Stronghold

"Heroic adventurers can clear out Strongholds such as this one, claiming them once again for the citizens of Sanctuary. The town will never be the same, but victory here can leave a lasting mark and transform this hostile region into a safe haven."

- Stronghold description^(src)

Strongholds (formerly called camps) are a gameplay feature of Diablo IV.

Lore

The genocide perpetuated by Malthael resulted in the eradication of 90% of humanity, leaving a power vacuum within Sanctuary. Strongholds are areas that were left abandoned as a result of that genocide. In the decades that followed, monsters and bandits moved into these areas, taking them as their own.

Gameplay

Strongholds are event areas that have been occupied by demons, and must be cleared out by the player. They are marked on the mini-map by a red skull. Strongholds are found across the game's five zones, and barring members of a party, are solitary experiences, being instanced per player. After a player clears out a stronghold, it becomes a public space, and the player will be able to see other players, but not too many, keeping with the game's theme of isolation.

Each stronghold has its own story, unique objectives, bosses, and some with puzzle mechanics. Rewards are specific to each stronghold: some will become populated by NPCs after completed, unlocking vendors, blacksmiths and even waypoints; other strongholds may unlock new dungeons for the player to venture in. Further results vary by stronghold—possible outcomes include one or more of the following:

• The stronghold becomes a player-friendly town;
• The stronghold unlocks a dungeon;
• A waypoint is unlocked;
• A shortcut path is unlocked, linking the stronghold to another area;
• The stronghold becomes a side quest hub;
• A Legion Event is revealed.

Each stronghold that's cleared grants the player renown.

List

Dry Steppes

• Temple of Rot
• The Onyx Watchtower
• The Ruins of Qara-Yisu

Fractured Peaks

• Kor Dragan
• Malnok
• Nostrava

Hawezar

• Crusaders' Monument
• Eriman's Pyre
• Vyeresz

Kehjistan

• Alcarnus
• Altar of Ruin
• Omath's Redoubt

Nahantu

• The Festering Dark

Scosglen

• Hope's Light
• Moordaine Lodge
• Túr Dúlra

Images

A stronghold prior to being purged...

...and after