In Diablo 4, knowledge is power, especially when it comes to understanding how to select, change, and upgrade your gear. The choices you make regarding your gear can directly impact your player power, potentially giving you an edge in the game. Whether you’re a seasoned Diablo player or new to the franchise, understanding the intricacies of gear selection and itemization is crucial for optimizing your character’s performance.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to gear selection and itemization in Diablo 4. We will delve into the various traits your armor, weapons, and gear can possess and how you can modify these traits to suit your class, spec, and playstyle. The guide will cover important gear properties such as inherent physical characteristics, item affixes, legendary aspects, and the process of upgrading your gear. We will also discuss the different gear qualities, weapon types by class, and the unique properties of gear in Diablo 4. By the end of this guide, you will have a deeper understanding of the gear system in Diablo 4, enabling you to make the best gear choices for your character.
Unraveling the Mysteries of Gear Quality in Diablo 4
In Diablo 4, gear is categorized into five distinct qualities: normal, magic, rare, legendary, and unique. Each quality represents a different level of power and potential for customization. Normal gear is the most basic, while Unique gear offers the most distinctive and powerful attributes.
In addition to these five qualities, gear can also possess two sub-qualities: sacred and ancestral. These sub-qualities act as modifiers, enhancing the base qualities of the gear. Sacred and ancestral items are upgraded versions of their “normal” counterparts, offering improved rolls and ranges on item affixes.
Sacred and Ancestral items
Sacred items begin dropping with World Tier 3 (Nightmare) and above, offering a significant boost in power and potential for customization. Ancestral items, on the other hand, can be found in World Tier 4 (Torment) and above. These items offer even greater power and customization potential, making them highly sought after by players. Whether it’s a sacred magic item or an ancestral legendary item, these pieces of gear will have a better item level or affixes than a non-modified counterpart at that level.
Navigating the Intricacies of Gear and Itemization in Diablo 4
Unlike many other games where you might farm a specific mob or location to get a predictable item with set stats, Diablo 4 introduces a more flexible and dynamic gear system. This system allows for a high degree of customization, enabling you to tailor your gear to your unique playstyle.
The gear system in Diablo 4 is modular, meaning you can re-roll an undesirable trait or move legendary powers, known as aspects, to other rare or legendary items. You can also upgrade gear to improve its item level and enhance core abilities. This flexibility allows you to experiment with different gear setups and optimize your character’s performance.
Each piece of gear in Diablo 4 can have a variety of traits, including inherent physical characteristics, item affixes, legendary aspects, and unique properties. While some of these traits are fixed, others can be changed or moved, offering a surprising level of customization. Understanding what each trait does and how it can be modified is key to making the most of your gear.
Weapon Types by Diablo 4 Class
In Diablo 4, each class has a unique set of weapons that they can wield, adding another layer of strategy and customization to the game. The table below provides an overview of which weapons can be used by each class:
| Weapon Type | Barbarian | Druid | Necromancer | Rogue | Sorcerer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axe 1h | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Axe 2H | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Bow | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Dagger | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Crossbow | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Mace 1H | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Mace 2H | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Polearm | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Scythe | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Staff | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Sword 1h | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sword 2h | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Wand | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Understanding which weapons your class can wield is crucial as it not only affects your combat style but also influences the gear you will need to seek out and the traits you will want to focus on.
Understanding Gear Properties in Diablo 4
Every piece of gear in Diablo 4 above Normal quality possesses two key properties: inherent physical characteristics and item affixes. Inherent physical characteristics are fixed traits based on the item type. These are permanent and cannot be changed, although their values will improve with higher item levels. Item affixes, on the other hand, are bonuses that can range from 1-6 depending on the gear quality. One of these affixes may be changed, offering a degree of customization.
Understanding these properties is crucial for planning your gear strategy. For instance, the inherent physical characteristics of a piece of gear can influence your weapon and offhand choices. A frost Sorcerer who utilizes a lot of crowd-control effects may prefer a Staff due to its inherent characteristics, while a Werewolf Druid might prefer a Dagger for the Close Enemy Damage or a 1H Sword for Crit Strike. This level of strategic decision-making is at the heart of Diablo 4’s gear system.
Armor and Jewelry Fixed Characteristics
| Item(s) | Inherent Physical Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Amulet | X.X% All Resistances |
| Ring | X.X% Elemental Resistance x2 |
| Chest, Gloves, Helm | No Characteristic |
| Legs | No Characteristic, or one of the following: While Injured, Your Potion Also Restores X% Resource, or While Injured, Your Potion Also Grants X% Maximum Health as Barrier |
| Boots | No Characteristic, or one of the following: +1 Max Evade Charge, orEvade Briefly Grants X% Movement Speed, or Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown by X.X Seconds |
Weapon Fixed Characteristics
| Item(s) | Inherent Physical Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Axe (1H/2H) | +X% Damage to Healthy Enemies |
| Bow | +X% Damage to Distant Enemies |
| Dagger | +X% Damage to Close Enemies |
| Crossbow | +X% Vulnerable Damage |
| Mace (1H/2H) | +X% Overpower Damage |
| Polearm | +X% Damage to Injured Enemies |
| Scythe (1H/2H) | +X% Life on Kill |
| Staff | +X% Damage to Crowd-Controlled Enemies |
| Sword (1H/2H) | +X% Critical Strike Damage |
| Wand | +X% Lucky Hit Chance |
Offhand Fixed Characteristics
| Item(s) | Inherent Physical Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Focus | +X% Cooldown Reduction |
| Shield | +X Thorns |
| Totem | +X% Spirit Cost Reduction |
Item Affixes: The Game Changer in Diablo 4
Item affixes are additional bonuses that gear can possess in Diablo 4. These bonuses can greatly enhance your character’s abilities, making them a crucial part of your gear strategy. Depending on the quality of the gear, an item can have between 1 to 6 affixes. These affixes can range from simple stat boosts, like increased strength or vitality, to more complex bonuses, like increased damage for specific abilities or reduced cooldown times.
