How Long to Beat Diablo 4’s Main Quest: A Deep Dive

So, you’re diving into the dark, demon-infested world of Sanctuary in Diablo 4 and itching to know how long it’ll take to conquer the main quest? The answer, in short, is that you can expect to spend roughly 25 to 35 hours battling your way through the campaign. This timeframe is based on sticking to the main storyline, avoiding most side quests, and playing at a moderate pace.

However, like a well-crafted dungeon, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Several factors influence how long it takes to complete the main story, including your playstyle, the difficulty setting, and whether you get sidetracked by the plethora of enticing content Sanctuary has to offer. Let’s delve deeper into what impacts your playtime and explore what awaits you beyond the main campaign.

Factors Influencing Your Playthrough Time

Several elements can speed up or slow down your progress through the campaign:

• Playstyle: Are you a meticulous explorer, eager to uncover every nook and cranny of the map, or a focused player laser-beaming towards the final boss? Explorers will naturally take longer than those who prioritize the critical path.
• Difficulty Setting: Choosing a higher World Tier will increase enemy difficulty but also boost experience gains and loot drops. This can potentially speed up your leveling process, even if individual encounters take longer.
• Side Quests: Sanctuary is brimming with side quests, offering compelling stories, valuable rewards, and experience points. Engaging with these will significantly increase your playtime. Some players choose to ignore most of these until after the main campaign, while others relish the opportunity to delve into the lore and power up their character along the way.
• Class Selection: Some classes, like the Necromancer with its army of minions, can breeze through early encounters with relative ease, while others, like the Barbarian, might require more strategic play and gear optimization, potentially leading to a slower pace.
• Grouping Up: Playing with friends can dramatically reduce the time it takes to clear dungeons and overcome challenging encounters. Teamwork makes the dream work, especially when facing hordes of demons.

What to Expect After the Campaign

Once you’ve rolled credits on the main story, the real Diablo 4 experience begins. The endgame offers a vast array of activities to keep you engaged for hundreds of hours.

• Nightmare Dungeons: These are the bread and butter of Diablo 4’s endgame, offering challenging content, powerful loot, and the opportunity to push your build to its limits.
• Helltides: Periodically, regions of Sanctuary become engulfed in Helltides, unleashing waves of powerful enemies and rewarding brave adventurers with valuable resources.
• Tree of Whispers: Completing Grim Favors for the Tree of Whispers grants you valuable caches of loot and experience, providing a structured path for character progression.
• World Bosses: Massive, challenging World Bosses spawn regularly, requiring the coordinated efforts of multiple players to take down.
• PVP Zones (Fields of Hatred): For those seeking a player-versus-player experience, the Fields of Hatred offer the opportunity to test your skills against other adventurers in a deadly environment.
• Paragon Levels: After reaching level 50, you unlock the Paragon system, allowing you to further customize your character and unlock powerful passive abilities.
• Seasons: Diablo 4 features seasonal content, introducing new storylines, challenges, and rewards every few months, ensuring a constantly evolving endgame experience.

Leveling Up: How Long to Reach Max Level?

While the campaign can be completed around level 45, reaching the max level of 100 is a significantly more time-consuming endeavor. Blizzard estimates that it will take the average player over 150 hours to reach level 100, highlighting the depth and longevity of Diablo 4’s endgame.

FAQs: Diablo 4 Main Quest Length and More

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the topic:

1. How long does it take to complete the main story in Diablo 4 if I rush?

If you completely ignore side quests and focus solely on the main story, you could potentially complete the campaign in around 25 hours.

2. What’s the average playtime for Diablo 4’s campaign?

The average player, engaging in some side content, can expect to complete the campaign in approximately 30-35 hours.

3. Does the length of the campaign vary depending on the class I choose?

While not dramatically, certain classes might clear content faster due to their abilities. For example, the Necromancer, with their many minions, can quickly clear some levels.

4. Does difficulty setting impact the campaign length?

Yes, playing on a higher World Tier will make enemies tougher, potentially slowing you down initially. However, the increased experience gains can lead to faster leveling in the long run.

5. Should I complete side quests during the main campaign?

That’s a matter of preference. Doing side quests will provide more experience and powerful gear, making you stronger for the later parts of the story. However, it will also increase your playtime.

6. What level should I be to comfortably complete the Diablo 4 campaign?

Most players finish the campaign around level 45-50.

7. Is there a point of no return in Diablo 4’s campaign?

No, you can always go back to previous areas and complete unfinished quests, even after completing the main story.

8. How many acts are there in Diablo 4?

Diablo 4 features six acts in its main story campaign.

9. Which act in Diablo 4 is the longest?

Act V, which takes place in Hawezar, is generally considered the longest act.

10. Are there any post-credit scenes in Diablo 4?

Yes, there are several post-credit scenes that hint at future storylines and the return of familiar characters. Some believe that Mephisto is making a comeback.

11. Do I need to beat the campaign before I can participate in Seasonal content?

Yes, it is highly recommended that you complete the main campaign before the start of Season 1, so you can participate in the new content.

12. What happens after I beat the campaign in Diablo 4?

You unlock the endgame content, including Nightmare Dungeons, Helltides, the Tree of Whispers, and the Paragon system.

13. Is Diablo 4’s story engaging and worth the time investment?

The general consensus is yes. The story is said to be compelling, with a strong narrative and memorable characters.

14. Which class is easiest to level with in Diablo 4?

The Necromancer and the Barbarian classes have some easier builds that allow you to clear content much faster.

15. Is it possible to skip the campaign in Diablo 4 after completing it once?

It is currently unconfirmed, but it is expected that once the main campaign is complete, players will be able to skip the campaign in the subsequent seasons.

Final Thoughts

Diablo 4’s main quest offers a substantial and engaging experience. While the 25-35 hour estimate provides a good baseline, remember that your actual playtime will depend on your individual preferences and playstyle. Whether you’re a speedrunner focused on the critical path or an explorer eager to uncover every secret, Sanctuary has something to offer everyone. And remember, the journey doesn’t end with the credits – the endgame is where the true challenge (and the best loot) awaits!

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