Diablo 4 Dark Citadel - Enclave of Strife walkthrough
The Enclave of Strife in Diablo 4 is the first wing of The Dark Citadel. It's a raid-like endgame dungeon introduced in Vessel of Hatred. The Dark Citadel has multiple stages, each unlocked by clearing out the previous stage. Once you complete the Enclave of Strife, you get access to Halls of Judgment.
In this guide, we have shared everything to know to clear the first stage, the Enclave of Strife in Diablo 4 Dark Citadel.
How to start Enclave of Strife in Diablo 4 Dark Citadel
To begin, head to the westernmost (left) area of the Ancient Nexus and enter the door leading to the Enclave of Strife. Your objectives in this dungeon are simple: pass through the corridors, charge mechanisms, defeat enemies, and unlock sealed doors to unlock the next portion of the Dark Citadel. You’ll notice a bonus meter under the quest tracker, which tracks how many Treasury Wardens are defeated.
Core mechanics of the dungeon
The Enclave of Strife revolves around several mechanics:
- Ward Stones and Sealing Wards: Defeat Ward Guardians (elite enemies) to get Ward Stones. Insert these into Sealing Wards to dispel barriers and unlock doors.
- Soul Siphons: Activate Soul Siphons, stand within their radius, and defend against mobs while the siphon charges.
- Removing Barriers: Step on colored tiles matching the nearby barrier to remove it and progress further.
- Realm Shards and Gateways: Collect Realm Shards dropped by Realm Guardians and deposit them into Gateways to activate portals.
- Soul Dampeners: Use Soul Dampeners to reduce Impending Doom stacks by staying in their radius, allowing you to progress safely.
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How to complete the Enclave of Strife Diablo 4 Dark Citadel
Start by navigating through the corridors until you reach a marked door on the minimap. Proceed into the next area to face the first key mechanic.
Soul Siphon
In this room, activate the two Soul Siphons on either side of the central circle. Stand inside the radius of each siphon to charge it while fending off mobs. Once charged, two Ward Guardians will spawn. Defeat them to collect Ward Stones. Insert the Ward Stones into the Sealing Wards at the top of the room to unlock the door to the next area.
As you move deeper into the Enclave, you will encounter barriers, Soul Siphons, and Gateways. Use colored tiles to remove barriers, activate siphons, and deposit Realm Shards into Gateways to continue advancing through the dungeon.
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How to defeat Gorschak in Enclave of Strife in Diablo 4 Dark Citadel
The final challenge of the Enclave of Strife is Gorschak. This fight requires teamwork and involves multiple phases:
Phase 1
Start by damaging Gorschak until it becomes immune. Eliminate nearby mobs to collect Realm Shards and deposit them into the Gateway to activate it. One player should remain outside to recharge the Gateway while others enter the Spirit Realm.
Spirit Realm Mechanics
Inside the Spirit Realm, defeat two Ward Guardians to collect Ward Stones, and dispel two Sealing Wards. This will summon the Fragmented Soul of Gorschak. Defeat it to obtain the Soul Essence, then return to the normal realm by reactivating the Gateway.
Returning to Reality
Deposit the Soul Essence into the Conduit of Souls to make Gorschak vulnerable again. Repeat this process for every health threshold until Gorschak is defeated.
Rewards for completing Enclave of Strife Diablo 4 Dark Citadel
Completing the Enclave of Strife offers generous rewards:
- Legendary Cache: This contains several legendary items, crafting materials, and Citadel Coins.
- Helm of Khazra Cosmetic: There’s a high chance to obtain this unique cosmetic transmog option for your helm.