In the ever-expanding universe of Diablo 4, whispers of a legendary Cow Level have resurfaced, igniting the curiosity of players and fans alike. This hidden realm, steeped in nostalgia from its predecessors, beckons adventurers with promises of unique loot and quirky encounters. However, unlocking this elusive level is no simple task; it requires a meticulous hunt for three ancient relics, each guarded by a daunting challenge that demands the slaying of 666 cows. As players embark on this epic quest, they must navigate a labyrinth of cryptic puzzles and farming routes, all while battling the bizarre bovine foes that await them in the mysterious Forlorn Hovel. Will you be among the brave to uncover the secrets of the Cow Level?
What is a cow level?
In the context of the Diablo series, a cow level refers to a secret area filled with hostile bovine creatures, first introduced in Diablo II. This whimsical location became a beloved easter egg, allowing players to engage in humorous and chaotic battles against cows while collecting loot. Despite the absence of a confirmed cow level at launch for Diablo IV, recent updates have sparked speculation among fans, particularly with the introduction of items reminiscent of those used to access the cow level in previous games. As players continue to search for clues and potential unlocks, the mystery surrounding a possible cow level in Diablo IV remains a hot topic within the community.
Cow Level is a secret level that was born out of a joke and a myth. In fact, the cow level first appeared in Diablo 2 in 2000. The fun of the idea was to meet a number of conditions to open a portal to the cow level. Once we did it and went through the portal, it turned out that we were fighting with hordes of mad cows, which ran on two legs and held halberds in their hands. Interestingly, the cows were quite demanding opponents and dropped a lot of valuable loot. So it was a way to get some pretty good gear for our characters.
Is there a cow level in Diablo 4?
The question of whether there is a cow level in Diablo 4 has intrigued fans since the game’s release. While Blizzard initially denied the existence of such a level, recent updates have sparked speculation. The Diablo 4 2.0 update introduced items like the Rusted Bardiche, which bears similarities to the Bovine Bardiche from Diablo 3, and other quest items that echo those needed to unlock the cow levels in previous games. Players have been actively hunting for clues, and community discussions suggest that a cow level may indeed be on the horizon, particularly with the upcoming Vessel of Hatred expansion. However, as of now, no definitive cow level has been confirmed, leaving fans eagerly searching for more hints and potential unlocks in the game.
The Blizzard developers answer unequivocally: there is no cow level in Diablo 4. However, cow level is based on a secret and a joke, so don’t trust the devs – maybe, and there’s a good chance, they just didn’t tell us the truth so that we can discover the cow level portalinDiablo 4 ourselves. Blizzard developers have repeatedly claimed that “there is no cow level” – this exact sentence is even shown on one of the loading screens in Diablo 3. In the case of Diablo 2, it was a lie (the cow level was there), and in Diablo 3 it was somewhat true, because while there was no cow level, there was another, secret level. Let’s see how it looked in the past.
Cow level in Diablo 1
In the original Diablo 1, the Cow Level, often referred to as the “Secret Cow Level,” became a legendary Easter egg within the game. This whimsical area could be accessed by players who combined Wirt’s Leg, a unique item found in Tristram, with a Tome of Town Portal inside the Horadric Cube. Upon doing so, a red portal would open, leading to a bizarre realm filled with aggressive bipedal cows wielding polearms, known as Hell Bovines. This level was not only a humorous nod to players but also offered lucrative rewards in terms of experience and loot. However, defeating the Cow King, a unique enemy within this level, would permanently prevent players from accessing the Cow Level again on that difficulty unless another player opened the portal, adding an intriguing layer of strategy to this beloved secret.
While you can find a lot of theories about cow level in Diablo 1 on the internet, this is the only game where there is no cow level. Interestingly, the myth about a cow level in Blizzard games was born after the release of this game. For example, one theory was that in order to open a secret portal to a level filled with cows, you had to click endlessly on 3 cows in Tristram. Of course, it was nonsense, but the joke took over the gaming community (and later the still-new internet) and became a kind of myth. The joke was so well received that it reached the creators of Diablo and they decided to make a joke in the second game.
Cow level in Diablo 2
The Cow Level in Diablo 2 is a legendary Easter egg that has become a hallmark of the franchise. To access this whimsical yet challenging area, players needed to combine Wirt’s Leg and a Tome of Town Portal in the Horadric Cube after defeating the final boss of their current difficulty. This would open a portal to a realm filled with Hell Bovines, bipedal cows wielding polearms, providing both unique loot and experience. However, a significant twist awaited players: defeating the Cow King, a unique enemy within the level, would prevent them from re-entering the Cow Level on that difficulty, adding a layer of strategy to repeated runs. This quirky level not only offered fun gameplay but also served as a nostalgic nod to fans of the series.
