What Lies Ahead - Diablo 4 Guide
Mar-18-2025 PSTDiablo 4 is one of the most highly anticipated action role-playing games (ARPGs) to date, continuing Blizzard Entertainment's legendary franchise with new features, a deeper storyline, and more engaging mechanics. While it expands upon the iconic gameplay of previous titles, Diablo 4 also introduces new mechanics, characters, and mysteries that will keep players coming back for more. One of the intriguing aspects of the game is the questline, What Lies Ahead, which provides a crucial juncture in the game's main story.
In this guide, we will take a deep dive into the What Lies Ahead quest, providing you with all the details you need to understand its objectives, what challenges it presents, and how to conquer them. By the end of this guide, you'll be fully prepared to complete this quest, ensuring you get the most out of your adventure in Diablo 4.
Overview of the "What Lies Ahead" Quest
The What Lies Ahead quest takes place during the main storyline of Diablo 4 Gold, offering a critical turning point in the game's overarching narrative. The quest centers around uncovering the truth behind the events that are unfolding in Sanctuary, with the main characters investigating forces that threaten the world's survival.
The quest is available as you progress through the main campaign and serves as a crucial chapter in the overarching plot, revealing more about the forces of Hell and the Prime Evils that loom over the world of Sanctuary. It is rich with lore, complex objectives, and a series of pivotal confrontations that test both your combat skills and your ability to make decisions that influence the course of events.
Quest Context and Setting
The quest begins after a series of escalating events, with the forces of Hell growing stronger, spreading chaos throughout the land. The world is in turmoil as powerful entities manipulate the very fabric of reality, and you, as the protagonist, must investigate what's behind these disturbances. You will meet new allies and foes alike while uncovering the truth about what lies ahead for Sanctuary.
Your journey during this quest will involve traveling across different areas in Sanctuary, from dark, foreboding forests to ancient ruins. Along the way, you'll encounter familiar faces and uncover new, shocking revelations. The choices you make throughout the quest can shape the future of Diablo 4, affecting the outcome of the story and the ultimate fate of the world.
Objectives of the "What Lies Ahead" Quest
The What Lies Ahead quest presents several different objectives for players to tackle. These objectives are designed to challenge your combat abilities, puzzle-solving skills, and exploration tactics. Below, we'll break down each stage of the quest and how to tackle them.
1. Investigating the Unknown Forces
The first part of the What Lies Ahead quest will require you to investigate the strange forces that have been spreading across Sanctuary. These forces are tied to Hell and the Prime Evils and are wreaking havoc in the surrounding lands.
To begin this investigation, you'll need to head to an area that is rife with these disturbing influences—possibly a town or village under siege or a ruined temple. Once you arrive, you will need to:
Speak with NPCs: Engage with NPCs who may have witnessed strange occurrences, such as demonic attacks, corrupted wildlife, or even the appearance of Hellspawn.
Investigate the Environment: Examine the surroundings for clues. These could be items left behind by previous adventurers, remnants of Hellfire, or strange symbols that mark the land. Some of these clues will be physical objects that can be interacted with, while others will require using your character's knowledge or abilities.
Defend the Area: You may be tasked with defending an area under attack by Hell's forces. These will often be waves of enemies that require you to demonstrate your combat skills. Expect to face off against demonic creatures, corrupted beasts, and other terrifying entities.
By the end of this segment, you will have gathered key information about the emerging threats and will be closer to uncovering what lies ahead for Sanctuary.
2. Unraveling the Secrets of the Ruins
The next stage of the quest requires you to travel to ancient ruins that hold clues to the origins of the dark forces threatening the world. These ruins may be located in desolate areas of Sanctuary, such as dark forests, crumbling temples, or forgotten underground catacombs. The ruins are full of traps, puzzles, and dangerous creatures, which means you'll need to be prepared for both combat and strategic thinking.
Key objectives during this section of the quest include:
Navigating the Ruins: As you explore the ruins, you'll need to solve various environmental puzzles, such as manipulating mechanisms, deciphering ancient scripts, or activating ancient levers to progress further.
Battling Guardians: The ruins are likely to be guarded by powerful enemies, including ancient golems, demonic sentinels, and cursed spirits. You'll need to defeat these foes in order to proceed and unlock more of the story.
Uncovering the Truth: Once you've overcome the guardians and puzzles, you'll find the source of the corruption. This could take the form of a powerful artifact, an ancient tome, or a cursed relic. The discovery of this item will provide crucial information about what's happening and why the forces of Hell are so eager to enter Sanctuary.
By completing this stage of the quest, you will be one step closer to understanding the nature of the threat you face and will gain important knowledge about how to confront it.
3. Confronting the Enemies
Once the puzzle-solving and exploration have revealed the truth behind the dark forces, the next objective will be to face the enemies directly. The main antagonist or a major demonic entity is often revealed here—someone or something orchestrating the chaos across Sanctuary.
Your objective here will be:
Tracking Down the Villain: After learning the location of your enemy, you will head to their lair or stronghold, which is likely to be heavily guarded. Prepare for intense combat and more difficult enemies as you approach the final confrontation.
The Boss Fight: This stage culminates in a major boss battle. The boss will often have multiple phases, each with different attacks, weaknesses, and tactics. Be prepared for a fight that will test your knowledge of mechanics and your ability to adapt on the fly.
The outcome of this battle will be pivotal, as it may determine the fate of certain characters and regions of Sanctuary.
4. Making the Final Choice
One of the most impactful parts of the What Lies Ahead quest is the final choice. After the battle with the villain, you will be presented with a moral decision that will affect the direction of the story. This choice may involve:
The Fate of the Enemy: Will you destroy the villain, or will you spare them for another purpose? The choice is often complex and morally grey, making you question whether your actions will truly lead to a better future or if they'll bring about unforeseen consequences.
The Future of Sanctuary: Depending on your choice, the fate of certain areas, towns, or NPCs may change. Your actions may either prevent or accelerate the impending doom of Sanctuary, shaping the story of Diablo 4 moving forward.
5. Return to the Quest Giver
After making your final decision, return to the quest giver, who will congratulate you on your progress and reward you with valuable loot, experience, and potentially a deeper understanding of the world of cheap D4 materials.
Tips for Completing the "What Lies Ahead" Quest
Be Prepared for Tough Fights: Expect many challenging battles, especially during the exploration of the ruins and the final boss fight. Make sure your character is equipped with strong gear and has access to healing potions.
Engage with NPCs: Don't rush through the dialogue and interactions with NPCs. These exchanges can provide key hints, lore, and information that will make your journey through the quest smoother.
Take Your Time with Puzzles: The puzzles in the ruins can be tricky, but they offer excellent rewards for those who take their time and pay attention to detail. Be patient and methodical when solving them.
Consider Your Choices Carefully: The decisions you make at the end of the quest can significantly affect the outcome of the story. Consider all the possible consequences before committing to a choice.
Conclusion
The What Lies Ahead quest is a pivotal moment in Diablo 4. It blends exploration, combat, puzzles, and critical choices into an engaging and challenging experience. Whether you're uncovering ancient secrets, fighting powerful enemies, or making tough decisions, this quest will immerse you further into the dark world of Sanctuary.
With the right preparation and strategic thinking, you'll be able to overcome the obstacles and complete the quest, helping to shape the future of Diablo 4. Good luck, adventurer—you've got much to face in the journey ahead!