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Diablo returns after a decade away. Whether you're brand-new to the series or need a refresher of what this hack-and-slash ARPG is all about, this Diablo 4 complete beginner guide covers new mechanics, refreshes your mind on some of the older ones, and gives you a solid grasp of early game and endgame Diablo.
The guide will be split up into sections, dealing with early game mechanics and a brief on crafting, salvaging, farming, and then move into tips for endgame - like the new Paragon board and build-crafting. Let's get into it.
Updated June 14, 2023: We've updated this article to include a video guide that breaks down everything you need to know about getting started in Diablo 4.
Picking Your Class
This is the most fun and also most daunting part of starting in Diablo 4. Will you actually enjoy the class you've picked? Do you have to stick with it forever as your main? How can you know which one you want to play?
Diablo 4's five classes (Druid, Necromancer, Rogue, Sorceress, and Barbarian) are all very distinct from each other, with massively varied play styles.
The first class you pick will be considered your main, as it will level up while you complete the campaign for the first time. However, don't worry too much about being stuck with this character forever if you don't enjoy it - Diablo works on a seasonal basis, and you can start new characters during a new season without having to complete the campaign again.
That being said, you still want to make the right choice for your first playthrough - you can check out class gameplay on YouTube, or read our guide that covers the fundamentals of each class to give you an idea of what to expect when you play them.
Should You Play Softcore Or Hardcore?
Once you've picked a class and customized your character, you'll be asked a simple question - Softcore or Hardcore?
- When you die in Softcore, nothing happens - you just return to a checkpoint and your items lose some durability.
- However, in Hardcore, your character is completely gone. Vanished. Deleted. Bye bye.
Hardcore is only recommended for experienced players, or perhaps for a new character further down the line during seasonal play.
Should You Play On World Tier 1 Or World Tier 2 For Efficient Leveling?
There has been a lot of discussion around this in the past few days.
- World Tier 1 is easier, doesn't impact the loot you get, and allows for a much quicker leveling experience.
- World Tier 2 is harder, recommended more for group play.
However, play whatever you want. That might seem reductive, but this is the first new Diablo game in over a decade. If you want a more challenging experience to begin with, to test your build and playstyle, go for World Tier 2. Why not?
How Do You Build Your Character?
Diablo has always been about "builds", which in Diablo 4, are combination of skills, and later on after level 50, the Paragon board.
Early on, you will earn experience, which will unlock various nodes on your character's skill tree. These can be used to unlock new sections of the skill tree, building towards various active skills and eventually an ultimate skill.
This is the fundamental makeup of your character's playstyle.
Later in the game, you will have to deal with the Paragon board - which is where things get much, much more complicated.
Here are some sample builds to help you get started:
- Diablo 4: Ice Shards Sorcerer Build Guide
- Diablo 4: Necromancer Leveling Guide
- Diablo 4: Druid Leveling Build
What Are All The Different Types Of Resources In The Game?
Diablo 4 is teeming with resources from the moment you start your first campaign. There is gold, which is earned by defeating enemies and completing quests, Murmuring Obols which are earned by completing world events, and various crafting materials from Iron to Legendary Aspects that you can get by salvaging legendary items, and so much more.
We recommend that you just pick up everything - smack every bush you see, crack open every rock, pick up every item. You can easily teleport back to town, salvage all your items, then return to the battlefield.
Early in the game, salvage everything. You don't get much gold for selling the items, and the materials you earn by breaking down items (especially legendary armor and weapons), will be useful later on.
Don't forget those herb bushes! You need these to upgrade your Potions, an important part of your character's progression.
What Are Murmuring Obols?
This is a special currency that is used at the Purveyor of Curiosities to essential gamble for the chance of a new item. This actually has a pretty good return and we've seen some excellent pulls.
Murmuring Obols also have a stack limit, so you will need to spend them at some point. We recommend waiting until you've filled your pockets to the max, then heading to the Purveyor in town to try your hand at a bit of gambling.
Potion Upgrades, The Blacksmith, And The Occultist
- You can upgrade your Potion at the Alchemist at certain level thresholds - you will need specific materials to do so, and rather than head out to collect more, make sure that you are collecting everything as you go.
- The Blacksmith is where you can upgrade and salvage items. Salvaging items is usually recommended until late-game and upgrading shouldn't be done early on as item replacement rate is very fast.
- The Occultist allows you to extract Legendary Aspects and Imprint them on to other weapons or armor - this important later on in the game.
Character Progression
The campaign will steer you through character progression, and there are multiple ways to play. You can rush through the main quest and then come back later to complete side quests, or you can do everything and be super thorough on the first playthrough. It's up to you.
At level 15, however, you will receive a quest that is unique to your class. Rogue, for example, will receive a quest that grants them the ability to switch out their aspect during combat - other classes get special bonuses, too. We recommend heading over to complete this quest ASAP.
You can also develop your character by finding all the Altars Of Lilith.
What Are The Altars Of Lilith, And Where Can You Find Them?
The Altars Of Lilith are collectibles that are dotted across the map, in every region. They can be collected for passive boosts for each and every character on your account.
Some players might go out of their way to collect all of these at once, but the best way (we reckon!) is to grab them passively as you complete each region.
What Is The Renown System?
As you complete each region, you will earn something called Renown. This is earned by completing world events, clearing dungeons and cellars, and overall mastering the area's quests and collectibles.
Renown will grant you extra skill points, so it's very important that you make the effort to complete each area as you enter it.
Strongholds are level-gated areas that you can complete for extra rewards and new dungeon unlocks.
Helltide is an open-world event that will spawn for players who are in World Tier 3 - multiple enemies spawn in waves.
What Is The Codex Of Power?
The Codex Of Power is a collection of special unlocks that you've earned for different classes. You can earn these upgrades for any class when you complete specific dungeons, but it makes sense to hunt down the unlocks that are beneficial to your class - making these dungeons a priority to complete during your first run.
What Are World Bosses?
World Bosses are large-scale, multi-player events that spawn at set times during the day. They offer powerful and reliable rewards and these shouldn't be missed if you're at the correct level to partake.
Is There PVP In Diablo 4?
Yes! There is a PVP area that spawns called the Fields Of Hatred. This is basically a PvPvE extraction mode where you enter, kill enemies (both PvE and PvP), and then try to escape with your rewards. You can play this just as PvE, but you will get better rewards if you are play PvP.
How Do You Get A Mount In Diablo 4?
Yes, there are mounts in the game, but they aren't available until quite a way into the campaign (you will receive a quest called Mount: Donan’s Favor).