Getting Started on Diablo 4: Tips and Tricks

Here's a guide with best practices and habits to take in Diablo 4, whether you're new to the license, or just want to make sure you understand the differences with previous games.

It's finally time to play Diablo 4, with the full game releasing this June 2-6. We now know the entire game, thanks to the test version, which gave us the opportunity to discover the high-level content.

Choose your class and build

It's unclear what the best class will be when the game is released, and it continues to evolve based on progression, equipment, seasons, and updates. We advise you to play the class that makes you want the most. They all have their charm, and distinct gameplay. There is also no need to have. You then have to choose what type of build you plan to play, this makes the selection of talent points more consistent, and the character more efficient in general. For example, a Frost Witch, a Waterspout Barbarian, or a Remote Thief with traps. You can reassign your points quite easily if you've made mistakes, or if you don't like your character's orientation.

Extreme mode, and which difficulty to choose?

Unless you really know what you're doing, we strongly advise against Extreme (Hardcore) mode, you may lose your character in record time. What's more, Diablo 4 being an online game, you have to expect a lot of problems during the first days after release. So it is better to do the full game once before.

Choosing between Adventure mode and Expertise mode is easier, since you can quickly change the difficulty once the game starts. Their names are representative of the audience they are addressing. Even for a regular of the genre and the Diablo license, the Veteran mode offers a more than satisfying challenge, with strong bosses. This may result in deaths in a loop, for less experienced players.

Playing in the easier mode allows you to progress faster during the campaign, and reach level 50 faster, if that's what matters to you.

Choosing the right skills

Diablo 4 doesn't give you any skills at the beginning of the adventure, except for a basic attack. The talent point obtained at each level is used as much to unlock new spells, as to strengthen with passives. So you have to choose well.

At level 2, your first point must necessarily be invested in a basic attack skill, which is used to generate your class resource. This is where the direction of your build comes into play. The options available to you are all viable, but the gameplay is different.

From level 4, you unlock a new level, with more powerful skills, that consume your class's resource. It is better to invest in it for a big power gain.

The principle will be repeated with the following levels, even if more points are needed. You are advised to invest in improvements in your active skills, rather than liabilities, for now. Your goal is also to have a skill in each shortcut of the interface, as quickly as possible.

Try to find a good balance in your skills, ideally, you need one to generate resource, a main one that consumes it, a ability to move, a defensive ability in one form or another, and an ultimate ability. You will not be able to use everything at once, so do not hesitate to do tests and change your talent points place, if the result does not suit you.

The progression of your upcoming characters will be much faster, thanks to the Fame system, which gives bonus talent points, even at level 1.

The gameplay loop

Diablo 4 is very easy to learn, the gameplay is as intuitive as possible: Attack enemies until they die, pick up loot from the ground, then equip it in the inventory. You will regularly get better pieces of equipment, as well as levels, which will allow you to unlock new skills.

Two basic elements require a little vigilance. For starters, the Dodge, which allows you to make a quick move with your character. It is mainly used to dodge a dangerous attack. Its use is not too important on small enemies, but on bosses, it is what will prevent you from dying in a loop. As it has a recharge time of 4 seconds, keep it to avoid the most formidable techniques, usually marked in advance on the ground, and signaled by the boss animation.

Then come the healing potions. They don't have a recharge time, so you can gobble them up in a row if needed, but it's best to avoid getting there, dodging the damage that can be. The reason being your limited stock of potions. Small enemies, and healing cauldrons allow them to be recharged. You often find one before the boss in dungeons. Bosses will also drop potions when their lives drop below a certain threshold, so you have to juggle between attack and defense, in order to kill the boss before running out of care.

The prologue will hold your hand, but afterwards, it is advisable to return regularly to the city to empty your inventory. Equip the best items, and recycle the others at the blacksmith. Going to see other merchants from time to time may also be advised, in order to benefit from their special services (Alchemist, Occultist, Jeweler).

For the rest, you are free, it's up to you to choose if you prefer to advance in the main missions of the story, explore the map, do the dungeons, or anything else. Each type of activity has its attractions, but you will progress in levels naturally, while more or less improving your equipment, so there is no reason to stress.

Improve your equipment

This can be considered a permanent goal in Diablo. Finding new items on monsters and in chests is part of the fun of the game. This is also your main goal at a very high level.

It is difficult to list the best features for each class and each build. By the time you're able to figure it out for yourself, relying on the help of the interface isn't a bad idea. The usual green arrows will tell you if one piece of equipment is better than another. It is not absolute, but it is a good general indicator. You will naturally find more powerful items by gaining levels.

The Blacksmith allows you to upgrade each piece of equipment several times, but it is not a very good investment at a low level, since you will regularly change these items. You can just upgrade your weapon, especially if you find a good one. This will help you progress faster, without it costing you too much.

Remember to go to the Occultist after completing your first dungeons, he can transfer Special Aspects to your items. Spot the dungeons that give the powers you desire. Once you've found legendary items, transfer their special power to your pieces of equipment when their stats aren't up to par.

Don't forget to upgrade your Gems, and set them into your items. They can be recovered from the Jeweler, or by recycling the corresponding object. It is useless to merge all the gems, it is expensive and you will find better, much higher level ones later. Focus on the ones you plan to use with your build. Also remember to store unnecessary gems in your chest, at the inn, otherwise they will take up space in your inventory.

Campaign and progress

Exploring the open world is nice, but it's best to progress as quickly as possible in the campaign, in order to unlock new features, as well as an additional difficulty mode. This will be both more cost-effective and interesting.

The horse is unlocked at the beginning of Act 4 of the campaign, that's why we insist on the fact that we must advance in the latter. Exploring with his help will be much more enjoyable.

Try to save your Obols for level 50 and above. Betting and Silent Chests are not very profitable at a low level.

Miscellaneous advice

Unlock the Crossing Points in each region, saving time on your travels.

It's an open world, but there are still minimum levels applied to enemies. Don't waste your time attacking enemies more than one or two levels above yours.

Try to quickly accumulate enough Fame in each region of the world to unlock the first levels of rewards, the benefits are huge: talent points, loads of potions, a lot of gold and experience, etc.

You can play with the good old keyboard and mouse combo, or with the controller, both on PC and consoles.

If you run out of gold, sell your yellow items at merchants, instead of recycling them.

Keep legendary items you don't immediately have in your vault at the hostel in Kyovashad and major cities. Especially if you don't have the gold to mine their power. It will always be so much to recycle them later, if needed.

Don't be afraid to use your Elixirs, they take up space in the inventory, and they offer a little experience bonus.