So, you’re finally heading into the jungle. Honestly, Nahantu is a massive change of pace from the dreary, snow-clogged peaks of Fractured Peaks or the dry heat of Kehjistan. It's humid. It's green. It’s absolutely crawling with Hollows and Lacuni that want to tear your Spiritborn limb from limb. If you’re looking for a Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred quest list, you’ve likely realized that the campaign structure here is a bit tighter than the base game, but it's arguably way more intense because of the stakes involving Neyrelle and that soulstone she's lugging around.
The expansion picks up right where we left off, and it doesn't waste time. You aren't just running errands for townspeople anymore. You're chasing a literal Prime Evil through a rainforest that's actively trying to eat you.
Getting Started: The Road to Kurast
The campaign kicks off with a prologue that bridges the gap between the wanderer’s journey and Neyrelle’s desperate flight. You’ll start with Enlightenment, which is basically your "welcome back" moment. It’s short. It’s punchy. It sets the tone.
From there, you move into The Way to Nahantu. This is where the world opens up. You aren’t in Kansas—or Kyovashad—anymore. The game forces you to deal with the cultural shift of the region immediately. The NPCs here, like Raheir, aren't just quest-givers; they’re your lifeline. Raheir is your first Mercenary, and if you haven't played with the Mercenary system yet, you’re missing out on the best part of the DLC. He’s a shield-bearer who actually stays useful even in the higher Torment tiers.
The Core Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred Quest List
The campaign is broken down into several acts, though they flow into one another much more seamlessly than the 1 through 6 structure of the original game. Here is the sequence you’ll be following.
The Initial Push
After you arrive and get your bearings, the meat of the story begins. You'll work through:
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- A Trust Betrayed
- Abandoned Hopes
- Reunions
These quests are mostly about tracking Neyrelle’s path. She’s leaving a trail of "corruption" that is both a literal gameplay mechanic and a narrative gut-punch. You'll see what the Mephisto soulstone does to the environment. It’s gross. It’s very Diablo.
The Search for the Akarat
The mid-section of the DLC is where things get heavy on the lore. You’ll spend a lot of time looking for the tomb of Akarat. This isn't just a tomb raid; it’s a theological deep dive into why the Zakarum faith is such a mess in the current era of Sanctuary.
- The Accursed Temple
- The Rising Tide
- A New Alliance
Expect a lot of back-and-forth in the Kurast Docks. Some players find the Docks a bit maze-like, but once you unlock the Waypoints, it’s manageable. Don't skip the dialogue with the Elder Spirits. They provide context that makes the ending of the DLC actually make sense.
The Descent into Hatred
As you get closer to the finale, the quests become much more combat-focused. You’ll be fighting through massive, overgrown ruins.
- The Path of Souls
- Crucible of Hope
- The Darkening Path
The Crucible of Hope is a standout. It’s visually stunning and features some of the best encounter designs Blizzard has put out in years. You’ll be dealing with waves of enemies while managing environmental hazards. It’s chaotic. It’s fun.
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Don't Forget the Spiritborn Class Quest
If you’re playing the new class—and let’s be real, most people are—you have a specific class quest called The Sacred Hunt. Do this the second it becomes available at level 15. You cannot access the Spirit Hall without it. The Spirit Hall is where you choose your primary and secondary Jaguar, Gorilla, Eagle, or Centipede spirits.
Without this quest, the Spiritborn is just a guy with a stick. With it, you're a god of the jungle. The quest itself takes place in a dreamscape-style version of Nahantu. It’s not hard, but it’s essential for your build's power scaling.
Side Quests and the Renown Grind
While the Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred quest list focuses on the main story, the side quests in Nahantu are actually worth doing. Unlike some of the "go fetch five herbs" quests in the base game, many of these involve the new Mercenaries.
- The Mercenary Quests: Each Mercenary (Subo, Varyana, Aldkin) has a personal questline. These are non-negotiable if you want to maximize your efficiency. Subo’s quest, in particular, gives great insight into the bounty hunter underworld of the Southlands.
- Tenets of Akarat: These aren't quests in the traditional sense, but they function like Altars of Lilith. You find them, you click them, you get permanent stat boosts.
- Regional Side Quests: Look for the blue exclamation points in the Teganze Plateau and the Seven Stones. The rewards often include Murmuring Obols and high-tier crafting materials that you’ll need for the endgame.
The Endgame Transition: What Happens After the List?
Once you finish the final campaign quest, The Last Step, the game doesn't just stop. It kicks you into the new endgame loop. You’ll get a quest called The Kurast Undercity.
The Undercity is a timed dungeon crawl. It’s intense. You pick your rewards using Tributes before you enter. If you want targeted loot—like specific Uniques or specific Greater Affixes—this is where you spend your time. It’s a massive improvement over the standard Nightmare Dungeon grind because it feels more purposeful.
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You’ll also unlock the Dark Citadel. This is the co-op raid. You cannot solo this. You need a group, and you need to communicate. It’s the first time Diablo has really leaned into "raid mechanics" like pressure plates and synchronized boss phases. It's polarizing, but the loot is top-tier.
Why the Order Matters
The pacing of the Vessel of Hatred questline is faster than the original campaign. If you rush too hard, you might find yourself under-leveled for the final boss encounter. Blizzard tuned the difficulty in the expansion to be slightly higher, especially on the new "Hard" and "Expert" settings that precede the Torment levels.
Take your time with the Crucible of Hope. Explore the side paths. The map of Nahantu is dense. There are hidden cellars and "Events" that spawn frequently. These events are the fastest way to gear up while moving through the quest list.
Actionable Strategy for Completion
To get through the list efficiently and hit the endgame ready to roll, follow this flow:
- Prioritize the Class Quest: At level 15, drop everything and do The Sacred Hunt. The power spike is too big to ignore.
- Recruit Raheir Immediately: He is your tank. Let him take the hits while you're learning the new enemy attack patterns.
- Don't ignore the Tenets: If you see a Tenet of Akarat while riding to a main quest marker, stop and grab it. Backtracking through the jungle is a pain because of the verticality of the map.
- Stack Poison Resistance: Nahantu is heavy on poison damage. The Lacuni and the various bug-like enemies will melt your health bar if your resistance is capped at zero. Use elixirs or gems early on.
- The Undercity Unlock: As soon as you finish the campaign, do the introductory Undercity quest. It’s the best way to burn through your extra gold and Tributes for massive gear upgrades.
Nahantu is a dangerous place, but the rewards are significantly better than anything we saw in the base game's launch. By following the main quest list and weaving in your Mercenary unlocks, you'll hit the level cap with a build that's actually capable of handling the Dark Citadel. Just keep an eye on Neyrelle—she's not doing as well as she says she is.