Ultimate Guide to the Dark Citadel Raid in Diablo 4

Dark Citadel Overview - Diablo 4

Welcome to our guide on the Dark Citadel, Adventurer!

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Dark Citadel, the first raid in Diablo 4, introduced as the pinnacle content in the Vessel of Hatred expansion.

Introduction

Let’s start with the essential information about this exciting new addition to Diablo 4’s content lineup and how it compares to existing systems. We’ll walk you through when and where the content becomes available, how to access it, and how to navigate the wings of the Citadel on any difficulty.

By the end of this guide, we’ll cover all the mechanics and provide you with ways to maximize your rewards from this raid, along with useful tips, tricks, and recommended builds to help you along the way. Ready to dive in?

Table of Contents

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect in our Diablo IV Dark Citadel Guide:

• Dark Citadel Particularities
• How to Access & Requirements
• Difficulty and Comparison with Other Activities
• Dark Citadel Raid Mechanics
• Dark Citadel and Weekly Rewards
• Best Builds for the Raid
• Tips & Tricks

What is the Dark Citadel in Diablo 4?

An enormous structure located deep within the heart of Nahantu, the Dark Citadel is a monument to the First Khazra. This ultimate cooperative raid is a completely new type of endgame dungeon, requiring players to team up and tackle the three individual wings, solving challenges and battling incredible enemies until they face the final boss.

The new mechanics introduced will require at least two players to cooperate, as simply slaying enemies as fast as possible won’t be enough to complete each wing of the Dark Citadel.

Why should you compete in the Dark Citadel Raid?

As the pinnacle of endgame content, the Dark Citadel will challenge your build, focus, and patience like never before. On the other hand, it offers incredible rewards that far surpass anything else in the game.

Moreover, the cooperative aspect of the Dark Citadel will strengthen bonds between you and your friends, or even help you make new connections, just like the good old times.

Who can access the Dark Citadel?

There are no major restrictions on who can access the Dark Citadel, aside from the requirement that you can’t enter solo. To join, you must be at the maximum level (currently 60) and own the Vessel of Hatred expansion. While level is the primary factor determining the power needed for this activity, having a great build and a high level of Paragon will be essential, though not mandatory to compete in any of the wings at the highest world tier (Torment 4).

Is the Dark Citadel available on seasonal and eternal realms?

As long as you own the Vessel of Hatred expansion, the Dark Citadel will be available in both the Seasonal and Eternal realms. This content is a core part of the game and a great addition to the endgame, so it will not be restricted to the seasonal realm.

How do you unlock and access the Dark Citadel raid?

Once you reach the endgame, which is level 60, you will be presented with an introductory quest to begin your journey into the Dark Citadel. This quest only needs to be completed once per account, and it will unlock the content for all current and future characters.

Dark Citadel entrance requirements

The Dark Citadel requires two main things to enter: reaching level 60 and completing the introductory quest. There is no information about any special key items or additional requirements to join the raid dungeon.

Where can you find the Dark Citadel?

The Dark Citadel Raid is located in the newly added zone called Nahantu, introduced in the Vessel of Hatred expansion. However, you can’t access it until you complete the prerequisites for entry.

Once unlocked, the Dark Citadel will also be available directly through the map and the newly added group finder feature.

Is the Dark Citadel only available for co-op?

Yes, the Dark Citadel is exclusively available for player groups, ranging from two to four players. It is not possible to compete solo. The recommended number of players is four, as the raid presents challenging enemies and puzzles, and requires players to take separate paths to complete each wing.

There have been speculations about the potential for a single-player version of the raid, possibly using an active mercenary as a second player. However, this is unlikely to happen, as controlling the mercenary for puzzle-solving is not feasible.

Party Finder

Along with the new dungeon raid and many other additions, the long-awaited party finder feature has been introduced to the game. This will prove invaluable for activities where having a group benefits all players, such as farming Tormented Boss rotations, or for content like the Dark Citadel, which requires a group of at least two players.

The party finder can be accessed in several ways, including quick access via the map, the in-game menu, or through the emote wheel. It can be used for a variety of activities in Sanctuary, such as completing Nightmare Dungeons, participating in select wings of the Dark Citadel, finding players for Tormented Boss rotations, and even farming Legendary Aspects for your Codex of Power.

Mercenaries in the Dark Citadel Raid

In addition to the forces brought by group members, mercenaries can help in two main ways:

• For the group leader: Mercenaries can actively aid in battle and provide reinforcement to the players' stats and skills.
• For other group members: Mercenaries will only be able to support players in a reinforcement role, offering assistance under specific circumstances known as opportunities.

Towards the endgame side of the raid, in Torment 4 difficulty, maximizing the mercenary's support will be crucial, along with a perfected build that includes best-in-slot items and min-maxed Paragon boards.

Dark Citadel Difficulty

While challenging by itself, the Dark Citadel will also scale with world tier difficulty, starting from Torment 1. The difficulty of the raid will vary depending on the wing chosen, with each wing becoming more difficult than the previous one. As the difficulty increases, the rewards will scale as well, allowing players to earn more Citadel Coins.

