Fields of Hatred in Diablo 4 & Altars of Extraction explained
It's no surprise that players want to engage in PvP once they perfect their own Rogue or Necromancer build, so heading to the Fields of Hatred in Diablo 4 is the perfect opportunity to test your skills - and you can even use the Altars of Extraction to unlock some exciting additional items.
It's not easy to always come out on top though, and even with the best class you'll struggle to remain victorious in-game. The thrill of the fight is more than worth it though, and these dedicated zones are built for the best.
What are Fields of Hatred?
Fields of Hatred are special areas in the Sanctuary where players can engage in PvP combat to earn rare items like Seeds of Hatred.
There are no requirements to meet to enter the Fields of Hatred, and all you must do is head into the zone and be on guard or on the hunt yourself for other players.
Taking down other players will earn you Seeds of Hatred, which you can then use at Altars of Extraction. You can also get Seeds from monsters within the region or through chests, but PvP is the most reliable and consistent method.
Unlike the traditional PvP system, Diablo 4 incorporates a seamless PvP system into the game's open world with the introduction of these zones. The best part is that the game even explains why the PvP exists lore-wise.
As per the game's lore, the Fields of Hatred are areas in the Sanctuary tainted by the hatred of Mephisto. As a result, anyone who enters it gets consumed by darkness and starts attacking their fellow mortals.
Whenever you enter the Fields of Hatred with PvP enabled, you can either kill a player identified as Vessel of Hatred under a given time to get additional rewards or kill enough players to become the Vessel of Hatred yourself.
When you become the Vessel of Hatred, your task is to survive for a set time. During that, you will be marked, and nearby players will try to kill you. You'll get additional rewards if you manage to deal with them and survive till the timer runs out.
How do Altars of Extraction work?
Finding an Altar of Extraction within the Fields of Hatred will allow you to convert any Seeds of Hatred that you've found into Red Dust, which can then be used at any PvP Vendors. These vendors can be found within the Fields of Hatred, and have a number of different player cosmetics and mounts for you to unlock.
Do be warned though, as like most things in Sanctuary the Altars of Extraction have their own dangers. Not only will enemies be summoned once the Altar is activated, but players will also be alerted and will have the chance to take you down and steal your precious Red Dust. I found that the best way to avoid this is to simply take some friends with you for protection - but you'll need to be very careful.
Surviving in Sanctuary is tough enough as it is, so head over to our Diablo 4 homepage to learn more about Baneful Hearts, how to become Bloodmarked, and the latest player count details.