Nightmare Dungeons in Diablo 4 are end-game additions that increase the difficulty and add challenging conditions to existing dungeons that can only be unlocked once you reach World Tier III Nightmare difficulty. Nightmare Dungeons require Nightmare Sigils in order to be activated, players can find them by completing Whispers of the Dead at the Tree of Whispers, in Nightmare difficulty. Nightmare Dungeons add a new layer of difficulty to Dungeons, expanding on each player's original experiences by creating new rules or conditions, that make tackling them a much tougher challenge. Completing Nightmare Dungeons grants players the much coveted Paragon Experience that can be used to level up Glyphs.
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Diablo 4 Nightmare Dungeons Guide
How to unlock a Nightmare Dungeon in Diablo 4?
Nightmare Dungeons can only be unlocked upon obtaining a Nightmare Sigil. Once a Nightmare Sigil has been obtained, Right-click it as you would use any consumable. This will create a Nightmare Dungeon for, and ONLY for the Dungeon that the used Nightmare Sigil indicated. Head to said Dungeon to find the entrance changed, filled with a feverish-red color that indicates that the use of the Nightmare Sigil has been successful and it has changed to a Nightmare Dungeon.
What are Nightmare Sigils in Diablo 4?
Nightmare Sigils are special items that players can acquire and turn standard Dungeons into Nightmare Dungeons. They can be primarily found by completing Whispers of the Dead for the Tree of Whispers, but players can also craft them after they reach level 52. A new Priority Quest called Sigil Crafting automatically becomes available on the map.
Players will need to complete a Priority Quest called Sigil Crafting to unlock the possibility to craft or salvage Nightmare Sigils at The Occultist.
Once obtained, players can check their Nightmare Sigils from their inventory. There, they will learn which Dungeon Affixes will become available for the Nightmare Dungeon. These Dungeon Affixes vary their amount depending on the tier of the Sigil, and they provide a bonus for the players that can be seen written in green color. The rest of the Affixes empower the Monsters populating the Nightmare Dungeon.
What are the Rewards for completing Nightmare Dungeons in Diablo 4?
By completing Nightmare Dungeons, players earn Paragon Experience Points, which can be used to upgrade Glyphs. The amount of Paragon Experience points obtained is determined by the Tier of the Nightmare Sigil used. Additionally, when going through Nightmare Dungeons, players are likely to encounter large numbers of Elites which typically drop rarer items, so going through these dungeons are a good way to gain valuable loot.
Crafting Nightmare Sigils in Diablo 4
Where can you Craft Nightmare Sigils?
Nightmare Sigils can be crafted by any Occultist, a Vendor encountered in the game. They are usually found in large settlements or cities on the map. Interact with the Occultist to bring up the Craft Sigils Menu. Once players reach the level requirements, the Priority quest: Sigil Crafting will become available. Players must then complete the priority quest in order to unlock the ability to Craft Nightmare Sigils.
All Occultist Locations
Vendors of all types are usually found around busy towns and settlements. Each vendor will have a unique icon to identify them on the map. Players can look out for the Occultist symbols on the map. 
At least one can be found in each region. View each Occultist location from the links below.
- Scosglen, Emerald Chase [View on Diablo 4 Map]
- Fractured Peaks, Desolate Highlands [View on Diablo 4 Map]
- Dry Steppes, Kotama Grasslands [View on Diablo 4 Map]
- Kehjistan, Southern Expanse [View on Diablo 4 Map]
- Hawezar, Umir Plateau [View on Diablo 4 Map]
Salvaging Sigils
When you have an unwanted Nightmare Sigil, Occultists also have the ability to salvage it for parts turning the Nightmare Sigil back into Sigil Powder, which are Materials that can be used to craft Nightmare Sigils.
What is required to Craft Nightmare Sigils?
Only Sigil Powder and Gold are required to craft a Nightmare Sigil. Selecting the tier under the Sacred Tab at the Occultist Craft Sigils Menu will display the Material Cost as well as the Cost to Craft. This will also display how much of the required Material you currently have.
- Sigil Powder: Obtained by using the Occultist to salvage nightmare sigils of any tier. A mysterious powder that can be compressed into relics inviting peril for greater challenges and rewards.
