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 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
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
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.
Not every Stronghold will become a marketplace or Waypoint, though. Every Stronghold will, though, grant you 100 Renown. If you clear all three Strongholds in a region, that 300 Renown will cover most of the first two reward tiers for that region.