Cruel

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 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.

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:

• The Riverbank
  • No longer has tutorials or guaranteed item chests.
  • Additional monsters: River Hag, Drowned Crawler
• Clearfell Encampment
  • The Salvage Bench and Reforging Bench are available in Clearfell Encampment and all other Cruel difficulty towns by default if previously unlocked.
• Clearfell
  • Beira of the Rotten Pack drops an additional Head of the Winter WolfHead of the Winter WolfGrants +10% to Cold ResistanceIt howled alone on the eve of
    the first snow. Now, it snarls
    forever, heralding the cold.Right-click to crush it, undoing the Crone's curse..
  • Mysterious Campsite: Abandoned Stash contains a random rare weapon.
• Mud Burrow
  • The Devourer drops a Level 11 Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem..
  • Additional monsters: Plague Nymph, Rotted Rat
• The Grelwood
  • The Brambleghast drops a Level 11 Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem..
  • Areagne's Hut: Cauldron chest contains a normal Gargantuan Life FlaskGargantuan Life FlaskRecovers 710 Life over 5.00 Seconds
    Consumes 10 of 75 Charges on useRequires Level 40Right click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refill at Wells or by killing monsters. and Gargantuan Mana FlaskGargantuan Mana FlaskRecovers 185 Mana over 2.00 Seconds
    Consumes 10 of 75 Charges on useRequires Level 40Right click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refill at Wells or by killing monsters..
  • Additional monsters: Skeleton Spriggan, Cultivated Grove, Fungal Proliferator, Fungal Rattler, Fungal Artillery
• The Red Vale
  • The Ancient Ezomytes summoned by the Obelisk of Rust are all magic.
  • Additional monsters: Bloom Serpent, Risen Arbalest, Knight-Gaunt
• The Grim Tangle
  • The Rotten Druid drops a Level 2 Uncut Support GemUncut Support GemCreates a Support GemRight Click to engrave a Support Gem..
• Cemetery of the Eternals
  • Lachlann of Endless Lament drops a Level 2 Uncut Support GemUncut Support GemCreates a Support GemRight Click to engrave a Support Gem..
  • Ancient Ruin: The Sarcophagus drops a magic ring instead.
• Tomb of the Consort
  • Haunted Treasure: The rare Eternal Knight drops a Level 2 Uncut Support GemUncut Support GemCreates a Support GemRight Click to engrave a Support Gem..
• Hunting Grounds
  • The Crowbell drops another Book of SpecialisationBook of SpecialisationGrants two Weapon Set Passive Skill PointsA Book of Specialisation. Right-click to gain two Weapon Set Passive Skill Points..
  • Dryadic Ritual: The rare Cultivated Grove drops a rare weapon.
  • Ritual Altar: Drops 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. on completing the Ritual.
• Ogham Farmlands
  • Vargir the Feral Mutt drops 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..
  • Additional monsters: Iron Thaumaturgist, Werewolf Prowler
• Ogham Village
  • The Executioner drops a Level 2 Uncut Support GemUncut Support GemCreates a Support GemRight Click to engrave a Support Gem..
• The Manor Ramparts
  • The hanged man drops a Level 2 Uncut Support GemUncut Support GemCreates a Support GemRight Click to engrave a Support Gem..
  • Additional monsters: Death Knight
• Ogham Manor
  • Candlemass, the Living Rite drops Candlemass' EssenceCandlemass' EssenceGrants 5% increased maximum LifeA sense of gratefulness and peace radiates with warmth.Right-click to receive the blessing of the Candlemass., which grants a different permanent stat bonus.
• Mawdun Quarry
  • Additional monsters: Faridun Crawler, Plague Harvester
• 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..
• 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
  • Xyclucian, the Chimera does not drop the quest version Inscribed Ultimatum.
• 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 useRequires 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 useRequires Level 60Right click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refill at Wells or by killing monsters..
• Temple of Kopec
  • Ketzuli, High Priest of the Sun 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..
• 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
  • 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 Utzaal.
• 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.

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.