Diablo 4: How to Unlock and Use the Abyssal Scroll
In this guide, we'll cover how to unlock the Abyssal Scroll, where to find it, and how to make the most of its rewards once you've acquired it.
What Is the Abyssal Scroll?
The Abyssal Scroll is a rare item introduced with the recent endgame content tied to The Abyss, a new dark realm beneath the surface of Sanctuary. It serves as a key to open rifts or summon powerful elite enemies infused with shadow energy. These encounters drop some of the most desirable loot in the game — high-item power gear, crafting sigils, and exclusive cosmetics.
You can think of the Abyssal Scroll as a gateway item, similar to Nightmare Sigils or Helltide Cinders, but tuned for late-game progression and build refinement. It also plays a role in crafting Abyssal Modifiers — rare enchantments that grant unique bonuses like Shadow Damage over Time or Increased Resistance while in Darkness.
How to Unlock the Abyssal Scroll
Unlocking the Abyssal Scroll requires completing a short but challenging progression line called the "Whispers from Below" quest chain, available once you reach World Tier III (Nightmare difficulty). Here's how to unlock it step-by-step:
Step 1: Reach World Tier III
You'll first need to complete the Cathedral of Light Capstone Dungeon on Veteran difficulty to advance into World Tier III. Once unlocked, Nightmare-level monsters begin appearing, and a new side quest marker will appear in Hawezar.
Step 2: Start the "Whispers from Below" Quest
Travel to Vyeresz, the swampy city in Hawezar, and speak with the NPC Elder Dravik, a scholar investigating shadow disturbances beneath the marshlands. He'll direct you to explore Abyssal Rifts — shadowy fissures appearing randomly throughout the region.
Step 3: Collect Abyssal Residue
While exploring rifts, you'll encounter corrupted elite enemies. Defeating them drops Abyssal Residue, a key crafting material. You'll need 10 Abyssal Residues to complete the quest's first milestone.
Step 4: Defeat the Shadowed Warden
Once enough residue is gathered, Dravik will summon the Shadowed Warden, a mini-boss that guards the first Abyssal Scroll. Defeat this foe in the rift and loot the Abyssal Scroll (Unbound) from its remains.
Step 5: Bind the Scroll
Return to Dravik in Vyeresz to cleanse the scroll using Forgotten Souls (earned from salvaging high-tier gear). This completes the quest and permanently unlocks Abyssal Scrolls as a drop type and craftable consumable.
Where to Farm Abyssal Scrolls
After unlocking them, Abyssal Scrolls can drop from:
Abyssal Rifts and Shadow Events in Hawezar and Kehjistan.
Nightmare Dungeons with shadow-themed modifiers.
World Bosses during Dark Moon events.
Helltides, especially from Tortured Chests of Mystery.
You can also craft additional scrolls at the Occultist using:
3 Abyssal Residues
1 Forgotten Soul
5 Veiled Crystals
Farming tip: Helltide events and Nightmare Dungeons with the "Shrouded Depths" affix have the highest scroll drop rate.
How to Use the Abyssal Scroll
Once you have an Abyssal Scroll, it can be activated in two main ways:
Opening Abyssal Gates – Use the scroll at specific altars marked on your map with a shadow sigil. This opens a portal to a randomized Abyssal Dungeon, featuring high-density enemies, elite spawns, and unique boss mechanics. Completing these dungeons yields Abyssal Shards and Shadowed Sigils used for crafting or enchanting.
Summoning Abyssal Foes – When used in the open world, the scroll can summon an Abyssal Champion, a powerful world-tier boss that drops rare Shadow items and crafting reagents. This is ideal for solo players looking for targeted loot.
Pro tip: Save your Abyssal Scrolls for group play — boss summons scale with player count, and shared loot increases efficiency for farming Shadow gear.
Rewards and Uses
Abyssal Dungeons and bosses unlocked through the scroll can drop:
Abyssal Set Items with unique dark affixes.
Shadowed Aspects, used for imprinting rare bonuses.
Cosmetic unlocks like Abyssal Mount Armor or glowing sigils.
Abyssal Glyphs that enhance Paragon nodes tied to Shadow damage builds.
Using these resources strategically can elevate your build's survivability and damage potential, especially for classes like Necromancer, Rogue, and Sorcerer.
Final Thoughts
The Abyssal Scroll is one of Diablo 4's most rewarding endgame keys — combining exploration, crafting, and high-stakes combat into a single mechanic. Unlocking it not only expands your access to challenging late-game content but also provides a consistent source of top-tier loot and build-defining materials.
So, dive into the darkness, gather your Abyssal Residue, and cheap Diablo IV gold prepare to face the shadows below. The Abyss awaits — and so do its treasures.
