Diablo 4's available content continues to expand and change through seasonal updates and cycling events. Yet, the core campaign is already loaded with atmospheric lands to explore, foes to slay, and goodies to collect throughout Sanctuary. This is apparent through the game's memorable first act, which itself comprises several hours.

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With so much to do in this non-linear dungeon crawler, it can be overwhelming for newcomers, particularly when plotting their next course of action. Act 2 beckons the player to continue exploring beyond the Fractured Peaks fairly early on. Still, it's a good idea to be prepared and tackle some key Act 1 tasks beforehand. These are some of the most notable examples.

8 Complete Side Quests And Dungeons

Collect A Few Legendary Aspects

With so much content in the game's robust first act, it can nearly exist as a standalone game. Given the slew of quests, collectibles, and milestones scattered about the frigid Fractured Peaks, it's a good idea to "leave no stone unturned" as it were, and explore these areas in-depth before venturing beyond for Act 2.

As it happens, there are many fruitful dungeons to take on in the early game which can help players later down the line. A prime example is Lost Archives (Desolate Highlands in the southwest of the region), which yields the Aspect of the Protector upon completion. This Aspect aids more vulnerable characters by triggering a protective barrier that absorbs ample damage for several seconds.

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This is also a good time to seek out Cellars, which are marked on the map as an open cellar door with steps. These are useful because they are far smaller and less intricate than dungeons, but still grant plenty of rewards. Side quests and Strongholds — particularly those that lie off the beaten path like the Blood Sermon quest in Kor Valar — are a good idea to finish while in the area. Another great option is The Beast's Challenge just to the southwest, which offers generous loot as a reward for defeating the miniboss Kauller the Collector.

7 Reach An Appropriate Level Threshold

And Be Sure Skill Points Are Spent

Before taking the plunge into the punishing second act, players should be sure they're of a sufficient level. While it's true that virtually everything in Diablo 4 scales to one's own level, it's nonetheless useful to have more skills, buffs, and perk-laden gear. These all come with higher levels.

Enemies in Act 2 will get stronger and more involved, so having more offensive and defensive options at one's disposal is useful. Generally speaking, players will want to be at a minimum level of 10, with an ideal spot being around 15 or a bit higher.

Players will also want to tap into the Skill Tree and ensure there are no unused skill points, ideally putting them towards new offensive skills (or building up existing ones) in the early game. Disrupting moves that involve stunning or freezing targets are also helpful at this stage.

6 Update The Potion

Twice Is Even Better

Since a range between levels 10 and 20 is ideal for Act 1's end, players should also be sure to upgrade their potions at least once before proceeding to the next act. Head to a nearby Alchemist and obtain the Tiny Healing Potion update, which requires one Gallowvine.

For those who have spent ample time in Fractured Peaks in the first act and reached level 20, it's time to return to get the Minor Healing Potion. This requires:

• x15 Gallowvine
• x5 Biteberry
• 400 Gold

Using these more potent potions can be the difference between life and death when in a skirmish against many foes or an intense boss fight — and these are frequent in Act 2 and beyond.

5 Build Up Elemental Resistance

Via Gear And Potions

As the rich campaign goes on and players explore more of Sanctuary, enemies will be tougher in multiple ways — with a key factor being elemental output. Players will notice themselves getting chipped away at with disruptive and area-of-effect damage like Fire, Lightning, Cold, Poison, and Shadow. With more of these foes attacking at once, players can quickly find themselves blindsided by rapidly decreasing HP, which can extend several seconds.

As such, it's a good idea to equip gear with elemental resistances and gems, as well as collect and craft resistance Elixirs. This also means opting for great rings and amulets, as these usually come with elemental resistances.

4 Try An Event With Other Players

This Is Good Practice For The Chaos Ahead

As the game progresses, quests and other tasks become more multiplayer-friendly. Various timed events like World Bosses and Helltides, as well as Nightmare Dungeons, prove very helpful when jumping in with a team. However, the core campaign itself proves more demanding too, with tougher bosses and growing hordes of stronger, craftier enemies to manage.

The ending phases of Act 1 are a great time to experiment with the game's co-op elements. Players may want to pick a particularly involved side quest, a Legion Event, or a World Boss, specifically Ashava, who makes appearances at The Crucible on the eastern side of Fractured Peaks.

3 Complete Several Tasks In Fractured Peaks

Earn More Rewards By Doing So

Being largely a non-linear open-world game, Diablo 4 doesn't require players to fully explore Fractured Peaks and tackle every little task surrounding Act 1. Regardless, most will find it helpful to gather various resources and complete various side quests and other challenges before proceeding.

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Players can check on their region progress in the menu, which outlines how many beats — such as quests, waypoints, and Strongholds — have been completed. Finishing these grants added experience and rewards on their own, but finishing challenges also earns "renown" in the area. This brings useful rewards like added potion charges, skill points, and thousands of extra Gold.

2 Salvage Many Old Weapons And Gear

This Will Be Useful Down The Line

As Act 1 encompasses the early stages of the game, putting more resources towards weapon upgrades — through salvaging — is a good idea before going into Act 2. Of course, getting Gold by selling old gear has its uses, but players will want to get ahead in the early goings through quick, effective means — and upgrading gear is a great option for this.

When traversing hostile regions beyond Fractured Peaks and fighting tougher foes, like the ravenous boss Astaroth, having lots of potent Rare and Legendary gear will prove useful. Upgrading via salvaged resources is a great way to do this early on.

1 Take On Lilith's Lament

Resist The Urge To Temporarily Skip

Act 1 is quite robust, taking up nearly a dozen hours on its own. Between this, the non-linear format (which permits players to leapfrog ahead for a while), and the tough boss at its conclusion — Lilith's Lament — it can be tempting to bypass the foe and explore Act 2.

However, as the Serpent's Passage leading to the boss is time-consuming, and since it continue to scale, it's best to take on the boss fairly early. Of course, players should study their unique moveset, and take advantage of the Penitent Knight and his shield. Once the enemy is vanquished, however, players can revel in ample XP and loot, including the Legendary amulet called Vigo's Protecting Amulet.

Diablo 4

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

June 6, 2023

Developer(s)

Blizzard

Genre(s)

Action RPG , Hack and Slash