Cruel: Difference between revisions

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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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** '''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 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.
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** An additional {{il|Sacrificial Heart}} can drop from [[Vaal Goliath]]s either here or in Utzaal.
** An additional {{il|Sacrificial Heart}} can drop from [[Vaal Goliath]]s either here or in Utzaal.
* [[The Black Chambers]]
* [[The Black Chambers]]
** Defeating [[Doryani]] 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]].
** 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 19:53, 11 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:

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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