Diablo 4: Unlocking Nightmare Dungeons

The chunk of the Diablo 4 endgame experience boils down to Nightmare Dungeons that you will eventually access on your journey in Sanctuary. Whether it’s amazing loot, high XP and gold, or just a challenge that you’re looking for, Nightmare Dungeons will give you your fair share of everything.

Unfortunately, getting inside a Nightmare Dungeon isn’t as easy as walking up to it just like other regular dungeons in the game. Before we talk about how you can get to these dungeons, let’s first discuss what these are first.

What Are Diablo 4 Nightmare Dungeons?

Nightmare Dungeons are essentially modified versions of regular dungeons in Diablo 4. These serve as the main chunk of the endgame experience in the RPG and you’ll most likely spend your time here looking for loot, earning Paragon Points, and more.

These dungeons are enhanced in many ways. Such as

• Higher enemy levels. 

• Limited number of revives per dungeon.

• One to five affixes/modifiers per dungeon depending on dungeon tier..

Fighting higher-level enemies isn’t exactly a tough thing to do. What makes the Nightmare Dungeons significantly more challenging are the modifiers. There are positive and negative affixes in Season 1. Knowing each one is key to being more prepared about these dungeons so here’s a quick list.

Positive Affixes

Negative Affixes

Keep in mind that the modifier stats can increase depending on the tier of the Nightmare Dungeon.

How To Unlock Nightmare Dungeons

Nightmare Dungeons can only be played on World Tier 3 and above. This means that you’ll have to increase your World Tier first before you get a taste of this challenge.

Once you beat the campaign, proceed with the game until you unlock the first Capstone Dungeon, which is the Cathedral of Light in Kyovashad. Though lengthy and filled with high-level enemies, this dungeon should be a walk in the park as long as you’re level 50 and above.

Beating the dungeon doesn’t mean you’re getting Nightmare Dungeons immediately. You’ll still have to work for it. That and you’ll need to be lucky too.

To get into Nightmare Dungeons, you’ll need NIghtmare Sigils first. Though there are a few ways to get these keys, they’re actually still pretty rare. Here’s how you can get it.

1. Random Drop

If you’re really lucky, you could get a Nightmare Sigil simply by exploring Sanctuary. Although the chances are low, you can still get the key from monster drops, chests, and interactive objects inside Sanctuary.

2. Whispers of the Dead

Once you reach the endgame, you’ll have a quest that unlocks Grim Favors. You can collect Grim Favors by doing specific tasks in certain parts of the map. Once you have 10 Grim Favors, exchange them at the Tree of Whispers for a loot cache.

The loot cache doesn’t just have a chance at giving you great gear, it can also grant you Nightmare Sigils.

3. Helltides

Helltides are another feature that unlocks once you reach World Tier 3. Again, this challenge gives you chances at Nightmare Sigils and great loot, at the expense of going through some of the hardest battles that the game has to offer.

Since Helltides give you a steady stream of enemies to beat, this is a good chance to actually get Nightmare Sigils.

4. Nightmare Dungeons With Party Members

Perhaps the best way to get a Nightmare Sigil is by going through a Nightmare Dungeon with a friend who has access to it. Nightmare Dungeons provide chances at high-tier loot so your chances of getting a Nightmare Sigil are increased while in a Nightmare Dungeon.

This is a great opportunity for loot and high XP as well. If you have high-level friends, have them do a Nightmare Dungeon for you. Sit back and let them take care of the enemies.

Once you do have a Nightmare Sigil, all you need to do is head to the corresponding dungeon of the Sigil, open your inventory, and activate the key through your Consumables tab.

How To Craft Nightmare Sigils

Aside from RNG, you can also get Nightmare Sigils by crafting them. This requires a little effort on your end though. 

As you progress through the game, you’ll eventually run into a Tier 3 Nightmare Sigil. Once you pick it up, you’ll unlock a Priority Quest from the Occultist. Do the quest and you’ll unlock a new feature for the vendor which lets you craft Nightmare Sigils   

Crafting sigils require Sigil Powder. This special crafting material can be acquired by completing Nightmare Dungeons and by salvaging Nightmare Sigils as well. To give you an idea of how many powders you need, here’s a reference table.

Nightmare Dungeon Farming Will Make You Stronger

Nightmare Dungeons are the best challenge you can expect in Diablo 4. It may be a slog to get to the higher tiers of Nightmare Dungeons but once you see what types of rewards await you in the end, you’ll see that your efforts are well-worth it.