Diablo 4 Season 8 brings some major changes to leveling, making the early grind from level 1 to 25 more challenging. The developers have adjusted experience gain to make progression more in line with Season 6, aiming for an average of 12 to 15 hours to hit level 60. However, after testing multiple strategies, there are still some highly efficient ways to level up quickly. Below, we'll break down the best methods to get from level 1 to 100 as fast as possible.

Diablo 4 Season 8 PTR Best Leveling Methods

1. Hell Tides – The Most Reliable XP Farm

Hell Tides remain one of the best ways to level up efficiently. Running through these events provides a steady flow of experience, and once you collect enough Hearts, you can farm the Blood Maiden for even more XP. The consistent enemy spawns and structured farming make this a solid choice for players looking to grind experience efficiently.

What makes Hell Tides effective?

• Continuous enemy waves provide steady XP.

• Blood Maiden fights offer great rewards.

• A good source of gear upgrades.

2. Tree of Whispers Turn-ins – A Strong Alternative

Another great method is farming Grim Favors and turning them in at the Tree of Whispers. The key here is to complete dungeons that grant five Grim Favors, as these provide a large chunk of XP.

Example of efficiency:

• Completing two dungeons and turning in one Tree of Whispers reward took a character from level 25 to nearly 29.

• At level 30, turning in a single Tree of Whispers reward granted an entire level.

For maximum efficiency, prioritize dungeons with a boss since they grant extra XP on completion.

3. Campaign Skipping – The Fastest Route to Level 60

A less conventional but extremely effective method involves playing through the Spiritborn campaign instead of skipping it. This strategy was tested by Rax, who reached level 60 in just over three hours.

Why does this work?

• Major campaign quest turn-ins provide massive amounts of XP.

• The structured quest progression ensures steady leveling.

• The campaign scales well, making XP gains increase as you progress.

To do this:

1. Create a new character.

2. Choose to skip the original campaign and start with the latest Vessel of Hatred campaign.

3. Play through the campaign, focusing on main quest objectives.

This method is especially useful for players who don’t mind running through the storyline again. However, keep in mind that you won’t have access to seasonal mechanics like Aberrations until the campaign is finished.

What Doesn’t Work Well for Leveling Fast in D4 Season 8 PTR?

1. Aberration Incursions

Despite being a new feature, Aberration Incursions are not an efficient way to level. The time-gated nature of these events means you’re stuck waiting for them to spawn every three minutes, making it a slow and frustrating process.

2. Dopamine Tunnels and Other Dungeons

Some dungeons, like the Dopamine Tunnels, were tested, but the XP per run was too low to be worth farming. Only dungeons linked to Grim Favors or boss fights provide good returns.