World Difficulties
With the launch of Diablo 4’s first expansion, Lord of Hatred, significant changes have been made to the World Tier system. The traditional World Tiers 1 through 4 have been replaced with a new set of difficulty levels. Currently, those are:
- Normal and Hard: These two modes are unlocked by default.
- Expert: Unlocks after completing the prologue of the base game.
- Penitent: Unlocks after completing the base game or by skipping the main questline. If you have played previous seasons and create a new seasonal character, Penitent will be available immediately.
- Torment I: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 10.
- Torment II: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 15.
- Torment III: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 20.
- Torment IV: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 25.
- Torment V: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 30.
- Torment VI: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 40.
- Torment VII: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 50.
- Torment VIII: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 60.
- Torment IX: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 70.
- Torment X: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 80.
- Torment XI: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 90.
- Torment XII: Unlocks after completing Pit Tier 100.
Normal is a slower-paced experience designed for players seeking a lighter challenge. Whereas Hard and Expert increase the difficulty for those looking to progress more quickly and take on greater challenges. Penitent is extremely difficult from the start, designed to test even seasoned players.
Torment Difficulties
Once you reach Torment difficulty, the true endgame begins. At these higher tiers, strategic gameplay and careful planning become essential for survival. Additionally, monsters now scale to the difficulty you select, which ensures that each level provides a distinct and growing challenge.
| Torment | Gold and EXP Increase | Extra Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Torment I | 300% Kill EXP and 100% Gold Increase | -Increased Legendary, Unique, and Mythic Unique items per Torment Tier. -Ancestral quality items become available. |
| Torment II | 400% Kill EXP and 120% Gold Increase | –Legendary Temper and  Scroll of Restoration drop more frequently.-Increased chance for items to be of Ancestral quality per Torment tier. |
| Torment III | 500% Kill EXP and 140% Gold Increase | –Set Charms now drop more frequently. |
| Torment IV | 600% Kill EXP and 160% Gold Increase | – Neathiron now drops more frequently. |
| Torment V | 700% Kill EXP and 180% Gold Increase | –Legendary Runes now drop more frequently. |
| Torment VI | 800% Kill EXP and 200% Gold Increase | – Greater Lair Keys now drop more frequently. |
| Torment VII | 900% Kill EXP and 225% Gold Increase | -Volatile Primordial Dust now drops more frequently. |
| Torment VIII | 1000% Kill EXP and 250% Gold Increase | –Unique Charms now drop more frequently. |
| Torment IX | 1100% Kill EXP and 275% Gold Increase | -Kullean Tuning Prisms now drop more frequently. |
| Torment X | 1200% Kill EXP and 300% Gold Increase | -Mythic Horadric Seals now drop more frequently. |
| Torment XI | 1300% Kill EXP and 300% Gold Increase | |
| Torment XII | 1400% Kill EXP and 300% Gold Increase |
How to Progress – What to Do at Max Level?
If you are not quite sure where to start or how to progress, try following these steps as a simple guideline:
- Start on Normal and move to Hard once enemies feel too easy.
- Try Expert or Penitent only if Hard feels too simple during your leveling to 60. It depends on your gear, aspects, and build.
- Focus on leveling your War Plans early, as they will dictate which activities you typically run in the endgame.
- Farm specific Lair Bosses to gather your key Unique items based on which build you are running.
- Grind War Plan activities to get the Set Charms for your build. Kurast Undercity often has Sigils targeting them if you can find one.
- Clear The Pit to unlock new difficulties once your current difficulty feels too easy.
- Gather
Obducite from Nightmare Dungeons, Infernal Hordes, and Undercity to Masterwork your gear at the Blacksmith. - Run The Pit to level up your Glyphs.
- Complete Seasonal Activities if playing on a Seasonal Realm.
