The Kurast Undercity in Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred presents an exhilarating dungeon filled with monsters and a distinct Tribute-based reward system. Although navigating through its challenging levels can be tough, the rewards you receive at the base are not particularly generous. To truly maximize your gains, you’ll need to collect Tributes and enhance your loot using Bargains.
Vessel of Hatred’s Kurast Undercity isn’t new to the Diablo series—players may remember it from Diablo 2—but it has undergone significant enhancements since its return. With floors teeming with foes and a powerful boss awaiting you, it closely resembles the best Nightmare Dungeons in Diablo 4. Nevertheless, the reward system here stands out, relying heavily on Tribute consumables, which can significantly impact the farming potential in the dungeon.
To unlock the Kurast Undercity in the Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred expansion, you must complete the campaign and reach Level 15. This new dungeon will become available during the “Deeds of a Champion” storyline, which spans the game’s endgame content. According to TheGamer, this quest requires defeating the Terror of Five Hills dungeon boss. Once you complete this task, you’ll gain access to both the Kurast Undercity and its rewards.
The Kurast Undercity consists of three distinct levels. The first two levels are timed, whereas the boss fight on the final level is not. As you navigate, it’s important to note enemy locations to optimize your limited time. Completing optional events and defeating enemies will grant you extra time and Attunement. Elite monsters provide the most significant time extension, but all victories are beneficial. Use your map to track icons to plan your route effectively.
Every completed activity in the Undercity boosts your Attunement level, which in turn yields bonus loot from the boss’s chest. To achieve Rank IV, you must clear the majority of the activities within the dungeon.
As you progress, activating Beacons will be crucial for maintaining momentum. Once lit in the Undercity, they summon waves of enemies, granting you more time and a significant cooldown reduction. This lets you advance more swiftly through the first two levels.
Upon reaching the third level, you’ll encounter the boss arena. Remember that these battles are not timed, which somewhat relieves the pressure, but also indicates the difficulty you’re likely to face. Avoid area-of-effect (AoE) attacks and health replenishment when necessary. After defeating the boss, you can access the boss’s loot chest, but keep in mind that Tributes and Bargains play a crucial role in determining your rewards.
The Spirit Brazier located outside the Undercity is where you’ll make your Tributes and Bargains. While these are optional, they significantly enhance the rewards for clearing all three levels of the dungeon. Rob2628 illustrates how you can specifically target items that you wish to collect from the boss’s chest, making the Kurast Undercity a prime location for farming during the Diablo 4 endgame. The focus on Tributes is vital for maximizing your earnings, while Bargains influence the quality of drops. Below is a clear differentiation of these systems.
According to GameRant, Tributes act as keys to the dungeon, though you don’t actually need them to enter the Undercity. Their main purpose is to influence the type of loot you’ll receive from the boss’s chest. Naturally, common Tributes deliver less valuable rewards, while rarer Tributes promise much better loot. Along with allowing you to craft Mythic Uniques in Season 5, this serves as a game-changer for anyone on the hunt for rare gear in Diablo 4.
The catch is that Tributes often come with specific requirements, and you’ll need to complete the Undercity and finish relevant quests to acquire them. The final quest will provide you with some initial Tributes, but you can earn more through dungeons, public events, and further Undercity runs. Some known types include:
| Tribute of Growth | Grants additional Experience points. |
|---|---|
| Tribute of Harmony | Ensures Rune drops. |
| Tribute of Radiance | Ensures drops of Legendary Ancestral items. |
| Tribute of Ascendance | Boosts the chance of Mythic Uniques. |
Bargains modify the loot linked to your Tribute and require currency, crafting resources, or a mix of both. You can apply additional Bargains as you progress through different difficulty levels. Keep in mind that you can only have one Bargain active per run.
Using Bargains is an excellent strategy for securing items with Skill Ranks or Mythic Uniques. However, like Tributes, there is a downside to crafting Bargains. The more you use them, the higher the costs become, so it’s vital to focus on other aspects of the Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred expansion, such as unlocking new DLC mercenaries.
Source: Charles Burgar/TheGamer, Marc Santos/GameRant
Video Credit: Rob2628/YouTube
