Diablo 4 World Tiers system is what allows you to set your difficulty for the game and al the benefits and restrictions that follow with each one. The system has 4 tiers ranging from Adventurer to Torment.
The system is quite progressive, for instance starting at the basic level gives you regular XP and a smaller amount of gold than the second tier. This gives you tougher enemies to beat but 50% more XP and 15% more gold when you start the game at Veteran difficulty.
How to unlock World Tiers in Diablo 4
At the start, you can pick from 2 difficulty levels. They are both unlocked and are good from level 1 to 50. Keep in mind, whichever you prefer, you can always change back.
If you start with Veteran and find it too difficult, you can always go back to the menu and pick the Adventurer level. It would be completely understandable since some of the bosses can be tough on Veteran.
As you progress you get the option to unlock the Nightmare and Torment, or World Tier 3 and World Tier 4 respectively. For Nightmare, we recommend that you are between the levels of 50-70. For Torment, the recommendation is that you are level 70+.
These are recommendations, as unlocking the new Tiers is done by completing the Capstone Dungeon we’ll cover later. This means you can unlock the higher difficulties before the recommended level, though this is not recommended for new players.
Diablo 4 World Tiers List
This table is to make it clearer about the level requirements and extras you get:
| World Tier | Level requirements |
|---|---|
| World Tier 1 Adventurer | Recommended Level 1-50. Enemies are easy to defeat |
| World Tier 2 Veteran | Recommended Level 1-50 Enemies are more challenging 50% extra XP 15% more gold. |
| World Tier 3 Nightmare | Recommended Level 50-70 Enemies are more formidable Monsters overcome 20% Resistance Additional 150% XP and 15% more Gold from monsters |
| World Tier 4 Torment | Recommended Level 70+ Enemies are more fearsome Monsters Overcome 20-percent Resistance Additional 250% XP and 15% more Gold from monsters |
The loot on World Tier 3 and World Tier 4 have interesting drops. They are significant upgrades.
- Sacred and Ancestral items drop. (World Tier 3 and 4 respectively)
- More Unique Items become available with each difficulty.
- Nightmare Sigils used to unseal Nightmare Dungeons now drop
- Champion monsters with damage resistance auras now appear.
- Roaming bosses to Helltides alongside increased monster density.
As of Season 4, Helltides are now available on all difficulties and are no longer restricted to World Tiers 3 and 4. This is likely to be the go-to leveling method going forward.
This is another example of how the system Blizzard used for Diablo 4 is progressive. The more you progress throughout the game, the more challenging your foes become matching the strength of your character and unlocking more and better loot to gear your character.
World Tier 3 and World Tier 4 are unlocked after you finish the Campaign, Cathedral of Light, and Fallen Temple Capstone Dungeons in World Tier 2 and 3.
What is a Capstone Dungeon in Diablo 4
A Capstone Dungeon is a tougher dungeon that ends with a difficult boss to really test if you (or your mechanics) are ready for the next tier. The monsters within the dungeon are of similar level and difficulty to those you’ll face in the new tier.
If you are unable to finish a Capstone Dungeon at first due to a low item rating then do some events and gear up. Up until the point that you can actually get through a Capstone Dungeon.
If you struggle too much, there’s no harm in asking for help either, as your friends can join you and help you complete the dungeon as well (or just carry you, if you so wish). Just be warned that Tier 3 starts at a base level of 53 for monsters and Tier 4 starts with Level 73 monsters. Being under-leveled can make it tough to make early progress in these tiers, but a couple of lucky drops can change that.
Below are quick summaries of what to expect in each Capstone Dungeon.
World Tier 2 – Cathedral of Light
The Tier 2 Capstone Dungeon, the Cathedral of Light, introduces Champion Monsters. These monster bolster their allies with a damage resistance aura that heavily reduces your damage until they are taken out. Thankfully they themselves are not affected by this aura, even from other sources.
The Cathedral of Light also introduces new Elite Monster Affixes, most notable among these is Lightning Enchanted, which is seen on many of the Elite of the first section.
This dungeon is found inside the Cathedral of Light in Kyovashad. Completion of this dungeon enables you to enter World Tier 3: Nightmare.
World Tier 3 – Fallen Temple
The Tier 3 Capstone Dungeon, Fallen Temple, further includes additional Elite Affixes, as well as two debuffs that occur only in the dungeon itself. These Debuffs are called the Curse of the Indolent and the Curse of the Weak. Both of these are stacking debuffs that are reduced by defeating monsters.
The Curse of the Indolent isn’t too painful, as it only increases Crowd Control Duration on you. As long as you make use of skill with Unstoppable and are able to avoid most of the Crowd Control you’ll be fine.
The Curse of the Weak however can be extremely punishing, as it increases damage taken. This can allow monsters to one-shot you if you’re not careful, especially certain elites.
This Dungeon is found in the Chambatar Ridge region of Dry Steppes. Completion of this dungeon enables you to enter World Tier 4: Torment.
Our Diablo 4 Builds will get you through the game with ease. We have Dedicated Leveling Builds for each class and a number of Endgame Builds per class, each focusing on a different spec and skill.
If you are new to the game and not sure what class would fit best with your playstyle, read our Diablo 4 Classes Guide. It will help you decide which to start with or which to play next if you already played through the campaign.
Last but not least, use our Guide to maximizing your Damage Output in Diablo 4 to be able to stay on top of the hordes of monsters the game will throw at you.
