Welcome to Diablo 4 Season 9, where leveling is faster than ever before and, more importantly, way more fun. Whether you're a grizzled veteran returning for another grind or a fresh-faced newbie trying not to get mulched in your first dungeon, this guide is your quick and dirty path to power. We'll break down how to go from level 1 to Torment 4 in just a few hours with the right strategy, builds, and mindset.

Why Season 9 Is the Best Yet for Leveling

Season 9 introduces not only the Vessel of Hatred expansion but also streamlined mechanics, XP-boosting systems, and group scaling that make power leveling a breeze. Combined with quality-of-life changes like early access to seasonal powers, efficient nightmare dungeon mechanics, and the Forgotten Wisdom mechanic, there's never been a better time to climb to endgame quickly.

Step 1: Pick the Right Leveling Build

Before you even log into the game, pick a solid leveling build. Trust me, this one decision can save you hours.

Here are some of the best leveling builds per class in Season 9:

Rogue

· Flurry

· Quill Volley

· Dance of Knives (great burst AoE)

Sorcerer

· Blizzard (strong chill and AoE)

· Chain Lightning (good for zapping large groups)

· Hydra (lazy but efficient dot-style build)

· Flame Wall (zoning and burst)

Druid

· Trample Slide (strong mobility and wave-clear)

· Pulverize (classic powerhouse)

Barbarian

· Double Swing (rapid attacks and synergy with bleed)

· Upheaval (if you want to slam your enemies into paste)

Necromancer

· Minions (easy-mode for new players)

· Blood Surge (excellent sustain and burst combo)

Each of these builds is viable for leveling quickly and efficiently. You won't go wrong with any of them. If in doubt, check out ELD.gg for detailed Diablo IV items service, skill paths, gear, and season-appropriate tips.

Step 2: Start Strong with the Right Campaign Option

Once you've chosen your build, create a new seasonal character. When prompted about how you want to begin, choose the Vessel of Hatred campaign if you're playing solo—it's the most XP-efficient route for solo players. This campaign offers smooth XP progression and tightly packed quest objectives.

Step 3: Complete Your Seasonal Setup

Immediately after logging in:

1. Pick up the seasonal questline.

You'll start accumulating seasonal powers, and potentially get an early Nightmare Sigil (random drop—RNG rules here).

2. Wardrobe Setup.

  · Get your pet (cosmetic, but cool).

  · Apply a clean transmog if your starter gear looks like junk.

  · Set your mount armor if you have it.

3. Go to The Den (NPC Hub).

Pick your spirit boons or seasonal enhancements, depending on the build you're running. Some options include:

  · Sububo for easier enemy tracking

  · Crit path if your build thrives on burst

  · DoT path for damage-over-time strategies

4. Do the seasonal quest chain.

  · It's short but necessary.

  · You'll also unlock aspects or core components needed for your build (check if your guide recommends any essential ones early on).

5. Nightmare Sigil Check.

If you didn't get a Nightmare Sigil from the seasonal quest, run Whispers in Helltide zones to farm one. Alternatively, you can craft one using materials at the Enchantress.

Step 4: Prep Your Gear and Tempering

Before diving into dungeons, get your gear in shape.

· Tempering:

  · Melee builds: +Damage to Close Enemies

  · Ranged: +Damage to Distant Enemies

  · Hybrid: Mix both

  · Defense: Stack Max Life and Armor

· Imprinting Aspects:

  · Only imprint important aspects on jewelry while leveling.

  · Weapons can be swapped often, so don't waste resources here.

· Craft Elixirs:

  · Keep one active constantly for that sweet XP bonus.

  · Once you can afford it, use incense too.

· Unlock Your Class Mechanic (by Level 15):

  · This should happen automatically this season.

  · If it's bugged, log into an old character and go back to your new one.

Step 5: Dungeon Grind — The Path to 60

Now the fun begins. Why Nightmare Dungeons?

Nightmare Dungeons are the best leveling method in Season 9 because of:

· XP-rich enemies

· The Forgotten Wisdom mechanic: golden XP globes that drop and boost leveling speed significantly

· Group synergy: 4x the chance of Forgotten Wisdom dropping

In a group → Run Nightmare Dungeons until level 60

Solo → Run until level 50, then switch strategy

How to Run Nightmare Dungeons Efficiently

1. Kill everything – no skipping.

2. Activate shrines and do events – great XP chunks.

3. Finish the full dungeon – you want the bonus completion XP.

4. Salvage and craft new sigils – keep the loop going.

5. Only upgrade gear if it's a significant upgrade.

As you level, prioritize tempering your weapon upgrades and only imprinting on jewelry.

Step 6: Stronghold Time (Post-50 Strategy)

Once you hit level 50, your next best move is clearing Strongholds. Why?

· XP per Stronghold is massive

· Value remains consistent regardless of your level

· Required for unlocking many Nightmare Dungeons

Drop your difficulty to Normal, then:

· Clear all Strongholds you haven't done

· Enjoy the smooth XP ride from 50 to 60

If you're in a group and already hit 60, you can revisit these solo.

Step 7: Hitting 60 — Now What?

Congrats! You've reached Level 60 in just a few hours. Now it's time to graduate to Torment 4 and start the real grind.

What to Do Post-60

1. Switch to a mid-game or endgame build.

2. Find one that suits your playstyle on Eld.gg.

3. Paragon Setup:

  · Allocate Paragon points efficiently based on your build.

  · Prioritize nodes that boost your main damage type and survivability.

4. Gear Upgrade Loop:

  · Start crafting and upgrading your final gear.

  · Apply masterworking, tempering, and aspect imprinting.

5. Push Pits:

  · Run The Pit—a new endgame activity like Diablo 3's Greater Rifts.

  · Ideal clear time is 2–3 minutes per run in a group.

  · Push as high as you can (Pit 10, 20, 30+) until it gets tough.

6. Fallback to Nightmare Dungeons:

  · If The Pit is too slow or difficult, go back to Nightmare Dungeons.

  · Now they drop escalated XP, better materials, and loot.

Step 8: Endgame Grind — Your New Life

At this point, your loop becomes:

· Nightmare Dungeons

· Helltides

· Whispers

· Craft Sigils

· Farm Uber Bosses

· Push Pit tiers

· Repeat

You're now officially in Torment 4 and ready to tackle everything Diablo 4 Season 9 throws at you. Master your build, perfect your gear, and blast with confidence.

Final Thoughts

Diablo 4 Season 9 is shaping up to be the most rewarding, fun, and accessible season yet. With faster leveling, better group XP systems, and exciting endgame content like The Pit, it's never been easier to hit Torment 4 and start dominating.

Whether you're aiming to crush Uber bosses, min-max your gear, or just flex your seasonal transmog, it all starts with leveling the right way. Follow the steps above, pick a build you enjoy, and don't stop grinding.