Diablo IV: Tempering Guide [Updated September]

Last Update: November 14, 2024

Diablo 4 Team Editor

Diablo IV: Tempering Guide [Updated September]

Diablo IV has been evolving since its release through regular seasonal content updates. For example, we got the Tempering system in season 4: Season of Loot Reborn. This new system allows players to customize their non-unique items and add affixes to complement various classes and even complete many character builds. These customizations range from basic attack bonuses to the more advanced Crowd Control buffs and even Shock Damage upgrades.

However, before you can start adding affixes to your gear, you must first unlock the Blacksmith function by progressing through the main story quests. The only problem is that the game doesn’t really explain this system unless you are a nerd who loves to read descriptions and patch notes. As a result, thousands of new players are confused about these overwhelming details even though the game is nearing its Season 6. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss the Diablo IV Tempering System and how to add affixes to your gear, let’s get started:

Blogs Table Contents

Diablo IV: Tempering System Guide
- How to Get Tempering Manuals in Diablo 4?
- How to Temper Items in Diablo IV?
Rules for Tempering in Diablo 4
How to Upgrade Tempering Affixes?
Conclusion

Blogs Diablo IV: Tempering System Guide

The new Diablo Tempering System is a unique gear upgrade and customization feature that allows players to customize almost all pieces of their gears. Tempering an item will change its bonuses and add affixes that grant various buffs. However, you must unlock the Blacksmith by speaking to Zivek in Kyovashad at around character level 10. As it is a main story quest, you can hardly miss this part unless you play with your eyes closed. Next, you must find Tempering Manuals by completing various world events, clearing dungeons, and defeating mini and world bosses.

These manuals are basically recipes that you can apply to limited gear items depending on your character class, level, and available resources. Also, these manuals are permanent and you can reuse the same recipes on multiple compatible items to double the bonuses. However, there are quite a few other limitations attached with this Diablo 4 Tempering System, and we are about to explain all of them.

Blogs How to Get Tempering Manuals in Diablo 4?

Okay, so now that you know the basics of the system, it is time to start Tempering your favorite weapons, armor, and other gear items to complete your character builds. Once you unlock the Blacksmith in Diablo, the next step is to find Tempering Manuals that go with your current build. Currently, there are around 262 Tempering Manuals in Diablo IV with new ones getting added in latest seasons and DLCs. Each of these recipes are divided into six categories, i.e., Weapons, Offensive, Defensive, Mobility, Utility, and Resources.

The Tempering Manuals corresponding to these categories will boost the stats and traits according to the class and tiers. For instance, a manual from the Weapons category will offer higher damage outputs whereas the ones from Mobility will enhance your movement and attack speeds. As for how to get these Tempering Manuals, you can drop them like other rare items by completing Helltides, Nightmare Dungeons, World Bosses, Ladder Bosses and The Pit. However, the drop rate has significantly decreased since Season 5 and it will surely continue in the upcoming season 6. So, if you are having a hard time finding your desired Finesses, keep grinding and you are bound to drop one of them at some point.

Note: Some players have reported lower Tempering Manuals drop rate since the 3rd week of season 5. Don’t worry, it's not a glitch! You can easily fix this issue by running lower tier (level 21 to 30) Ancestral Nightmare Dungeons at least once. After that, the Manuals will start dropping normally in all other realms.

Blogs How to Temper Items in Diablo IV?

Once you acquire a Tempering Manual by any means, you can start using it infinitely, just like the Legendary Aspects. All you need to do is to take your favorite weapons with you and head to the nearest Blacksmith. Next, interact with the NPC and select the third Tab named “Tempering” from the top of the screen to enter the Tempering menu.

Here you will see a list of all available Tempering Manuals and upgradable items. You can click on each of these entries to check the Tempering Categories, required resources, and possible bonuses from various affixes. Finally, select your desired item (weapons, jewelry, or armor) and click on the available categories (weapons, utility, Offensive etc). Now choose your desired Tempering Manual and you will get a random affix on the weapon after a short cutscene.

Blogs Rules for Tempering in Diablo 4

Now that you have successfully Tempered your first weapon in Diablo IV, there is no stopping until they change it or you don’t need any more upgrades. However, like everything else in the game, the Tempering System strictly follows a series of rules that in providing you various affixes. Knowing these rules will help you plan your build in advance and also keep you from unknowingly breaking your favorite gear items.

