Special Levels

Monster Generators

A few levels with predefined layouts contain a few monster generators dispersed throughout. These generators don't attack you, but if you stand close enough to them, they will periodically spawn a random monster that occasionally appears in that level. Every level with a boss (except Diablo) has a few of these monster generators, so make sure to either destroy them before engaging the act boss, or lure the boss away from them so you aren't suddenly surrounded by a horde of enemies. In later difficulties, some monster generators are immune to certain attacks, so if you use an elemental attack (such as a Sorceress), make sure you've got a few alternate attacks to rely on.

Kagero Dungeon

You'll notice when playing through Act 1 that some of the indoor levels have fewer floors than you remember. For example, the Countess' Tower is now three stories instead of five. That's because these levels have been moved to a new area called Kagero Dungeon. Kagero Dungeon is one of three major challenge areas in Nezeramontias. The entrance to it is located in the Graveyard, but don't even attempt to progress through this dungeon early in the game. Most of the monsters there are much stronger than anything you'll meet in the later acts. The dungeon itself is entirely optional, but it's a good area to go to for gold, experience and some of the game's rarer items. Many monsters you'll face are unique to the dungeon. It's even got a few Super Unique monsters including two at the very end. As with the rest of the game, monsters here also have souls of their own, so if you can collect some from the stronger enemies, you'll be at a distinct advantage as you move through the later difficulties. The dungeon itself is six floors deep and contains no waypoints, so bring plenty of town portal scrolls.

The Infernal Pit

You might remember the Infernal Pit from the standard game; it's one of the many side areas containing monsters and a gold chest at the end. In Nezeramontias, this level is changed into one of the major challenge areas. Rather than the standard monsters you face throughout Act 5, The Infernal Pit is now populated by a few very powerful monsters that drop lots of set and unique items. Along with the monsters, there are also orbs that occasionally spawn. These orbs don't attack, but they contain auras that hinder characters within their radius of effect. One orb affects magic stats such as max mana and mana regeneration. The other orb affect various physical stats such as stamina. If possible, it's a good idea to either lure monsters away from the orbs or destroy them quickly.

The Gauntlet

The Gauntlet is most unique of all the areas in Nezeramontias. This level works a bit differently than what you're used to dealing with in Diablo 2. With most levels, you progress by fighting off hordes of monsters and collecting the treasures they drop. But in the Gauntlet, rather than fighting a bunch of monsters, your goal is to navigate past a series of indestructible traps. None of the traps or monsters in this level can be attacked or killed. Furthermore, you'll be bombarded with aerial attacks from the moment you enter (similar to the bombs launched by the catapults in Act 5). Once you enter, your only option is to keep moving while dodging as many attacks as you can. Along with all the monsters attacking you, the Gauntlet also contains several orbs that will drop character stats such as stamina, mana, and speed. If you make it to the end of this level, you'll find a prize room containing rare items, some of which can't be found anywhere else. You can access this level in Act 2; it replaces the act's first side dungeon.

When preparing to enter the Gauntlet, remember that it's best to build a "defensive character." No matter how much damage your character may be able to do to monsters throughout the game, all attack skills are useless here. Your most important abilities or those that allow you to sustain the most damage and move through the level as quickly as possible. Stats like stamina, life, run/walk speed, defense, cast rate, hit recovery rate, and your damage resistances are the ones to focus on when preparing for the challenges in this level. If you've got some summon skills, summoned allies can help distract monsters from attacking you. Teleport and Leap can be useful for crossing tough sections of rooms. You can also try finding some items with war cries or defensive auras when assembling equipment for a Gauntlet run. Finally, stock up on town portal scrolls; they just might save you if you're suddenly bombarded by a series of attacks preventing your character from progressing.

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Area Levels

It may not be common knowledge to non-modders, but Diablo 2 maintains a "level" for every area in the game as well as all monsters, characters, and hirelings. Area levels mostly effect things like how much gold is dropped from objects like chests, but in Nightmare and Hell difficulties, it also controls the actual levels of the standard monsters populating those areas! Bosses and many Super Unique monsters are assigned levels separately, but if you're looking for a general level listing for the purpose of leveling up your characters in later difficulties, this chart should prove useful.

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