The Gauntlet is a non-linear, endgame dungeon available to all classes on Seasonal Realms inDiablo 4. Although an entirely PvE experience, the game pits players against each other to compete for the highest score while fighting against some of the hardest enemies in the game. Given that the meta ofDiablo 4is always shifting, some builds are better than others to tackle The Gauntlet.
The Gauntlet is a relatively new addition toDiablo 4, released on June 02, 2025. The goal of the dungeon is to slay as many enemies and open as many chests as possible within eight minutes. Alongside rare and legendary loot in the dungeon, you can also earn Proofs of Might and Seals, contributing to your overall leaderboard placement. Classes inDiablo 4shift around in strength and ranking frequently, but given that this is a static, unchanging dungeon, specific builds are more conducive to success than others.
Diablo 4: How To Get Ingolith For Masterworking
In Diablo 4 Loot Reborn, Masterworking is yet another way to improve your gear. To boost your affixes and items, you first need to find Ingolith.
What Is The Gauntlet In Diablo 4
This Endgame Dungeon Is Reserved For Specific Players.
The Gauntlet is an endgame dungeon available to players once theyunlock World Tier Fouron a Seasonal Realm. You can get to The Gauntlet by going to thesouthwestern part of Gea Kul. Along the docks is the Horn of Trials, which teleports you to The Gauntlet upon interaction.
All enemies are above level 100 in The Gauntlet,with an average level of around 124, so this activity is reserved firmly for endgame-level players. Once inside The Gauntlet, your objective remains the same as any other dungeon: slay enemies and collect loot.
The Gauntlet sets an eight-minute timer as soon as you enter.you’re able to gain points and achieve your highest score by killing enemies and opening chests. Thankfully, The Gauntlet is a static dungeon, so it will not change week by week.
At the end of your eight minutes, you will be given a score based on the amount of Proofs of Might you earn. The Gauntlet resets every week on Tuesday morning, with the next dungeon opening back up the same day. This gives you plenty of opportunities to memorize the dungeon and steadily improve.
How To Improve Your Score In The Gauntlet In Diablo 4
Slay Enemies & Open Chests
The score in The Gauntlet is entirely decided byhow many Proofs of Might you earn. Every individual enemy you slay, and every chest you open will reward you with a Proof of Might. Mini-bosses in the dungeon give significantly more Proofs of Might, making them prime targets.
Before delving in, you should note that dying in The Gauntlet does not end your run. Instead, you will lose one-third of your Proofs of Might and start back at the beginning of the dungeon, so it is best to avoid death at all costs while in this dungeon.
Try to hit Pillars during your time in The Gauntlet. These are interactable objectives that double, or even triple, your Proof of Might gains.
Increasing your score is essential to improving in The Gauntlet, as it helps you earn Seals. Once you cross a certain Proofs of Might threshold, currently 150,000, you will earn Seals.Seals do not provide any benefit but display your mastery over The Gauntlet.
There are four in total: Seal of the Blooded, Steadfast, Iron-Willed, and the Worthy. Knowledge, practice, and experience are the best ways to improve your score. Formulating a routine can massively help you rank up in The Gauntlet alongside your class and build.
Best Builds To Use In The Gauntlet
Builds To Ace The Gauntlet
The Gauntlet is an unchanging dungeon that loves to throw waves of enemies at the player in tight rooms. This means that builds that deal AoE damage or that can otherwise clear out rooms relatively quickly are your best bet. Since The Gauntlet does not change,it’s best to try and memorize its layout,regardless of your class.
The videoabove by impanaxdoes a great job showing the dungeon’s layout. The builds that are best suited for The Gauntlet might not always be the ones that are generally considered best in the game. Instead, those who work under the tight time constraints implemented in The Gauntlet are the best. Below are thebest builds inDiablo 4that can make short work of this challenging dungeon.
Corpse Tendrils
Decrepify
The Bone Spear Necromancer is far from the bestNecromancer subclass inDiablo 4in most environments, but it performs exceptionally well in The Gauntlet. There are few builds that are exceptional for clearing out entire rooms, unlike the Bone Spear Necromancer.
The idea behind the build is tobuild up your critical hit chance as much as possible with the frequently used Bone Spear basic attack. After you have begun to dispatch enemies, Corpse Explosion, and later Blighted Corpse Explosion, will only continue to stack up kills and Proofs of Might.
Caltrops
Smoke Grenade
Heartseeker is the latest top build coming from Rogue characters. Like Bone Spear Necromancer,Heartseeker builds inDiablo 4are formed entirely around the subclass’s basic projectile attack. The recently buffed Victimizer’s passive ability has allowed Heartseeker to deal even more damage.
Alongside this powerful ranged attack,Rogues have incredible mobilitythat can make the most out of The Gauntlet’s relatively short eight-minute time span. Caltrops, Dash, and Shadow Step are all incredible utility tools to escape tight situations in The Gauntlet.
Flame Shield
Unstable Currents
Ball Lightning has been a consistently excellent choice for Sorcerer players inDiablo 4’sinitial launch, and it is also one of the best builds for The Gauntlet. Ball Lightning is the perfect ranged AoE tool for this casting class.The ball deals massive amounts of lightning damage while clipping nearby enemies.
The main weaknesses around this build revolve around your massive Mana consumption and cooldown timers. Ball Lightning needs to be cast multiple times to ramp up DPS, but this consumes an enormous amount of Mana with the proper precautions.
Hammer of the Ancients
War Cry
Rallying Cry
The Hammer of the Ancients Ancients build, better known as theendgame barbarian build inDiablo 4,allowed players to remain in the top class for several seasons. Only recent nerfs have allowed other builds for the melee class, like Bash Barbarian, to shine. Still, within the confines of The Gauntlet, Hammer of the Ancients is your best bet.
Hammer of the Ancients offers massive AoE damage, the ability to stun opponents, and the Unstoppable effect that renders most Crowd Control useless. In terms of melee builds forDiablo 4’s Gauntlet dungeon, there is none better than Hammer of the Ancients.
