Welcome to the Diablo 4 Early Access Beta Guide and Details! This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about the highly anticipated Early Access Beta for Diablo 4, including how to sign up, what to expect, and how to get the most out of your experience.
As one of the most anticipated games of the year, Diablo 4 promises to deliver a thrilling and immersive experience for fans of the series and newcomers alike. The Early Access Beta will give players an early look at the game, allowing them to explore the dark and dangerous world of Sanctuary, battle fierce demons and other creatures, and test out the game’s new features and gameplay mechanics.
Updated on 24 March, 2023
You can also access our Diablo 4 wiki page where the most up-to-date diablo 4 guides are available here.
Diablo 4 Early Access Beta Guide & Details
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Diablo 4 Early Access Beta, from how to sign up for the beta program to what to expect when you get your hands on the game. We’ll also provide you with tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your beta experience, so you can be fully prepared for the full release of the game.
So whether you’re a die-hard fan of the series or a newcomer to the world of Diablo, the Diablo 4 Early Access Beta Guide & Details is your one-stop-shop for all the information you need to know about this exciting new game. Let’s dive in and explore the world of Sanctuary together!
Diablo 4 Early Access Open Beta Global Release Times
Open Beta and Early Access Weekends Duration
- Early Access to the Open Beta begins March 17 at 9 a.m. PDT and concludes March 20 at 12 p.m. PDT.
- The Open Beta begins March 24 at 9 a.m. PDT and concludes March 27 at 12 p.m. PDT.
As the Open Beta and Early Access weekends get closer, the ability to Early Download the game will become available. We’ll update this section with that information in the future.
Assume Your Role
During the Early Access weekend, players will have access to three classes. Assume the role of the battle-bred Barbarian, nimble Rogue, or elementally tuned Sorcerer. Once the Open Beta weekend comes around, the earthen Druid and undead-wielding Necromancer classes can also be played in addition to the original three.
A maximum of 10 characters can be made per Battle.net account. After reaching Level 25 with one character, we recommend you try repelling demonic hordes with additional classes to find your favorite. While progress will transfer from Early Access to Open Beta weekends, all characters made during these weekends will be deleted once the Beta ends.
Decimate Demons with Co-Op
On all consoles that support Diablo IV, via couch co-op, players can enlist a second demon slayer to combat the ranks of Hell screen-by-screen with. To play using couch co-op during the Early Access weekend, only one player will be required to have official access to this experience—the second player will need to have their Battle.net and console-specific accounts linked.
The strength of the Burning Hells knows no bounds. But you can even the odds by rallying a party of demon-destroyers via online 4-player co-op. To play this way during the Early Access weekend, all players, excluding those playing via couch co-op, will be required to have official access to this experience.
Note that vanquishing demons while near any player will grant you 5% bonus experience and 10% if you are near a member of your party.
Discover Fractured Peaks
Fractured Peaks is home to craggy steppes and snow-laden pathways, creating an unforgiving landscape rife with demons to slay and secrets to discover. This is where your wanderer’s legend is forged. After completing the prologue, the Fractured Planes will be yours to explore as you wish. There’s much to experience even in this small slice of Sanctuary, so we wanted to call out a few activities of interest.
Nestled among the mountains is the city of Kyovashad, a safe zone where you can repair and purchase new gear, upgrade your health potion, access the Stash, and much more. Think of the city as your base of operations between excursions into the frigid expanse of the zone.
The Main Questline of Diablo IV is rich and consists of multiple Acts. Look for Main Questline markers on your map to begin your pursuit of Lilith. Additionally, there are numerous Side Quests to embark upon throughout Fractured Peaks during your travels. If you find yourself slaying demons near the town of Nevesk, check out the Woodsman of Nevesk Side Quest and one of the nearby Altars of Lilith. Created by Lilith’s first children, these Altars are spread throughout Sanctuary. Finding them provides a permanent boost to the Core Stats of all characters on the Eternal Realm.
While trudging through the snow, you may come across World and Legion Events. World Events are small experiences that arise at random within the zone and may require you to do things such as escorting a lost soul to its loved one or satiate the hunger of bloodthirsty obelisks. World Events can usually be completed within a couple of minutes and are completely optional, but they always provide a reward for your heroics. There are many World Events for you to discover during the Open Beta, try completing them with other players, too.
In contrast, Legion Events are longer experiences meant to challenge you. Ensure you are prepared to overcome hordes of demons before entering them, and if you’re able, take them on with the aid of other players. These events will usually be marked on your map but are sometimes revealed after conquering a Stronghold. With risk comes reward—complete a Legion Event and you’ll be rewarded handsomely for prevailing. These events are optional and can be completed more than once.
Dungeons are a cornerstone of the Diablo universe. Diablo IV, and this Open Beta has no shortage of them to explore. Dungeons and their recommended Level to complete are displayed on your map. These are tight, tense instances where determination and skill will guide you to victory over whatever hell you discover within. Dungeons are a great place to put your skills to the test while also racking up useful gear for even more threatening encounters, such as world bosses.
Combat Massive World Bosses
Daring wanderers seeking a sizeable challenge should look no further—Ashava, a whirlwind of pestilence, has recently emerged in Fractured Peaks. Journal entries recounting sightings of this gargantuan plague bearer make note of her two massive forearm blades and ability to coat the ground in a viscous poison. Her blades, which can cleanly cut through stone and flesh alike, are to be feared. Records appear to mention a way to weaken Ashava, but unfortunately that portion of the page has corroded away.
