Diablo 4: All Standard & Torment difficulties explained

The Standard and Torment difficulties have replaced the Word Tier system in Diablo 4, making for a more gradual difficulty curve and new challenges for the player to face.

Tarran Stockton

05th Sep 2024 16:44

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Diablo 4 is ditching the World Tier system with patch 2.0 in favour of a new set of Standard and Torment difficulties, designed to make the experience more gradual, without sacrificing the challenge that comes with higher-level play. Here's everything to know about the brand-new system.

Standard & Torment difficulties explained

Standard difficulties

The Standard difficulties are designed for your main playthrough as you try to make it to the level cap of 60.

Normal is a slow-paced mode that provides a light challenge for more casual players. Hard and Expert up things a bit from here with more challenge and a faster pace.

Finally, there is Pertinent for late-game players. This is a further challenge that acts as a temperature setting for the Torment difficulties, so you know what to expect.

You also earn more XP and Gold the higher the difficulty is, so you can speed through the game quicker if you're good enough.

Torment difficulties

Torment is for the endgame of Diablo 4, with difficulties that provide incredible challenge to players, while also giving you the chance to earn Legendary and Ancestral drops to really finish off your character's gear.

There are four Torment difficulties in total; each one also provides a curse that weakens your armour and resistance:

Torment 1: -250 Armour and -25% All Resist
Torment 2: -500 Armour and -50% All Resist
Torment 3: -750 Armour and -75% All Resist
Torment 4: -1000 Armour and -100% All Resist

How to unlock all difficulties

Standard difficulties:

Normal - Unlocked by default
Hard - Unlocked by default
Expert - Unlocked after the prologue
Penitent - Unlocked after reaching level 50

Torment difficulties

Torment 1 - Complete Pit Tier 20
Torment 2 - Complete Pit Tier 35
Torment 3 - Complete Pit Tier 50
Torment 4 - Complete Pit Tier 65

About The Author

Tarran Stockton

Tarran is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. He previously wrote reviews for his college newspaper before studying Media and Communication at university. His favourite genres include role-playing games, strategy games, and boomer shooters - along with anything indie. You can also find him in the pit at local hardcore shows.

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