Unlike other action RPGs, Diablo IV features level scaling, which means that no matter how high your level is, enemies will always match it, or even have a level higher or lower than yours. This encourages party play and allows anyone to play with their friends, whether they are newcomers or veterans.
Whether you support level scaling or not, here is everything you need to know about this system.
What is level scaling in Diablo 4?
This system matches the enemy’s level to yours no matter how high or low it is. The scaling is on a 1:1 ratio which means if you are level 50, then the enemy will also be level 50. The damage potential you put out will heavily depend on your gear, stats, and build rather than your level.
There are a few exceptions to level scaling and they are there to create some kind of linear progression to the game.
Level Scaling conditions
Some regions, dungeons, and events require you to meet a certain minimum level, and others will just scale to your level. The majority of the content will be scaled to a 1:1 ratio, with the exception of a few things.
- Capstone Dungeons: The three capstone dungeons are locked at levels 50, 70, and 100.
- Strongholds: Enemies will always be 2 levels higher than you.
- Helltides: Enemies will always be 3 levels higher than you.
- Nightmare Dungeons: Enemies in Nightmare Dungeons will always match the tier of Nightmare Dungeons + 54 levels. So if you are running a tier 10 Nightmare dungeon, the enemies will be level 64.
When it comes to Worlds Tier 3 and 4, Monsters will trail 5 levels behind yours to a certain point. This is with the exception of World Bosses, Legion Events, Fields of Hatred, Helltide, and Nightmare Dungeons.
- In World Tier 3: Enemies will start at level 55, and scale 5 levels behind yours after you cross level 60. They will always be 5 levels behind you until they reach the maximum of level 70.
- In World Tier 4: Enemies will start at level 75, and scale 5 levels behind yours after you cross level 81. They will always be 5 levels behind you until they reach the maximum of level 95.
Level scaling and the multiplayer experience
Multiplayer is a crucial thing in Diablo 4, especially if you are trying to run world events like Legions, and defeating world bosses like Ashava. Thanks to level scaling, this is possible because the enemies will scale to the player’s level.
Let’s take a look at the image above. I am level 40, but the other player is level 11. This does not mean that they are fighting level 40 skeletons, but in fact, the skeletons that they see are matched to their level, and the ones that I see are matched to mine.
The rewards will also match the level of enemies each player is fighting. I might have a chance for a legendary gear piece, but the other player does not as his level is low for that rarity.
So, if you are level 100 trying to help your level 10 friend, don’t try going into dungeons with them with the expectation that you will one-shot everything. The enemies will scale to both your levels and you have to take your time to run it as you usually would.
Level scaling and your gear
To be stronger than the enemies, even though their levels are scaled to yours, you will need to focus on the following things:
- Getting legendary gear and upgrading it at the blacksmith as much as you can.
- Collecting all Altars of Lilith so you can get as many offensive stats as possible.
- Earning Renown to get all those additional Paragon Points, and ultimately building your Paragon board.
- Make sure to imprint your gear with Legendary Aspects
- Having the best Affixes on your gear.
- Slotting your gear with Gems that match your build.
That’s a wrap on everything you need to know about level scaling in Diablo 4.
