How I Survived the Diablo IV Beta

Hell’s minions are invading Sanctuary again. Follow the journey of one lowly Rogue through this month’s Diablo IV Open Beta and chart your own path this weekend.

I began my journey seeking shelter as a blizzard raged over the Fractured Peaks. And I had to fight off more than just the elements — Wargs with fangs as long as my forearm were looking to make me their next meal. My Rogue, sporting arrow tattoos and poison-colored hair, stumbled upon Nevesk, a small settlement of frightened villagers. A mad monk came out shouting about demons pouring forth from the ruins to the north. They look to me to investigate.  

This is what awaits everyone this weekend (March 24-26) as the Diablo IV open beta invites players to once again join the battle between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells. Choose your hero (Barbarian, Sorceress, Druid, Rogue, or Necromancer) and prepare to face Hell’s worst. 

But until then, rest, weary traveler, and hear the story of how one lowly Rogue survived their return to Sanctuary.

Pursuing Lilith, Daughter of Hatred and Mother of Sanctuary

Presenting herself as a savior, Diablo IV’s antagonist, the demon Lilith, brings out the darkest impulses of those around her. Having grown tired of the Eternal Conflict between Heaven and Hell, she offers a way out from the constant war…but at what cost?

Upon entering the chapel at Nevesk, my character experiences a vision of Lilith’s return: At the pulpit, a priest warns his congregation against appeasing her…to no avail. Though she was banished ages ago, Sanctuary is her creation, a place trapped amidst the battle between angels and demons. She serves neither side, and now it’s up to me to discover the source of our connection in order to do whatever it takes to stop her.

At the steps of the Cathedral of Light, where worshippers pay service to the fallen angel, Father Inarius.

If I have any chance of taking on a being as powerful as her, I must first gain my bearings. Heading out across the mountains equipped with a dagger in each hand and a bow at my back, I carve my way through a rogue’s gallery of enemies: skeleton archers, vengeful spirits, banshees, vampire bats, wraiths, and more. I explore flooded mines and icy caverns; through the Mistral Woods I battle sorcerers and ghouls and I fight amongst blood-starved obelisks. I trade hits with the smaller enemies and time my dodge to avoid blows from the bigger baddies.

I encounter a larger settlement: Kyovashad, where various denizens plead with me to save their loved ones who have been lost in the wilderness. With the gold I’ve acquired from fallen foes, I purchase new armor and weapons at the town vendors, mend my wounds at the local healer, and use the waypoint in the main square to conduct further sallies against the hordes.

Deep in an icy cavern, freezing enemies in their tracks.

I just scratch the surface of the explorable territory within the first act. With plans for the full game to include five explorable regions and over 100 dungeons, there will be endless opportunities to slay demons, acquire loot, and gain the strength needed to take the fight to Lilith and her minions.

Skills and Loot: The Tools of the Trade

The Rogue is as deadly as she is versatile. Among the many abilities available to her, I focus on the close game, investing points into a wild close-range Flurry attack, a Poison Trap that knocks down and infects my enemies, and a Cold Imbuement to chill and freeze them mid-strike.

My first Legendary weapon drop! Demon hordes, here I come.

Her skill tree offers other treats: long-range bow attacks, stealth maneuvers, and caltrops, to name a few. Having fought against Hell’s minion’s before, I set the difficulty to World Tier 2 — the tougher of the two options available to players at the start of the game — inviting more challenging enemies while earning more gold and experience for their demise. 

At level 15, I embark on my first specialization quest (an endeavor that opens up further customization and empowerment of my class abilities). Upon completion, I’m able to generate combo points which then bolster my subsequent attacks. With my evolving power, I delve deeper into the world, uncovering gems, jewelry, armor, and weapons, the tools of the trade that call out to every intrepid adventurer.

A Call to Arms: A Shared World

Throughout my journey, I often encounter fellow heroes, sometimes teaming with them to hunt down stronger foes that are too challenging to take on alone. Using the Clans feature, I join other like-minded players and form groups to tackle world events, bosses, and the toughest dungeons.

A blood ritual…what could possibly go wrong? Next time I’ll bring backup.

I slice and poison enemies as a Sorceress hurls lightning bolts over my shoulder and a Barbarian wades into the battle lines ahead of me, slashing with his massive two-hander. With a combined power like this in our hands, I yearn for the challenges ahead.

Carve Your Own Path During the Open Beta Weekend

Return to darkness and carve your own path through Sanctuary in this weekend’s Open Beta, taking place March 24-26 and supported on Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4**.

TAKE ACTION:

👿 Prepare for the hordes with Blizzard’s guide to the Diablo IV Open Beta.

🔥 Pre-order Diablo IV now to earn extra rewards at launch on June 6.

⚔️ Stay up to date with everything Sanctuary-related by visiting the Diablo IV Blizzard News page.

** - Actual platform availability and dates subject to change. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection and Battle.net account required.