As an avid Diablo series fan, I was extremely excited for the launch of Diablo 4‘s early access. The game takes the proven formula of hack-and-slash action RPGs to new heights across 5 thrilling acts.
Act 3 ramps up both the story and combat intensity in exciting ways. After chasing down clues on the mysterious Elias, you arrive in the dry steppes region only to find things taking a darker turn. Strange rituals, haunted dungeons and an epic confrontation await!
From my experience, Act 3 can be disorienting for some players with its convoluted string of objectives spanning multiple large zones. But once you understand how to approach the 16 quests, it becomes highly rewarding.
So if you‘re feeling stuck on Diablo 4‘s Act 3 journey, this comprehensive walkthrough guide will help you knock out all the goals efficiently. Let‘s dive in!
Overview of Act 3 Quests
Here is the complete list of all main quests in chronological order:
- The Spreading Darkness
- Suffering Disquiet
- Whittling Sanity
- A Moment to Collect
- Brought Low
- The City of Blood and Dust
- Small Blessings
- Whispers from the Past
- Through the Dark Glass
- Descent into Flame
- Loose Threads
- Oasis of Memories
- Flesh from Bone
- Beneath the Mask
- Piercing the Veil
- Exhumed Relics
Total Quests: 16
Notable Enemies: Genbar, Eidolon, Gorm, Brol, Mother‘s Judgement, Elias
Notable Dungeons: Orbei Monastery, Guulrahn Prison, Temples of the Primes
Regions Covered: Dry Steppes, Kehjistan
Average Playtime: 10-15 hours
So as you can see, Act 3 has a lengthy list of goals that will keep you occupied. But compared to Acts 1, 2 and 5, the average playtime is also higher due to the expanded objectives. Let‘s breakdown how to clear each quest smoothly.
Act 3 Quests Walkthrough
1. The Spreading Darkness
This is the first quest you get after entering the dry steppes, setting up the core story.
How to Complete
- Travel to Ked Bardu and locate Lorath
- Interact with him and nearby Daruuk NPC
- Find and speak to Teckrin for Elias information
- Return and update Lorath
Tips
- Grab the Ked Bardu waypoint for quick travel
- Gear up before talking to drunk Lorath
- Teckrin roams a bit, so explore the area
Rewards
- 1850 XP
- 98 Gold
A nice starter quest that gives decent XP and gold to upgrade your character. With the waypoint secured, you can now begin Elias‘ hunt across the dry steppes proper.
2. Suffering Disquiet
Your journey takes you to a haunted monastery filled with enemies next. Brace for some tense battles here!
How to Complete
- Enter Orbei Monastery in Dry Steppes
- Fight through the halls and take the key
- Collect Crusader Skull to open locked door
- Speak with Monk and defeat Vengeful Spirits
- Find Secret Litanies to unlock the next path
- Defeat Eidolon of Orbei boss
Tips
- Long quest, so use waypoint if you die
- Stock health and mana potions
- Kill all enemies to get XP boosts
- Eidolon hits hard, keep moving
Rewards
- 4200 XP
- 221 Gold
Suffering Disquiet is the first major action set piece in Act 3. The rewarding XP allows you to start gaining Paragon levels at a good pace.
3. Whittling Sanity
With a clue found, you now head out with Lorath to pinpoint Elias‘ hideout.
How to Complete
- Meet Lorath at Abahru Canyon
- Reach marked destination fighting demons
- Check nearby house as instructed
- Examine Genbar‘s Journal for clues
- Return and update Lorath
- Defeat enemy Genbar
Tips
- Genbar has ranged attacks, get up close
- Use health potions fighting demons
- Elias may be around, explore carefully
Rewards
- 4100 XP
- 215 Gold
Fun quest that mixes combat with clues on the antagonist. Provides good loot from Genbar too.
4. A Moment to Collect
Catch a breath in this story-progressing quest.
How to Complete
- Locate Lorath near Ked Bardu waypoint
- Attend and watch the autopsy scene
Tips
- Upgrade gear if needed
- Optionally clear side dungeons
Rewards
- 1000 XP
- 53 Gold
With the action on hold, you can prepare your hero build here. Act 3 has lots more to come!