Sacred Nightmare Sigils
Sigil Tier |
Afflictions |
World Tier |
Cost |
| Tier 1-5 | 3 | 3 | 3 Sigil Powder 4,000  |
| Tier 6-10 | 3 | 3 | 6 Sigil Powder 6,000 |
| Tier 11-15 | 4 | 3 | 11 Sigil Powder 8,000 |
| Tier 16-20 | 4 | 3 | 20 Sigil Powder 10,000 |
Ancestral Nightmare Sigils
Sigil Tier |
Afflictions |
World Tier |
Cost |
| Tier 21-25 | 5 | 4 | 50 Sigil Powder 13,000 |
| Tier 26-30 | 5 | 4 | 80 Sigil Powder 16,000 |
| Tier 31-35 | 5 | 4 | 125 Sigil Powder 19,000 |
| Tier 36-40 | 5 | 4 | 190 Sigil Powder 22,000 |
| Tier 41-50 | 5 | 4 | 275 Sigil Powder 26,000 |
| Tier 51-60 | 5 | 4 | 350 Sigil Powder 30,000 |
| Tier 61-70 | 5 | 4 | 375 Sigil Powder 35,000 |
| Tier 71-80 | 5 | 4 | 400 Sigil Powder 40,000 |
| Tier 81-90 | 5 | 4 | 425 Sigil Powder 45,000 |
| Tier 91-100 | 5 | 4 | 450 Sigil Powder 50,000 |
Diablo 4 Dungeon Affixes
Dungeon Affixes are a staple of Nightmare Dungeons. They provide a further challenge to players by empowering Enemies and granting them special abilities. These affixes are random and can be seen when inspecting the Nightmare Sigils. Once players enter the Nightmare Dungeon, they can check them in the top left corner of the screen.
You can search to filter by Name, description, or who it affects.
Quick Search of All Affixes
Affix |
Description |
Affects |
|---|---|---|
| Poison Damage | You deal 10% more Poison Damage. | Player |
| Shadow Damage | You deal 10% more Shadow Damage. | Player |
| Frost Damage | You deal 10% more Frost Damage. | Player |
| Fire Damage | You deal 10% more Fire Damage. | Player |
| Lightning Damage | You deal 10% more Lightning Damage. | Player |
| Physical Damage | You deal 10% more Physical Damage. | Player |
| Control Impaired Explosions | Being hit by Control Impairing Effects creates an explosion around you. | Player |
| Increased Critical Strike | Your Critical Strike chance is increased by 6% | Player |
| Poisonous Evade | Using Evade leaves a pool of poison behind that damages enemies | Player |
| Increased Healing | Your Healing Received is increased by 10% | Player |
| Increased Critical Strike | Your Critical Strike chance is increased by 6% | Player |
| Lightning Caller | You occasionally call down lightning strikes that damage nearby enemies | Player |
| Thorns | Your Thorns are increased by 249. | Player |
| Empowered Elites (Cold Enchanted) | Elites always have the "Cold Enchanted" affix | Enemies |
| Empowered Elites (Poison Enchanted) | Elites always have the "Poison Enchanted" affix | Enemies |
| Empowered Elites (Shock Lance) | Elites always have the "Electric Lance" affix | Enemies |
| Empowered Elites (Suppressor) | Elites always have the "Suppressor" affix | Enemies |
| Monster Shadow Damage over Time | Monsters deal an additional 22% of their physical damage dealt as Shadow over 5 seconds. | Enemies |
| Monster Cold Damage | Monsters deal an additional 15% of their Physical damage dealt as Cold. | Enemies |
| Monster Lightning Damage | Monsters deal an additional 15% of their Physical damage dealt as Lightning. | Enemies |
| Monster Bleeding Damage | Monsters deal an additional 22% of their Physical damage dealt as Bleeding over 5 seconds. | Enemies |
| Monster Burning Damage | Monsters deal an additional 22% of their Physical damage dealt as Burning over 5 seconds. | Enemies |
| Monster Vulnerable Resist | Duration of Vulnerable Effects vs monsters is reduced by 45%. | Enemies |
| Monster Shadow Damage | Monsters deal an additional 15% of their Physical damage dealt as Shadow. | Enemies |
| Monster Poison Damage | Monsters deal an additional 22% of their Physical damage dealt as Poison over 5 seconds. | Enemies |
| Monster Fire Damage | Monsters deal an additional 15% of their Physical damage as dealt as Fire. | Enemies |
| Death Pulse | Killing a monster releases a deadly lightning pulse after a short delay. | Enemies |
| Drifting Shade | Drifting Shade chases players. Upon reaching them, it explodes for heavy damage and creates a Nightmare Field that Dazes victims | Enemies |
| Nightmare Portal | While in combat, Nightmare Portals open randomly near players, pouring out dangerous monsters. | Enemies |
| Volcanic | While in combat, gouts of flame periodically erupt near players. | Enemies |
| Lightning Storm | Lightning gathers above the player. Get into the protection dome to avoid severe outcomes. | Enemies |
