Content and story connection
Vessel of Hatred released in Europe on 8 October 2024. Its story follows the base game and leads into Nahantu. Expansion features include Spiritborn, mercenaries, runewords, Kurast Undercity and the Dark Citadel. Distinguish them from the free system patch released alongside it.
A practical route through Nahantu
1 · Neyrelle’s trail
Start the expansion objective in the quest log. Follow story goals through Nahantu and activate waypoints on arrival. Group optional tasks by settlement to avoid repeatedly riding back for single conversations.
2 · Understand mercenaries
During the story, learn how the Den works. For each companion, ask whether they address your actual problem: additional safety, control or support for your attack pattern. Do not compare only visible damage.
3 · Story before farming
Finish the active main quest chain before assuming an endgame route is available. If a service or entrance is missing, check campaign progress and follow-up quests rather than repeatedly visiting the same entrance.
4 · Fill equipment gaps deliberately
After the campaign, choose one activity and one goal per session. Record missing equipment slots, resource issues and causes of death. These three items determine whether your next hour is better spent on loot, materials or practice.
Choosing mercenaries
Raheir, Aldkin, Varyana and Subo bring different tools. Choose around the gap in your build and check the rules for hired companions and reinforcements. Do not assume a solo companion configuration remains active in party play.
A companion who occupies dangerous enemies can be worth more to an inexperienced ranged character than extra damage. A durable melee character may benefit more from control or faster pack clearing. Change one choice and observe a complete run.
Kurast Undercity: purposeful speed
The Undercity is a timed activity. Prepare movement, area damage and handling of required objectives. Do not lose a run by doubling back for an insignificant item. Before spending rare enhancements, check the current reward conditions.
For a first attempt, prioritize a safe completion. Once you understand the route, reduce detours. Measure time including town visits and preparation; comparing combat seconds alone understates the real cost.
Dark Citadel: cooperation
The Dark Citadel is built around cooperation and mechanics. Agree beforehand who interacts, which cues matter and when the party should gather or split. A player who reliably solves a mechanism may contribute more than another damage cooldown.
After a failure, describe the exact phase: what was on the floor, which interaction was missing, and who could not leave in time? These observations produce better improvements than simply demanding more equipment.
What to do inside the activities
| System | Practical procedure |
|---|---|
| Mercenaries | Hire one mercenary for solo play; assign a different one as reinforcement with a defined trigger. Rapport provides skills and Pale Marks for bartering in the Den. |
| Undercity | Afflicted enemies extend the timer. Attunement improves final loot; Tributes target rewards. Learn a reliable route before spending rare Tributes. |
| Dark Citadel | At least two players; four recommended. Three wings require cooperation. Split progress across visits if needed; check weekly completion and Citadel Coins for cosmetic goals. |
YOUR NEXT STEP
Your checklist
Saved locally on this device, shared between both languages. This counter measures guide tasks, not game progress.
Sources & editorial reference date
Independently written guidance. Linked sources support verification of game systems, versions and described changes. Editorial reference date: 2026-10-23.
- Blizzard: Vessel of Hatred launch guide news.blizzard.com
- Blizzard: Mercenaries, Dark Citadel and Kurast Undercity news.blizzard.com