Infernal Hordes is an endgame activity introduced in Season 5 and is available for both Season characters as well as the Eternal realm. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about facing the Infernal Hordes, earning Burning Aether, and ultimately defeating the Fell Council for powerful rewards.
Getting Started
Entering the Realm of Hatred
To participate in the Infernal Hordes activity and enter the Realm of Hatred, you need an Infernal Compass.
Infernal Compasses can be acquired by defeating Endgame Bosses, participating in Helltides, Nightmare Dungeons, and Whispers. Additionally, the new Eternal quest grants you an Infernal Compass upon completion.
Infernal Compasses and Abyssal Scrolls
Infernal Compasses exist in 8 Tiers based on difficulty and World Tier. Each tier raises the amount of waves and enemies’ starting difficulty, improving rewards but lowering the number of revives.
Infernal Compasses can drop naturally, with a higher chance as the world tier increases. They can also be upgraded up to Tier 8 with Abyssal Scrolls obtained by salvaging an Infernal Compass.
| Infernal Compass Tier | Difficulty | How to Get It? |
|---|---|---|
| Tier I | 6 waves | World Tier III |
| Tier II | 6 waves | World Tier IV Includes Bonus Affixes with increased crafting materials, Legendary or Unique drop rates. |
| Tier III | 6 waves | Available at Level 100 (WT4) Includes Bonus Affixes with increased crafting materials, Legendary or Unique drop rates. Includes a Spoil of Greater Equipment. |
| Tier IV to V | 7 waves | Can drop in high-tier Nightmare Dungeons. Includes Bonus Affixes with increased crafting materials, Legendary or Unique drop rates. Includes a Spoil of Greater Equipment. |
| Tier VI to VIII | Up to 10 waves | Will naturally drop in high-tier Pit runs. Can be upgraded with Abyssal Scrolls. Can sometimes (but rarely) drop in Helltdie and from Whisper caches after completing Nightmare Dungeons Tier 75 and 100 respectively. Includes Bonus Affixes with increased crafting materials, Legendary or Unique drop rates. Includes a Spoil of Greater Equipment. |
Infernal Compasses can also be crafted at the Occultists with 
Sigil Powder and 
Forgotten Soul. Moreover, you can also salvage Compasses for Sigil Powder and Abyssal Scrolls.
Gameplay Mechanics
Upon entering the Realm of Hatred, you will be challenged with waves of enemies. Each wave lasts 60 seconds. During this time, your goal is to defeat as many enemies as possible and gather Burning Aether.
Infernal Offers
After defeating each wave, you will earn an Infernal Offer, which gives you the option of three different Boons & Banes that alter your path. Choose carefully, because your choices will stack throughout your run. For example, you may increase the Elite damage and your Burning Aether gain.
If you decide to pick more difficult offers, it may result in an increase of Burning Aether. However, you may also choose moderate offers if the difficulty is too high.
Burning Aether
Burning Aether is important for unlocking rewards. You will gain this currency by defeating Aether Fiends and Aether Lords as well as destroying Soulspires and Aetheric Masses.
If you play in a group, all party members earn Burning Aether for themselves and decide how to spend it at the end of the run. Furthermore, make sure to have your pet accompany you, as they will also be able to pick up the Aether!
The Fell Council
Successfully defeating all waves of the Infernal Hordes will allow you to advance to the Well of Hatred and face the Fell Council.
There are five Battle Fell Priests on the Council, and each boss has its own set of unique abilities. Upon slaying the enemies of all waves, you will encounter three randomly selected members of the Council. Keep an eye on their attacks as they become more frenzied with time.
Spoils of Hell
After defeating the Fell Council, you will be prompted to use the Burning Aether you gathered during your run to choose between four distinct rewards:
- Spoils of Equipment for 20 Aether.
- Spoils of Materials (which will also drop Masterworking materials) for 20 Aether.
- Spoils of Greater Equipment for 60 Aether. This reward will guarantee an item with a Greater Affix.
- Spoils of Gold will exchange any remaining Aether for gold.
You may open these chests as many times as you want, only limited by how much Aether you have collected.
Unique Weapons
Infernal Hordes offer better drop chances for the following Unique Weapons:
Shard of Verathiel – All Class Unique- The Third Blade – Barbarian Unique
The Basilisk – Druid Unique
The Mortacrux – Necromancer Unique- The Umbracrux – Rogue Unique
- Vox Omnium – Sorcerer Unique
To optimize your chances of obtaining gear, prepare yourself, choose your Infernal Offers wisely, and gather as much Burning Aether as possible to open multiple spoils and get some nice loot from your victory over the Infernal Hordes.
