In the expansive world of Diablo 4, Uber Bosses are among the Diablo IV Items most formidable challenges players can face, offering some of the best loot and most intense combat encounters in the game. One such boss is Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish, who has returned to torment the denizens of Sanctuary as part of the game’s endgame content. Andariel’s challenge is not only a test of combat skills but also of your ability to handle mechanics and prepare adequately for a deadly encounter. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to locate, summon, and defeat Andariel, both in her regular and Tormented forms, as well as strategies to maximize your success in battle.
Andariel’s Location
Andariel resides in a unique area known as Hanged Man's Hall, which can be found in the Scouring Sands region of Kehjistan. To reach the arena where she waits, follow these steps:
Fast Travel to Tarsarak
Start by fast traveling to Tarsarak, which is the closest waypoint to Hanged Man's Hall.
Travel East
Once at Tarsarak, head east to find the Hanged Man’s Hall, a dark and foreboding locale where you’ll encounter Andariel.
Enter the Hall
Upon entering the hall, you’ll encounter the Alter of Anguish, the place where Andariel can be summoned.
How to Summon Andariel
To summon Andariel, you’ll need to perform the Ritual of Anguish at the Alter of Anguish. This requires specific items that can be found during your travels in Kehjistan or purchased from vendors. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
Locate the Alter
Inside Hanged Man's Hall, head roughly north to find the Alter of Anguish.
Gather the Required Items
To summon Andariel, you will need the following items:
Sandscorched Shackles x2
Pincushioned Doll x2
Activate the Ritual
Place the required items into the Ritual’s designated slots and activate the alter to summon Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish.
How to Summon Tormented Andariel
If you're looking for a much more challenging encounter, you can summon Tormented Andariel, a far more difficult version of the boss with greater damage output and more deadly mechanics. The summoning process is almost identical to that of the regular Andariel, but with a few changes:
Ritual of Anguish
Just as with the regular Andariel, you must perform the Ritual of Anguish at the Alter of Anguish.
Change the Summoning Option
Within the Ritual window, you will notice an arrow option that allows you to select Tormented Andariel.
Required Items for Tormented Andariel
To summon the Tormented version, you’ll need the following items:
Stygian Stone x2
Sandscorched Shackles x6
Pincushioned Doll x6
Summon Tormented Andariel
Once you’ve placed the required items into the Ritual, activate the summoning, but be prepared for a much more intense battle than the regular version.
How to Defeat Andariel
Defeating Andariel isn’t an overwhelmingly difficult task, but her mechanics can be tricky if you’re unprepared. Below is a breakdown of her core mechanics and strategies for handling the fight.
Effigy of Anguish Mechanic
Phase 1: Effigy Summon
After Andariel loses a portion of her health, she will disappear from the arena. At this point, three Effigies will spawn around the area. Each Effigy is surrounded by a damage-immune circle, which means you need to enter the circle to damage the Effigy.
Important Tip: You can’t damage the Effigies until you are inside their protective circle. Once you’re within the circle, quickly destroy the Effigy.
Phases 2 and Beyond: Increasing Difficulty
As the fight continues and Andariel’s health drops further, she will reappear and repeat the Effigy mechanic. The key challenge here is that each phase will make the Effigy mechanics progressively harder.
Expect to encounter debuffs, increased damage, or environmental hazards like poison puddles or fire traps that require you to stay alert and mobile.
Other Notable Mechanics
Poison Clouds
Andariel will periodically summon large poison clouds that cover sections of the arena. These clouds will deal damage over time if you stand in them, making it essential to keep moving and avoid standing in one spot for too long.
Ranged Poison Attacks
At various points during the fight, Andariel will fire poison projectiles at you. These can be dodged with timing and positioning. Staying mobile and being aware of where the attacks will land is crucial for avoiding substantial damage.
Summon Adds
Throughout the encounter, Andariel will summon additional demonic adds to fight alongside her. These minions can quickly overwhelm you if not managed efficiently. To avoid being swarmed, focus on clearing the adds as quickly as possible.
Poison Pools
At certain stages of the fight, poison pools will spawn on the ground, dealing continuous damage over time. These pools can be a significant hazard if you don’t avoid them, so always be aware of your positioning and make sure to stay out of the pools.
Strategies to Defeat Andariel
Prioritize Dodging Over Damage
The fight against Andariel is not about sheer damage output; rather, it’s about avoiding her environmental hazards and poison-based attacks. Focus on dodging her poison clouds and ranged projectiles while ensuring that you don’t get overwhelmed by her adds. Stay mobile and maintain distance when necessary.
Effigy Handling
The Effigy mechanics are a crucial part of the fight. Quickly move between the damage-immune circles and destroy each Effigy to force Andariel to reappear. The faster you eliminate these Effigies, the quicker you can deal direct damage to Andariel, speeding up the overall fight.
Clearing Adds Efficiently
When Andariel summons adds, you’ll want to clear them quickly before they become a nuisance. Utilize AOE abilities (Area of Effect skills) to take out multiple enemies at once. If you’re playing as a ranged character like a Sorcerer or Rogue, you can kite and attack while keeping your distance from both Andariel and her minions.
Keep Your Distance
Melee builds will have a more difficult time dodging Andariel’s poison clouds, so it’s critical to time your attacks carefully and retreat when necessary. Ranged characters such as Sorcerers and Rogues can more easily manage the fight by staying at a distance and avoiding the dangerous poison mechanics while attacking from a safe spot.
Use Poison Resistance
One of the most effective ways to handle Andariel’s poison-based attacks is by investing in Poison Resistance gear or using Poison Resistance potions. If you’re struggling with her poisonous onslaught, consider crafting or buying items that provide immunity or resistance to poison damage to significantly reduce the amount of damage you take.
Item Drops
As an Uber Boss, Andariel rewards players with high-level loot that can drastically improve your character’s power. Here are some of the key item drops to expect:
Uber Uniques
These are the most coveted rewards from Andariel. Uber Uniques are rare items that have exceptional stats and often come with powerful affixes that can drastically improve your character's build and capabilities.
Legendary Items
Andariel also drops Legendary items with high item power, which are useful for boosting your character’s strength in various ways. These can provide significant improvements to your damage output, survivability, and overall performance in combat.
Crafting Materials
In addition to weapons and armor, Andariel drops valuable crafting materials. These can be used to craft or upgrade gear, further enhancing your capabilities and preparing you for even more challenging encounters in the future.
Conclusion
Defeating Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish, is one of the most thrilling challenges in Diablo 4. While she may not be the most difficult Uber Boss in terms of raw power, her unique mechanics—such as the Effigy of Anguish, poison clouds, and adds—can catch players off guard if they’re not prepared. By prioritizing mobility, managing the Effigies quickly, clearing adds efficiently, and utilizing Poison Resistance gear, you can overcome Andariel and claim some of the best loot available in the game, including Uber Uniques and Legendary items.
Whether you’re taking on the regular Andariel or her far more challenging Tormented version, be sure to approach the battle with a well-prepared strategy, and don’t forget to bring plenty of healing potions and defensive buffs. With patience, skill, and proper preparation, you’ll be well on your way to conquering this endgame boss and cheap Diablo IV Items gaining the rewards to bolster your character’s strength even further.