Welcome, adventurers! Diablo 4 Season 5 is just around the corner, starting on August 6 at 10 a.m. PT. To help you prepare, here's a list of time conversions for major cities:

• Los Angeles (PT): 10:00 a.m.
• New York (ET): 1:00 p.m.
• London (BST): 6:00 p.m.
• Berlin (CEST): 7:00 p.m.

We're excited to bring you a fresh leveling guide that promises to be your quickest route from level 1 to 100. Blizzard has made significant changes to the leveling process, making it easier and faster than ever before. Here, we'll share the latest tips and tricks to help you maximize your leveling efficiency.

Key Changes for Season 5

Increased Monster XP

Blizzard has increased the base monster XP value by 30%. Previously, the XP cap was limited to +10 levels above your character, but now it's up to +30. This change primarily benefits players in Torment, where fighting higher-level monsters yields much higher XP, significantly speeding up the leveling process.

Hellbreaches

Blizzard has introduced a new type of dungeons, reminiscent of miniature Infernal Hordes, aimed at players in World Tier I and World Tier II. These dungeons are designed to help you get ready for endgame content by providing excellent loot and substantial XP. However, Helltides still seem to offer the fastest leveling experience initially.

Nightmare Dungeon Events

Nightmare Dungeon events such as cursed chests, shrines, and wells remain the highest sources of XP in the game. These events are especially rewarding if your build excels in AoE damage, allowing you to clear waves quickly and efficiently. The only way to earn glyph XP is through Nightmare Dungeons, making them essential for leveling.

Helltides and Mind Cages

Helltides have been buffed in two significant ways:

• Whispers are now concentrated in one zone
• Profane Mindcage
  have returned, stacking up to +3.

This makes Helltides more efficient for XP farming. While Nightmare dungeons at +30 are likely faster, Helltides offer a comparable and enjoyable alternative.

Infernal Hordes

Blizzard has adjusted Infernal Hordes by reducing the boss XP but increasing the number of monsters. Despite these changes, they still don’t match the XP yield of Nightmare Dungeons, making the latter a more efficient choice for leveling.

Incentives for Reaching Level 100

Blizzard is providing better loot for players who reach level 100, making it crucial to prioritize leveling quickly. Once you hit 100, the loot quality improves, enhancing your overall gameplay experience.

Seasonal Journey and Class Gear Sets

A new seasonal journey feature reminiscent of Diablo 3 has been added, offering themed gear sets for each class. These sets include unique bonuses and abilities tailored to different playstyles, such as weapon swapping for Barbarian or

Chain Lightning

Sorcerer

Leveling Strategy

Early Game (Levels 1-15)

• Start with the Seasonal Quest: Begin your journey with the seasonal quest line in World Tier 1 or 2.
• Helltides and Whispers: Focus on Helltides early on, taking advantage of the concentrated Whispers for efficient XP gains.
• Unlock Class Mechanics: At level 15, unlock your class-specific mechanic (e.g., Technique slot, Spirit Boons).

Mid Game (Levels 15-60)

• Nightmare Dungeons: Transition to Nightmare Dungeons as soon as they're available, as they offer the highest XP through events.
• Capstone Dungeon at Level 35: Aim to clear the first Capstone dungeon around level 35 when you can equip sacred items.
• Tempering Gear: Enhance your gear with tempering at the Blacksmith for significant damage boosts, especially crucial before major transitions.

Late Game (Levels 60-100)

• Second Capstone Dungeon: Attempt the second Capstone dungeon at level 60 to access World Tier IV and ancestral gear.
• Consistent Nightmare Dungeons: Continue focusing on Nightmare Dungeons, leveraging events for optimal XP.
• Monitor Your Build: Pay attention to the strength of your build and adjust your strategy accordingly. If you’re clearing content easily, push for higher-level dungeons to maximize XP gains.

Additional Tips

• Tempering: Always temper your gear before transitioning to higher tiers or attempting difficult dungeons. This can significantly increase your damage output.
• Play for Fun: While efficiency is key, don't forget to enjoy the game. Choose activities that you find fun, even if they are slightly less efficient.