core principle of gaming: have fun! The guide offers pathways, but the ultimate journey is yours to choose.