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==Overview==
==Overview==
After defeating the [[act boss]] of Act 3 and being at least Level 25, the player will advance to [[Act 1]] at Cruel difficulty. The permanent -10% all resistance penalty will apply after the completion of each Cruel act as well.
After defeating the [[act boss]] of Act 3 and being at least Level 25, the player can advance to [[Act 1]] at Cruel difficulty by entering the time portal in the [[Ziggurat Encampment]] in the past. The permanent -10% all resistance penalty will apply after the completion of each Cruel act as well.


Cruel difficulty contains the same [[area]]s, [[monster]]s, and [[quest]]s (with some minor differences). The difference between the default difficulty is primarily the increased [[area level]], consequentially increasing the local [[monster level]] and [[item level]] within these areas.
Cruel difficulty contains the same [[area]]s, [[monster]]s, and [[quest]]s (with some minor differences). The difference between the default difficulty is primarily the increased [[area level]], consequentially increasing the local [[monster level]] and [[item level]] within these areas.
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The following is not an exhaustive list:
The following is not an exhaustive list:


====Act 1====
* [[The Riverbank]]
* [[The Riverbank]]
** No longer has tutorials or guaranteed item chests.
** No longer has tutorials or guaranteed item chests.
** Additional monsters: [[River Hag]], [[Drowned Crawler]]
** Additional monsters: [[River Hag]], [[Drowned Crawler]]
* [[Clearfell Encampment]]
* [[Clearfell Encampment]]
** The [[Salvage Bench]] is available by default if previously unlocked.
** The [[Salvage Bench]] and [[Reforging Bench]] are available in Clearfell Encampment and all other Cruel difficulty towns by default if previously unlocked.
* [[Clearfell]]
* [[Clearfell]]
** '''Frostblood Ritual''': Beira drops an additional {{il|Head of the Winter Wolf}}.
** [[Beira of the Rotten Pack]] drops an additional {{il|Head of the Winter Wolf}}.
** '''Mysterious Campsite''': Abandoned Stash contains a random {{c|rare|rare}} weapon.
** '''Mysterious Campsite''': Abandoned Stash contains a random {{c|rare|rare}} weapon.
* [[Mud Burrow]]
* [[Mud Burrow]]
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** Additional monsters: [[Bloom Serpent]], [[Risen Arbalest]], [[Knight-Gaunt]]
** Additional monsters: [[Bloom Serpent]], [[Risen Arbalest]], [[Knight-Gaunt]]
* [[The Grim Tangle]]
* [[The Grim Tangle]]
** '''Den of the Druid''': Drops a Level 2 {{il|Uncut Support Gem}}.
** [[The Rotten Druid]] drops a Level 2 {{il|Uncut Support Gem}}.
* [[Cemetery of the Eternals]]
* [[Cemetery of the Eternals]]
** '''Memorial of the Lost''': Drops a Level 2 {{il|Uncut Support Gem}}.
** [[Lachlann of Endless Lament]] drops a Level 2 {{il|Uncut Support Gem}}.
** '''Ancient Ruin''': The Sarcophagus drops a {{c|magic|magic}} ring instead.
** '''Ancient Ruin''': The Sarcophagus drops a {{c|magic|magic}} ring instead.
* [[Tomb of the Consort]]
* [[Tomb of the Consort]]
** '''Haunted Treasure''': The rare Eternal Knight drops a Level 2 {{il|Uncut Support Gem}}.
** '''Haunted Treasure''': The rare Eternal Knight drops a Level 2 {{il|Uncut Support Gem}}.
* [[Hunting Grounds]]
* [[Hunting Grounds]]
**  '''The Hunt Stone''': The Crowbell drops another {{il|Book of Specialisation}}.
**  [[The Crowbell]] drops another [[Book of Specialisation]].
**  '''Dryadic Ritual''': The rare Cultivated Grove drops a rare weapon.
**  '''Dryadic Ritual''': The rare [[Cultivated Grove]] drops a rare weapon.
**  '''Ritual Altar''': Drops a Level 12 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}} on completing the Ritual.
**  '''Ritual Altar''': Drops a Level 12 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}} on completing the Ritual.
* [[Ogham Farmlands]]
* [[Ogham Farmlands]]
** '''Crop Circle''': Vargir drops a Level 12 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}}.
** [[Vargir the Feral Mutt]] drops a Level 12 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}}.
** Additional monsters: [[Iron Thaumaturgist]], [[Werewolf Prowler]]
** Additional monsters: [[Iron Thaumaturgist]], [[Werewolf Prowler]]
* [[Ogham Village]]
* [[Ogham Village]]
** The Executioner drops a Level 2 {{il|Uncut Support Gem}}.
** [[The Executioner]] drops a Level 2 {{il|Uncut Support Gem}}.
* [[The Manor Ramparts]]
* [[The Manor Ramparts]]
** The hanged man drops a Level 2 {{il|Uncut Support Gem}}.
** The hanged man drops a Level 2 {{il|Uncut Support Gem}}.
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* [[Ogham Manor]]
* [[Ogham Manor]]
** [[Candlemass, the Living Rite]] drops {{il|page=Candlemass' Essence (Cruel)}}, which grants a different permanent stat bonus.
** [[Candlemass, the Living Rite]] drops {{il|page=Candlemass' Essence (Cruel)}}, which grants a different permanent stat bonus.
====Act 2====
* [[Mawdun Quarry]]
* [[Mawdun Quarry]]
** Additional monsters: [[Faridun Crawler]], [[Plague Harvester]]
** Additional monsters: [[Faridun Crawler]], [[Plague Harvester]]
* [[Mawdun Mine]]
* [[Mawdun Mine]]
** Additional monsters: [[Forgotten Crawler]]
** Additional monsters: [[Forgotten Crawler]]
** In cruel difficulty the area boss does not have any guaranteed drop. This is also reflected in the world map ({{key press|U}}), which lack of an icon for the boss, unlike the normal difficulty. The boss is still required to kill in order to progress the storyline.
** [[Rudja, the Dread Engineer]] does not have a guaranteed drop in Cruel difficulty. This is also reflected in the world map ({{key press|U}}), which lacks an icon for the boss, unlike the normal difficulty. The boss must still be killed in order to progress the storyline.
* [[Traitor's Passage]]
* [[Traitor's Passage]]
** '''Balbala, the Traitor''' drops an Area Level 52 {{il|Djinn Barya}} (instead of [[Balbala's Barya|the quest version]]) and a Level 12 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}}. This drop is only a guaranteed drop for the first boss kill only. Afterwards the world map ({{key press|U}}) will crossed the boss.
** [[Balbala, the Traitor]] drops an Area Level 52 {{il|Djinn Barya}} (instead of [[Balbala's Barya|the quest version]]) and a Level 12 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}}. This drop is only a guaranteed drop for the first boss kill only. Afterwards the world map ({{key press|U}}) will crossed the boss.
* [[Keth]]
* [[Keth]]
** '''Abandoned Shrine''': The chest drops a {{c|magic|magic}} [[amulet]].
** '''Abandoned Shrine''': The chest drops a {{c|magic|magic}} [[amulet]].
* [[The Lost City]]
* [[The Lost City]]
** '''The Galleria''': The Ninth Treasure of Keth drops another {{c|magic|magic}} regular [[jewel]].
** [[The Ninth Treasure of Keth]] drops another {{c|magic|magic}} regular [[jewel]].
** '''Golden Tomb''': Drops a Level 13 {{il|Uncut Spirit Gem}}.
** '''Golden Tomb''': Drops a Level 13 {{il|Uncut Spirit Gem}}.
* [[Buried Shrines]]
* [[Buried Shrines]]
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** '''Hushed Urn''': Drops a Level 13 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}}.
** '''Hushed Urn''': Drops a Level 13 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}}.
* [[The Spires of Deshar]]
* [[The Spires of Deshar]]
** '''Sisters of Garukhan''': Once again grants a permanent {{c|mod|+10% to Lightning Resistance}}.
** '''Sisters of Garukhan''': Grants an additional permanent {{c|mod|+10% to Lightning Resistance}}.
** '''Tor Gul, the Defiler''': Drops a Level 14 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}}.
** [[Tor Gul, the Defiler]]: Drops a Level 14 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}}.
 
