D3 S28 Altar of Rites Guide – What to get first? Options, basics, etc

So this guide is specifically about the S28 mechanic, the Altar of Rites. Even more specifically, how I recommend the order you unlock nodes to get maximum value of the heavenly value. Naturally there are notes and choices further down, as well as all the basic node info there in the middle. NOTE: They’re officially called “seals”, but… man…

to open the Altar of Rites:
Go to ACT I: then follow the left path slightly past Arghus the Collector

S28 Altar of Rites – Order of what to get

This specific setup is “good enough” for the vast majority of players – the focus is to get the farming, QoL, and speedy nodes first, then filling the rest with the best to worst nodes. There are a few nuances and notes down there in case you want to get certain things in your Altar of Rites first or whatever. A very important note is how the altar of rites makes leveling in S28 much easier.

Notably there are a couple notes on Node C down there, specifically how to get Node C with or without the cache.

Confused? The next segment is the Altar of Rites Nodes, Effects, and Unlocking

Again, the purpose of this ordering is to “reduce as much stress”, and “make life as easy as possible”. This is obviously not a one size fits all. Feel free to change things up, and two sections down there detail the major choices I think which are important.

S28 Altar of Rites Nodes, Effects, and Unlocking

Simply a rundown of the Altar of Rites to help you understand the context of this guide. The tabs include a visualization of which nodes are which letter, the node effects, and the required items to unlock Altar of Rites nodes.

S28 Altar of Rites Node Order: Notes and choices

To Cache or Not to Cache

Opening your Challenge Rift Cache helps you out greatly in the early game. Obviously if you want to level up a little easier, open the Challenge Rift Cache and do the usual tricks with it.

Doing this locks you out of getting any more nodes after your 15th one, since the 15th unlock needs a Challenge Rift cache (You’ll have to wait for a “the upcoming monday”).

If you’re planning to chill and level up naturally, and want to level up fast, while also thinking getting all nodes in 1 week isn’t that realistic or important for you – go ahead and open your cache.

If you’re planning to tryhard and put your nose to the grindstone from very beginning (or plan to get boosted by friends), then go ahead and save your cache.

One thing people forget is opening the cache gives you a pretty huge advantage once you’re at L70 as well, since you’re “guaranteed” some decent legendaries to start off with.

HOW TO GET NODE C WITH OR WITHOUT THE CACHE

Unlocking Node A is a node-brainer. Node C needs a Flawless Diamond, and 1 Deaths Breath (to maximize),

Getting a Flawless Diamond: The fastest way is waiting until you’re level 18 and doing some boss bounties (reload until you get Zoltun Kulle or Maghda). The chest should contain DIAMONDS. Get two of these, then upgrade it using the Level 2 Jeweler into a Flawless Diamond. You need to do this wether you open or not.

Getting 1 Deaths Breath from the get-go: Either you:

• go easy mode and open the challenge rift cache, or…
• you get A SINGLE TORMENT 1 BOUNTY CACHE. This is best done (or only practically possible solo) at LEVEL 1. Enter all the maps of the act you choose to complete while you’re level 1 to SNAPSHOT the mobs to level 1. Then finish up the bounty after that.

Obviously spending the cache is a lot less of a hassle. You need the DEATHS BREATH to upgrade your blacksmith, in order to create a L70 item you can then equip.

Node F: 25% Movespeed

Experienced players will know this is a godlike speed buff, especially early on. And the fact this goes over the base movespeed “cap” is super welcome. The problem? You need Node C which you may or may not opt into as we talked about earlier.

I take this really early if you’re taking the C path. If you’re not about the C life, then feel free to take this pair anytime later, maybe even towards the bottom.

Even if you took C, some people might not like this too much or have a build with godlike movespeed – in which case you want to push this down.

Nodes T & Z: Passability and Kadala Chances

While passability is great for a lot of builds (and useless for others), I opted to place this around the middle of the ordering because that’s when people will be Kadalaing for important key upgrades the most. You can even choose to get this sooner, if you like (13/14) – before the “15 node lock”, but I value the double DB’s a little more.

Node N: On-crit Resource gain

This is great for some builds, potentially freeing up a passive or an item, or a single reroll. I mean, it’s pretty useful for most builds, right? Of course, some builds might need this more than others, and maybe downright useless for some. This is a judgment call, take it earlier or later depending on your needs.

Which potion to go for first?

Well, it really depends, so I’ll try to give you some guidance here…

Potion AA – oculus style ground buffing effect: Is probably best if you’re in the business of doing higher GR’s. Pretty useless for farming nephs or bounties.

Potion AB – enemies deal less damage: great for dedicated support players. Overall probably the worst as you’ll only really want this effect in very challenging content.

Potion AC – Shrinelike effects: he best generic one IMO. Useful for all types of content, and you’ll be happy with any sort of boost more often than not. Some builds might want AA more than AC for high-tier GR, but ANY BUILD can benefit from this in all content types, up to the high-end. So this is the best for me.

My final recommendation?
AC (Shrine or Power effect) > AA (Buffing ground effect) > AB (Make enemies weaker)

Summary and Outro

There are a few ways to go about traversing the Altar of Rites, but I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting these godlike “quality of life” and “speedy” nodes first, just to make farming smoother and faster earlier on.

Logically, saving the combat and progress related ones for later, when you’re actually doing that kind of content. Again, check the notes to see the nodes wherein I feel might be most moved around by most people.

Good luck out there in S28, this is gonna be a banger. Check our our D3 Leveling, D3 Fresh 70 guides, or our D3 Guide Directory.