In our level guide for season 22 in Diablo 3, we show you how to quickly reach the max level 70. This is a form of speed leveling. MeinMMO shows you the steps with and without Challenge Rift.
What does this guide show you? Here, we show you how to quickly level your new seasonal character to the max level 70 in season 22 of Diablo 3.
With our guide, we are primarily addressing experienced Diablo 3 players who have already participated in one or more seasons. Complete beginners who are just starting with this hack-and-slash should take their time leveling and not rush.
Before starting season 22, you should decide on a class. If you need help, you can consult the Wheel of Fate for class selection in D3.
Leveling quickly in season 22 of Diablo 3
The basic leveling mechanics have not changed in season 22. Here and there, the shadow clones will help you and push you through sections of different levels. But the general strategy remains the same. Everything you need to know about the start of season 22 in Diablo 3.
In the last seasons, we had good experiences with the leveling method that includes the challenge portal. Combined with Kanai’s Cube, you will receive strong bonuses early on.
We will introduce you to the method with and without the challenge portal here. If you have already completed your portal this week or just don’t feel like it, then skip the first part and read after the section about the challenge rift.
Starting with Challenge Portal
This is how it starts: After the start of season 22 in Diablo 3, create a seasonal hero. Enter the game with this character and then exit back to the main menu immediately.
Now open the game settings and select the challenge portal on the left. It is very important that you have selected your seasonal hero before entering the portal.
Note: This only works if you have already completed a Greater Nephalem Portal in Diablo 3. If you haven’t done that with your account yet, skip this step.
What does it bring? The great reward for the challenge rift helps you get a good start to the new season. You will receive the following for successfully completing the portal:
- Bounty materials (15 each)
- 35 Breath of Death
- 475 blood shards
- Crafting materials
- and additionally 4.6 million gold
This is how it goes after the portal: The first part of the preparation is complete. Now it’s about implementing this advantage in the game.
- Now go back to the game menu and select adventure mode on the difficulty “Master”
- Once in the game, open the reward pouch you received for successfully completing the challenge portal – will be displayed in the interface
- Now grab the weapon of the Templar or another companion – it is always stronger than the starter weapon of your class
- Optional: Complete a boss bounty now. Especially suitable are Maghda, Zoltun Kull, Belial or the Skeleton King. If one of these bosses has a bounty, you should complete it. Strong items are waiting for you
- Then head to Act 3 to unlock Kanai’s Cube. This is an important step to effectively utilize the challenge portal.
Obtain Legendary Item
After unlocking Kanai’s Cube, visit the town and go to your blacksmith. Fully upgrade him; you already have the materials for that. Now, depending on your class, craft a yellow armor or yellow weapon for level 70 at the blacksmith. In the table below, you can see what is worthwhile for which class.
Thanks to your preparations with the challenge portal, you can now craft legendary items for your class. The yellow item from the blacksmith can be upgraded to a legendary item using a recipe in Kanai’s Cube. You can then extract the legendary power and assign it passively to one of the slots.
This has a huge impact on your strength even at early levels.
| Class | Blood Shards | Cube Upgrade |
| Barbarian | Bracers (lvl 1) | Powerful 1H Weapon – 6/8 Powerful 2H Weapon – 3/6 |
| Crusader | Shield / Bracers (lvl 1) | 2H Mace – 6/8 1H Mace – 4/7 |
| Demon Hunter | Bracers (lvl 1) | Dagger – 2/2 |
| Monk | Shoes / Bracers (lvl 1) | Fist Weapon – 8/12 Dao – 4/8 |
| Necromancer | Gloves (lvl 1) – Rings = risky | 2H Scythe – 4/4 |
| Witch Doctor | Mojo (lvl 1), Voodoo Mask (lvl 34) | Ceremonial Knife – 8/12 |
| Wizard | Source (lvl 33) – Rings (lvl 28) = risky | 1H Wand – 6/10 |
Depending on your chosen class, there are specific items at level 1 that you can trade with Kadala in town. You have received blood shards from the reward pouch. The level at which certain items drop for you can be found on D3planner.com.
Leveling to 70 – Let’s get started
With a passive legendary power, you are now better equipped for leveling.
Level 1 – 24
You decide: Depending on your preferred playstyle, you can either level up with massacre bonuses in the Halls of Agony from levels 1-3 or clear Nephalem portals and complete them.
Solo players should advance quickly with massacre bonuses. Group players can do this until level 30, but should then switch to regular Nephalem portals, as progressing as a group is usually faster.
With these methods, you will level up to level 24.
- Every 8-10 levels, visit your blacksmith and try to craft a stronger weapon
- Regularly visit the merchants in town. They might sell you rings or amulets that offer a “+ damage” affix. These are great for leveling
- If you loot a head item with a socket, it’s best to insert a red gem there, which will grant you more experience points. If you have weapons with sockets, red gems are also suitable here. They provide more damage during the leveling phase.
During your gameplay phase, you should continually adjust the difficulty. Trash mobs should be easily taken down with 1-3 hits. If everything is almost a one-hit for you, then increase the difficulty. If you need significantly longer, set the game to an easier difficulty.
Level 24 – 40
From now on, you will level best with Nephalem portals.
- Complete these as quickly as possible
- Tip for groups: Assign a player who, after the death of the rift boss, will close the portal directly. In the remaining 30 seconds until closure, they will return to the group and everyone will keep killing mobs in the portal together.
Level 40 – 70
After reaching level 40, teleport to the town and visit the mystic. Fully train her now.
- Now craft a yellow 2H weapon for level 70 at the blacksmith
Make as many of these as necessary until one has a %-affix (% chance to freeze, stun, etc.) - Did you get such a weapon?
No? Then keep going, farm materials, and try again.
Yes? Then go to the mystic and roll the other secondary bonus (not the one with the %). You want to obtain a level reduction that comes as close to 30 levels as possible - Once you can equip these weapons, put them on and increase the difficulty significantly. Ideally, you should be using a level 70 weapon at level 40. Then set it to Torment 6 and gradually decrease if it’s still too difficult.
- With the high damage output of the level 70 weapon, you should progress well now.
Leveling to 70: From now on, you can level well through Nephalem portals. Whether with or without a level 70 weapon is the right path now. With a level 70 weapon, ideally, at a high torment level – without a level 70 weapon, then at a difficulty where you can still quickly complete the portal.
Grind the portals until level 70.
What comes next after 70?
Which build you play now and how you approach the season journey depends entirely on you. As a reward for the season journey, you will receive starter sets in season 22, which play an important role in the Greater Nephalem portals.
In our tier list for season 21 in Diablo 3, we show you the best builds for each class.
Are you leveling in Diablo 3 with or without the challenge portal? What strategy have you found that works best for you?
Let us know in the comments on MeinMMO about your experiences and how you approach leveling in the current season 22.
