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Sometimes basic game mechanics seen in almost every game get different flavoring when it is nothing that new. In the case of Diablo 4, the difficulty options are referred to as World Tier, which you can change at any time. RPGs often have a difficulty setting that results in not only harder or easier enemies and effects to damage but impacts the loot drops, too. The World Tiers change a lot more than the enemies that you will slay, so there are a few things you will need to take note of. We will explain everything there is to know to simplify the detailed mechanic in the MMO-like ARPG.
How to Change Your World Tier in Diablo 4
Blizzard makes it easy as you can change your World Tier at any point in Diablo 4. You have two options, one being more convenient than the other. First, you can hop into the character selection screen before logging in to swap Tiers (seen above). The second is if you are in-game. While at a city that has one, the earliest one to reach is Kyovashad, or go to a completed stronghold, where you can find the Statue of Inarius, aka World Tier Statue. Interact with the statue to change Tiers.
Explaining the World Tier System in Diablo 4
When you first boot up, you will be given two options for World Tier 1: Adventurer and World Tier 2: Veteran. The first World Tier is welcoming to new players, and the second is for experienced Diablo players. After completing the campaign, you unlock quite a few things, like Unique items. These will be found in the significantly more challenging World Tier 3: Nightmare and World Tier 4: Torment.
Each World Tier in Diablo 4 beyond the first comes with some modifications. Veteran gives a 20% XP boost, 15% more gold from slain monsters, and increased enemy difficulty. For the endgame, you finish the campaign and Cathedral of Light Capstone dungeon. From there, Nightmare will grant you Sacred and Unique items, a 100% XP boost, non-physical resistances reduced by 20%, increased enemy difficulty, Champion monsters spawn, and Nightmare siguls. Tier 4 unlocks after completing the Fallen Temple Capstone dungeon. The highest tier unlocks more of those special Unique items, Ancestral item drops, the hardest enemies imaginable, and a 200% XP boost. Those final two World Tiers are meant for players at a higher level, so it is partially why you need to do things to unlock.
Diablo 4 is available on PS4 and 5, Xbox One, Series X|S, and PC.