====Act 3====
* [[Sandswept Marsh]]
* [[Sandswept Marsh]]
** '''Azak Campfire''': Contains a chest that drops a {{il|Lesser Jeweller's Orb}}.
** '''Azak Campfire''': Contains a chest that drops a {{il|Lesser Jeweller's Orb}}.
** '''Hanging Tree''': A nearby corpse contains a {{c|magic|magic}} ring.
** '''Hanging Tree''': A nearby corpse contains a {{c|magic|magic}} ring.
* [[Ziggurat Encampment]]
** Completing {{ql|The Slithering Dead}} grants one of {{il|Venom Draught of the Lost}}, {{il|Venom Draught of the Sky}}, or {{il|Venom Draught of the Marshes}}.
* [[Chimeral Wetlands]]
* [[Chimeral Wetlands]]
** [[Xyclucian, the Chimera]] does not drop [[Chimeral Inscribed Ultimatum|the quest version Inscribed Ultimatum]].
** [[Xyclucian, the Chimera]] does not drop [[Chimeral Inscribed Ultimatum|the quest version Inscribed Ultimatum]].
* [[Jiquani's Machinarium]]
** [[Blackjaw, the Remnant]] drops an additional {{il|The Flame Core}}.
* [[The Azak Bog]]
* [[The Azak Bog]]
** [[Ignagduk, the Bog Witch]] drops {{il|Gemcrust Skull}} instead of {{il|Gemrot Skull}}.
** [[Ignagduk, the Bog Witch]] drops {{il|Gemcrust Skull}} instead of {{il|Gemrot Skull}}.
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** [[Ketzuli, High Priest of the Sun]] drops a Level 14 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}}.
** [[Ketzuli, High Priest of the Sun]] drops a Level 14 {{il|page=Uncut Skill Gem}}.
* [[Utzaal]]
* [[Utzaal]]
==Cruel difficulty==
** [[Viper Napuatzi]] drops a Level 3 {{il|page=Uncut Support Gem}}.
** '''Legion Blockade''': Drops a Level 3 {{il|page=Uncut Support Gem}}.
** '''Trialmaster's Challenge''': Take the Ultimatum Key from the statue of the Trialmaster for an area level 62 {{il|Inscribed Ultimatum}}.
** '''Trialmaster's Challenge''': Take the Ultimatum Key from the statue of the Trialmaster for an area level 62 {{il|Inscribed Ultimatum}}.
** '''Peculiar Fortunes''':  
** '''Peculiar Fortunes''':  
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*** {{il|Grand Idol}} vendors for 1750 Gold.
*** {{il|Grand Idol}} vendors for 1750 Gold.
*** {{il|Glorious Idol}} vendors for 2625 Gold.
*** {{il|Glorious Idol}} vendors for 2625 Gold.
** An additional {{il|Sacrificial Heart}} can drop from [[Vaal Goliath]]s either here or in Aggorat.
* [[Aggorat]]
** An additional {{il|Sacrificial Heart}} can drop from [[Vaal Goliath]]s either here or in Utzaal.
* [[The Black Chambers]]
** Speaking to [[Doryani]] in past Ziggurat Encampment after defeating him will cause the Vaal Cataclysm to occur, leading to the player being taken to [[The Ziggurat Refuge]] and the [[epilogue]] instead of returning to [[The Riverbank]].