Yes, there is indeed a cow levelinDiablo 2. To reach it, you need to get Wirt’s Leg (this is the leg of an NPC fromDiablo 1, which you get after returning to Tristram inDiablo 2) and the Tome of Town Portal, then place the items in the Horadric Cube. Then a portal to a secret cow level will appear, where we will encounter a lot of strange cows (the cows were voiced by the game’s developers themselves).
Cow level in Diablo 3
The Cow Level in Diablo 3 has become a legendary aspect of the franchise, originating from its predecessor, Diablo II. In Diablo II, players accessed this whimsical yet perilous area by combining Wirt’s Leg and a Tome of Town Portal in the Horadric Cube, leading to a realm filled with hostile, bipedal cows known as Hell Bovines. These creatures wielded polearms and provided significant loot and experience, making the Cow Level a beloved destination for players seeking both challenge and rewards. However, defeating the Cow King within this level would prevent players from re-entering on that difficulty, adding a layer of strategy to the experience. The nostalgic allure of this hidden level has led to ongoing speculation and excitement about its potential return in Diablo 4, where players are eager to explore new iterations of this classic Easter egg.
There are two secret levelsinDiablo 3 that rely on a similar joke.
- The first is Whimsyshire, a secret level filled with teddy bears, rainbows, clouds, flowers and unicorns. To get to Whimsyshire, you need to find Black Mushroom, Leoric’s Shinbone, Liquid Rainbow, Wirt’s Bell, Gibberting Gemstone and Plan: Staff of Herding.
- The second level was added later and is called Not the Cow Level. However, in “NTCL” you will come across cows, including the Cow Queen, so it’s basically an actual cow level in Diablo 3. There are several ways to get to the Not the Cow Level, but the simplest is to simply kill the Treasure Goblin. There is a small chance that the goblin will open a portal when it dies.
What are the most challenging steps to unlock the Secret Cow Level in Diablo 4
Unlocking the Secret Cow Level in Diablo 4 involves a series of challenging steps that test players’ dedication and skill. Here are the most difficult aspects of this intricate quest:
Key Steps to Unlock the Cow Level
- Defeating 666 Cows: The first and most daunting task is to defeat a total of 666 cows. This hidden “Cow Counter” tracks your progress globally, meaning every cow killed by you or nearby players contributes to the count. However, each relic drops only after killing the 666th cow, which requires significant grinding across various regions to ensure you meet the specific conditions for each relic’s drop location.
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Collecting Three Relics: After reaching the target, players must collect three specific relics:
- Bloody Wooden Shard (drops in Kejhistan or Hawezar)
- Intricate Metallic Fragment (drops in Dry Steppes)
- Musty Tome (drops in Scosglen or Fractured Peaks)
Each relic is tied to a specific region, adding complexity to the farming process.
- Cleansing the Relics: Once all three relics are obtained, players must cleanse them at a fountain in Ked Bardu. This step involves dropping and picking up each relic in the fountain, which can be tricky as it requires precise timing and positioning.
- Obtaining the Strange Key: After cleansing, players receive a Strange Key, which is crucial for accessing the Forlorn Hovel. Losing this key before using it means starting over, making careful management essential.
- Navigating the Forlorn Hovel: Finally, players must enter the Forlorn Hovel, where they face more cows and potentially uncover further secrets. The final challenge includes defeating all cows inside to receive a Stamina Potion, which may lead to additional quests or rewards.
These steps combine elements of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving, ensuring that only the most persistent players will unlock the coveted Secret Cow Level.
What are the specific locations for finding the relics in Diablo 4
To unlock the Secret Cow Level in Diablo 4, players must collect three specific relics, each of which drops from cows after defeating a total of 666. The location where you kill the last cow determines which relic you receive. Here are the specific locations for each relic:
| Relic | Drop Location |
|---|---|
| Bloody Wooden Shard | Kehjistan or Hawezar |
| Intricate Metallic Fragment | Dry Steppes |
| Musty Tome | Scosglen or Fractured Peaks |
Detailed Steps:
- Bloody Wooden Shard: To obtain this relic, you must kill the 666th cow in either Kehjistan or Hawezar.
- Intricate Metallic Fragment: This relic drops when the 666th cow is killed in the Dry Steppes.
- Musty Tome: For this relic, defeat the 666th cow in either Scosglen or the Fractured Peaks.
After collecting all three relics, players must cleanse them at the fountain in Ked Bardu to proceed with unlocking the Cow Level.
