Explorers in Diablo 4 thrive on discovering hidden secrets, rare events, and secluded stashes. If you’re drawn to the thrill of uncovering what others miss, this Season 9 guide is for you. It focuses on lesser-known but highly efficient ways to gather Phials, Jewels, and crafting resources through open-world exploration.

Start by charting your map across all five regions. Focus on areas with high event density like Scosglen and Kehjistan. These zones often contain hidden side Diablo 4 Items quests and random events that reward unique Phials and Jewels not available elsewhere.

Exploration-based players should pay close attention to Cellars and mini-dungeons. While often overlooked, these short encounters have a chance to drop high-tier crafting materials and unique loot when paired with the right World Tier. Use maps with high Cellar concentration and clear them systematically.

Whispers of the Dead frequently point to exploration objectives such as rescuing prisoners or finding lost relics. These objectives often lead to hidden chambers or chests containing crafting materials and rare Jewels.

Look for Lore Objects and secret altars throughout the world. These may not only provide XP and renown but sometimes also trigger unique events or spawn elite enemies that drop rare Phials and gems. Equip Elixirs that boost material drops while you roam.

During Helltide Events, explore the edges of the active zone. Many players miss the off-path locations where Tortured Gifts or elite Diablo 4 Items for sale mobs hide. These areas often yield better loot than the main roads. Stack Aberrant Cinders to open multiple chests before the event ends.

Use your mount wisely to reach out-of-the-way locations quickly. Combine this with Fog of War clearing — revealing all unexplored zones not only helps with renown but uncovers caches, shrines, and altars that boost loot quality.

Keep a flexible build while exploring. Swapping in skills that enhance movement or survivability will help you deal with unexpected elite encounters while preserving your efficiency.

Exploration in Diablo 4 is a slow burn, but the payoff is big for those who dig deeper than surface-level farming. Master your routes, scan every corner, and you’ll be swimming in rare materials others never even see.