Diablo 4: The Fastest Way to Reach Max Level and Prepare for the Endgame
Introduction
With the arrival of Diablo 4's Season 6 and the Vessel of Hatred expansion, now is the perfect time to dive back into Sanctuary. Blizzard has made significant changes to leveling, loot distribution, and in-game activities, making it easier than ever to reach the new level cap of 60. In this guide, we'll explore the fastest methods to hit max level and prepare your character for the endgame, all without needing to own the Vessel of Hatred expansion.
What is the New Level Cap in Diablo 4?
In Season 6, the max level for characters has been adjusted to 60, significantly lower than the previous cap of 100. However, this change doesn't detract from character power or gear scaling. Upon reaching level 60, players unlock the new Paragon system, which consists of 300 levels that provide increasing bonuses, ensuring your character continues to grow in power.
How Fast Can You Reach the New Level Cap?
If you choose to play at your own pace, reaching level 60 may take around 8-10 hours, mixing campaign missions, side quests, and various activities. However, by following the strategies outlined in this guide, you can cut that time down to about 5-6 hours. These tips will help you stack XP bonuses without sacrificing narrative content.
Leveling Tips for Season 6
1. Stick to Normal Difficulty
To level up quickly, it's advisable to remain on Normal difficulty. While higher difficulties offer more XP per kill, Normal provides a smoother experience that is more player-friendly, especially if you're not seeking a combat challenge. Higher difficulties will be more relevant once you reach the endgame.
2. Prioritize Hunting Down Realm walkers
Realmwalkers are a new feature in Season 6, offering multi-stage boss fights that conclude with a dungeon. Defeating Realmwalkers rewards you with Seething Opals, a new type of elixir that provides a 15% bonus to all XP gained.
To obtain these Opals, you need to finish the dungeon associated with each Realmwalker. These Opals stack with other elixirs and bonuses, potentially giving you up to a 30% increase in XP when combined with Seasonal Journey bonuses.
How to Start the Realm Walkers Quest
To initiate the Realmwalker's quest, visit the city of Zarbinzet and speak to Crusader Damond. This begins the Creeping Hatred quest, where you'll defeat a Realmwalker and complete a Seething Realm dungeon.
Finding Realm walkers
Realmwalkers spawn every 15 minutes in random regions, with an additional spawn every hour in Nahantu for the Vessel of Hatred owners. They are marked on the map with a horned skull icon, making it easy to locate them and join the fight.
3. Complete the Vessel of Hatred Campaign
Even if you're not interested in the narrative, completing the Vessel of Hatred campaign is beneficial. Upon finishing it, you unlock Deeds of a Champion, a bonus campaign that grants substantial XP for each deed completed—up to three levels per deed on Normal difficulty. Exploring Nahantu will also increase your Renown level, providing additional XP, skill points, and Paragon points.
4. Choose Activities that Progress Multiple Quests
Many activities in Diablo 4 offer various rewards. For example, Whispers contribute to the Tree of Whispers quest. Timing your activities to align with Whispers can maximize your efficiency. Realmwalker events often coincide with Whispers, and other activities like World Bosses or Strongholds can also be part of this system.
What to Do After Reaching the Level Cap
Once you hit level 60, focus on unlocking as many Paragon levels as possible. With 300 levels available, these carry over to all future characters, making your grind easier. Helltides remain a valuable source of XP in the endgame, and it's wise to prioritize activities introduced in the current season, as they typically offer the best rewards.
Conclusion
With the new level cap and streamlined leveling process in Diablo 4 Season 6, players can easily prepare especially with the strategies outlined above. By focusing on Realm walkers, utilizing Diablo 4 items and Diablo 4 gold effectively, and combining activities, players can quickly prepare for the endgame and enjoy all that Vessel of Hatred has to offer.