Comparison Between Dark Citadel and Other Activities

In general, when compared to other content that requires a key-type item, such as a Nightmare Sigil, Infernal Compass, or Artificer's Stone, the Dark Citadel does not require any special item for entry.

While the difficulty of other dungeon-type content is usually determined by or directly related to the world tier, such as the tiers in The Pit, the difficulty of the Dark Citadel is influenced by the wings of the raid itself, while also scaling with the world tier.

When compared to other content in the game, the Dark Citadel raid is the first activity that cannot be completed quickly by brute forcing through. Each wing is filled with powerful packs of enemies, elites, and bosses, as well as puzzles and challenging mechanics that must be completed as a group. These include boss projectiles that must be reflected and environmental interactions that require teamwork.

Dark Citadel Wings

The Dark Citadel raid is divided into three distinct areas, each accessible through the Ancient Nexus, and referred to as wings:

• Enclave of Strife
• Labyrinth of Souls
• Dominion of Zagraal

Each of these wings can be completed individually. Once a wing is completed, progress is saved for each player in the group, meaning the wings can be completed at different times without any restrictions. Each wing also features different bosses, puzzles, and rewards.

Dark Citadel Raid Bosses

Based on the limited information available so far, four of the First Khazra bosses were previewed, as follows:

• Shredder
• Pulverizer
• Breathtaker
• Trampler

Raid Bosses at the End of Each Wing

We’ve also uncovered the names of the Raid Bosses that can be found at the end of each wing of the Dark Citadel, as follows:

• Gorschak, the First Ascendant
• Faeroch, the Incinerator
• Vorshok
• Hurstt

These bosses appear to be the initial and final versions of the Dark Citadel’s endgame bosses. Although we don’t have more details at the moment, be sure to check back for updates, as we are continuously adding new information to our guides.

Dark Citadel Boss Mechanics

As mentioned earlier, the old strategy of accumulating as much power as possible to kill bosses quickly won’t suffice in Dark Citadel. Cooperation with your group will be essential for completing each segment of the wings. Each boss has unique mechanics, requiring players to take separate paths, fight different foes, and interact with the environment to solve complex puzzles and challenges.

One mechanic we’ve seen so far is projectile reflection. One party member will need to collect an item that allows them to reflect a projectile thrown by the boss back at it. This temporarily staggers the boss, opening up an opportunity for a full-on attack.

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Dark Citadel Rewards

In addition to regular loot from killing large packs of enemies and elites, completing each wing will reward players with exclusive items and currencies.

One of the standout rewards in this raid is the Scroll of Restoration (also known as the Retempering Scroll), which gives players one final chance to upgrade an item to its best possible form, turning a bricked item into a bis (best-in-slot) item. Note that this scroll can only be used once per item, and if the tempering rerolls finish again, the item will become fully bricked.

Additionally, while participating in the Dark Citadel, players can earn a Weekly Cache, which contains exclusive items like cosmetics and materials. Don’t forget to claim it every week!

Citadel Coins

A new type of currency, Citadel Coins are exclusive to the Dark Citadel and are the central focus of the raid’s loot. They can be spent to purchase new, exclusive items from the Citadel Vendor.

How to Obtain Citadel Coins?

Citadel Coins can be obtained from nearly any enemy inside the raid, much like other materials and currencies in the game. These coins are non-tradeable and are stored in the Stats and Materials tab.

What Can You Spend Citadel Coins On?

This sought-after currency can be used for a variety of rewards at the Citadel Vendor, including:

• Crafting Cache, Gem Cache, and Gear Cache
• Cosmetic Items
• Various Scrolls
• Exclusive Elixirs & Incenses

Most of the items at the Citadel Vendor can only be obtained within the Dark Citadel, making this new endgame content a must-play for obtaining exclusive rewards.

Exclusive Scrolls & Elixirs

You can obtain exclusive scrolls, elixirs, and incense that will greatly help you during the raid by purchasing them from the Dark Citadel Vendor. Below is a list of their names and effects:

Consumable	Effect
Elixir of Aggression	• Increases Damage Reduction by 10%.
• After killing 20 enemies, your next Core Skill Taunts Nearby enemies.
• Experience gained is increased by 8%.
Elixir of Swift Revival	• Increases Healing by 10% and Revive speed by 25%.
• After Reviving a player, gain +10% Move Speed for 5 seconds.
• Experience gained is increased by 8%.
Elixir of Tailwind	• Increases Move Speed by +5%.
• You leave behind a trail that grants players +5% Move Speed for 5 seconds.
• Experience gained is increased by 8%.
Elixir of Sacrifice	• Every 10 seconds, your next Core Skill heals you and Nearby allies for 5% of their max Health.
• Restore an additional 5% max Health for each Nearby ally, up to 20%.
• Experience gained is increased by 8%.
Incense of Khazra Power	• Increases All Stats by +30 for all nearby players.
• After killing an enemy, gain +2 to All Stats for 5 seconds.
• Increases Experience by 5%.
Incense of Rushing Wind	• Increases Move Speed by +3% for all nearby players.
• For each Nearby player with this buff, gain +5% Move Speed, up to +15%.
• Increases Experience by 5%.
Incense of Fortitude	• Increases Damage by +5% for all Nearby players.
• For each Nearby dead player, gain +5% Damage, up to +15%.
• Increases Experience by 5%.
Incense of Capacity	• Increases Potion Capacity by +3 and Healing by +5% for all Nearby players.
• Increases Experience by 5%.
Scroll of Grave Oil	• Use to prevent Durability loss on your next two deaths.
Scroll of Contained Goblins	• Use while in a dungeon to summon a Treasure Goblin from another realm.
Scroll of Forging	• Use to summon an Anvil that can be used by four players to repair their gear.
Scroll of Abundance	• Use to restore 30% Health and drop Health Potions for Nearby teammates.
Scroll of Generosity	• Use to revive up to 3 Nearby players.
Scroll of Restoration	• Use to restore 4 Tempering Charges on an item.

