Diablo 4 Season 5: How to Farm and Upgrade Infernal Compasses for the Infernal Hordes

Key Takeaways:

1. Infernal Compasses are essential for unlocking endgame content – Players need these to access the Infernal Hordes in Diablo 4.
2. Farming and upgrading Infernal Compasses are crucial – Methods include completing quests, fighting in Helltides, Nightmare Dungeons, and more.
3. Higher-tier Infernal Compasses offer better rewards – Upgrading these compasses allows players to face stronger enemies and earn better loot.

With the release of Diablo 4 Season 5, a new endgame activity called Infernal Hordes has been introduced. This brings a fresh challenge for players, especially those venturing into the harder World Tiers. But before you can face these relentless hordes, you need a key item: the Infernal Compass. These compasses are your ticket to accessing the wave-based survival battles against the Infernal Hordes.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about farming and upgrading Infernal Compasses in Diablo 4, so you can dive into the action fully prepared.

What Are Infernal Compasses?

Infernal Compasses in Diablo 4 function similarly to the Nightmare Sigils players might be familiar with. These compasses unlock portals to the Infernal Hordes, a series of tough, wave-based encounters where enemies come at you in waves, each more difficult than the last. Think of Infernal Compasses as keys that open up some of the most dangerous content in the game.

Each Infernal Compass you collect will not only allow you to access the Infernal Hordes, but it will also give you a glimpse into the specific parameters of the battle ahead. Some compasses will open portals to hordes with a higher wave cap, which means tougher enemies but also more rewards.

How to Farm Infernal Compasses in Diablo 4

Farming Infernal Compasses is an essential part of engaging with the new endgame content in Season 5. Unlike previous seasons where some items could be crafted, you’ll need to actively hunt for Infernal Compasses as they are no longer craftable. Here’s how you can farm them efficiently:

1. Complete Seasonal Quests

Before you can even start farming Infernal Compasses, you’ll need to complete two key seasonal quests: “The Eyes of the Enemy” and “To the Edge of the Abyss.” These quests introduce the mechanics of the Infernal Compasses and guide you through your first experience of battling the Infernal Hordes.

• Start in Zarbinzet: Once you’ve unlocked World Tier 3 (Nightmare), head to Zarbinzet where you’ll meet Locran. He’ll guide you through these quests, and you’ll also be introduced to the Fell Council, the main antagonists of this season.
• First Infernal Compass: During the “To the Edge of the Abyss” quest, you’ll be given your first Infernal Compass, which you’ll use to enter your first Infernal Horde battle. Completing this will mark the beginning of your Infernal Compass farming journey.

2. Helltides: The Best Way to Farm Infernal Compasses

One of the most reliable ways to farm Infernal Compasses is by participating in Helltides. These world events occur periodically in Diablo 4, and they offer multiple opportunities to acquire valuable resources, including Infernal Compasses.

• Aberrant Cinders: During Helltides, players can collect Aberrant Cinders, which can then be used to unlock Chests of Mystery or Chests of Steel. These chests often contain Infernal Compasses, making them a key source for farming.
• Doomsayers: Another crucial aspect of Helltides is the appearance of Doomsayers. These powerful enemies drop Infernal Compasses when defeated, making them a priority target for players looking to farm compasses.

3. Nightmare Dungeons and The Pit

Infernal Compasses can also be found in Nightmare Dungeons and The Pit. These challenging areas offer a chance for higher-tier Infernal Compasses to drop, especially in the more difficult tiers of the dungeon.

• Nightmare Dungeons: As you complete higher-tier Nightmare Dungeons, you’ll have a greater chance of obtaining rarer Infernal Compasses. The drops here are often tied to the difficulty of the dungeon, so pushing yourself to tackle more difficult runs can pay off.
• The Pit: Similar to Nightmare Dungeons, The Pit is another high-level area where Infernal Compasses can drop. It’s worth running this location when you’re looking to farm the compasses efficiently.

4. Whispers and Whisper Caches

If Helltides and dungeons aren’t your thing, you can try farming Infernal Compasses through Whispers. Completing Whisper objectives and opening Whisper Caches provides another, albeit slower, way to collect Infernal Compasses.

