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The latest addition to Diablo 4 is the stronghold feature, which has the potential to revolutionize the gameplay experience for experienced Diablo players, as well as newcomers to the series. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the stronghold feature is, how it works, and what players can expect from it.
What are Strongholds?
Conceptually, strongholds are places of importance to the world and the people of Sanctuary that have been overrun by evil. Players will explore and navigate the huge world of Diablo 4 in Sanctuary and will come across multiple strongholds in each of the game’s five zones. Each stronghold is a unique location with different stories, gameplay objectives, bosses, and rewards. These are private experiences that are just for the player or the player’s party if they choose to bring friends.
Once the player has completed a stronghold, the space becomes a public space where they may encounter and interact with other players if they want. When a player conquers a stronghold, there’s a lasting impact on the world, and additional content is unlocked for them to explore and engage with after the fact. Strongholds can change into towns with vendors, waypoints, and other features that unlock new dungeons, side quests, and more.
Players will see tons of strongholds all throughout Sanctuary that they can come back to and do a little bit later. There’s nothing stopping them from trying to take on a stronghold that they’re just under-leveled for, but they may die unless they’re playing hardcore. This brand new feature for Diablo 4 allows players to add additional content to the game and change the world completely.
Stronghold rewards
Completing strongholds is only half of the future, with the other half being all the additional content that gets unlocked afterward. There’s a lot of cool stuff to experience with strongholds, and it’s something that players should definitely look forward to when playing the game. Strongholds provide players with a lot of awesome rewards, such as XP, loot, and renown. Renown is another new system in Diablo 4 that rewards players for engaging with various open-world activities. When a player hits certain milestones of renown, they’ll get rewards such as additional potion charges, skill points, and even Paragon points at later milestones. Strongholds are just one part of the Diablo 4 experience, but they add a new layer of gameplay that is sure to please fans of the series.
In addition to the gameplay benefits, strongholds also provide an opportunity for players to learn more about the game’s lore and monster families. For example, one of the strongholds showcased in the game is Hope’s Light, located in the jagged shores of Northern Scosglen. The flame of the lighthouse has been extinguished, causing the nearby port town of Maryland to be particularly affected. This stronghold features a new monster family called the Drown, mysterious creatures that shamble up on the shores from the depths of the sea. By exploring the stronghold, players can gain insight into the Drown and their mysterious ways.
It’s worth noting that strongholds also have a minimum level, so players may discover a stronghold that they’re just under-leveled for. While there’s nothing stopping them from trying to take it on, they may find it challenging and should proceed with caution.
Wrapping up
Overall, the stronghold feature in Diablo 4 is a significant addition that adds new layers of gameplay and lore to the game. Players can expect to discover multiple unique strongholds in each of the game’s five zones, each with different stories, objectives, bosses, and rewards. By completing strongholds, players can unlock new content, such as towns with vendors and waypoints, new dungeons, side quests, and more. With the strongholds feature, Diablo 4 promises to be an immersive and engaging experience that will delight both new and returning players alike.