Weekly Rewards

In addition to the regular loot obtained by defeating large packs of mobs and elites, completing each wing of the Dark Citadel raid rewards players with exclusive items and currencies.

Cosmetics

Two types of cosmetics can be obtained from the Dark Citadel:

• Vendor Cosmetics – As the name suggests, these cosmetic items can be purchased from the Citadel Vendor using Citadel Coins.
• Weekly Cache Cosmetics – These cosmetics are only available in the weekly cache and may never return to the reward pool.

Be sure to grab all cosmetics before they disappear, potentially never to return.

Best Builds for the Dark Citadel Raid

Before diving into the best builds for the Dark Citadel raid, it’s important to note that the ideal build for this activity must be incredibly powerful, especially when facing the First Khazra boss at the end of each wing, and highly effective against the massive waves of enemies.

To succeed in the Dark Citadel raid on the highest difficulty (Torment 4), your build should focus on:

• High single-target damage for the final bosses in each wing.
• Massive AoE damage to handle the swarms of enemies coming at you from all directions.
• Survivability, with maxed-out resistances and a high amount of health. Consider using Tyrael's Might, other unique items, or incense to boost your resistances, reducing incoming damage.

Here are the best builds for the Dark Citadel raid:

• Lightning Spear Sorcerer – The top build for Season 5, this build returns in Season 6 and will easily melt any enemies.
• Spin2Win Barbarian – Known as the Whirlwind Twister Barbarian, this build excels in AoE damage while still dealing excellent single-target damage. Ideal for clearing the masses of enemies inside the Dark Citadel.
• Dance of Knives Rogue – A powerful build with several variations, perfect for quickly and efficiently eliminating enemies while revealing the map for allies at lightning speed.
• Lightning Storm Landslide Druid – A strong choice with various configurations. The AoE damage has incredible range and does massive damage to staggered bosses.
• Blood Wave Necromancer – The best Necromancer build for any activity, capable of dealing insane burst damage that can obliterate even the toughest bosses.
• Most Spiritborn Builds – As the Spiritborn class is currently very overpowered, most Spiritborn builds will breeze through the Dark Citadel raid with ease.

Tips & Tricks

As always, we’ve prepared a series of helpful tips and tricks to make sure you're fully prepared for the challenges ahead!

• Always be prepared for what's next. The enemies inside can ambush you at any moment, or a trap could be waiting to take you down.
• Stock up on elixirs, incenses, and scrolls. It's always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. You never know when you'll need that Scroll of Generosity you thought you'd never use.
• Use an S-tier or A-tier endgame build. Besides just choosing the right build, make sure to masterwork and perfect your item stats before tackling one of the toughest challenges in the game.
• Have a strong team or teammate. Team synergy is crucial, especially since you’ll need to split up at times, solve complex puzzles, and deal with bosses while understanding their mechanics.

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F.A.Q.

1. What is the Dark Citadel in Diablo 4?
   The Dark Citadel is the first raid introduced in Diablo 4’s endgame, offering a fresh and difficult challenge for players.

2. What do you need to access the Dark Citadel in D4?
   To participate in the Dark Citadel raid, you’ll need to meet the basic prerequisites: level 60, the appropriate world tier, and completion of the introductory quest.

3. What rewards can you obtain from the Dark Citadel in Diablo IV?
   The Dark Citadel offers incredible rewards that have never been seen before in an endgame activity, including exclusive weekly cosmetics, vendor cosmetics, and much more!

4. How difficult is the Dark Citadel raid?
   The Dark Citadel is considered the pinnacle of Diablo 4’s endgame activities, offering some of the toughest content in the game.

5. Is the Dark Citadel only for groups, or can it be played solo?
   The Dark Citadel is a group activity, requiring a party of two to four players. Solo players cannot participate in this raid.

6. What is the best build for the Dark Citadel raid?
   The best build for the Dark Citadel raid is one that can deal tremendous AoE damage while being able to focus on single-target damage for the bosses. You’ll also need high survivability, with plenty of health and maxed-out resistances to stay alive during the raid.