Hey there, Nephalem! Are you ready to take on the challenge of Vanguard in Diablo Immortal? The Vanguard is a ruthless Helliquary boss that requires more than just brute force. It's a true test of your build, teamwork, and understanding of mechanics. Don't worry, though. With this comprehensive guide, you'll be well on your way to claiming victory and those sweet, sweet rewards. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Get Your Head in the Game - Understanding Vanguard
So, what exactly is the Vanguard? It's a special co-op Helliquary boss encounter that you can access from Deckard Cain's basement in Westmarch. It's not a standard boss fight; it's a multi-phase battle where you and your team need to coordinate and adapt. The difficulty scales, and as you climb the ranks, the challenge becomes immense.
Before you even step through that portal, let's talk about the key to success: teamwork and preparation. This isn't a solo grind. You need a well-rounded party with a mix of roles. Think of it like a raid. You'll need damage, sure, but you'll also need crowd control, healing, and defense.
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| How To Beat Vanguard Diablo Immortal |
Step 2: Gearing Up for the Fight - The Right Build
Your build is paramount. While any class can contribute, some excel in specific roles. Here's a breakdown of what to focus on:
Sub-heading: Charms - Your Vanguard Superpower
Vanguard has its own special Charm system, and these are crucial. They grant powerful buffs that only work within the Vanguard mode, so don't underestimate them. There are four types of Vanguard charms:
Might: Increases Critical Hit Chance. This is your DPS's best friend.
Defense: Provides a shield or allows you to absorb damage for allies. Crucial for your tanks and sustain.
Heal: Conjures a Healing Field or a Mending Orb. Absolutely essential for keeping your team alive.
Bane: Reduces enemy attack/movement speed or increases the damage they take. A great support option to melt the boss faster.
Pro-tip: Focus on leveling up your Charms. The higher the rank, the more potent the effect. A high-rank charm can be a game-changer. Try to get a high-rank charm to drop and then upgrade it to save resources.
Sub-heading: Legendary Gear and Set Items
Tip: Reading in short bursts can keep focus high.
Your normal legendary essences and set items are still vital. Here are some general recommendations:
For DPS: Focus on legendary essences that boost your single-target damage. Look for effects that increase damage to elites or bosses.
For Supports: Legendary essences that provide crowd control or team utility are key. A Crusader's Shield Glare with the Lofty Light essence for blinding enemies is a great example.
Set Items: The Vithu's Urge 6-piece set is a fantastic choice for any class in this mode. The buff to attack speed after using a beneficial effect is a massive DPS boost, and the healing from the 4-piece is invaluable. The Grace of the Flagellant set is another strong option for continuous damage.
Sub-heading: Paragon Trees and Gems
Paragon: Focus on Paragon trees that boost your damage or survivability. Vanquisher is great for damage, while Survivor and Gladiator offer excellent defensive perks.
Legendary Gems:
For DPS: Gems like Blood-Soaked Jade, Seeping Bile, and Bile Slasher are top-tier.
For Supports/Tanks: Gems that provide shields, healing, or damage reduction are highly effective, such as Battleguard or Blessing of the Worthy.
Step 3: The Battle Plan - Step-by-Step Tactics
Alright, the team is assembled, the builds are optimized, and the Charms are gleaming. Let's break down the fight itself.
Sub-heading: Phase 1: The Initial Onslaught
When you enter the arena, you'll be faced with a large number of regular monsters.
Engage the Monsters: Don't just stand there! Your first priority is to clear the mobs. Use your AoE skills to quickly dispatch them.
Protect the Towers: In some Vanguard variations, you'll need to protect a tower or a set of towers from being overrun by enemies. This is a critical mechanic! If the towers are destroyed, you fail the encounter.
Use Crowd Control: This is where classes with good crowd control shine. A Wizard's Black Hole or a Necromancer's Bone Wall can keep mobs in one place for your DPS to clear.
Sub-heading: Phase 2: The Boss Appears!
Once you've cleared enough mobs, Vanguard will appear. He is a formidable foe with devastating attacks.
Positioning is Key: Do not stand in front of him. Many of his attacks are directional. Spread out to avoid being hit by multiple abilities at once.
Focus Fire: Once Vanguard is on the field, everyone should focus their damage on him. You have a time limit, and every second counts.
