Diablo 4 introduces Capstone Dungeons, which pose some of the greatest challenges in the game. Any online multiplayer RPG is expected to have a wealth of endgame content - it's a big part of what keeps a player base engaged well after they've beaten the final boss and watched the ending. Some games address this by adding fresh content with regular updates, while others have post-credits objectives baked right in from the start. Diablo 4 falls into the second category, and its Capstone Dungeons make up the bulk of the postgame grind.
Diablo 4's Capstone Dungeons don't just exist to keep players invested. They come with their own rewards, too, and that goes beyond legendary loot and a feeling of satisfaction. Completing Capstone Dungeons unlocks new features and greater challenges that players will certainly want to complete. However, before they even set foot in their first Capstone Dungeon, they'll have to unlock it first, and that in itself is no easy feat.
What Are Diablo 4's Capstone Dungeons?
Simply put, Capstone Dungeons are the largest and hardest dungeons in Diablo 4. Their labyrinthine twists are stocked with tough enemies, perilous traps, and worthy rewards. These are not for the faint of heart; it goes without saying that players should make ample preparations before setting foot in a Capstone Dungeon. Repairing and upgrading gear, stocking up on potions, and spending any stray skill points are all good ideas. New players needn't worry, however - there are several fail-safes to make sure that no one blunders into a Capstone Dungeon unaware. Every area displays a recommended level whenever the player enters, so keeping an eye on that can prevent them being caught off guard.
How To Unlock Capstone Dungeons In Diablo 4
Players will have to meet several prerequisites to unlock Capstone Dungeons in Diablo 4. First, they must complete the main campaign, all the way through the final boss and the last Epilogue quest Legacy of the Horadrim. After all that, players should see a task labeled "World Tier 3: Nightmare" on their list of Priority Quests, which can be undertaken in the city of Kyovashad. However, to enter this dungeon, the difficulty must be set to World Tier 2 (Veteran). There's no need to make a new character for this; World Tier can be changed from Diablo 4's starting menu, or from a World Tier statue in many of its major cities.
The first Capstone Dungeon has a recommended level of 50, but players can enter it earlier. However, the enemies inside will always be level 50, so it might prove nearly impossible for lower-level players. It's probably not a good idea to venture into the dungeon with a character under level 45, but leveling over 50 to make the dungeon easier is a valid strategy. Since many of the mobs use lightning elemental attacks, equipping lightning-resistant armor is also a good idea. Once the player's character is sufficiently leveled, prepared, and geared up, they can head for Kyovashad's Cathedral of Light, where they'll find the entrance to the first Capstone Dungeon behind the altar.
How To Beat Diablo 4's First Capstone Dungeon
The first objective in Diablo 4's Cathedral of Light is to collect Animus from Revenant Knights. This is relatively simple; the player will have to defeat five of these mini-bosses in sequence to fill a red meter. The Revenant Knights themselves go down pretty easily; usually, the surrounding mobs are the greater challenge. Keeping an eye on HP, using AOE attacks, and remembering to dodge can help here.
The next goal in Diablo 4's first Capstone Dungeon is to defeat its first real boss: the High Council. This fight consists of four enemies that players must take on at the same time: the Devoted Champion, the Grand Inquisitor, the Sacred Physician, and the Lord Commander. The Sacred Physician can revive the other three, so players should focus on him first. Once he's down, other slain enemies will remain on the field as ghosts, which can still attack but are far easier to ignore. The Lord Commander moves slowly, so players can save him for last. Also, each time the player fells a member of the High Council, they'll spawn additional mobs in an attempt to overwhelm the player.
Next, players will be charged with defeating all the enemies in the Reliquary of Erudition. This is probably the most straightforward task in Diablo 4's Cathedral of Light. After going through the portal, players should just use their usual tactics to take out the large enemy groups until it's time to move on.
Finally, players will move on to the final boss of the Cathedral of Light. The Curator is a giant, scythe-wielding demon who frequently spawns skeleton adds. He can fire off nasty abilities in rapid succession, but they're all telegraphed with glowing AOE markers, so they're pretty easy to avoid. Players should focus on dodging, and try to kill the skeletons quickly when they appear; defensive and mobility buffs are also helpful. In his later phases, The Curator will also erect Bone Walls that explode after a set time. Dodging these explosions is key to victory in Diablo 4's first Capstone Dungeon.
Diablo 4 Capstone Dungeon Rewards
After defeating The Curator, players can gather the loot he dropped before exiting the Cathedral of Light for a greater reward. Completing this first Capstone Dungeon unlocks Diablo 4's World Tier 3: Nightmare, a harder game mode with some additional perks. On World Tier 3, players will also gain a 100% boost to the XP they gain throughout the world, and access to the Sacred and Unique tiers of loot. They'll also find Champion-tier monsters throughout the world and can unlock Nightmare Dungeons for an even greater challenge. World Tier 3 also unlocks Helltides, which are timed events in which powerful enemies swarm a particular area, dropping Tortured Gifts and the Aberrant Cinders used to open them.
Once players have reached level 70 on World Tier 3, they may want to try out Diablo 4's next Capstone Dungeon: Fallen Temple. Located in the Dry Steppes, this one unlocks yet another difficulty level, World Tier 4: Torment. World Tier 4 comes along with its own Capstone Dungeon, the mortifyingly difficult Archives of Issalia. This is the last Capstone Dungeon for the time being, although that could change with future Diablo 4 DLC. After that, players can aim for level 100, at which point they'll be strong enough to face the game's true final boss.
Diablo 4's Capstone Dungeons make for a satisfying endgame goal with a worthy set of rewards. Each time the player conquers one, they'll unlock new, more difficult trials. This incentivizes the player to continue leveling up and increasing their character's power. Diablo 4's hardest challenge isn't the end of its campaign; with the inclusion of Capstone Dungeons, the game only gets more punishing after the credits roll.
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