Diablo 4 makes the game more accessible than Diablo 3 and its predecessors, due to how they handle the level scaling. Enemies in Diablo 4 will scale based on your character’s level, unlike older games in the series.
What that means is no matter how strong you become the game changes to keep things difficult. But it hasn’t gone down well with fans. It will also take away the sense of progression as stronger players make stronger enemy.
Diablo 4’s level scaling system is something you’ll want to understand how it works if you want to make the most out of it.
Here are the three main factors that impact scaling: multiplayer, regions, and special events where your enemies may be that much stronger.
Level Scaling by Region

In Diablo 4, different regions scale differently based on your progress in the game. Early-game areas like The Fractured Peaks scale from the start. As you progress:
- Scosglen starts scaling at level 10.
- The Dry Steppes begin scaling at level 15.
- Kehjistan and Hawezar scale once you reach level 35.
Some sub-zones within these regions might have even higher level requirements, with Hawezar going up to level 45 in certain areas.
After you reach level 45, all zones will adjust to your character’s level. The game also features World Tiers that affect enemy levels:
- World Tier 3: Enemies are at least level 50, scaling up to level 70.
- World Tier 4: Enemies start at level 70 and scale beyond that.
How Multiplayer Level Scaling Works

Cooperative play is a big part of Diablo 4, encouraging players to team up for dungeons, world events, and XP grinding. In multiplayer, the game scales enemies individually for each player. This means you don’t have to worry if your friends are a different level:
- For example, if a Level 20 player teams up with a Level 60 player, each will see enemies that match their own level. The Level 20 player won’t face overly difficult foes, while the Level 60 player won’t breeze through weak enemies.
- Rewards also scale to your level, so you can still earn powerful gear even when playing with friends at different levels.
This system helps players catch up with each other without feeling like they’re being left behind.
Strongholds, Nightmare Dungeons, and Endgame Events

Once you reach level 45, most content will scale directly with your level. However, some events and special activities have their own scaling rules:
- Strongholds: Enemies here are always two levels above your character. This makes them a great challenge, especially at higher World Tiers. Clearing Strongholds can earn you a lot of XP and Renown.
- Helltides: These events become available once you unlock World Tier 3. Like Strongholds, enemies will always be two levels above you. Helltides happen every two hours in different locations and can be repeated for rewards.
- Capstone Dungeons: These are required to unlock World Tiers 3 and 4 and have set levels:
- Level 50 for World Tier 3.
- Level 70 for World Tier 4.
- Nightmare Dungeons: These dungeons have their own level scaling formula. For instance, a level 20 Nightmare Dungeon on World Tier 3 will feature enemies at level 74 (dungeon level + 54). On World Tier 4, you can only run Nightmare Dungeons at Tier 21 or higher, where enemies are always level 75 or above.