Difficulty Modes in Diablo 4 affect a playthrough's challenge, this page covers a list of all difficulty settings that players can choose and information on the changes applied to the selected difficulty. Difficulty may be changed at any time from the Character Select Screen or from the World Tier Statue in Kyovashad.
With the release of Vessel of Hatred and Patch 2.0, Difficulty Levels are being overhauled completely. Enemy levels are also being reworked. Monsters will no longer have their level displayed and will scale to the Difficulty you’re playing on.
Diablo 4 Patch 2.0 Changes
Standard Difficulties
World Tiers have been changed to Difficulties, a new way to control your challenge and reward.
The first 4 Difficulties—known as Standard Difficulties—are Normal, Hard, Expert, and Penitent. The purpose of Standard Difficulties tiers is to temper your character while you strive to hit character Level 60, the new maximum.
Normal
Slower-paced mode, suited for those looking for a lighter challenge.
Unlocked: by default
Hard
Not as slow-paced as normal but, a more forgiving experience than Expert
Unlocked: by default
Expert
An increased challenge for those looking to test their mettle and play at a faster pace
Unlocked: Complete Diablo IV's prologue
Penitent
Penitent isn’t for the faint of heart. Those looking to pave a path to the new Torment Difficulties will face off against heightened danger. Play at your own peril!
Unlocked: Reach Level 50
Torment Difficulties
Making it to the new Torment Difficulties is the mark of a veteran warrior—this is where the endgame truly begins. In Torment Difficulties, your progression is directly linked to the Pit. As you strive to higher Pit Tiers, the Torment Difficulty you have access to will also increase. The higher the Torment Difficulty, the more likely you are to encounter Legendary and Ancestral item drops.
Torment Difficulties foster a new hazard: Curses. While playing in Torment Difficulties, your armor and Resistances are reduced as follows:
- Torment I: -250 Armor and -25% All Resist
- Torment II: -500 Armor and -50% All Resist
- Torment III: -750 Armor and -75% All Resist
- Torment IV: -1000 Armor and -100% All Resist
Here’s the breakdown of how to unlock each Torment Difficulty:
Torment I
Unlocked: Reaching Level 60 unlocks the Pit and Tiers 1–20 of it. Beating Pit Tier 20 unlocks Torment Tier I.
Torment II
Unlocked: Beating Pit Tier 35 unlocks Torment II.
Torment III
Unlocked: Beating Pit Tier 50 unlocks Torment III
Torment IV
Unlocked: Beating Pit 65 unlocks Torment IV
Difficulty Modes in Diablo 4
Diablo IV offers different levels of difficulty to cater to different players' preferences and skills. These difficulty settings affect the challenges we face and the rewards we earn throughout our adventures in the game. Depending on the chosen difficulty, the game can become more or less challenging, with tougher Enemies and obstacles to overcome. It's essential to understand how each difficulty level works in Diablo 4 to choose the right one for your playstyle and enjoy the game to the fullest.
Once you create your character in Diablo 4, you have the option to select a Difficulty or World Tier to start with. These tiers are carefully crafted to provide a challenging yet feasible experience while you're progressing through the game.
Adventurer (World Tier I)
Adventurer difficulty is ideal for new players who want to get a feel for the game and gradually ease into more challenging content in the future.
- Players who are new to Diablo and want a light challenge
- Level 1 - 50
- Enemies are easy to defeat
Veteran (World Tier II)
Veteran difficulty provides a challenge for experienced Diablo players, ensuring that leveling up is exciting and engaging.
- Players who desire more challenge.
- Levels 1 - 50
- Enemies are more challenging.
- Monsters give 20% more experience.
- Monsters drop 15% more Gold.
NOTE: This may be changed at any time from the Character Select Screen or from the World Tier Statue in Kyovashad.
Endgame Difficulty Modes in Diablo 4
Once you reach level 50 in Diablo 4, you can unlock higher difficulty ranges. Each of these difficulties requires certain milestones to be achieved and provides greater rewards as you progress.
Nightmare Difficulty (World Tier III)
Unlocked by completing the Campaign and Cathedral of Light Capstone Dungeon in Kyovashad, World Tier 2: Veteran.
- Unlocked by completing the Cathedral of Light dungeon in World Tier 2: Veteran (Recommended Level 50).
- Levels 50 - 70.
- Sacred items and Unique items can drop.
- Nightmare Sigils can drop that unseal Nightmare Dungeons.
- Helltides can appear across Sanctuary.
- Champion monsters with damage resistance auras can appear.
Torment Difficulty (World Tier IV)
Unlocked by completing the Fallen Temple Capstone Dungeon in northeastern Dry Steppes, World Tier 3: Nightmare.
- Unlocked by completing the Fallen Temple dungeon in World Tier 3: Nightmare (Recommended Level 60)
- Levels 70+
- Ancestral items and new Unique items can drop.
- Enemies are more fearsome.
- Monsters give 200% increased experience.
- Monsters drop 15% more gold.
- Monsters overcome 40% resistance.
Torment Difficulty (World Tier V)
Torment is the highest difficulty level that requires you to complete a third dungeon to prove your readiness. Playing at this level gives you a huge boost in experience, and you have the chance to obtain Ancestral items, a new type of item, as well as new unique items. However, resistance penalties are significantly higher, making it more challenging to survive in battles.
- Unlocked by completing the Archives of Issalia dungeon in World Tier 4: Hell (Recommended Level 70)
- Ancestral items have a low chance of dropping
- New Uniques items can be found
- Players gain 250% XP bonus
- Non-Physical resistances are reduced by 40%.
Tutorial Presence
As you start the game in Diablo 4, players will be asked the amount of guidance they rather have during their experience. This can always be changed within the options menu, should players decide to do so.
More Guidance
More In depth tutorials. Recommended for new Diablo players.
Less Guidance
Minimal guidance on new features only. Explore hell on your own.
Do you ever update your wikis?
You rush to publish them and never seem to update them when a game is patched.
Veteran difficulty/world tier 2 no longer gives +20% xp and +15% gold.
Also, you know what'd be REALLY helpful? Tell us what +% enemies get to their health with each world tier.
4
+10
-1