In the ever-expanding world of Diablo IV, players are constantly hunting for powerful abilities and enhancements known as Aspects. These magical enhancements can drastically improve gameplay by augmenting gear with unique powers. One particularly intriguing aspect that has caught the attention of many adventurers is the Aspect of Accursed Touch. This offensive Aspect enhances builds that rely on curses or necrotic effects, often associated with Necromancer classes. For players hoping to build an optimal damage-over-time or curse-based loadout, locating this Aspect is a high priority. But finding it isn’t as straightforward as simply looting chests it requires a bit of exploration and understanding of the game’s dungeon system.
Understanding the Aspect of Accursed Touch
What the Aspect Does
The Aspect of Accursed Touch is an offensive Aspect that empowers your character’s curse-related skills. When equipped, it typically grants a chance for your basic skills especially curses to apply additional effects such as spreading damage or afflicting nearby enemies. This makes it particularly effective in crowd-control situations or when fighting dense groups of enemies. The Aspect can turn an ordinary skill into a chain-reaction of debuffs and damage, making it a core part of many endgame builds.
Classes That Benefit the Most
While all classes in Diablo IV can technically equip any gear, this Aspect is most beneficial to certain playstyles. Here are a few examples:
- Necromancer: Especially builds that utilize curses like Decrepify or Iron Maiden will find tremendous synergy.
- Shadow or DoT Builds: Any build focusing on spreading afflictions or status effects will enhance its damage output.
- Control-focused Players: Those who prefer manipulating enemy behavior and weakening mobs find added value here.
Where to Find the Aspect of Accursed Touch
Unlocking Through Dungeons
In Diablo IV, many Aspects are not just random drops; they are unlocked permanently in the Codex of Power by completing specific dungeons. The Aspect of Accursed Touch can be unlocked by completing a designated dungeon located in one of the game’s five main regions.
Location: Fetid Mausoleum Dungeon
To acquire the Aspect of Accursed Touch, you need to complete the Fetid Mausoleum dungeon. Here’s what you need to know about reaching it:
- Region: Hawezar
- Sub-region: Blightmarsh
- Nearest Waypoint: Ruins of Rakhat Keep: Inner Court or Wejinhani
The Fetid Mausoleum is a damp and grim dungeon surrounded by poison swamps and plagued undead. Upon entering, you’ll be faced with relentless waves of skeletal warriors, poison mages, and corrupted spirits. These enemies often employ afflictions themselves, so come prepared with resistance gear and antidotes.
How to Reach the Dungeon
Once in Hawezar, travel east or southeast depending on your last waypoint. The dungeon marker should appear on your map once you’re in proximity. Mounting up will significantly reduce travel time, and it’s wise to clear nearby strongholds or outposts to make future visits easier. Always keep your gear repaired before setting out, as dungeons in Hawezar are notoriously longer than those in other regions.
Dungeon Mechanics and Strategy
Enemy Composition
The enemies inside the Fetid Mausoleum often rely on crowd tactics. Expect swarms of undead, including fast-moving bone wraiths and plague-spewing necromancers. Poison pools and curse fields are common hazards. Keep your movement abilities ready and avoid standing still for too long.
Boss Encounter
At the end of the dungeon, you will face a unique boss: Mourning Carver. This boss uses curse-based attacks that reduce your healing and apply stacking poison damage. To defeat it, focus on burst damage between its AoE phases, and try to remove curses or avoid stacking effects when possible. Players who can interrupt or displace the boss will have a much easier time managing the fight.
Tips for Success
- Bring potions that increase poison resistance.
- Equip gear that enhances mobility or reduces status effect durations.
- If playing solo, consider summoning allies or minions to distract enemies.
- Manage resources wisely; conserve ultimate skills for the boss phase.
Using the Aspect of Accursed Touch
Applying to Gear
Once the dungeon is completed, the Aspect of Accursed Touch is permanently added to your Codex of Power. You can then imprint it onto Rare or Legendary gear at any Occultist. It’s important to note that the Codex version always rolls the minimum value of the effect’s range. If you’re looking for a stronger version, you’ll need to extract it from a Legendary item that drops with the Aspect naturally.
Best Gear to Imprint
The best slots to use for this Aspect typically include:
- Gloves: Increases offensive capabilities of curse skills.
- Amulets: Gives a power bonus multiplier when imprinted here.
- Two-Handed Weapons: Also grants increased effect power.
Synergizing With Other Aspects
The Aspect of Accursed Touch works well with several other Aspects that benefit from DoT and curse mechanics. Consider pairing it with:
- Aspect of the Damned: Boosts damage dealt to cursed enemies.
- Aspect of Grasping Veins: Adds crit chance when using crowd control effects like curses.
- Aspect of Torment: Reduces cooldowns based on enemy afflictions.
Why This Aspect Matters in Meta Builds
Endgame Viability
The Aspect of Accursed Touch is not just for leveling it’s often a staple in endgame builds. In PvE and PvP environments, spreading curses quickly and efficiently can shut down mobs or players by drastically reducing their combat potential. The Aspect becomes essential in dungeons with high mob density, such as Nightmare Dungeons or seasonal events.
Seasonal Relevance
In Season 4 and beyond, as new modifiers and affixes are introduced, Aspects like this one remain relevant due to their universal applicability. Any seasonal mechanic that rewards debuff-heavy strategies will naturally synergize with Accursed Touch, ensuring it holds a place in powerful builds.
The Aspect of Accursed Touch is a valuable offensive tool for curse-focused builds in Diablo IV. Found by completing the Fetid Mausoleum dungeon in Hawezar, it provides long-term benefits once unlocked in the Codex of Power. Players seeking to enhance their Necromancer’s curse spread or any class that utilizes afflictions will find it incredibly useful. By understanding its location, optimal usage, and synergies with other Aspects, you can transform your build into a more efficient and dangerous force in Sanctuary. Whether you’re grinding through Nightmare Dungeons or facing off in PvP, this Aspect deserves a place in your gear loadout.