Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish, is a formidable Tormented boss introduced in Diablo 4 Season 4. Known for her relentless attacks and punishing mechanics, she poses a significant challenge even for experienced players. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of her abilities, summoning requirements, and strategies to overcome her. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a new player, mastering Andariel requires skill, preparation, and a deep understanding of her unique mechanics.
Background and Summoning Requirements
Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish, is a Greater Lair Boss in Diablo 4, located in the Hanged Man’s Hall within Act 4. She is part of the endgame content and is known for her challenging mechanics and rewarding loot. To summon Tormented Andariel, players must use the Ritual of Anguish, a special summoning ritual that requires specific materials. The summoning process is similar to her non-Tormented version, but the difficulty and rewards are significantly increased.
The materials required to summon Tormented Andariel are as follows:
- Stygian Stone: 2 pieces
- Sandscorched Shackles: 6 pieces
- Pincushioned Doll: 6 pieces
These items can be farmed from various sources across the game world, though acquiring them in the required quantities can be time-consuming. Once the materials are gathered, players can access the Ritual of Anguish window and select the option to summon Tormented Andariel.
It’s important to note that Andariel is not just a single encounter; she also appears in the main questline of Diablo 4, where players must defeat her to progress through Act 4. However, the Tormented version is a separate, more challenging fight designed for endgame players seeking a greater test of skill and gear.
Additionally, Andariel is part of the Boss Ladder, making her a popular target for farming Regular and Mythic Unique Items. Her loot pool is shared with other Greater Lair Bosses, but defeating her in Tormented difficulty significantly increases the chances of obtaining rare and powerful items. With proper preparation and strategy, summoning and defeating Tormented Andariel can be a highly rewarding experience for players in Diablo 4.
Abilities and Attack Patterns
Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish, is a relentless foe with a variety of devastating abilities that test a player’s reflexes and strategic thinking. Her attacks are designed to punish careless players, making her one of the most challenging bosses in Diablo 4. Understanding her abilities and attack patterns is crucial to surviving the encounter.
One of Andariel’s most iconic and dangerous attacks is her ability to summon rotating beams of energy. These beams, which appear in her later phases, are nearly unavoidable if not dodged correctly. Players must stay highly alert and maintain good positioning to avoid being caught in their path. In her final phase, the beams become even more aggressive, with two opposing rotations that can easily corner players if not managed properly.
In addition to the beams, Andariel has a basic attack that involves striking with her arm, followed by the release of three blood projectiles in a cone pattern from behind her. These projectiles deal significant damage and must be dodged or blocked. She also summons Effigies of Anguish during specific phases, particularly when her health drops to 80% and 40%. These effigies act as additional enemies that must be managed while still avoiding Andariel’s attacks.
Another critical mechanic is the stacking Tormented debuff. Each time a player is hit by one of Andariel’s abilities, they receive a debuff that increases the damage they take. This makes avoiding her attacks paramount, as the debuff can quickly become deadly in combination with her high-damage abilities. Players must prioritize evasion and use defensive skills or glyphs to mitigate incoming damage.
Finally, Andariel’s fight is punctuated by intermission phases where she disappears, leaving players to contend with her summoned minions and environmental hazards. These phases require quick reflexes and effective crowd control to manage the incoming threats while preparing for her return.
Mastering the patterns of Andariel’s attacks and understanding her mechanics is essential for success. Players must stay mobile, anticipate her abilities, and avoid taking unnecessary hits to survive this grueling encounter.
Strategies to Defeat Andariel
Defeating Andariel requires a combination of skill optimization, defensive play, and a deep understanding of her mechanics. Here are the key strategies to help you overcome this challenging boss:
Avoid Her Beams at All Costs: The rotating beams in Andariel’s later phases are her most dangerous attack. To avoid them, stay mobile and position yourself behind the beams. In her final phase, two opposing beams create a deadly crossfire. Follow the fire beam closely to avoid being cornered by the mega beam. Anticipate the beam’s rotation and adjust your position accordingly.
Manage the Tormented Debuff: Every time Andariel hits you, she applies a stacking debuff that increases your damage taken. Avoid her attacks by dodging or blocking. Use defensive skills like Leap, Teleport, or crowd control abilities to stay out of harm’s way.