One of the unique features of Diablo 4’s gear system is the ability to change one item affix on a piece of gear. This allows you to tailor your gear to better suit your playstyle or to compensate for any weaknesses in your character’s build. To change an item affix, you’ll need to visit a specific NPC and provide them with the necessary materials. This process adds another layer of depth and customization to the gear system, giving you more control over your character’s development.
| Type | Number of Affixes |
| Magic | 1-2 |
| Rare | 2-6 |
| Legendary | 4 + 1 Legendary Aspect |
| Unique | 4 Preset + 1 Unique Ability |
Discover Legendary Aspects in Diablo 4
Legendary aspects are powerful abilities that can be found on legendary and unique gear in Diablo 4. These aspects can significantly enhance your character’s abilities, offering unique gameplay opportunities and strategic options. For instance, a legendary aspect might allow a Sorcerer to cast a powerful fireball that explodes on impact, or it might give a Barbarian the ability to leap into the air and crash down on enemies, dealing massive damage.
Legendary aspects can be obtained by finding or crafting legendary or unique gear. Once you have a piece of gear with a legendary aspect, you can use it as is, or you can transfer the aspect to another piece of rare or legendary gear. This allows you to customize your gear setup, ensuring that you can make the most of your legendary aspects. However, keep in mind that transferring a legendary aspect requires a specific NPC and materials, adding another layer of strategy to the game.
Unique Properties in Diablo 4
Unique properties are special traits found only on Unique gear in Diablo 4. These properties are designed to provide powerful and distinctive bonuses that can significantly alter your gameplay. For instance, a unique property might allow a Druid to transform into a unique form, or it might give a Necromancer the ability to summon a special type of minion. These properties are fixed and cannot be changed or moved, making each piece of unique gear truly one-of-a-kind.
Unique properties can only be obtained by finding unique gear. This gear is very rare. Once you have a piece of unique gear, you can use it as is to take advantage of its unique property. Because these properties cannot be changed or moved, it’s important to consider how a unique property fits into your overall strategy before equipping a piece of unique gear.
Upgrading Your Gear in Diablo 4
In Diablo 4, you have the ability to upgrade your gear, enhancing its power and effectiveness. Upgrading gear involves increasing its item level, which in turn improves its inherent physical characteristics and potentially the range of its item affixes. This process allows you to continue using a piece of gear that you like, even as you progress to higher levels and face tougher challenges.
To upgrade gear, you’ll need to visit a specific NPC and provide them with the necessary materials. The materials required for upgrading will depend on the quality of the gear you’re upgrading. For instance, upgrading a rare item will require different materials than upgrading a legendary item.
Upgrading gear is a key part of Diablo 4’s gear system, offering you a way to customize your gear and optimize your character’s performance. By understanding how to upgrade gear and when to do it, you can make the most of your gear and enhance your gameplay experience.
Adding Gem Sockets to Gear
In Diablo 4, you have the ability to add gem sockets to your gear, providing another layer of customization. Gem sockets allow you to insert gems into your gear, which can provide a variety of bonuses depending on the type of gem used.
To add a gem socket to a piece of gear, you’ll need to visit a specific NPC and provide them with the necessary materials. However, there are some limitations to this process. For instance, you can only add a certain number of gem sockets to a piece of gear, and not all gear can have gem sockets added to it.
Adding gem sockets to your gear can provide a significant boost to your character’s abilities, making it an important part of your gear strategy. By understanding how to add gem sockets and how to use them effectively, you can further optimize your gear and enhance your character’s performance.
Understanding the intricacies of gear in Diablo 4 is crucial for optimizing your character’s performance and enhancing your gameplay experience. From the quality and properties of gear to the process of upgrading and customizing it, each aspect of the gear system offers opportunities for strategic decision-making and customization. By mastering these aspects, you can create a character that is truly unique and powerful, ready to face the challenges that await in the world of Diablo 4.
As you venture into the world of Diablo 4, we encourage you to experiment with different gear setups and strategies. The game’s flexible and dynamic gear system allows for a high degree of customization, enabling you to tailor your gear to your unique playstyle. Whether you’re a seasoned Diablo player or new to the franchise, don’t be afraid to try new things and explore the possibilities that the gear system offers. Happy adventuring!
