The arcane crystal and his shards are one of the most important cube reagents. They are commonly used to improve a character's equipment and to craft items.
List of arcane items[]
| Image | Name | Uses |
|---|---|---|
|
Arcane Shards (1) | 1. Creates an arcane crystal when combined with 4 arcane shards 2. Used in jewelcrafting recipes |
|
Arcane Shards (2) | 1. Creates an arcane crystal when combined with 3 arcane shards 2. Used in jewelcrafting recipes |
|
Arcane Shards (3) | 1. Creates an arcane crystal when combined with 2 arcane shards 2. Used in jewelcrafting recipes |
|
Arcane Shards (4) | 1. Creates an arcane crystal when combined with 1 arcane shard 2. Used in jewelcrafting recipes |
|
Arcane Crystal | Used in many powerful cube recipes |
|
Arcane Cluster | Stores arcane crystals |
Farming[]
Locations[]
For a better efficiency, the methods below are quicker if the map is revealed. In single player, they can be even quicker if the map is rerolled by making TCP/IP games to get the shortest road to the bosses.
Nihlathak[]
On Hatred and Terror difficulty, farming Nihlathak is the quickest method to get arcane crystals. Each run can be done under 2 minutes. However, his dungeon is packed with dangerous elite monsters, especially the Halls of Vaught. This is not a recommended area to farm with a melee build.
| Hatred | Terror | Destruction |
|---|---|---|
3 Tiered Uniques |
3 Tiered Uniques 1 Signet of Learning |
1 Tiered/Sacred Unique 2 Signets of Learning |
Act Bosses[]
Although this method isn't as quick as the first one, it is safer. In each difficulty, Mephisto and Diablo are the best bosses to grind for three reasons:
- 1. Getting to them is less time consuming
- 2. Better chance to get unique items while slaughtering enemies along the way (more monsters, more loot)
- 3. The risk/reward ratio is simply better
| Boss | Hatred | Terror | Destruction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andariel | 1 Tiered Unique |
1 Tiered Unique 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
2 Tiered/Sacred Uniques 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
| Duriel | 1 Tiered Unique |
1 Tiered Unique 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
2 Tiered/Sacred Uniques 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
| Mephisto | 2 Tiered Uniques |
2 Tiered Uniques 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
3 Tiered/Sacred Uniques 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
| Diablo | 2 Tiered Uniques 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
3 Tiered Uniques 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
4 Tiered/Sacred Uniques 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
| Baal | 2 Tiered Uniques 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
3 Tiered Uniques 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
4 Tiered/Sacred Uniques 1-4 arcane shards OR 1 arcane crystal |
Tran Athulua[]
This method can be very profitable with a farming build, since Tran Athulua has a high monster density and a drop bias towards unique items. Even with a cheap magic find gear, each run in Tran Athulua can yield 1 to 3 arcane crystals on Nightmare difficulty.
Magic Find Gear[]
Cheap Items[]
| Name | Type | Item Quality | Magic Find % (item) |
Magic Find % (mystic orb) |
Magic Find % (lum rune) |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Ring | Ring | Magic | 18-20% | 20% | - | 38-40% |
| Honorific Belt | Belt | Honorific | - | 40% | 20% | 60% |
| The Compensator | Weapon | Tiered Unique | 33 to 38% (tier 6) | 20% | 20% | 73 to 78% |
| Honorific Boots | Boots | Honorific | - | 40% | 40% | 80% |
| Honorific Gloves | Gloves | Honorific | - | 40% | 40% | 80% |
| Honorific Helmet | Helmet | Honorific | - | 40% | 40% | 80% |
| Gold Digger | Assassin Weapon | Tiered Unique | 36 to 40% (tier 6) | 20% | 30% | 86 to 90% |
| Magnet Rock | Weapon | Tiered Unique | 36 to 40% (tier 6) | 20% | 30% | 86 to 90% |
| Mooncurse | Amazon Weapon | Tiered Unique | 36 to 40% (tier 6) | 20% | 30% | 66 to 90% |
| Rabbit's Foot | Boots | Tiered Unique | 33 to 38% (tier 6) | 20% | 40% | 93 to 98% |
| Wheel of Fortune | Shield | Tiered Unique | 33 to 38% (tier 6) | 20% | 40% | 93 to 98% |
| Honorific Shield | Shield | Honorific | - | 40% | 40-60% | 80-100% |
| Cornucopia | Barbarian Helmet | Tiered Unique | 36 to 40% (tier 6) | 20% | 40% | 96 to 100% |
| Golden Fleece | Barbarian Shield | Tiered Unique | 36 to 40% (tier 6) | 20% | 40% | 96 to 100% |
| Honorific Body Armor | Body Armor | Honorific | - | 40% | 60% | 100% |
| Honorific Weapon | Weapon | Honorific | - | 40% | 60% | 100% |
| The Prospector's Pick | Weapon | Tiered Unique | 33 to 38% (tier 6) | 20% | 60% | 113 to 118% |
Endgame Items[]
| Name | Type | Item Quality | Magic Find % (item) |
Magic Find % (mystic orb) |
Magic Find % (lum rune) |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Hacker | Barbarian Weapon | Sacred Unique | 50% | 20% | 30% | 100% |
| Headsman | Axe | Sacred Unique | 50% | 20% | 30% | 100% |
| Sepultura | Helmet | Sacred Unique | 25-50% | 20% | 40% | 85-110% |
| Gladiator's Rage | Barbarian Weapon | Sacred Unique | 50-60% | 20% | 30% | 100-110% |
| Thundercall | Weapon | Sacred Unique | 50% | 20% | 40% | 110% |
| Warlock's Brilliance | Circlet | Sacred Unique | 50% | 20% | 40% | 110% |
| Wraith Flight | Weapon | Sacred Unique | 51-75% | 20% | 30% | 101-125% |
| Phoenix Feather | Necromancer Weapon | Sacred Unique | 26-50% | 20% | 60% | 106-130% |
| Lilith's Legion | Barbarian Helmet | Sacred Unique | 75% | 20% | 40% | 135% |
| The Pride of Caldeum | Weapon | Sacred Unique | 50% | 20% | 60% | 135% |
| Lilith's Temptation | Belt | Sacred Unique | 100% | 20% | 20% | 140% |
| Natalya's Deception | Body Armor | Sacred Unique | - | 80% | 60% | 140% |
| Hratli's Craft | Body Armor | Sacred Unique | 63% | 20% | 60% | 143% |
| Elder Law | Weapon | Sacred Unique | 75% | 20% | 60% | 155% |
| Panthera's Bite | Amazon Weapon | Sacred Unique | 75% | 20% | 60% | 155% |
| Spirit Crusher | Weapon | Sacred Unique | 75% | 20% | 60% | 155% |
| Highwayman's Friend | Body Armor | Sacred Unique | 75% | 20% | 60% | 155% |
| Phoenix Feather | Necromancer Weapon | Sacred Unique | 75% | 20% | 60% | 155% |
| Wolverine Skin | Body Armor | Sacred Unique | 75% | 20% | 60% | 155% |
| Wrath of Nature | Druid Weapon | Sacred Unique | 93% | 20% | 60% | 173% |
| Plague Bolter | Crossbow | Sacred Unique | 101-125% | 20% | 60% | 181-205% |
| Zharesh Robes | Sorceress Armor | Sacred Unique | 125% | 20% | 60% | 205% |