Diablo 4’s endgame content introduces a unique and crucial currency called Artificer Stones. These stones unlock access to one of the game’s most challenging activities: the Pit of Artificers. Unlike typical loot or crafting currencies, Artificer Stones are tightly linked to your progression through the hardest difficulty settings, acting as a gatekeeper for your journey in Diablo 4’s late game.
Players often find themselves asking, “What exactly do Artificer Stones do?” Simply put, they are the key to opening portals to the Pit of Artificers—a gauntlet of progressively difficult levels designed to push your build to its absolute limits. Each portal requires three Artificer Stones, and since the portal is only valid for one run, farming these stones becomes an essential task for anyone wanting to climb the torment ladder.
Acquiring Artificer Stones is not difficult once you reach max level, but it can be confusing where to farm them efficiently. The stones drop in various activities including Helltides, Legion Events, Infernal Hordes, Kurast Undercity runs, Nightmare Dungeons, and from Whisper caches. This wide distribution means players can choose their farming location based on their own priorities, such as farming materials or speed.
Helltides are generally the most recommended area for acquiring Artificer Stones, especially since they also drop good loot and provide fun, dynamic combat experiences. Running Helltides with active Whisper Bounties can significantly boost your stone income. On the other hand, if you are also after crafting materials like Obducite, then Nightmare Dungeons or Kurast Undercity might be more suitable.
Once you have the stones, the Pit of Artificers awaits. The Pit is a multi-level challenge with over 100 difficulty tiers, requiring players to refine their Diablo 4 Items and builds constantly. Clearing higher Pit levels is necessary to increase your Torment difficulty and unlock better rewards, making Artificer Stones not just a currency but a measure of your progression.
Completing the Pit also grants valuable rewards, including legendary items and opportunities to level your Paragon Glyphs. This makes Artificer Stones a pivotal resource for maximizing your character’s power and tackling Diablo 4’s most demanding content.