The Diablo 4 crafting system has two main paths: Tempering and Masterworking. This guide explains both.
Tempering
Add affixes to Ancestral gear. Costs Veiled Crystals.
| Tier | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 Crystals | +1 affix tier |
| 5 | 50 Crystals | +5 affix tiers |
| 10 | 100 Crystals | +10 affix tiers (max) |
Masterworking
Improve base stats on gear from rank 8 to rank 12. Costs Obducite + gold.
| Rank | Obducite | Gold |
|---|---|---|
| 8→9 | 10 | 50,000 |
| 9→10 | 15 | 100,000 |
| 10→11 | 20 | 200,000 |
| 11→12 | 25 | 300,000 |
Priority Order
- Masterwork weapon first (highest damage impact)
- Then amulet, ring, helm
- Chest, pants, boots next
- Gloves, belt last
Material Sources
- Veiled Crystals: Helltide chests, NM Dungeons
- Obducite: Tormented bosses, Pit 100+
- Gold: All activities (Helltide best)
Tier Placement
| Build | Priority |
|---|---|
| Weapon | First (highest impact) |
| Amulet/Ring | Second |
| Helm | Third |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Direct damage boost
- Deterministic (no RNG)
Cons
- Expensive in gold
- Need many Obducite
FAQ
Q: Tempering or Masterworking first?
A: Tempering first (cheaper), then Masterwork.
Q: How to get Obducite?
A: Tormented bosses (10-25 per kill) + Pit 100+.
Q: Masterwork rank 12?
A: Need 70 Obducite + 650,000 gold per item.
Q: Affix tier max?
A: Tier 10 (5 Tempering rolls).
Q: Can I lose crafted stats?
A: No, Tempering and Masterwork are permanent.
Q: How long to fully gear?
A: 2-3 weeks of Tormented farming.
Q: Best slot to Masterwork?
A: Weapon first for damage.
Related Guides
Last updated for Season 6 (2026-09-28).