Diablo 4 Season 4: Loot Reborn added Tempering and Masterworking as the brand-new upgrading system for players' armor and weapons that replace previous mechanics.
The new system may be a bit overwhelming, especially for newcomers, which is why this guide aims to help you learn the basics to make your equipment the strongest it can be.
What is Tempering?
The first thing you need to know is that Tempering is how you add new Affixes to your equipment in Diablo 4. This allows you to change certain unwanted Affixes or add better ones that are much more beneficial.
This can be accessed via the Blacksmith and you can gather the upgrade materials and resources while fighting enemies in the overworld.
Tempering Your Gear
In order to actually temper your gear, you need to visit the Blacksmith after you have collected Crafting or Tempering Manuals. Each one has a Codex of Affixes and is classified into six groups, according to CharlieIntel.
These are Weapons, Offensive, Defensive, Mobility, Utility, and Resource, similar to Legendary Aspects. These manuals can be looted from a variety of places so going about your way you will most likely find some.
Tempering Durability
One thing you should keep in mind is that you cannot Temper an item indefinitely and it can only be done until you are out of charge on an item. Fortunately, you can just find new items or trade with friends.
Another limitation that players should know is that even with the Tempering mechanic, you are not able to add Tempered Affixes to Unique and Uber Unique Items, said WindowsCentral.
What is Masterworking?
The next system you should know about is Masterworking, which can be done after you get a fully Tempered item and have reached world tier four.
This is a twelve-level process that boosts your affixes by 5% for each level and buffs a random affix by 25% when you reach levels four, eight, and 12.
It also requires a selection of materials that can be acquired through The Pit, which is a dungeon that can be unlocked via a priority quest.
After that, it can be opened using Runeshard, which you can get by completing Whispers, opening Legion or Helltide chests, or finishing Nightmare Dungeons.
When you are inside this dungeon, you need to kill enemies to fill a yellow bar on the right side and you need to stay ahead of the timer.
After it fills up, a portal will open to the final boss that will drop a chest once defeated that contains Masterworking materials, according to PCGamer.
