Where is the Cow King in the Secret Cow Level?
The Cow King is a unique monster found within the Secret Cow Level in Diablo 2: Resurrected (D2R). Unlike most bosses, he isn’t located in a fixed location but is rather found within a fenced enclosure. This enclosure is randomly placed within the Secret Cow Level upon each creation. Visually, the Cow King appears just like any other Hell Bovine, except that he is typically highlighted (usually in blue), making him easy to identify, once located. To find him, you must explore the level until you encounter this fenced-off area. The Cow King will always spawn within that pen.
Finding the Cow King: A Step-by-Step Guide
It’s important to note that the Secret Cow Level itself isn’t accessible from the start. You’ll need to create a portal to this hidden zone using the Horadric Cube. Here’s the process:
- Acquire Wirt’s Leg: This item can be found by going to Tristram through the waypoint in the Stony Field of Act I. Inside Tristram, you’ll find Wirt’s corpse in the north-western corner, loot his leg. It’s important to note that you cannot pick up another Wirt’s Leg if you currently have one in your inventory, stash, or inside the Horadric Cube.
- Obtain a Tome of Town Portal: This is a common item readily available from vendors or found as loot.
- Use the Horadric Cube: Place Wirt’s Leg and a Tome of Town Portal into the Horadric Cube.
- Transmute: Click the “Transmute” button. If you have met the requirements, a red portal will open, leading to the Secret Cow Level.
- Explore: Once inside the Cow Level, navigate the map until you locate the squared fenced area. The Cow King will be inside this pen.
Killing the Cow King: Rewards and Consequences
When you kill the Cow King, he will drop 8 Stamina Potions. However, there’s an important consideration to take into account. In earlier versions of the game, killing the Cow King would lock you out of opening further portals to the Secret Cow Level on that difficulty. Fortunately, this penalty no longer applies. Now, you can kill the Cow King as many times as you wish, and still create new Cow Level portals.
Why Farm the Secret Cow Level?
The Secret Cow Level is a popular area to farm due to its high density of monsters. It is an excellent source of various items, including:
- Runes: Various runes can drop in this level.
- Normal Items with Sockets: This is a great place to find socketed bases for runewords.
- Gems and Jewels: For crafting purposes.
- Set, Unique, and Rare Items: The Secret Cow Level provides decent chances to find these rarer items.
Additionally, if a Terror Zone is located within the Cow Level, the level is an even better farming location for higher level items.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I repeatedly enter the Cow Level?
Yes, you can enter the Secret Cow Level as many times as you want, provided you do not receive quest credit for killing the Cow King. Thankfully, this penalty does not exist in the current version of Diablo 2: Resurrected.
2. Do I need to kill Baal to access the Cow Level?
Yes. You need to have completed the Eve of Destruction quest (Act 5 Quest 6) and killed Baal on that particular difficulty before the portal to the cow level can be opened.
3. Can the Cow Level be terrorized?
Yes, the Cow Level can be terrorized. A terrorized Cow Level greatly increases its value as it becomes a source for very high-level items.
4. Does the Cow Level Portal stay open?
Yes, the portal will remain open for the duration of the game, even after the zone has been fully cleared.
5. Can I farm the Cow Level multiple times?
Yes, you can repeatedly farm the Cow Level by creating a portal in a new game on that difficulty if you haven’t acquired quest credit.
6. Why can’t I pick up Wirt’s Leg?
You cannot pick up another Wirt’s Leg if you currently have one in your inventory, your stash or in the Horadric Cube. Drop the leg you have and then you’ll be able to pick up the new one.
7. What is the Cow King’s drop?
The Cow King drops 8 Stamina Potions when he is slain.
8. Is the Cow Level a hoax?
The Cow Level originated as a hoax from players of the original Diablo, making it a famous urban legend of gaming. It was made an official feature in Diablo 2, thus legitimizing the “myth”.
9. Is the Secret Cow Level worth it?
Yes, the Secret Cow Level is a great place for farming due to the high density of monsters and the good potential for various drops such as runes, gems, and socketed items.
10. Can you find a Monarch shield in Nightmare Cows?
No, Monarch shields do not drop in Nightmare. The earliest they can drop is Hell difficulty.
11. What do Terror Zones do to monsters?
Terror Zones increase the level of the monsters based on your character’s level. A terrorized cow level will greatly increase your potential for high-level drops.
12. Do Terror Zones increase Magic Find?
Yes, Terror Zones provide a 25-50% increase to your Magic Find bonus applied to item drops. They also slightly increase the chance for runes to drop one tier higher.
13. Do Terror Zones affect bosses?
No, only Baal will remain unchanged in Terror Zones. All other monsters have their level increased based on your character level.
14. Can I see Normal games after killing Baal?
Yes, if you’re playing on Battle.net, you can still join normal games, but only if you know the game name and password. They won’t appear in the game list.
15. What is the connection between Diablo and “Diablo has invaded Sanctuary”?
When the message “Diablo has invaded Sanctuary!” appears, it means Diablo Clone has spawned. This event is triggered when a sufficient quantity of the Stone of Jordan rings have been sold by players on that particular server.
By following these guides and understanding the FAQs, you can confidently locate and farm the Cow King and the Secret Cow Level to boost your loot and enjoyment of Diablo 2: Resurrected. Happy hunting!