5. Brought Low
Another quick conversation piece before kicking things into high gear.
How to Complete
- Find Lorath in Guulrahn Cave
- Interact with him to conclude quest
Tips
- Short quest, good time to level up
- Craft health potions if low
Rewards
- 950 XP
- 50 Gold
A tiny break to stock up! Now steel your nerves for an intense prison escape next.
6. The City of Blood and Dust
Escape a city prison with an ally while battling hordes of enemies.
How to Complete
- Locate Oyuun in Guulrahn Market Square
- Rescue villager from monsters
- Break the barricade blocking prison entrance
- Defeat Akil to grab the key
- Free Oyuun from her cell
- Escape via the secret wall
Tips
- Tough enemies, draw them out slowly
- Akil can stun-lock, keep distance
- Inside rooms have useful chests
Rewards
- 5100 XP
- 268 Gold
This challenging quest provides a nice chunk of experience to power up your hero. And the prison battle serves up lots of quality loot!
7. Small Blessings
Guide your new ally to safety after making your escape.
How to Complete
- Speak with Oyuun outside prison
- Take her to Zolaya‘s location
- Meet Lorath there to finish
Tips
- Easy quest, breathe easy!
- Talk to Oyuun to get her perspective
Rewards
- 1300 XP
- 68 Gold
Cool down after that intense prison map. Stock up and prepare for an even bigger search next!
8. Whispers from the Past
An epic quest with clues leading to the Tyrant‘s palace itself.
How to Complete
- Find Lorath near Offal Pits
- Get through the escape tunnel
- Return above ground and talk to him
- Infiltrate the palace depths
- Defeat Mother‘s Judgement boss
- Check the sealing ward
- Discuss findings with Lorath
Tips
- Tough enemies, utilise crowd control
- Mother‘s Judgement spawns minions
- Bring antidotes for poison attacks
Rewards
- 8800 XP
- 463 Gold
This challenging quest takes you deep into the palace grounds with enticing rewards. And it all builds up to an intense confrontation coming soon!
9. Through the Dark Glass
A lengthy, combat-filled dungeon section awaits you next.
How to Complete
- Enter Temples of the Primes with Lorath
- Get the blessings at 3 shrines
- Go through fiery portal and defeat Gorm
- Speak with Mephisto‘s herald
- Exit the vision and talk to Lorath
Tips
- Big dungeon, use waypoints wisely
- Gorm inflicts bleed, keep moving
- Destroy objects for loot
- Blessings give buffs
Rewards
- 15000 XP
- 789 Gold
This quest lets you explore the large Temples of the Primes dungeon. With challenging enemies and great loot opportunities, it really tests your combat abilities!
10. Descent into Flame
Defeat the Tyrant King dungeon boss to escape.
How to Complete
- Return to Temples of the Primes
- Fight to the ritual site
- Take down boss Brol
- Exit the dungeon
Tips
- Brol attacks fast, save dodges
- His stadium gives combat buffs
- Use health potions if low
Rewards
- 9500 XP
- 500 Gold
An intense climax to the challenging dungeon section. Brol hits brutally hard so come prepared!
11. Loose Threads
With the dungeon cleared, this quest lets you catch your breath.
How to Complete
- Leave the Temples of the Primes
- Talk to the mysterious woman
- Speak with Lorath as well
Tips
- Sell unwanted loot for gold
- Consider respeccing skills
- Upgrade key equipment pieces
Rewards
- 600 XP
- 32 Gold
After tackling that dungeon, take a much needed break! Make use of this downtime.
12. Oasis of Memories
Your hunt expands to the Kehjistan dunes next. Brace for lethal sandstorms!
How to Complete
- Use Tarsarak waypoint to fast travel
- Meet Lorath and Taissa
- Gather intel from locals on guide
- Meet Lorath at Argentek Riverbank
- Raid the drug den and find old man
Tips
- Big zone, get mounts for travel
- Talk to all NPCs thoroughly
- Riverbank has useful chests
Rewards
- 4000 XP
- 210 Gold
Time to cover new ground! Kehjistan brings dangerous sandstorms but also incredible vistas.
