Diablo 4 Season 5 has introduced players to an exciting array of new content, including the Infernal Hordes mode, a roguelite experience where players face off against waves of enemies and powerful bosses from Diablo's past. With this new mode comes a vital currency, Burning Aether, which can be used to purchase powerful rewards like Spoils of Equipment and Spoils of Greater Equipment. In this guide, we'll break down a highly effective method for farming Burning Aether, shared by a dedicated player, and provide tips on maximizing your gains in the Infernal Hordes.
Understanding Infernal Hordes and Burning Aether
Infernal Hordes is a dynamic, tiered mode that offers a unique roguelite experience within Diablo 4. Players must survive increasingly difficult waves of enemies, culminating in a battle against the Fell Council—an ensemble of returning characters from Diablo 2. The difficulty of the waves scales with the tier you select, ranging from tier 1 to 8.
Burning Aether, the new currency introduced in Season 5, is earned primarily through participating in Infernal Hordes. This currency is crucial for acquiring powerful loot, including Spoils of Hell chests, which offer Legendary, Mythic items, and materials for the Masterworking system.
The Optimal Farming Strategy: Stacking Events
A key aspect of maximizing Burning Aether gains in Infernal Hordes is understanding which events to prioritize. Reddit user dundiman has shared a method that focuses on stacking specific events to maximize Burning Aether and gold rewards.
The strategy revolves around prioritizing Hellborne and Elite boons during your Infernal Hordes runs. These events have been found to provide the most substantial increases in Burning Aether, significantly boosting your overall earnings. On the other hand, events such as Aether Lords, Masses, and Spire have shown less effective results in terms of Aether farming and should be deprioritized if your goal is to maximize your gains.
By following this method, dundiman reported earning an impressive 972 Burning Aether and 142 million gold in a single tier 8 run—demonstrating the potential effectiveness of this approach.
Event Stacking: A Closer Look
Hellborne Boons: These events spawn powerful demonic entities that, when defeated, drop a higher amount of Burning Aether. Hellborne Boons are also known for dropping valuable loot, which can further enhance your character's power and ease future runs.
Elite Boons: Elite enemies are tougher versions of regular foes but yield significantly more Burning Aether when defeated. Focusing on Elite Boons will ensure that each wave contributes meaningfully to your overall Aether total.
Less Effective Events:
Aether Lords: These events can be tempting but often do not provide as much Burning Aether compared to Hellborne and Elite Boons.
Masses and Spires: While these events contribute to the overall gameplay experience, they are less efficient in Aether farming, making them lower priority during your runs.
Additional Tips for Infernal Hordes
Team Composition: While Infernal Hordes can be tackled solo, teaming up with other players can greatly enhance your ability to handle higher tiers. A balanced team with a mix of DPS, tank, and support roles will have an easier time surviving and defeating the increasingly difficult waves.
Tier Selection: If you're new to Infernal Hordes or don't have optimized gear, start at a lower tier to get a feel for the mechanics and event stacking strategy. Once you're comfortable, gradually increase the tier to maximize your Burning Aether and gold rewards.
Gear Preparation: Prior to diving into Infernal Hordes, ensure that your character is equipped with the best gear possible. Consider using equipment that boosts your survivability and DPS, as these will help you progress through waves more efficiently.
Powers Selection: After each wave, players can choose new powers that enhance their character for the duration of the run. Focus on powers that increase your damage output or provide crowd control effects, as these will be crucial in dealing with the increasingly difficult enemies.
Spending Your Burning Aether
Once you've amassed a healthy amount of Burning Aether, it's time to spend it on Spoils of Hell chests. There are three types of chests available, each offering different rewards:
Spoils of Equipment (20 Burning Aether): Contains unique Legendary or Mythic items. Ideal for players looking to enhance their gear.
Spoils of Greater Equipment (60 Burning Aether): Guarantees at least one item with a Greater Affix, providing powerful stat boosts and abilities.
Spoils of Materials (20 Burning Aether): Offers a variety of crafting materials, including those essential for the Masterworking system.
Conclusion
Farming Burning Aether efficiently in Diablo 4 Season 5 can significantly impact your progression, especially when aiming for high-tier rewards. By following the event stacking strategy shared by dundiman and focusing on Hellborne and Elite boons, you can maximize your gains and make the most out of the Infernal Hordes mode. Whether you're after powerful Diablo 4 gear, D4 gold or rare crafting Diablo 4 materials, this guide should give you a solid foundation to start reaping the rewards of Burning Aether in Diablo 4.
EZBUFF Diablo 4 Team