With the release of Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred, the first major expansion for Blizzard’s dark and addictive ARPG, players are diving back into Sanctuary to Diablo IV Items uncover new horrors, explore the lush jungles of Nahantu, and master powerful new systems like mercenaries and the Vessel mechanic. But with all these additions and a new leveling curve, knowing how to make the most of your Day 1 experience is key to avoiding slowdowns and mistakes. This early leveling guide covers everything you need to know to hit the ground running in Vessel of Hatred.
1. Choose the Right Starting Point
Players starting Vessel of Hatred content can either continue from an existing character or start fresh. If you're jumping into a new seasonal character, you’ll automatically begin the seasonal journey tied to the expansion. You’ll be placed in Nahantu, a brand-new jungle-themed region, complete with its own story arc and progression systems.
Tip: If you're a returning player with high-level gear and access to powerful skills, starting from your existing character will let you access endgame content quicker. If you're chasing the fresh grind and seasonal rewards, go with a new seasonal hero.
2. Complete the Campaign Quests First
In Vessel of Hatred, the early levels are best handled by progressing through the main campaign quests in Nahantu. These missions are not only well-paced for XP gains but also unlock key features such as:
The Mercenary system
Access to The Vessel, a new artifact mechanic
Regional vendors and crafting systems
Dungeon portals and fast travel points
Don’t rush past the story—important mechanics, talents, and access to NPCs are gated behind campaign milestones.
3. Unlock and Use Your Mercenary Early
One of the expansion’s best features is the Mercenary system, which becomes available after completing the first story act. Mercenaries are customizable companions that can level with you, equip gear, and even provide buffs or healing.
Choose a mercenary that complements your build. Casters might want a tank or healer; melee builds may prefer ranged support.
Upgrade your merc’s gear and skill tree frequently. They can carry you through tough early fights.
4. Prioritize Side Quests That Offer Skill Points
Not all side quests are equal. In Vessel of Hatred, many offer simple gold or gear, but some reward additional skill points, talent resets, or unique mercenary upgrades. These quests usually include:
“Whispers of the Ancients”
“Shadow of the Blade”
“The Burden of Hatred”
Be on the lookout for side quests marked with special icons—these offer meaningful progression benefits.
5. Efficient Leveling Routes and XP Sources
To maximize your XP gains, follow this early path:
Main Story Quests → consistent XP and unlocks.
Side Quests with Rewards → extra skill points and gear.
Clear Local Events → fast-paced mini-objectives for quick XP and loot.
Jungle Dungeons → each dungeon provides solid XP and can drop early legendaries.
Avoid wandering off to clear the map aimlessly on Day 1. Focus your time on XP-rich activities that also push your progression forward.
6. Pay Attention to the Vessel Mechanic
The expansion's namesake mechanic, The Vessel, grants powerful abilities that scale as you level. However, these come with increasing drawbacks, such as stacking debuffs or environmental hazards.
Use The Vessel in bursts, especially during boss fights or mob waves.
Unlock Vessel upgrades through campaign progress and rare items.
Learn to manage the Hatred meter—overuse will make you fragile and exposed.
7. Manage Resources Wisely
In early Vessel of Hatred progression, you’ll encounter new currencies, like:
Jungle Essences for crafting
Mercenary Tokens for respecs and gear
Hatred Shards tied to Vessel enhancements
Don’t burn through these resources too quickly. Instead, focus on saving them for late-Act upgrades and advanced mercenary traits.
8. Don’t Skip the New Mount Paths
Travel in Nahantu can be treacherous, with new jungle terrain and ambush points. Unlocking and upgrading your mount path early saves enormous travel time and can even help you escape ambushes.
9. Group Up for Tougher Content
While most of early Vessel of Hatred can be soloed, group play can help in elite dungeons and world events. Party XP sharing and synergy with mercenaries can drastically reduce your time-to-kill and increase safety.
10. Build Flexibly for Early Survivability
Don’t min-max too early. Use skills that offer area-of-effect damage, mobility, and sustain. Once you’re level 30+, you can respec into a more specialized build for endgame content.
Final Thoughts
Day 1 in Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred is all about momentum, smart decision-making, and unlocking systems that will carry you into the endgame. Follow the cheap Diablo 4 Items campaign, choose mercenaries wisely, and focus on efficient XP routes to power through the early levels. With the right approach, you’ll be dominating Nahantu’s jungles—and the forces of hatred—in no time.