Strongholds - Diablo 4 Guide - IGN (2024)

In Diablo 4, certain areas and former Settlements have been turned into enemy Strongholds, and provide a extreme challenge in the form of a sort of outdoor dungeon, or singular event against tough foes to purge the Stronghold of its evil.

There are three Strongholds in each of Diablo 4's five main regions, and each one will appear with a red symbol on your map until it has been cleared. Unlike other areas in the game, or even the Dungeons that you can explore, Strongholds will always be rated at least 2 levels above your character, meaning that the enemies you face will be a very hard threat, and only characters that are grouped with you can help.

For this reason, we highly recommend putting off Strongholds until you have reached a point where your character has a decent build and great loot to even the odds against powerful foes. Clearing a Stronghold will sometimes rebuild the former settlement to accommodate travelers, and can unlock Waypoints, Merchants, Side Quests, and new Dungeons not accessible beforehand.

Below, you'll find maps and a list of Strongholds in each area, and what they can unlock once you have cleared them.

Fractured Peaks Strongholds and Map

The three Strongholds found in the Fractured Peaks region include:

Nostrava

• Location: Southern section of Frostbite Trails, Pallid Glade
• Recommended Level: 15+

Nostrava is a quiet mountain village with a sinister secret. Once a peaceful settlement, the area has become devoid of life save a chapel at the top of the area ringing an ominous bell. A terrible Succubus now leads the Cult of Lilith in demon worship and must be stopped.

The Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, and once cleared, will unlock a Waypoint and several Merchants. It will also unlock a new Dungeon - the Cultist Refuge, which is also the target of a Side Quest in Kyovashad - Sight to Madness

Malnok

• Location: West of the Olyam Tundra, Frigid Expanse
• Recommended Level: 15+

Malnok is an icebound settlement besieged by a ceaseless blizzard. Once a thriving mining community built upon a frozen lake, the arrivan of the Khazra Goatmen sent the town into a deadly deep freeze, and only be defeating their shamans and Khazra Champion will you be able to restore it to its former glory.

The Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, and once cleared, will unlock various types of Merchants, and two new Dungeons - Anica's Claim, and Rimescar Cavern, the latter of which is the target of the Bear Tribe Refuge Side Quest - Hammer of the Champion.

Kor Dragan

• Location: North of the Crags of Ill Wind, Sarkova Pass
• Recommend Level: 30+

Kor Dragan is a former bastion of the Light's Watch, which has now fallen to darkness and vampiric influence. A large fortified stronghold which may require alternate entry to investigate, it has been taken over by Vampires and their kind, and will require extreme extermination of the fallen Bishop.

The Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, though even after it has been cleared, it will continue to remain plagued by the undead -- though in fewer numbers. The Dungeon, Kor Dragan Barracks can be found just to the east, but does not require you to clear the Stronghold first.

Scosglen Strongholds and Map

The three Strongholds found in the Scosglen region include:

Tur Dulra

• Location: Northwest of The Ancients' Woods, Deep Forest
• Recommended Level: 15+

Tur Dulra was once the greatest Druidic College, but now this overgrown ruin stands as a reminder of a great calamity. The angered spirits of the dead are bound to its fire ever since the demon Astaroth laid waste to it, and it will be up to you to put the spirits of the druids to rest and break the curse of the Infernal Tormentor that haunts its great oak.

The completion of this Stronghold is unique in that it is required for the Druid Class to unlock Spirit Boons, and should be attempted as soon as possible.

The Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, and once it has been cleared, will unlock a new Waypoint, and several types of Merchants. It will also unlock Spirit Boons for the Druid Class, access to a new Dungeon - the Underroot (which is required for a Side Quest, Daughter of the Oak. In addition, clearing the Stronghold will activate more exclusive Side Quests including Tending Nature, and The Diviner.

Hope's Light

• Location: North of the Cursed Scarps, Northshore
• Recommended Level: 25+

Hope's Light is a great lighthouse towering above the jagged shores, however its sacred flame has been extinguished, and is now overrun with the Drowned. In order to reach and reignite it's beaming fires, you'll need to carve a path through the shipwrecks and defeat the Tidewitch that holds the stronghold captive.

The Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, but only creates a smaller safe space in the stronghold while the shipwrecks below remain in enemy hands. However, it will unlock access to the new Dungeon - Flooded Depths.

Moordaine Lodge

• Location: East of the Strandflats, Strand and North of the Daudur Peats, The Shrouded Moors
• Recommended Level: 20+

Moordaine Lodge is an outdoor stronghold hidden deep in the verdant forest. The lodge was once revered by the great hunters of Scosglen, but has now fallen into ruin and overrun with deadly creatures that now hunt the hunters. You'll have to investigate and slay the elusive Beast responsible for leading the attacks to stem the tide of aggression.

The Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, however, clearing the Stronghold will not clear it of enemies, though there will be much less aggressive creatures appearing than before. It will also unlock two new Dungeons in the area - Twisted Hollow, and the Feral's Den.

