Discover the Ultimate Stronghold Locations in Diablo 4's Dry Steppes

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In a departure from its predecessors, Diablo 4 offers players a more open-world experience. Gone are the limitations of previous games, where players were confined to specific areas based on their progress in the game. In Diablo 4, players have the freedom to explore all of Sanctuary, even after completing the main campaign. To fill this vast open-world, the game is packed with countless secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered, ensuring that players will always have something new to explore and uncover.

The Ruins of Qara-Yisu

In addition to the numerous dungeons and side quests available, players can also explore Strongholds, which are abandoned areas controlled by enemy groups. What sets Strongholds apart is that once players clear them out, they can transform into outposts with various benefits such as access to vendors, Waypoints, and even more dungeons. The Dry Steppes feature three Strongholds, and their locations are detailed below.

Nestled south of the Hidden Overlook lies the Ruins of Qara-Yisu, a stronghold waiting to be explored. The objective here is to uncover the mysteries behind the abandoned town. In order to progress, players must first destroy all three Infernal Spires located throughout the stronghold. However, players should proceed with caution as Elites are known to roam the area and can easily overwhelm unprepared adventurers due to the tight quarters.

Upon destroying all three Infernal Spires, players must venture into the mines to face Utulku, the boss. The fight is a typical encounter seen in Diablo 4, where Utulku summons additional enemies that players must defeat. Additionally, players must be cautious of the red circles that periodically appear on the ground as they inflict significant damage. Upon successfully completing the Ruins of Qara-Yish, players will receive 100 Renown and unlock a Waypoint, a side quest, and access to two dungeons - Pallid Delve and Shifting City.

Temple of Rot

Located north of Jirandai, the Temple of Rot is an area where players aim to eliminate the Cannibal Champions. It is highly recommended to release the prisoners, who drop a potion charge that can be useful for players during the fight. However, players must be mindful of the green circles that the boss leaves behind, and avoid standing in them. Upon killing the boss, it undergoes a transformation and becomes faster and more aggressive. The same tactics apply, but players must be quicker in their movements. The only reward for successfully completing the Temple of Rot is 100 Renown.

The Onyx Watchtower

Destroy every bandit and their equipment while keeping an eye out for the lieutenant in the Onyx Watchtower, the final Stronghold in the Dry Steppes. Defeat the boss, who teleports and drops dangerous red circles on the ground, by avoiding them at all costs. Successfully clearing this Stronghold rewards players with a Waypoint, 100 Renown, two side quests, vendors, and access to the Onyx Hold dungeon. Diablo 4 is currently available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.