Diablo 1 Walkthrough: Part 2, the Catacombs (Levels 5-8)

This is part 2 of our Diablo (1996) walkthrough. It covers the Catacombs, dungeon levels 5 to 8, from the first stairs below the Cathedral down to Zhar the Mad's library. Monsters hit much harder here, and this is where most first runs get stuck, so take it slowly.

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The whole walkthrough

Which quests can you get here?

Quests in Diablo are picked at random when you start a new single player game. In the Catacombs you can meet these:

A handy trick: Magic Rock, Valor and Halls of the Blind form one group, and you always get exactly two of them. So if Griswold never mentions the Magic Rock, you know Valor and Halls of the Blind are both waiting for you. Lachdanan is not in the Catacombs: he lives on level 14 and is covered in part 4.

Level 5: the town shortcut

Level 5 has a staircase that goes straight up to town. Take it once. From then on, a new entrance in Tristram leads directly to the Catacombs, so you never have to walk through the Cathedral again. Levels 9 and 13 work the same way for the Caves and Hell.

The Magic Rock (if you get it)

1. After you have reached level 4, Griswold tells you about a strange stone he heard of.
2. On level 5, look for a small stand with the Magic Rock on it. Pick it up.
3. Take it back to Griswold. He makes you the Empyrean Band, a ring with +2 to all stats, a bigger light radius and faster hit recovery.

Valor (if you get it)

1. On level 5, find a book on a pedestal and read it. This starts Valor.
2. Find the Pedestal of Blood on the same level. Pick up the first Blood Stone you can reach.
3. Put the stone on the pedestal. A wall opens and you can reach the next stone.
4. Repeat until all three Blood Stones are on the pedestal. The third one opens the final room, where the reward lies.
5. Expect monsters behind each new opening. Pull them back to a corridor and fight there.

Your reward is Arkaine's Valor, a strong body armor with extra Vitality, less damage taken and faster hit recovery. For a Warrior or Rogue it can be your armor for the rest of the game.

The Chamber of Bone (every game)

1. On level 6, find the Mythical Book and read it. Stairs to the Chamber of Bone appear.
2. Go down. The chamber is a separate area packed with undead. Maces and the Holy Bolt spell work well.
3. Fight your way to the far end and read the book there.

The book teaches you the Guardian spell, or adds a level to it if you already know it. Guardian summons a three-headed creature that shoots fire at enemies. It's great for a Sorcerer, and even Warriors can use it now and then.

Halls of the Blind (if you get it)

1. On level 7, find and read the Book of the Blind. Two openings appear into a closed area shaped a bit like the number 8.
2. Inside are many Illusion Weavers. They turn invisible, run away and come back.
3. Move slowly. Rogues and Sorcerers can fire down the straight halls before the monsters even show up.
4. The reward lies inside the halls. Clear the Illusion Weavers as you go so they can't swarm you while you pick it up.

The reward is the Optic Amulet: more light radius, lightning resistance, +5 Magic and a little less damage taken. Many players sell it later, but the lightning resistance helps for a while.

Zhar the Mad (if you get it)

On level 8 you find Zhar the Mad in a small library with bookcases. Talk to him. He is not friendly, but he hands you a spell book. Soon after, he loses his temper and attacks. Taking a book from his shelves makes him angry too.

• Zhar is a spell caster. He resists fire and lightning, so Firebolt and Charged Bolt do little.
• Melee and arrows work best. Get close fast and don't give him time to cast.
• When he dies, check the bookcases and his drop for more books.

Getting through levels 5 to 8

• The goat men here come in groups, and some use bows. Fight around corners so the archers have to come to you.
• Some monsters, like the Hidden, are invisible until they are close. Listen for them and keep your back to a wall.
• Black Death zombies can still show up on level 5. Each hit lowers your maximum life for good.
• If a room is too much, go back up and clear the level above again. There is no shame in a little extra experience.

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Want the full story behind the game? The Book of Cain collects the lore of Sanctuary in one beautiful volume.

Tips for this part

• Use the level 5 staircase to unlock the town shortcut as early as you can.
• Carry spare Town Portal scrolls. You will go back to town a lot in the Catacombs.
• Sorcerers: buy or find Mana Shield and Fire Wall if Adria sells them. Check her shop every trip, her stock changes.
• Repair your weapon and armor at Griswold before each long trip. Broken gear is gone for good.
• Start collecting gear with resistances. You'll need them more and more from here on.

My take

The Catacombs are where Diablo stops being friendly. I lost my first Sorcerer to a pack of goat men on level 6 because I ran into a big room instead of using the door. Arkaine's Valor is my favorite quest reward in the whole game. Which quest did your game give you here?

FAQ

What level is the Chamber of Bone on?

Level 6. Read the Mythical Book on that level and the stairs to the chamber appear. It is in every single player game.

Is Lachdanan in the Catacombs?

No. Lachdanan is on level 14, in Hell, and only in some games. See part 4 of this walkthrough.

Why didn't I get Halls of the Blind?

It shares a group with The Magic Rock and Valor, and only two of those three appear in each game. If it is missing, you will have the other two.

How do I get back to the Catacombs fast?

Take the "up to town" stairs on level 5 once. After that, Tristram has its own entrance straight to the Catacombs.

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