How to Change Aspects in Diablo 4: A Comprehensive Guide
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Changing Aspects in Diablo 4 is a crucial mechanic that allows you to customize your gear with powerful passive abilities. These Aspects can significantly enhance your build and gameplay. The process involves using an Occultist to either imprint new Aspects onto your gear or extract existing ones, with some limitations to keep in mind.
Essentially, you can change Aspects by visiting the Occultist in any major town. Select the “Imprint” tab, place the gear you wish to modify in the top slot, and then choose the Aspect you want to apply. You can choose an Aspect from your Codex of Power or from a Legendary item in your inventory. The catch is that extracted Aspects from gear are consumed during imprinting. In contrast, Aspects from the Codex of Power can be used an unlimited number of times. Therefore, the flexibility in changing aspects comes down to the source of your chosen power.
Understanding Aspects in Diablo 4
Types of Aspects
There are two primary ways you can obtain Aspects in Diablo 4:
- Codex of Power: These Aspects are unlocked by completing specific dungeons. Once unlocked, you can imprint them onto gear an unlimited number of times. However, these Aspects typically come with the minimum possible stat roll.
- Legendary Gear: Legendary items that drop randomly in the game can also possess Aspects. These Aspects can often be more powerful than their Codex counterparts. Extracting a Legendary Aspect destroys the original item but yields a usable Aspect that can be imprinted on another piece of gear.
Imprinting Aspects
To imprint an Aspect, you will need to visit an Occultist. Here’s how the process works:
- Locate an Occultist: Occultists are found in major towns and are marked on the map with a unique icon.
- Select “Imprint”: Interact with the Occultist and choose the “Imprint” option.
- Place the Target Item: Put the gear you want to modify in the designated slot at the top. This will be the item that receives the new Aspect.
- Choose the Aspect: Select the Aspect you wish to imprint. You can select from your Codex of Power or from a Legendary item in your inventory. If you choose an item, this item will be destroyed.
- Confirm and Imprint: Press the “Imprint Aspect” button. This consumes necessary materials, and your target item now possesses the new Aspect.
Extracting Aspects
If you find a Legendary item with an Aspect that is stronger than what is available from the Codex, you might consider extracting that Aspect for future use. This process also happens with an Occultist. Here’s how to extract an Aspect:
- Visit an Occultist: Similar to imprinting, you need to find an Occultist in town.
- Select “Extract”: Interact with the Occultist, then choose the “Extract” tab.
- Place the Legendary Item: Put the Legendary item containing the Aspect you want into the specified slot.
- Extract the Aspect: Confirm and extract the Aspect. The Legendary item will be destroyed in the process, and you’ll receive the Aspect as a usable resource.
Important Considerations
- Single Use of Extracted Aspects: Keep in mind that Aspects extracted from Legendary gear can only be used once. Therefore, it’s crucial to use them strategically.
- Codex Aspects are Reusable: Aspects you unlock from dungeons and store in the Codex of Power can be used infinitely. However, they provide the minimum value of the effect.
- No Stacking of Identical Aspects: You cannot stack the same Aspect on different gear. Only one instance of each Aspect works at a time.
- Salvaging Imprinted Gear is not Possible: Once you’ve imprinted an Aspect onto an item, that item can no longer be salvaged. Plan your upgrades accordingly.
- Legendary Aspects from gear cannot be transfered again: Unlike the Codex aspect that can be used infinitively, you can only transfer the Legendary Aspect that has dropped from gear once.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I swap Aspects after imprinting?
No, you cannot swap Aspects after imprinting on an item. Once an Aspect is imprinted, it cannot be replaced or removed. Your only recourse would be to find a new item and imprint again.
2. What happens when I extract an Aspect from a Legendary item?
The Legendary item is destroyed, and the Aspect is added to your inventory as a consumable item that can be imprinted once.
3. Are aspects from the Codex of Power weaker?
Generally, yes. Aspects from the Codex of Power always have the minimum effect. Legendary items with Aspects can have higher values than the Codex versions.
4. Can I have multiple of the same Aspect in my build?
No, you cannot have more than one of the same Aspect active at a time. Having more than one of the same Aspect will cause them to not provide any extra benefits.
5. Do Aspects work when I’m not using the item they’re on?
Yes, Aspects are passive abilities that apply as long as you’re wearing the item they’re on.
6. Can I transfer an Aspect on a legendary weapon to a rare item?
Yes, you can transfer Aspects from Legendary items onto Rare (yellow) items, turning that Rare item into a Legendary one.
7. Where do I find the Occultist?
The Occultist can be found in most major towns and cities in Diablo 4, marked by a distinct icon.
8. What are Fiend Roses used for in imprinting?
Fiend Roses are a required material for imprinting high-end items, mostly on higher world tiers. The best way to farm them is by participating in Helltide events.
9. Can I salvage an item that has an imprinted Aspect?
No, once an Aspect has been imprinted on a piece of gear, that item can no longer be salvaged. Make sure you are certain of your imprinting decision before confirming.
10. Are there any Aspects that can only be found on gear?
Yes, certain Aspects are exclusive to Legendary gear and cannot be found in the Codex of Power. You need to find these on drops and extract them for use.
11. Should I imprint Aspects immediately, or should I wait?
It’s generally good to imprint Aspects that provide a significant power boost immediately. Waiting too long can slow down your progress.
12. Can I change the same aspect twice?
No, you cannot. An extracted legendary aspect is consumed after one use, it does not become part of the Codex.
13. Is there a limit to how many aspects I can hold?
There is no specific limit to the number of Aspects you can hold, as they are considered regular items. They do occupy inventory space, but you can move them to the stash.
14. How do I know if an Aspect is good?
A good Aspect depends on your character build and playstyle. Read the descriptions carefully and experiment. There are some Aspects that are widely considered powerful, such as the Aspect of Disobedience.
15. Is there a “best” Aspect in Diablo 4?
The “best” Aspect depends on your class and playstyle. Aspects like Aspect of Audacity and Craven Aspect are highly sought after for their general usefulness across many builds, especially early in a season. The Aspect of Disobedience is considered the best defensive aspect in the game.