Diablo 4’s Strongholds hide corrupted lairs across Sanctuary, waiting for you to conquer them and reclaim the land.
As you explore Diablo 4‘s five unique regions, you’ll come across 15 Strongholds – three in each region. Strongholds are locations filled with enemies – concentrations of the various baddies you’ll encounter out in the wider world – who have taken over little pockets of Sanctuary. Once you’ve cleared the enemies out and completed a Stronghold’s task, the non-demonic denizens of Sanctuary will return, and, sometimes, give you access to a Waypoint or merchants.
Our Diablo 4 Strongholds guide explains why you’ll want to clear Strongholds and where you’ll find the 15 Strongholds in the Fractured Peaks, Scosglen, the Dry Steppes, Kehjistan, and Hawezar.
What are Strongholds in Diablo 4?
Strongholds in Diablo 4 mark areas overrun by demonic forces across Sanctuary’s regions. Players clear these open-world sites by defeating enemies, completing objectives, and vanquishing a boss, which permanently alters the location into a safe hub with waypoints, merchants, or new paths. Each of the 15 Strongholds carries unique challenges scaled above the player’s level, granting Renown for skill points and potion charges upon victory.
Strongholds are points of interest in Sanctuary that have been overrun by evil. Each Stronghold you find is in their own distinct location with their own unique storyline, objective, puzzles, and bosses. They start out as enemy infested territories that must be cleared out by you and your party. Once you complete the event and eradicate the evil from the area, the Stronghold will become more of a public space allowing you to see other players in the area.
When you conquer a Stronghold, you’ll gain experience, rewards, and Renown, which can be used to unlock additional rewards such as skill points and health potion charges. The Strongholds also have a chance to become towns with NPCs and a waypoint once completed. Not every Stronghold will become a town, but clearing them can unlock shortcuts, dungeons, or even a side quest hub.
Each Stronghold is purposefully a few levels above your character level, so come prepared with high-level equipment.
All Stronghold locations
All Strongholds in Diablo 4 are marked points of interest that offer challenging combat and valuable rewards once cleared. Each Stronghold is occupied by hostile forces that must be defeated to reclaim the area for Sanctuary’s inhabitants. Completing them can transform the location into a functional settlement, often providing new vendors, waypoints, or access to side quests. Players can find Strongholds spread across every region, making them key objectives for exploration and progression.
There are a total of 15 Strongholds across Sanctuary, with three each in the Fractured Peaks, Scosglen, the Dry Steppes, Kehjistan, and Hawezar.
- In the Fractured Peaks, you’ll find the Malnok, Kor Dragan, and Nostrava Stronholds
- In Scosglen, you’ll find the Moordaine Lodge, Tur Dulra, and Hope’s Light Stronholds.
- In the Dry Steppes, you’ll find The Ruins of Qara-Yisu, The Temple of Rot, and The Onyx Watchtower Strongholds.
- In Kehjistan, you’ll find The Altar of Ruin, Alcarnus, and Omath’s Redoubt Strongholds.
- In Hawezar, you’ll find the Crusaders’ Monument, Vyeresz, and Eriman’s Pyre Strongholds.
Stronghold completion rewards
Clearing a Stronghold grants valuable rewards that make the effort worthwhile. Players earn Renown points, experience, gold, and access to new fast travel points or waypoints. Some Strongholds transform into friendly towns or outposts, opening vendors, side quests, and new dungeons. Completing these areas not only strengthens character progression but also changes how the surrounding zone functions afterward.
Aside from the standard loot and gold drops you’ll get from slaying a slew of enemies, completing a Stronghold has real benefits as you explore Sanctuary.
At least one Stronghold in each region will unlock a previously inaccessible Waypoint. Additionally, once the monsters are cleared out of certain Strongholds, the people will return – specifically healers and vendors like blacksmiths.
Best route to clear all Strongholds fast
The most efficient route to clear all 18 Diablo 4 Strongholds prioritizes nearby clusters, unlocks waypoints progressively, and minimizes backtracking across regions for speed. Start in Fractured Peaks and loop clockwise through zones, using mounts for fast travel once waypoints activate.
Fractured Peaks (3)
Begin with Nostrava (north of Nevesk), then Kor Dragan (central-west), and Malnok (south)-a tight northern-to-southern sweep unlocks early waypoints quickly.
Scosglen (3)
Head east to Túr Dúlra (central Deep Forest), north to Moordaine Lodge, then south to Hope’s Light (island)-avoid the island last to prevent extra swimming.
Dry Steppes (4)
Enter northwest for Onyx Watchtower (Jakha Basin), slide east to Temple of Rot and Ruins of Qara-Yisu (Fields of Hatred), then southeast to Khargai Crags’ Kobandikan-noted as quicker than isolated ones.
Kehjistan (3)
North from Dry Steppes to Altar of Ruin (Amber Sands), central Alcarnus, east Omath’s Redoubt-linear path aligns with natural progression.
Hawezar (3)
Southwest to Vyeresz (near Ruins of E
Which strongholds are fastest to solo clear first
Nostrava and Kor Dragan stand out as the fastest Strongholds to solo clear first in Diablo 4, especially for early-game players around level 15-25. These Fractured Peaks locations feature compact layouts with fewer elite packs and straightforward boss fights, allowing clears in 3-5 minutes solo.
Why These First
Nostrava’s linear path north of Nevesk minimizes navigation, focusing on basic demons without heavy ranged threats. Kor Dragan follows nearby in the central-west, with its central arena boss that’s manageable using kiting on open terrain.
Quick Tips
Prioritize mounts for approach speed post-waypoint unlock. Skip Malnok initially if undergeared, as its southern cave adds density. Clears here yield quick XP bursts (200k+) and unlock progression without frustration.
