Diablo 4 has introduced a new stronghold liberation formula that makes the Sanctuary feel more alive than ever before. You can find and conquer various strongholds scattered across the world map. These strongholds are like outdoor dungeons, filled with hordes of enemies and a final boss battle at the end. Usually, a unique lore backs each dungeon that explains why it was abandoned. Moreover, the lore also provides insight into your objectives to liberate the area.
There are 3 special strongholds in the Dry Steppes region of the game. However, you must complete different tasks before you can face the final boss to liberate each of them. Furthermore, the liberated stronghold becomes a safe haven for NPCs and unlocks shops, waypoints, and side quests. So, you will actually make a difference in the world by liberating these areas. This article explains all the stronghold locations in Dry Steppes and the best strategies to conquer them.
All Stronghold in Dry Steppes:
You can find and liberate 3 unique strongholds in the Dry Steppes region. However, all of them are scattered around in different locations. So, you must find each stronghold, study its backstory, and complete all the required tasks to liberate them. So, without further delay, here’s how to locate and liberate all strongholds in Dry Steppes: (also check all strongholds in Scosglen)
The Onyx Watchtower Stronghold:
Recommended Level: 34+
Location: Northwest of the Hidden Overlook Waypoint.
Boss: Captain Ezmin
Rewards:
- Unlocks a dungeon where Captain Ezmin was fought.
- Grants access to an Altar of Lilith and a few side quests.
- +20 Dry Steppes Renown (Waypoint Unlocked)
- +100 Dry Steppes Renown (Stronghold Conquered)
The Onyx Watchtower is a unique stronghold that wasn’t abandoned because of some demons. Instead, it used to be a watchtower in the center of the region and some bandits have captured it. Now it is a bandit camp filled with lesser foes, a few lieutenants, and a captain that commands them. So, your objective is simple, enter the camp, purge all bandits, and defeat their leader in the Watchtower. You can reach the Onyx Watchtower by starting at the Hidden Overlook Waypoint in Jakha Basin and going in the northwest direction, as shown in the picture:
Strategy:
- As soon as you enter the bandit camp, you will get attacked by what seems like an infinite wave of bandits. So, take it slow and take your time to preserve your HP.
- You will notice a few diamonds on the mini-map and also 4 yellow circles.
- The diamond icons represent the structures that you must destroy to draw out the leaders.
- The yellow circles represent the areas where you can find the 4 lieutenants.
- After destroying enough structures and slaying a number of bandits, the meter will fill up, and now you can go after the lieutenants.
- Note: all lieutenants are Elite units, so you must make good use of your abilities. You can find the 4 lieutenants in the following locations:
- You can find Thidrek, the Beast-Master, the first lieutenant, in the center of the camp guarding some cages. Killing him will also drop a story key: keep it for later.
- Next, go northwest from the previous location to find Crocus the Greedy.
- As for the third lieutenant, you must go north toward the tower where you will face Talida, the lookout.
- Finally, go east from the tower and use the storeroom key to open the door and face Hagrin, the quartermaster.
- After defeating all 4 lieutenants, return to the center of the bandit camp, where you will find a newly-opened door: it will lead you to Captain Ezmin’s battle arena.
- Finally, after defeating the captain, go outside the arena to light up the Wanderer’s Shrine and liberate the Outpost.
Temple of Rot:
Recommended Level: 45+
Location: East of the Fields of Hatred
Boss: Molqarth, the Hungerer
Rewards:
- +100 Dry Steppes Renown.
- Access to a new Waypoint.
Firstly, the Temple of Rot has nothing to do with the Scarlet Rot from Elden Ring. According to the lore, these hallowed halls have been taken over by dark forces of rotten evil. So, your goal is simple, find and defeat the 4 Elite Cannibals, locate Molqarth’s Lair, and defeat the boss in both his forms. However, it is probably the hardest stronghold in the region, so you should take it down only when you have sufficient stats. You can reach the Temple of Rot by going along the southern borders of Dry Steppes, east of the Fields of Hatred, as shown in the picture:
Strategy:
- The temple is crawling with lesser foes, but they can quickly get you cornered. So, you should slay as many of them as possible to avoid problems in the future.