Focus on Single-Target Damage: Andariel is a single-target boss, so optimize your build for maximum damage against her. Use skills that focus on dealing consistent damage while maintaining mobility. Glyphs that enhance single-target damage or provide defensive bonuses are highly recommended.
Handle the Effigies of Anguish: When Andariel’s health drops to 80% and 40%, she summons three Effigies of Anguish. These must be destroyed quickly to prevent them from overwhelming you. Use area-of-effect abilities to clear them efficiently while keeping an eye on Andariel’s attacks.
Stay Mobile and Use Evasion Skills: Andariel’s basic attacks and blood projectiles require constant movement. Use evasion skills like Dash or Teleport to avoid her cone-shaped projectile attacks. Stay behind her or at the sides to minimize damage intake.
Leverage Defensive Measures: Potions, crowd control, and resistances are crucial in this fight. Use poison resistance potions to mitigate her projectile damage, and employ crowd control to manage her summoned effigies. Light resistance gear can also help reduce damage from her attacks.
Practice and Adapt: No two attempts are the same, so learn from your mistakes and adjust your strategy. Experiment with different builds and glyphs to find what works best for your playstyle. Stay calm, and don’t hesitate to lower the Torment level if the fight feels overwhelming.
By mastering these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to defeat Andariel and claim your rewards in Diablo 4 Season 4.
Loot and Rewards
Defeating Tormented Andariel in Diablo 4 Season 4 offers some of the most rewarding loot in the game, making her a prime target for farming. As a Greater Lair Boss, Andariel has a shared loot pool with other bosses in the same category, ensuring a wide variety of potential drops. Her loot table includes both Unique and Mythic items, which are highly sought after by players for their powerful properties and build-defining capabilities.
One of the most significant rewards for defeating Tormented Andariel is her high chance to drop Mythic items. According to recent patches, Andariel and her twin, Duriel, have a Mythic item drop rate that is twice as high as other Tormented bosses. This makes her a top priority for players looking to complete their Mythic sets or acquire rare gear. Additionally, her drops include a variety of Unique items, which are essential for optimizing endgame builds.
The quality of loot is directly influenced by the Torment level at which you defeat her. Higher Torment levels increase the likelihood of dropping higher-tier items, making the challenge even more rewarding. Players can adjust the world tier in town to balance difficulty and rewards, allowing for a more accessible or challenging experience depending on their preference.
Beyond equipment, Andariel also drops crafting materials and resources, such as Stygian Stones and Sandscorched Shackles, which are essential for summoning other Tormented bosses and progressing through the endgame content. These materials are highly valuable and can be used to summon additional bosses or traded with other players.
Updates and Patches
The fight against Tormented Andariel has undergone several significant changes through various patches and updates in Diablo 4. These adjustments have fine-tuned her difficulty, loot drops, and summoning requirements, ensuring a balanced yet challenging experience for players. One of the most notable updates came in Patch 2.0.1, released on October 8, 2024, which altered the drop rates for Mythic items. While Andariel and her twin, Duriel, no longer guarantee a Mythic item drop, their chances of doing so were doubled compared to other Tormented bosses. This change incentivized players to focus on these bosses for high-end loot.
A earlier patch, 1.4.3 on June 17, 2024, introduced a 30% reduction in health for all Tormented bosses, including Andariel. This adjustment made the encounter more manageable while still maintaining its challenge. The patch also addressed the mechanics of Blood Boils from the Tormented Echo of Lilith, indirectly affecting how players approach similar mechanics in Andariel’s fight. These changes reflect Blizzard’s commitment to refining the endgame experience and ensuring that Tormented bosses remain a rewarding yet fair challenge.
In addition to these changes, the summoning requirements for Tormented Andariel were slightly modified. Players now need two Stygian Stones, six Sandscorched Shackles, and six Pincushioned Dolls to summon her. These adjustments ensure that summoning Tormented bosses remains a deliberate and resource-intensive process, adding to the prestige of defeating them. Overall, the updates and patches have honed the Tormented Andariel encounter into one of the most rewarding and challenging fights in Diablo 4’s endgame.