How to Upgrade Infernal Compasses

Now that you’ve got a few Infernal Compasses in your inventory, it’s time to talk about upgrading them. Higher-tier compasses allow you to access more difficult waves of the Infernal Hordes, and with greater difficulty comes better rewards.

1. Infernal Compass Tiers

There are multiple tiers of Infernal Compasses, each allowing you to access increasingly difficult Infernal Horde encounters. Higher-tier compasses are often found in Nightmare Dungeons, The Pit, and through Helltide events.

2. Upgrading with Abyssal Scrolls

Upgrading Infernal Compasses used to be simple: players could craft or upgrade them using various materials. However, since the introduction of the Vessel of Hatred update, you can now only upgrade Infernal Compasses with Abyssal Scrolls. These scrolls are another new item introduced in Season 5 and can be obtained from:

• Nightmare Dungeons: Abyssal Scrolls often drop alongside higher-tier Infernal Compasses.
• Helltides: Completing these events may reward Abyssal Scrolls, which can be used to upgrade your Infernal Compasses.
• Whisper Caches: You can also find Abyssal Scrolls by opening Whisper Caches after completing Whisper objectives.

Once you’ve collected enough Abyssal Scrolls, you can use them to upgrade your compasses, allowing you to access stronger Infernal Hordes.

Why Upgrade Infernal Compasses?

Upgrading your Infernal Compasses allows you to increase the difficulty of the Infernal Horde encounters. Higher wave caps mean tougher enemies, but also a much greater chance of acquiring Ancestral Legendary items, Gold, and other rare materials.

• Burning Aether: As you fight through more waves of enemies, you’ll collect Burning Aether, which is essential for unlocking the Greater Chest of Equipment. This chest guarantees an Ancestral Legendary item, making the risk of higher waves worth it.
• Gold and Materials Chests: After you’ve collected enough Burning Aether, you can use it to open various chests, including those that reward you with large amounts of gold and crafting materials.

Advanced Tips for Infernal Compass Farming

If you’re serious about farming Infernal Compasses and maximizing your rewards, here are a few advanced tips:

1. Prioritize Helltides and Doomsayers

While Whisper Caches and Nightmare Dungeons offer good opportunities, nothing beats Helltides when it comes to farming Infernal Compasses. Focus on these events and always target Doomsayers for guaranteed compass drops.

2. Manage Your Resources

Both Sigil Powder and Forgotten Souls are critical materials for crafting and upgrading items in Diablo 4. Make sure to manage these resources carefully, as you’ll need them for both Nightmare Sigils and Infernal Compasses.

3. Use Multiplayer to Your Advantage

If you’re struggling with the harder Infernal Horde waves, consider teaming up with other players. Multiplayer not only makes battles easier but also increases the overall loot you can collect from each run.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are Infernal Compasses in Diablo 4?

Infernal Compasses are items that allow players to unlock portals to the Infernal Hordes in Diablo 4 Season 5. They function similarly to Nightmare Sigils and are essential for engaging with the new seasonal content.

Q2: How do I farm Infernal Compasses?

You can farm Infernal Compasses by completing Helltides, Nightmare Dungeons, The Pit, and by opening Whisper Caches. Doomsayers during Helltides are also a guaranteed source of Infernal Compass drops.

Q3: Can I still craft Infernal Compasses?

No, as of the Vessel of Hatred patch, Infernal Compasses are no longer craftable. Players must now farm them from the game’s various endgame activities.

Q4: How do I upgrade Infernal Compasses?

You can upgrade Infernal Compasses by using Abyssal Scrolls, which drop from Nightmare Dungeons, Helltides, and Whisper Caches. Upgrading them increases the difficulty of the Infernal Hordes you’ll face.

Q5: What rewards can I get from Infernal Hordes?

Infernal Hordes offer valuable rewards such as Ancestral Legendary items, gold, crafting materials, and rare gear. The more waves you complete, the greater the rewards you can unlock.