Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

As a seasoned veteran of the Outriders universe, I must say that the introduction of Mercenaries and Reinforcements has certainly added a new dimension to the gameplay experience. The ability to hire Aldkin The Forsaken Child, a shapeshifting Mercenary who wields both Shadow and Fire damage, is quite intriguing. His unique perk, Blasphemous Fate, transforms him into a ferocious demon, but at the cost of cursing you during the transformation – a risk worth taking for the enhanced abilities, I daresay!


In Diablo 4, the expansion introduces a fresh gameplay element known as Mercenaries. These aren’t ordinary NPCs; they join you in battles across Sanctuary, each possessing unique skills.

How do I unlock Mercenaries in Diablo 4?

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

While progressing in the Vessel of Hatred expansion, you’ll encounter an engaging campaign quest titled “A Magpie in Flight“. This quest is situated within the region of Gea Kul.

The Den

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

The Hidden Stronghold of the Pale Hand’s Mercenaries is where you’ll find The Mercenary Den. This covert location serves multiple purposes: it allows players to take on quests to recruit all the mercenaries at their disposal, manage their team by hiring and dismissing them as needed, engage in trade, and access common town amenities such as the Blacksmith and Occultist.

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

When you come back to the Den, Raheir will not only be there but also working as a Blacksmith. Furthermore, you can collect three additional main story quests to gain access to Subo, Varyana, and Aldkin. These are marked as high-priority, purple quests in this region.

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

What is the difference between Mercenary and Reinforcements?

As a lone adventurer, you’re allowed to constantly have one Mercenary by your side during combat, and another on standby as backup. The backup Mercenaries only join the fight after you trigger an action, and you get to decide which skill they utilize.

Each Mercenary, Perks and Skills

Each mercenary possesses an individual Skill progression that offers two distinct paths to specialize. At the pinnacle of each skill branch, a unique Perk is provided for each mercenary, which gets activated prior to your selection of the skill path. As rapport with your mercenaries develops, new skills become accessible. The chosen skill tree influences their weapon and fundamental attack pattern. You can arm up to four abilities: one active Mercenary Core ability coupled with a Core Passive, and one Mercenary Iconic ability paired with an Iconic Passive.

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

Raheir possesses an Area of Effect (AoE) Barrier skill that shields him and nearby teammates from incoming damage, bolstering their Armor and defensive bonuses via Resiliency. He’s a fantastic pick for players with offensive-leaning character builds who require additional durability.

Subo The Bounty Hunter

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

Character Introduction: Subo is a long-range bounty hunter who provides area-of-effect support from afar and marks targets that grant bonuses upon their demise. His gameplay style will fall somewhere between Varyana’s and Aldkin’s support roles, making him adaptable to various builds.

Varyana The Berserker Crone

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

Varyana excels in close-quarter battles and has the unique ability to draw enemies nearer by gripping them. Her power increases as she eliminates more foes through a killstreak mechanic. Varyana is a versatile pick for various gameplay styles, but she truly shines in melee DPS builds.

Aldkin The Forsaken Child

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

Aldkin is a mercenary who can deal either Shadow or Fire damage, depending on the skill tree you select, and he has the ability to transform between human and demonic forms.

What is the difference between a Mercenary and a  Reinforcement?

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

In this game, you have the ability to engage a Mercenary for hire, and during multiplayer, you’ll only be able to opt for reinforcements. These reinforcements will join you at crucial points in battle. You get to pick the skill you desire, and the circumstance that sets it off is what we call an “Opportunity.

Mercenary Rapport System

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

Establishing a strong bond with your hired gun will provide perks akin to the Reputation system you’ve encountered during Season quests. The more often you engage your mercenary, the stronger this bond becomes, and the greater the rewards you’ll reap. Reinforcements contribute 50% towards building rapport.

Pale Marks and Bartering

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred: Mercenaries, how to unlock and who to choose

As you advance your Mercenary storyline, you’ll discover a new trading currency, ‘Pale Marks,’ which you can earn using your Mercenaries. You can then utilize these at a merchant named Faiyra within your hideout for trades. Initially, Faiyra will be unavailable, but she will become accessible as you progress through your Mercenary quests.

This manual is continually being updated, offering recommendations for top-tier Mercenary setups based on our experiences playing through the Vessel of Hatred extension and Season 6 content.

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2024-10-04 15:39