Diablo 4 Levelling Guide: Fastest way to level up in D4
Discover how to level up fast and the best way to get maximum XP in Diablo 4
Looking for a Diablo 4 levelling guide? Diablo 4 Season 1 is here, and with it comes the need to create and level a new character from 1-100 if you want to access Seasonal content. Levelling has changed a lot since launch, and Season 1 offers the chance to level optimally thanks to buffs to XP gains, from Nightmare Dungeons for example.
In this guide, we'll break down our full Diablo 4 levelling guide, explaining how to get from level 1-50 and 50-100 optimally so that you can enjoy clicking knowing that you are doing it as efficiently as possible.
Of course, this guide assumes that you actually care about efficiency and optimal XP gains. If you do not and just want to focus on having fun, then do whatever you enjoy most. While there are not currently leaderboards for Diablo 4 Seasonal content, this guide is for those who want to enjoy the race from level 1-100 and therefore want to progress as fast as possible.
Diablo 4 level 1-50 levelling guide
To level optimally from level 1-50 in Diablo 4 Season 1, you should have already beat the campaign on an Eternal Realm (anything made before the launch of Season 1) character. New players will, of course, need to beat the campaign, and can focus on levelling alongside completing main quests, but those returning for Season 1 should follow the points listed below:
- Collect Renown rewards for bonus XP
- Repeat Strongholds
- Play on World Tier 1
- Team up with friends in a party
- Make XP-boosting Elixirs at the Alchemist
Collect Renown rewards for bonus XP
Before doing anything, returning players should head to their Renown rewards by opening the map and entering the Renown section at the top (hit "W" while using the map on PC).
It was highly suggested that you collect all Altars of Lilith and uncover the entire Diablo 4 map before starting Season 1, as these will carry over to Seasonal characters, and it's expected that you might be able to collect the bonus XP from the Renown rewards that these should unlock.
If that is the case, and our Seasonal alt characters get these bonus XP rewards from instantly gaining the Renown for Altars of Lilith and uncovering the map, then you can expect to immediately jump to up to level 7 off the bat.
Repeat Strongholds
While progressing from level 1-50, Strongholds offer the best XP gains. While completing Strongholds is a one-and-done activity that technically can't be repeated, those looking for the most optimal and efficient way to reach level 50 should reach the Stronghold boss and then leave the game. After going back to the main menu, load back into your character and you should be at the entrance to the Stronghold, and find that all enemies within are reset.
From around levels 12-17, you can complete the Malnok and Nostrava Strongholds near Kyovashad, as they both have a minimum level of 15 - the lowest for any Stronghold in Diablo 4.
After reaching level 17, do the same at Onyx Watchtower, Moordaine Lodge, or Hope's Light, all of which have a minimum level of 20. Reset and repeat these Strongholds until you reach level 22, ensuring that you do not fully complete any by ringing the bell at the end.
From level 22-32, head to Kor Dragan in Fractured Peaks and solely grind this Stronghold. That's because this has a minimum level of 25, allowing you to make the most of the levelling curve that stays three levels above your character (enemies of three levels or higher above your character level offer the most XP per kill).
Finally, from level 32-45, repeat the Temple of Rot Stronghold. While it might not be the most exciting, this will offer the fastest route to level 45, around which you can switch to World Tier 2 and comfortably complete the Cathedral of Light Capstone Dungeon. This means you'll be able to move onto endgame content on World Tier 3 as fast as possible.
Play on World Tier 1
There are four difficulties in Diablo 4: Adventurer, Veteran, Nightmare, and Torment. Adventurer, the lowest difficulty, has a base amount of XP that you will earn from killing monsters. That XP amount increases exponentially as you move onto higher difficulties. 20% bonus for Veteran, 100% bonus for Nightmare and 200% bonus for Torment.
Until you are ready to take on the Cathedral of Light Capstone Dungeon, we'd recommend playing on World Tier 1: Adventurer.
While World Tier 2 does grant a 20% boost, it also makes enemies far harder to kill and will slow you down while levelling from 1-50 substantially. For the most efficient levelling journey in Season 1, stick to World Tier 1. Switch to World Tier 2 when you are ready to take on the Cathedral of Light Capstone Dungeon at somewhere between level 45 and 50.
Team up with friends in a party
When playing multiplayer in Diablo 4, you'll get an XP boost. This boost applies to anyone who finds and fights with a fellow player in Diablo 4's overworld, but it'll double if you're in a party.
If you stay near another player in Diablo 4, you will get a 5% XP boost. This applies whenever you're near another player, including a random person that you find running around the world.
However, if you're near a party member, this multiplayer XP boost will double to 10%. These bonuses do not stack - it is a 10% boost overall, rather than an additional 10% on top of the original 5% - but a 10% boost to your XP gain without any need to raise the difficulty is huge.
Even better, playing Diablo 4 in multiplayer is generally easier than solo, as you'll have more roles filled in your crew. For example, a Barbarian and Rogue pair will kill demons more efficiently thanks to the Rogue's Crowd Control effects making the Barbarian even stronger, compared to a lone player using either class. That means faster progress through quests and dungeons, which means you'll get XP for completing said activities at a faster rate.
Make XP-boosting Elixirs at the Alchemist
When you reach level 10 in Diablo 4, you will unlock the Alchemist merchant in all hub towns. The Alchemist is where you go to upgrade your Healing Potions, but you can also come here to make Elixirs that boost various stats.
The main effect of the various Elixirs in Diablo 4 is different. One might offer increased Armor, for example, while another increases your Dodge chance. However, there is one effect that they all have in common: Elixirs increase your XP by 5% for 30 minutes.
Thankfully, Elixirs are incredibly easy to craft in Diablo 4, making this 5% XP boost something that you can have active very often. To make Elixirs, you simply need to gather common plant materials that you'll find while exploring, such as Gallowvines, Biteberries, and Howler Moss. Collect these materials while out exploring and completing content, and then head back to a hub to whip up some Elixirs that will boost your XP.
Diablo 4 level 50-100 levelling guide
After reaching level 50, you can switch to World Tier 3 and shift your focus almost entirely towards one thing: Nightmare Dungeons. These are the best source of XP in the endgame, and will serve as your main method of levelling up in Season 1.
Of course, many of the above points still apply. Playing with friends and using Elixirs will offer the same small XP boosts that are worth having if possible, so keep those up even in World Tiers 3 and 4.
Grind Nightmare Dungeons until you reach somewhere between level 65-70, and then head to the Fallen Temple Capstone Dungeon and complete it to unlock World Tier 4. This will then grant another huge XP bonus for the hardest difficulty, which you can make the most of by continuing to grind Nightmare Dungeons until you reach level 100.
That wraps up our guide on how to level up fast in Diablo 4. Make sure to check out our best Diablo 4 Barbarian builds, best Rogue builds, best Sorcerer builds, best Necromancer builds, and best Druid builds, so that you're ready to tackle the toughest difficulties and get that extra XP, regardless of which class you main.
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