It is thought that one wanderer alone cannot bring this beast to its knees. Come prepared for an intense fight and recruit your friends and other players to pursue the ultimate glory of conquering one of the Burning Hells’ most heinous creations to date. Should you find a path to victory, a sizeable loot drop awaits.
Here’s when you’ll have an opportunity to combat Ashava during the Open Beta and Early Access weekends:
- March 18 at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 10 p.m. and midnight PDT
- March 25 at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 10 p.m. and midnight PDT
Inarius Premium Statue
“I am Sanctuary, and Sanctuary is I! You seek to fight the very world itself when you seek to stand against me.”
-Inarius
Invite the defender of Sanctuary into your home—get the defiant Diablo IV Inarius 26 in Premium Statue. This renegade angel will be available now from the Blizzard Gear Store.
Early Access Beta Dates and Times
- Early Access to the Open Beta begins March 17 at 9 a.m. PST and concludes March 20 at 12 p.m. PST.
- Early Download begins Wednesday, March 15 at 9 a.m. PDT
- The Open Beta begins March 24 at 9 a.m. PST and concludes March 27 at 12 p.m. PST.
- Early Download begins Wednesday, March 22 at 9 a.m. PDT
What classes can I play in Diablo 4 Beta?
First weekend is only Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer.
Second weekend includes all 5 classes (adding Druid and Necromancer).
What can I do in Diablo 4 Beta?
- Go through and complete the Prologue and the entirety of Act 1 (Fractured Peaks).
- Play up to Level 25.
- Fight the Ashava World Boss in groups of 12 during four set times on both Saturdays.
- Saturday, March 18 at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 10 p.m. and midnight PDT
- Saturday, March 25 at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 10 p.m. and midnight PDT
- Clear out Strongholds throughout the Fractured Peaks.
- Progress transfers from the pre-purchase Beta weekend to the Open Beta weekend. Progress does NOT transfer to the released version of the game.
How can I play Diablo 4 Early Access Beta?
- Pre-purchase the game to play both weekends, or wait for the second one.
- Can pre-download the game one week prior to be ready to play.
- Couch Co-Op is available for console.
- Can make up to 10 characters per Battle.net account.
Diablo 4 Early Access Beta Rewards
There are three rewards for playing the Beta and they all transfer to the live game on launch.
- Initial Casualty (Title) – Earned by reaching Kyovashad with one character.
- Early Voyager (Title) – Earned by reaching Level 20 on one character.
- Beta Wolf Pack Cosmetic Item – Earned by reaching Level 20 on one character.
Diablo 4 Early Access Beta Code Redemption
Do you have a Beta Early Access code for Diablo IV? It’s time to redeem it! If you pre-purchased the game digitally, Early Access to the Open Beta will be automatically available on the platform you pre-purchased for—no further action is required of you. But for those with an Early Access code, instructions are listed below. More information on how to download the Beta will be available as the Beta draws near.
Redemption Instructions
- Go to diablo.com/beta and log in or create your Battle.net account.
- Enter your code and select your gaming platform and region (if applicable) from the drop-down menu.
- Be sure to check your selections before clicking the Redeem button.
- A success page will confirm that your code was valid and claimed to the account.
- For PC players, your account will be flagged for access right away.
- For console players, a platform-specific code to download the Beta will be emailed to the address associated with your Battle.net account closer to the start of Early Access.
Diablo 4 Armor Details Explained
Armor is the most basic way we defend ourselves from taking damage in Diablo 4. During the course of the blog, we learned some new details on how Armor works.
- Armor has a cap of up to 85% damage reduction for Physical damage.
- Armor grants a minor Elemental (Cold, Fire, Lightning, Poison, and Shadow) damage reduction, capped at only 30%. Making up the difference on other key items.
- There is Diminishing Returns (DR) that requires you to gather more Armor as you level up to maintain your current damage reduction %.
The team showed us graphs to get a general idea of what to expect in the game.
Trading in Diablo 4
Trading is a hotly debated topic. The developers are going back and forth deciding what is good for the players, but for the overall health of the game, too. Several remarks were stated on the matter during the livestream:
Trading in Diablo 4 is less restrictive than Diablo 3, but it’s by no means wide open trading. We know that there are lots of players that enjoy the game for the trading experience, and that those players would like as few restrictions on trading as possible. So, we want to support that to the extent that we can, but we also want to protect the core game loop of killing monsters and getting loot.
So there are restrictions on trading to further encourage the situation where the best way to get the best loot is to kill monsters. That’s the overriding directive. When you think about all the stuff we plan to do with seasons and the game being a live service, we certainly see opportunities for different trading rulesets in the future.
For now, trade will be simple. The future may bring different rulesets, expanding what is possible.
Diablo 4 PC System Requirements
We have finally learned the minimum and recommend PC specifications. It was also noted that Ray tracing will be supported after release and wide screens and ultrawide screens are supported up to a resolution of 3:1.
Minimum Requirements for PC
Settings to run the Diablo IV Open Beta at 1080p native resolution / 720p render resolution, low graphics settings, 30 fps.
- Operating System: 64-bit Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD FX-8100
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon R9 280
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: SSD with 45 GB available space
- Internet: Broadband Connection
Diablo IV will attempt to run on hardware below minimum specifications, including HDDs, dual-core CPUs, and Integrated GPUs. However, the game experience may be significantly diminished.
Recommended Specifications for PC
- Operating System: 64-bit Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4670K or AMD R3-1300X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 370
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: SSD with 45 GB available space
- Internet: Broadband Connection
