Summary
Diablo 4’s available content continues to expand and change throughseasonal updatesand cycling events. Yet, the core campaign isalreadyloaded with atmospheric lands to explore, foes to slay, and goodies to collect throughout Sanctuary. This is apparent through the game’s memorable first act, which itself comprises several hours.
Withso much to do in this non-linear dungeon crawler, it can be overwhelming for newcomers, particularly when plotting their next course of action. Act 2 beckons the player to continue exploring beyond the Fractured Peaks fairly early on. Still, it’s a good idea to be prepared and tackle some key Act 1 tasks beforehand. These are some of the most notable examples.
8Complete Side Quests And Dungeons
Collect A Few Legendary Aspects
With so much content in the game’s robust first act, it can nearly exist as a standalone game. Given the slew of quests, collectibles, and milestones scattered about the frigid Fractured Peaks, it’s a good idea to “leave no stone unturned” as it were, and explore these areas in-depth before venturing beyond for Act 2.
As it happens, there aremany fruitful dungeons to take on in the early gamewhich can help players later down the line. A prime example isLost Archives(Desolate Highlands in the southwest of the region), which yields theAspect of the Protectorupon completion. This Aspect aids more vulnerable characters by triggering a protective barrier that absorbs ample damage for several seconds.
This is also a good time to seek outCellars,which are marked on the map as an open cellar door with steps. These are useful because they are far smaller and less intricate than dungeons, but still grant plenty of rewards. Side quests and Strongholds — particularly those that lie off the beaten path like theBlood Sermonquest in Kor Valar — are a good idea to finish while in the area. Another great option isThe Beast’s Challengejust to the southwest, which offers generous loot as a reward for defeating the minibossKauller the Collector.
7Reach An Appropriate Level Threshold
And Be Sure Skill Points Are Spent
Before taking the plunge into the punishing second act, players should be sure they’re of a sufficient level. While it’s true that virtually everything inDiablo 4scales to one’s own level, it’s nonetheless useful to have more skills, buffs, and perk-laden gear. These all come with higher levels.
Enemies in Act 2 will get stronger and more involved, so having more offensive and defensive options at one’s disposal is useful. Generally speaking, players will want to be at aminimum level of 10,with an ideal spot being around15 or a bit higher.
Players will also want to tap into the Skill Tree and ensure there are no unused skill points, ideally putting them towards new offensive skills (or building up existing ones) in the early game. Disrupting moves that involve stunning or freezing targets are also helpful at this stage.
6Update The Potion
Twice Is Even Better
Since a range between levels 10 and 20 is ideal for Act 1’s end, players should also be sure to upgrade their potions at least once before proceeding to the next act. Head to a nearbyAlchemistand obtain theTiny Healing Potionupdate, which requires oneGallowvine.
For those who have spent ample time in Fractured Peaks in the first act and reached level 20, it’s time to return to get theMinor Healing Potion.This requires:
Using these more potent potions can be the difference between life and death when in a skirmish against many foes oran intense boss fight— and these are frequent in Act 2 and beyond.
5Build Up Elemental Resistance
Via Gear And Potions
As the rich campaign goes on and players explore more of Sanctuary, enemies will be tougher in multiple ways — with a key factor being elemental output. Players will notice themselves getting chipped away at with disruptive and area-of-effect damage likeFire, Lightning, Cold, Poison, and Shadow.With more of these foes attacking at once, players can quickly find themselves blindsided by rapidly decreasing HP, which can extend several seconds.
As such, it’s a good idea to equip gear with elemental resistances and gems, as well as collect andcraft resistance Elixirs. This also means opting for great rings and amulets, as these usually come with elemental resistances.
4Try An Event With Other Players
This Is Good Practice For The Chaos Ahead
As the game progresses, quests and other tasks become more multiplayer-friendly. Various timed events like World Bosses and Helltides, as well as Nightmare Dungeons, prove very helpful when jumping in with a team. However, the core campaignitselfproves more demanding too, with tougher bosses and growing hordes of stronger, craftier enemies to manage.
The ending phases of Act 1 are a great time to experiment with the game’s co-op elements. Players may want to pick a particularly involved side quest, a Legion Event, or a World Boss, specifically Ashava, who makes appearances atThe Crucibleon the eastern side of Fractured Peaks.
3Complete Several Tasks In Fractured Peaks
Earn More Rewards By Doing So
Being largely a non-linear open-world game,Diablo 4doesn’t require players to fully explore Fractured Peaks and tackle every little task surrounding Act 1. Regardless, most will find it helpful to gather various resources and complete various side quests and other challenges before proceeding.
Players can check on their region progress in the menu, which outlines how many beats — such as quests, waypoints, and Strongholds — have been completed. Finishing these grants added experience and rewards on theirown, but finishing challenges also earns “renown” in the area. This brings useful rewards likeadded potion charges, skill points, and thousands of extra Gold.
2Salvage Many Old Weapons And Gear
This Will Be Useful Down The Line
As Act 1 encompasses the early stages of the game,putting more resources towards weapon upgrades—through salvaging— is a good idea before going into Act 2. Of course, getting Gold by selling old gear has its uses, but players will want to get ahead in the early goings through quick, effective means — and upgrading gear is a great option for this.
It should be mentioned thatweapons, which are swapped out more frequently, should be sold more often, even during Act 1.
When traversing hostile regions beyond Fractured Peaks and fighting tougher foes, like theravenous boss Astaroth, having lots of potent Rare and Legendary gear will prove useful. Upgrading via salvaged resources is a great way to do this early on.
1Take On Lilith’s Lament
Resist The Urge To Temporarily Skip
Act 1 is quite robust, taking up nearly a dozen hours on its own. Between this, the non-linear format (which permits players to leapfrog ahead for a while), and the tough boss at its conclusion — Lilith’s Lament — it can be tempting to bypass the foe and explore Act 2.
However, as the Serpent’s Passage leading to the boss is time-consuming, and since it continue to scale, it’s best to take on the boss fairly early. Of course, players should study their unique moveset, and take advantage of the Penitent Knight and his shield. Once the enemy is vanquished, however, players can revel in ample XP and loot, including the Legendary amulet calledVigo’s Protecting Amulet.