Dry Steppes Strongholds and Map

The three Strongholds found in the Dry Steppes region include:

The Onyx Watchtower

• Location: West of the Wayfarer's Folly, Kharagai Crags
• Recommended Level: 30+

Once a trader's way station, The Onyx Watchtower has been overrun by thieves and murderers. To restore the trader's post to its former glory, you'll need to raze the bandit's encampment and draw out their Bandit Captain leader.

This Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, and clearing it will activate a New Waypoint, plus several Merchants you can trade with. You will also unlock a new Dungeon - Onyx Hold, as well as two new Side Quests - Kith and Kin, and A Pound of Flesh.

Temple of Rot

• Location: West of the Field of Broken Spears, Untamed Scarps
• Recommended Level: 30+

The Temple of Rot was once a place of worship, but lately a rotten, putrid evil has taken up residence in these hallowed halls. It is now home to crazed Cannibals and diseased creatures that have congregated around a giant wurm, and you'll need to defeated the infested Cannibal Leader to clear the site of his ilk.

This Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, however, clearing the Stronghold will only rout the Cannibals, but infested maggots, flies, and other creatures will still regularly appear in this area.

Ruins of Qara-Yisu

• Location: East of The Barren Steeps, The Accursed Wastes
• Recommended Level: 25+

The Ruins of Qara-Yisu are the remains of a mining town, now salt-covered and afflicted by a sad*stic curse where demons roam free. You'll need to rid the ruins of its infernal spires and slay the Demon leader who holds the souls of the town captive in its curse.

This Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, and clearing the Stronghold will restore the town somewhat, featuring a new Waypoint, Merchants to shop from, and two new Dungeons - the Shifting City to the north, and the Pallid Delve to the east. In addition, you'll also unlock new Side Quests, including Blood and Sweat, and Phases of the Moon.

Khejistan Strongholds and Map

The three Strongholds found in the Khejistan region include:

Altar of Ruin

• Location: Northwest of Scorching Dunes, Amber Sands
• Recommended Level: 45+

The Altar of Ruin is a stronghold that has been lost for centuries, though legends speak of a malefic temple of great evil. This shrine to evil is full of Khazra, demons, and cult worshipers that seek to appease their dark masters, led by a powerful Dark Cardinal you'll have to face to rid this place of its demonic influence.

This Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, and clearing it will rout the cultists, creating a new Waypoint to use, and will also unlock a new Dungeon behind the ritual chamber, known as the Sepulcher of the Forsworn.

Alcarnus

• Location: Northwest of Dunes of Sorrow, Scouring Sands, and Southeast of Dunes of Despair, Amber Sands
• Recommended Level: 40+

Alcarnus is a long-abandoned desert city with a terrible past, and the stronghold stands poisoned by necrotic energies. Succumbed to a mysterious plague, the town is now in the thrall of a mysterious Necromancer who has devoted herself to harnessing its power at any cost, and must be eliminated to clear the threat.

This Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, though clearing it will only remove its necrotic influences, but not rid it entirely of the undead.

Omath's Redoubt

• Location: East of Hakan's Oasis, Southern Expanse
• Recommended Level: 45+

Omath's Redoubt is a large stronghold that played host to a large battle between Khejistani and Zakarumite forces, where the stench of death and decay lingers heavily over this devastated battlefield. In order to quell the rage of the fallen spirits, you will need to uncover a strange ceremonial staff held by the undead High Priestess and defeat her to resolve the sins of the past.

This Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, and clearing this area will unlock a northern section of the fortress leading to a new Dungeon - the Crumbling Hekma.

Hawezar Strongholds and Map

The three Strongholds found in the Hawezar region include:

Crusaders' Monument

• Location: North of the Nymyr Highlands, Umir Plateau
• Recommended Level: 35+

The Crusders' Monument is an outdoor Stronghold featuring an abandoned monument to the failed Zakarum crusade. Now an expansive crypt that has proved alluring for graverobbers, their thievery has awoken the restless spirits of the Crusaders that demand justice in death that only you can give to them.

This Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, though it does not fully recede the enemies from the area, though you can find a Dungeon , Bastion of Faith that can be entered just south of the Stronghold.

Vyeresz

• Location: North of the Reach of Adulation, Toxic Fens
• Recommended Level: 40+

Vyeresz is a sprawling Stronghold deep in the swamps of Hawezar, where this village is said to harbor a great mystery. Here you will find strange cultists worshiping the fearsome Serpent God and their ferocious snake creatures, and you will need to find a way into the lair of the Nangari they worship to put and end to the cult here.

This Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, and once you have cleared it, you can unlock a new Waypoint along with Merchants who will return to resettle in the village. You can also unlock a new Dungeon to the north, the Shadowed Plunge, as well as new Side Quests, including Left Behind and Lost Cause.

Eriman's Pyre

• Location: Northeast of The Cinder Wastes, Dismal Foothills
• Recommended Level: 35+

Eriman's Pyre is a large Stronghold that encompasses the remains of a settlement, where the flames that engulf this remote settlement have raged for decades. Cursed by the misguided actions of its inhabitants, only you can extinguish the flames by defeating the Demon that holds their souls in its clutches.

This Stronghold features an Altar of Lilith, and though clearing it will not fully remove the threats within, you can unlock a new Dungeon - Oblivion.