==Version history==
==Version history==

Latest revision as of 13:46, 25 September 2025

This article describes historical game content.

Cruel difficulty was the moniker for the level-upscaled versions of Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3 temporarily introduced during Early Access as a replacement for Acts 4 to Act 6, before a player can reach Endgame.

Cruel difficulty was removed in Version 0.3.0 and replaced with Act 4 and three Interludes.

Overview

After defeating the act boss of Act 3 and being at least Level 25, the player can advance to Act 1 at Cruel difficulty by entering the time portal in the Ziggurat Encampment in the past. The permanent -10% all resistance penalty will apply after the completion of each Cruel act as well.

Cruel difficulty contains the same areas, monsters, and quests (with some minor differences). The difference between the default difficulty is primarily the increased area level, consequentially increasing the local monster level and item level within these areas.

Higher level versions of some existing equipment base types will also begin to appear in these areas, usually designated by "Advanced" in the item name. These are placeholder base types as equipment is themed towards each act they begin appearing in.

Cruel acts will not repeat tutorials found in the earlier acts.

Content differences from regular acts

  • Some areas may have new monster types.
  • Quest rewards provide higher level or different rewards.
  • Chests and strongboxes innately have 50% more item rarity and quantity.
  • The ending of Act 3 is different.

Changes by area

The following is not an exhaustive list:

Act 1

Act 2

  • Mawdun Quarry
  • Mawdun Mine
    • Additional monsters: Forgotten Crawler
    • Rudja, the Dread Engineer does not have a guaranteed drop in Cruel difficulty. This is also reflected in the world map (U), which lacks an icon for the boss, unlike the normal difficulty. The boss must still be killed in order to progress the storyline.
  • Traitor's Passage
    • Balbala, the Traitor drops an Area Level 52 Djinn BaryaDjinn BaryaArea Level: #
      Number of Trials: #      "Take me to the Trial of the Sekhemas.
      I will serve."      Take this item to the Relic Altar at the Trial of the Sekhemas.       (instead of the quest version) and a Level 12 Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem.. This drop is only a guaranteed drop for the first boss kill only. Afterwards the world map (U) will crossed the boss.
  • Keth
    • Abandoned Shrine: The chest drops a magic amulet.
  • The Lost City
    • The Ninth Treasure of Keth drops another magic regular jewel.
    • Golden Tomb: Drops a Level 13 Uncut Spirit GemUncut Spirit GemCreates a Persistent Buff Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to Level #Right Click to engrave a Persistent Buff Skill Gem..
  • Buried Shrines
    • Suspicious Sarcophagus: The tomb contains a Level 13 Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem..
    • Elemental Offering: The three Offerings again grant a choice between a magic Ruby RingRuby RingRequires Level 8+(20-30)% to Fire Resistance, Sapphire RingSapphire RingRequires Level 12+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance, or Topaz RingTopaz RingRequires Level 16+(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance.
  • Mastodon Badlands
    • Fossilised Memorial: The Bone Effigy drops a Level 13 Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem..
  • Valley of the Titans
    • The Medallion in Cruel difficulty instead grants 30% increased Charm Charges gained or 15% increased Life Recovery from Flasks. This can be changed at any time by returning to the Medallion.
  • Path of Mourning
    • Hushed Urn: Drops a Level 13 Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem..
  • The Spires of Deshar
    • Sisters of Garukhan: Grants an additional permanent +10% to Lightning Resistance.
    • Tor Gul, the Defiler: Drops a Level 14 Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem..