Blogs The Affixes are Random

So far we have been discussing Tempering Manuals and their categories as if they provide fixed bonuses. While it is partly applicable, the affixes you get for Tempering your weapons and gear items are completely randomized. For example, you can use the Bone Augments recipe while playing as a Necromancer to get 4 different Bone attacks, i.e, Splinters, Spirit, Spear, and Shock. Once you use the recipe, your weapon will get one of these buffs after a brief RNG roll.

In short, the affixes you get for using a Tempering Manual are completely random and the outcome depends on your level and class. Lastly, the only way to get your desired outcomes is by using the same recipes multiple times.

Blogs Tempering Manuals are Item-Specific

As mentioned earlier, the Tempering Manuals are divided into various categories depending on their affixes. While you can use the same Manuals indefinitely and on multiple items, they are compatible with all the items that fall within the same category. Here is a list of all items and their corresponding categories for Tempering:

Weapons: Weapons only
Offensive: Weapons, amulets, gloves, and rings
Defensive: Shields, helms, chest, pants, and amulets
Utility: Shields, helms, breastplate, pants, amulets, gloves, and boots
Mobility: Amulets and boots
Resource: Amulets and rings

Blogs Items have Tempering Limits

You must be wondering, “how can I get my favorite Tempering affixes,” right? Well, you use the same manual again on the same item and check if the RNG rolled in your favor. In other words, if you aren't happy with the results, you can always repeat the process to re-roll the RNG. However, each item gets a limited Tempering Points. For instance, the Legendary items get 5 Tempering Points and can be tempered (repeated) up to 5 times. Beyond this Tempering Limit, the effects will become permanent and you can't change the Tempering until the next seasonal reset.

Similarly, the Rare and Ancestral items get 3 Tempering Points so you can only try out your luck with the Codex of Power three times. After this point, the item will break and you won't be able to perform any more Tempering without finding the same item twice.

Note: As per the latest update, the first Tempering is free for all items and categories. So, you can perform the task up to 7 times for Legendary items and 5 times for Rare and Ancestral Items.

Blogs Tempering Manuals Expire at the End of Season

You can collect all 262 Tempering Manuals in a single season if you get serious about the grinding. However, most of these Manuals will expire by the end of the current season and won't get carried over to the next seasons. Fortunately, the affixes you get by Tempering your gear is permanent and you won't lose the buffs in the next season. Also, all Legendary Tempering Manuals and Greater Affixes won't get reset in all upcoming seasons.

Blogs How to Upgrade Tempering Affixes?

You can drop different versions of the same Tempering Manual by defeating higher tier bosses and clearing night dungeons. Once you find a higher grade Manual, it will automatically replace your current stats.

On the other hand, if you already have Legendary affixes and are looking for even more upgrades, you can try the Masterworking System by visiting the Occultist.

Generally, you can upgrade your current affixes up to 12 times via Masterworking and get up to 100% bonuses in various stats.

Similarly, you can also drop the ultra-rare Greater Affixes from various bosses and use them on your already Tempered items to enhance the rewards. However, this method requires at least one Tempering Point in the item or else it won't accept the upgrades.

Blogs Conclusion

To sum it up, Diablo IV introduced the Tempering system in Season 4. However, due to limited data available online and players not taking interest in the patch notes, thousands of players are still scratching their heads over it. Hopefully, you have learned everything about the Diablo IV Tempering System in our article and are now ready to complete your build. Don't forget to check out the rest of the website for more such content, Happy Hunting!

Blogs System Requirements

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system

Blogs PC System Requirement

Minimum Specifications
OS	64-bit Windows® 10 version 1909 or newer
CPU	Intel® Core™ i5-2500K or AMD™ FX-8350
RAM	8 GB RAM
Graphics	NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660 or Intel® Arc™ A380 or AMD Radeon™ R9 280
DirectX	Version 12
Network	Broadband Internet connection
Storage	90 GB available space
Additional Notes	*1080p native resolution / 720p render resolution, low graphics settings, 30fps, SSD Required

Maximum Specifications
OS	64-bit Windows® 10 version 1909 or newer
CPU	Intel® Core™ i5-4670K or AMD Ryzen™ 1300X
RAM	16 GB RAM
Graphics	NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 970 or Intel® Arc™ A750 or AMD Radeon™ RX 470
DirectX	Version 12
Network	Broadband Internet connection
Storage	90 GB available space
Additional Notes	*1080p resolution, medium graphics settings, 60fps, SSD Required