13. Flesh from Bone
This quest takes you directly into the eye of a deadly sandstorm.
How to Complete
- Find Lorath at the Forsaken Chapel
- Outside, interact with Meshif
- Follow him through the harsh storm
- Reach the end point
Tips
- Storm deals constant damage
- Stick close to Meshif for guidance
- Use health potions and food
Rewards
- 5600 XP
- 295 Gold
A visually spectacular quest taking you through treacherous conditions. Provides good loot opportunities too!
14. Beneath the Mask
After tackling the sandstorm, some suspicious discoveries await.
How to Complete
- Speak with Meshif
- Locate Exalted Terrace entrance
- Talk to the Anointed Noble
Tips
- Noble gives clues on Elias
- Gear up for confrontation soon
Rewards
- 1500 XP
- 79 Gold
Catch your breath, because Elias himself awaits you just ahead for an epic showdown!
15. Piercing the Veil
Take on the main villain himself in this thrilling multi-stage fight.
How to Complete
- Enter the Exalted Terrace grounds
- Get past the noble guarding Elias‘ room
- Confront and defeat Elias
- Kill him twice more when revived
- Escape to Outer Gardens
Tips
- Tough fight, utilise buffs
- Destroy blood petals when they spawn
- Use knockdowns and stuns
Rewards
- 9800 XP
- 515 Gold
The true emotional climax to Act 3! A fittingly challenging fight that tests all your combat abilities against a lethal foe.
16. Exhumed Relics
Conclude Elias‘ epic saga with one final conversation.
How to Complete
- Find the injured Meshif
- Watch the unfolding cutscene
- Lastly, speak with Lorath
Tips
- Cinematic end to Act 3!
- Reflect on the incredible journey
Rewards
- 3000 XP
- 158 Gold
With Elias‘ arc wrapped up, the quest that began all the way back in Act 1 ends beautifully. You can now proceed to the fiery realm of Act 4!
Act 3 vs Other Acts
Let‘s take a deeper look at how Act 3 compares to acts around it:
Act 2
- Act 2 has around 13 quests
- It focuses more on individual zones rather than an overarching goal
- The mountainous snowy setting provides different combat challenges
- Act 2 bosses are mechanically easier compared to Act 3
Act 4
- Hellish terrain shifts combat and exploration dynamics
- New enemy types and hazards to counter
- Act 4‘s story setup leads well into Act 3
- Requires more resistance balancing for fire damage
So in summary, Act 3 is lengthier than Act 2 with a more complex quest trajectory focused on confronting Elias ultimately. It also serves as a nicely balanced bridge into Act 4‘s demonic realm, bringing your skills to competency.
Many players actually find Act 3 the most enjoyable with its full mix of dungeon diving, environmental puzzles, fun boss design and consistent story building. I know I loved Elias finally getting his overdue karma!
Final Tips for Act 3
Here are some final tips from my playthrough to help tackle Act 3 smoothly:
- Use fast travel extensively – Dry Steppes is huge, waypoints are invaluable
- Try co-op play – Companions make objectives more dynamic
- Explore carefully – Many optional dungeons hide great loot
- Upgrade gear often – Enemies hit brutally hard here
- Respec skills if needed – Flexible builds help greatly
- Read quest notes – Easy to get overwhelmed by goals
- Have fun – It‘s a long act, enjoy the sights and battles!
Conclusion
And there you have it – my ultimate 2000+ word guide to conquering all quests in Diablo 4‘s grisly Act 3! I wanted to provide tons of tips I‘ve accumulated on my playthrough to help new fans navigate its scope smoothly.
It‘s one of my personal favorite acts so far with the perfect blend of combat, exploration and storytelling. Taking down Elias after so long remains an immensely satisfying moment as well!
I hope this exhaustive walkthrough proves useful on your own Diablo journey. Let me know in comments if you have any other questions – happy demon hunting!