Act 3

  • Sandswept Marsh
    • Azak Campfire: Contains a chest that drops a Lesser Jeweller's OrbLesser Jeweller's OrbStack Size: 20Sets a Skill Gem to have 3 Support Gem SocketsRight click this item then left click a Skill Gem to apply it. Can only apply to Skill Gems with fewer than 3 Support Gem Sockets..
    • Hanging Tree: A nearby corpse contains a magic ring.
  • Ziggurat Encampment
    • Completing The Slithering Dead grants one of Venom Draught of the LostVenom Draught of the LostGrants +10% to Chaos ResistanceThe smell is bad enough to make a veteran warrior faint.Right-click to drink the Venom Draught., Venom Draught of the SkyVenom Draught of the SkyGrants +5 to all AttributesThe smell is bad enough to make a veteran warrior faint.Right-click to drink the Venom Draught., or Venom Draught of the MarshesVenom Draught of the MarshesGrants 15% reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on YouThe smell is bad enough to make a veteran warrior faint.Right-click to drink the Venom Draught..
  • Chimeral Wetlands
  • Jiquani's Machinarium
    • Blackjaw, the Remnant drops an additional The Flame CoreThe Flame CoreGrants +10% to Fire ResistanceIt burns with the heat of rage and murderous intent,
      a single soul imprisoned eternally for his crimes.      Right-click to shatter The Flame Core to release the captured souls.      .
  • The Azak Bog
    • Ignagduk, the Bog Witch drops Gemcrust SkullGemcrust SkullGrants +40 to Maximum SpiritThe mind springs forth eternal.Right-click to break the skull and release the energies within. instead of Gemrot SkullGemrot SkullGrants +30 to Maximum SpiritThe skull of a stolen child, carefully cultivated by the Bog Witch...Right-click to break the skull and release the energies within..
  • Apex of Filth
    • Bubbling Respite: Drops quality Ultimate Life FlaskUltimate Life FlaskRecovers 920 Life over 3.00 Seconds
      Consumes 10 of 75 Charges on use      Requires Level 60Right click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refill at Wells or by killing monsters.       and Ultimate Mana FlaskUltimate Mana FlaskRecovers 310 Mana over 3.00 Seconds
      Consumes 10 of 75 Charges on use      Requires Level 60Right click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refill at Wells or by killing monsters.      .
  • Temple of Kopec
  • Utzaal
    • Viper Napuatzi drops a Level 3 Uncut Support GemUncut Support GemCreates a Support GemRight Click to engrave a Support Gem..
    • Trialmaster's Challenge: Take the Ultimatum Key from the statue of the Trialmaster for an area level 62 Inscribed UltimatumInscribed UltimatumArea Level: #
      Number of Trials: #      Mortals spend their lives wondering which
      fate shall be theirs. Chaos takes amusement
      in knowing the answer: all of them.      Take this item to The Temple of Chaos to participate in a Trial of Chaos.      .
    • Peculiar Fortunes:
      • Golden IdolGolden IdolGolden Treasure lies forgotten...Can be exchanged with Oswald in Ziggurat Encampment vendors for 875 Gold.
      • Grand IdolGrand Idol...in the depths of an ancient ruin...Can be exchanged with Oswald in Ziggurat Encampment vendors for 1750 Gold.
      • Glorious IdolGlorious Idol...rewarding any bold enough to seek it.Can be exchanged with Oswald in Ziggurat Encampment vendors for 2625 Gold.
    • An additional Sacrificial HeartSacrificial HeartA soul still clings to fading shreds of life.Sacrifice this Heart at the proper ritual site to gain two Weapon Set Passive Skill Points. can drop from Vaal Goliaths either here or in Aggorat.
  • Aggorat
  • The Black Chambers

Version history

Version Changes
0.3.0
  • The Third Edict also marks the removal of Cruel Difficulty. We've introduced three new temporary interludes, a set of side stories that will take you to level 65, where the Endgame begins.
0.2.0
  • Characters are now required to be at least level 25 to enter Cruel difficulty areas and level 50 to enter Endgame areas.
0.1.0
  • Introduced to the game.
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