How do I unlock Infernal Hordes?

Infernal Hordes unlocks via the Priority Quest 'The Eyes of the Enemy' at Level 60. Torment difficulty is required for max rewards. Entry requires an Infernal Compass, which drops from world content or can be crafted at the Occultist with Abyssal Scrolls + Forgotten Souls.

How does the Boon/Bane system work?

Between waves you're offered 3 Infernal Offers, each pairing a Boon (player buff) with a Bane (player debuff or enemy buff). Stack synergistic Boons (especially Aether multipliers like Greater Aether Fiend or Hellborne) while accepting Banes you can survive.

What's Bartuc, Lord of Chaos?

If you bank 666+ Burning Aether during your Infernal Hordes run, the end-boss encounter switches from 3 random Fell Council members to Bartuc, Lord of Chaos — a single boss fight that drops significantly better rewards. Stack Aether-per-wave Boons to reach 666+.

Diablo IV

Season 14 · Patch 3.1.2

Complete guide to Infernal Hordes in Diablo IV. Compass tiers, Burning Aether, Boon/Bane system, Fell Council vs Bartuc boss, Spoils rewards.

Endgame 8 min read

Infernal Hordes Guide

By the DiabloBytes team · Updated July 2026

Infernal Hordes is D4's wave-based survival mode — fight waves of demons, collect Burning Aether, and choose risk/reward modifiers between rounds. It's the fastest way to farm gear and mats in the current meta, and the Bartuc boss gate at 666+ Aether makes it a viable Mythic Unique hunting ground.

How Hordes Work

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Entry Infernal Compass (T1-T8). Drops from world content or craft at Occultist with Abyssal Scrolls + Forgotten Souls.
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Waves 60 seconds each. Kill enemies, pick up Burning Aether from Aetheric Masses, Soulspires, Aether Lords, Aether Friends.
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Offers Between waves, pick 1 of 3 Infernal Offers. Each pairs a Boon (buff) + Bane (debuff).
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Boss After final wave: 3 random Fell Council members (default) OR Bartuc, Lord of Chaos if you banked 666+ Aether.
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Spoils End chest is opened with Aether — pick Equipment, Materials, or Gold.

Top Boons to Stack

Greater Aether Fiend — +X Aether per elite killed. Peak Aether/min.
Hellborne — Player-shaped champions with Aether rewards.
Greater Aetheric Power — Aether multiplier on Aetheric Masses.
Aether Rush — Brief periods of massively increased Aether.
Familiar Faces — +damage + Aether from non-boss elites.

Strategy

◆ Chase T8 Compass (Level 200 enemies) for best Aether-per-minute
◆ Aim for 666+ Aether by mid-run to unlock Bartuc boss
◆ Accept mild Banes for strong Boons — Aether multipliers compound
◆ Spend all Aether at run end — it wipes. Choose Equipment for gear, Materials for mats, Gold if capped
◆ Stack Area Damage and Critical Damage — density favors AoE builds