- Next, you must find the 4 Elite Cannibals and defeat them to fill up the progress bar. However, some of the doors can only be accessed from the other side. So, you are forced to take alternate routes. Here’s how to find all 4 Elites:
- Head to the center of the temple and look for a double door. Next, enter the door and slay the lesser foes before killing Bostar, the Breaker.
- For the second Elite, you must find an alternate route as he is behind the one-way door. So, take the southwestern path and then go north to find Corpse Spawn behind a double door (it is the same room as the corpse of the giant abomination).
- After defeating the previous Elite, turn right to find a few eggs; destroying them will reveal Razorface, the Carrion Zealot.
- Finally, after defeating the third Elite, go through the double door to return to Bostar. From here, head to the southwestern corner of the temple to face Arden, the Ravenous.
- After defeating all 4 Elite Cannibals, your progress bar will fill up, and you will be ready to fight the final boss.
- Head to the northern corner of the temple to find Molqarth’s Lair. Here, you must defeat Molqarth, the Hungerer, and Spawn of Molqarth in the two phases, respectively.
- Finally, go northwest from the temple’s entrance to light up the Wanderer’s Shrine and liberate the Temple of Rot Stronghold.
The Ruins of Qara-Yisu Stronghold:
Recommended Level: 37+
Location: South of the center of The Accursed Wastes region.
Boss: Utulku, the Voice Below.
Rewards:
- Unlocks the Pallid Delve dungeon
- Unlocks the Shifting City dungeon
- Turns into a player-friendly settlement
- +20 Dry Steppes Renown (Waypoint Unlocked)
- +100 Dry Steppes Renown (Stronghold Conquered)
The Ruins of Qara-Yisu is a comparatively easier stronghold in the Dry Steppe region. However, you will still need to prepare as the Elites and what remains of the inhabitants live there. According to the lore, Qara-Yisu used to be a pleasant town that produced many master miners. However, it was taken over by evil forces that inflicted the town and its inhabitants with a sadistic curse.
So, your goal is to investigate the ruins and locate the source of the corruption. In other words, you must find and destroy the Infernal Spires and defeat Utulku, the Voice Below, to liberate the town. You can reach this town by going South of the center of The Accursed Wastes region, as shown in the picture:
Strategy:
- As soon as you enter the ruins, you will find many salt statues standing on both sides of the path. These statues will come to life and attack you. So, you can get the upper hand by destroying them beforehand.
- Next, you must find and destroy 3 Infernal Spires to fill up the progress bar:
- From the salt statues of Qara-Yisuni, head southwest to find a mysterious stone structure. Destroying it will fill up a portion of the progress meter as it is the first Infernal Spire.
- Next, go southwest from the previous Infernal Spire to find and destroy the second one. Beware, all Spires are heavily guarded by lesser foes and Elite Cursed Yisunis. However, you should prioritize destroying the structure.
- Finally, return to the first Infernal Spire and go northwest to find the third structure, guarded by a huge horde of foes.
- Destroying all 3 Infernal Spires will fill up the progress bar, and now you are ready to face the final boss.
- So, head to the center of the ruins to face Utulku, the Voice Below, inside the mines.
- Finally, after defeating Utulku, go southwest to light up the Wanderer’s Shrine and liberate The Ruins of the Qara-Yisu Stronghold.
Conclusion:
There are 3 strongholds in the Dry Steppes region of Diablo 4. Liberating each stronghold will open it for friendly NPCs and grant you various rewards. However, you must first understand the lore behind each stronghold and perform certain tasks before you can take down the final bosses. Therefore, this article provides the locations of all strongholds in Dry Steppes and the best strategies to liberate them.
