The cow level is a gimmick that has accompanied Diablo since the first part. The secret level actually doesn’t exist, yet it provides good loot. Now, fans of Diablo 4 are diligently searching for a way to find this area in the latest installment.
What is the cow level about?
- Since Diablo 2, there has been a secret level in the Diablo games that can only be unlocked through a convoluted, hidden quest.
- The “cow level” requires special items to open and is an area full of evil cows wielding weapons that beat you up. Finding the entrance requires the collective memory of the players.
- It’s usually worth the effort: in Diablo 2, the cow level is one of the best farm spots for powerful items. Now players are looking for the level in Diablo 4.
Is there a cow level in Diablo 4? Officially not. The Diablo head, Rod Fergusson, stated in an interview: the cow level does not fit Diablo 4, so it doesn’t exist. He doesn’t even know what it should be. Cows with halberds? Sounds absurd.
However, the statement itself means nothing. Since the existence of Diablo, Blizzard has denied its existence – even though the level is clearly and unequivocally in the game. “There is no cow level” is the running gag in the Diablo community.
In Diablo 3, the level was even called: “Place that does not exist.” So far, there has been a cow level or at least hints and rumors about it in every Diablo, with the exception of Diablo Immortal. Accordingly, fans are now eagerly searching for the entrance in Diablo 4.
Another not quite so secret secret can be found in cellars:
“I killed all the cows. Nothing happened. Was it still worth it?”
A large compilation post on Reddit and a dedicated Discord for the cow level (named: “D4 – Not finding a cow level”) collect information and common thoughts from all puzzle fans.
Because apparently, there are indeed some hints about the cow level in Diablo 4. Numerous clues have already been found:
- In Kehjistan, there are ox statues that prompt interaction: “Spill your blood to prove your worth”
- according to game data, all statues there belong to a “puzzle”
- in the quests of Diablo 4, one of the barbarian clans has to prove itself “worthy,” another clan is already called the ox clan, there could be a connection here
Moreover, players have already found items that could be related to the puzzle: a “Bloody Wooden Shard” and a “Musty Tome“. The shard is named W, a reference to Wirt’s leg. The book apparently refers to the tome of portals. Both were items from Diablo 2 that were necessary to open the cow level.
However, the “serious” research does not go much further. A few players suspect that the map design already holds a hint about the level (via YouTube). Others find some bells and items that seemingly indicate the ringing of cow bells.
In a thread on Reddit, a player also writes: He slaughtered all the cows in Act 2, after all, he was supposed to spill blood. But it didn’t work. Another even found a way to kill cows that are normally non-attackable.
Finally, there is speculation whether there really is no cow level at the moment and Blizzard is indeed telling the truth. Or if the real cow level is the friends we make along the way. Or if the players are the cows that are to be milked.
Either way, the hunt is currently creating quite a mad collaboration among the players. And shows that they are willing to spill the blood of the innocent for certain achievements:
Diablo 4: Player finds horse that cannot flee and kills it – Blizzard personally congratulates him
