Mastering Diablo 4: Conquering the Butcher Boss

Players familiar with previous entries in the Diablo series will recognize elements from previous games throughout Diablo 4, including some areas and bosses. One familiar foe is the Butcher, a tough boss that has been a recurring enemy in the series. In Diablo 4, the Butcher makes his return, but this time he is not part of the main campaign. Players can seek out and face the Butcher, if they are brave enough to do so.

How to Find and Beat the Butcher

The Butcher has undergone a transformation in Diablo 4, no longer limited to being a story boss encountered early on in the game. Instead, players may encounter this formidable foe as a randomly spawning boss in both Cellars and Dungeons. While the beta saw a high occurrence rate of the Butcher, the official release of Diablo 4 has lowered the chances of encountering him. It's worth noting that the Butcher can appear at any time, regardless of the player's World Tier level, including for a brand-new character exploring optional dungeons.

Defeating the Butcher is no easy feat, as he hits hard and can take players down quickly. Surviving his attacks can be made easier with defensive abilities and a full stock of potions. Players can also increase their chances of survival by having a higher chance of generating a barrier to withstand the Butcher's intense damage output. However, encountering the Butcher is largely based on chance, with some players encountering him early on while others may not cross his path for quite some time. When he does appear, players will know it from his distinctive "fresh meat" line and the appearance of his health bar.

To take down the Butcher, players need to not only focus on defense but also deal significant damage quickly. The Butcher has a despawn timer, so players must defeat him before he disappears. It's best to bring a group of friends to increase the chances of success. Additionally, players can stagger the Butcher to gain an advantage. In case of overwhelming odds, players can escape, but it's not easy. The Butcher will try to hook players and bring them back, but narrow corridors and small rooms can make it easier to evade him. If players can keep a safe distance or leave the area altogether, the Butcher will eventually despawn and players will be out of danger.

Diablo 4 is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.