Masterworking is a system in Diablo 4 that allows players to increase the Quality of Ancestral, Legendary, and Unique items, improving all base stats and affixes indirectly.
This system replaces the old upgrade mechanic and is essential for perfecting endgame gear and maximizing character builds.
Masterworking requires Obducite, Gold, and optionally combines with Tempering, while Scrolls of Restoration can restore Tempering charges if you run out.
How To Unlock Masterworking?
Masterworking is unlocked automatically once you obtain your first Masterworking Materials during endgame activities like The Pit, Nightmare Dungeons, or Helltide encounters.
After collecting early Obducite, the feature becomes available at any Blacksmith without needing additional quests.
It is recommended to visit a Blacksmith for a quick tutorial to check your available materials and understand how Quality upgrades work.
Masterworking Explained
Masterworking increases an item’s Quality, which improves the strength of its base stats and affix values as the Quality level goes up.
Items can be upgraded up to Quality 25, with each upgrade adding a small random amount of Quality. Reaching maximum Quality unlocks a Capstone Bonus.
This system is designed for Ancestral, Legendary, and Unique items, and works best when used after Tempering to finalize endgame gear.
How To Use Masterworking?
To Masterwork an item, visit any Blacksmith and select the Masterworking tab, then place the item into the Masterworking slot and choose “Upgrade.”
The required Obducite, Gold, and other crafting materials will be consumed automatically to increase the item’s Quality.
You can continue upgrading until the item reaches maximum Quality or materials run out, and Scrolls of Restoration can restore Tempering charges for additional upgrades.
Masterworking Rank Upgrades
Each Masterworking upgrade increases an item’s Quality, which scales all base stats and affix values based on the current Quality level.
As Quality increases, the overall power of the item improves steadily rather than targeting specific affixes at set ranks.
Consistently upgrading your gear ensures that Ancestral, Legendary, and Unique items perform at their peak in endgame content.
Capstone Bonuses
When an item reaches maximum Quality, it unlocks a Capstone Bonus that greatly increases one random affix without reducing the item’s Quality.
Capstone Bonuses can be rerolled using Neathiron, allowing players to change which affix receives the bonus.
This system replaces the old Masterworking Critical mechanic, giving players consistent control over high-impact endgame upgrades.
Masterworking Materials
Obducite is the primary material used for all Masterworking Quality upgrades on Ancestral, Legendary, and Unique items.
Additional crafting materials and Gold are consumed as Quality increases, with costs scaling based on the item’s current progression.
Neathiron is used specifically for rerolling Capstone Bonuses, allowing players to fine-tune which affix gains the maximum boost.
Verdict
Masterworking is one of the most important endgame systems in Diablo 4, allowing players to fully maximize the potential of Ancestral, Legendary, and Unique items.
By increasing Quality and unlocking Capstone Bonuses, Masterworking greatly enhances affix values and base stats, making it a key tool for high-tier builds and the most challenging content.
Combining Masterworking with Tempering and saving Neathiron for Capstone rerolls ensures your most important items are fully optimized for the toughest challenges.