Watch for Corrupting Spikes: Vanguard will periodically summon corrupting spikes from the ground. These deal massive damage and can quickly wipe your party. Dodge them! This is where movement speed and dashing abilities come in handy.
Use Your Vanguard Skills: This is where the magic happens. Use your powerful Vanguard skills (the ones granted by your charms) on cooldown. Coordinate with your team. If your support has a Healing Field, call out when you're using it so others can huddle up. If your DPS has a Blight Orb, make sure it's on the boss for maximum damage.
QuickTip: Read section by section for better flow.
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Sub-heading: Phase 3: The Summoned Minions
Vanguard won't just stand there and take it. He will summon waves of minions to distract you and overwhelm your team.
Prioritize the Adds: While it might be tempting to ignore the adds and keep hitting the boss, this is a fatal mistake. The adds will swarm you, deal significant damage, and make it difficult to dodge the boss's attacks.
Control the Mobs: Use your crowd control to keep the mobs away from your squishier players.
Lifesteal is Your Friend: If you have gear or skills with lifesteal, this is the time to use them to keep your health topped off while you're attacking.
Sub-heading: Phase 4: The Final Push
As Vanguard's health gets low, he will become more aggressive.
Unleash Ultimates: This is the perfect time to pop your Ultimate abilities for a massive burst of damage.
Stay Calm and Focused: The arena will likely be chaotic, with spikes, mobs, and a raging boss. Maintain your focus, prioritize dodging, and keep hitting the boss.
Coordinate with Revives: If a teammate goes down, try to revive them if it's safe to do so. A full party is much more effective than a depleted one.
By following these steps, you'll have the best chance to beat Vanguard and prove your worth as a true champion of Sanctuary.
10 Related FAQs
How to build a balanced team for Vanguard?
A balanced team typically consists of at least one strong single-target DPS, a class with good AoE and crowd control, a dedicated healer/support, and a tank or bruiser who can absorb damage. A common composition is a Demon Hunter or Barbarian (DPS), a Wizard or Necromancer (CC/Utility), a Crusader (Tank/Support), and a Monk (Heal/Support).
How to effectively use Vanguard Charms?
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
The key is coordination. A team with 2x Might, 1x Bane (Blight Orb), and 1x Defense (Aegis) is a great combo for a fast clear. The DPS players can use Might to increase their crit chance, the support can use Bane to make the boss take more damage, and the tank can shield the team from damage.
How to level up Vanguard Charms quickly?
The only way to level up Vanguard charms is by playing the Vanguard mode. The higher the difficulty, the better the charms and upgrade materials you'll receive. Focus on clearing the highest level you can consistently.
How to deal with Vanguard's corrupting spikes?
The corrupting spikes have a red circle on the ground before they erupt. The moment you see a circle under your feet, move! Don't get greedy with your attacks. This is a pure dodging mechanic.
How to increase my damage output against Vanguard?
Beyond having a good build, focus on buffs. Use your party's buffs, such as a Crusader's Banner, and ensure you're using your damage-boosting legendary gems and Paragon skills. The Bane Charm's Blight Orb is a huge damage increase, so make sure to have one on your team.
How to survive the onslaught of summoned minions?
Use your AoE skills to clear them quickly. A Wizard's Disintegrate, a Monk's Mystic Allies, or a Necromancer's Command Golem can all help keep the mobs under control. Don't let them swarm your squishier teammates.
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
How to get the most out of my Crusader in Vanguard?
A Crusader can be a fantastic Vanguard tank and support. Use Shield Glare with the Lofty Light essence to blind enemies, keeping your team safe. Use Conjuration of Light to provide an immunity bubble to negate damage from corrupting explosions.
How to improve my Combat Rating (CR) for higher Vanguard levels?
CR is the most important stat check. Push your Challenge Rifts to upgrade your gear, do Helliquary raids for remains, and focus on upgrading your legendary items and set pieces. Join a good Warband to get more CR from the Tableau.
How to find a good team for Vanguard?
Join an active clan or a Diablo Immortal Discord server. Many communities have dedicated channels for finding groups for specific content like Vanguard. You can also use the in-game party finder, but a pre-made group is always better.
How to unlock Vanguard mode?
You need to reach Paragon Level 30 and complete the final steps of the "No Salvation" quest in the Southern Dreadlands to unlock access to the Vanguard portal in Deckard Cain's basement.
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