Summary
- Several items in Diablo 4 hint at a Secret Cow Level, being reminiscent of items used to enter Diablo 3's secret realms.
- Fans have found clues but haven't discovered the Secret Cow Level in Diablo 4 yet.
- Diablo 4's upcoming Vessel of Hatred expansion might contain the missing pieces needed to finally reveal the Secret Cow Level.
Diablo 4 fans have found several new items in the database for the ARPG that are reminiscent of similar objects used to enter the Secret Cow Level and Whimsyshire in Diablo 3. While these items could be little more than Easter eggs or red herrings, some players believe they are clues leading them towards the Diablo 4 version of the Secret Cow Level.
Since its release in June 2023, fans have been scouring Diablo 4 for signs of the Secret Cow Level, a legendary recurring joke throughout the series. Though they have spotted myriad clues pointing towards its existence, players have yet to find the mysterious realm or its Diablo 4 equivalent.
That said, fans might have found a few more pieces to this elaborate puzzle. Wowhead recently shared several new Diablo 4 items discovered by the D4 secret-finding Discord that are reminiscent of Diablo 3 items used to open portals to its own secret realms. The description of the Rusted Bardiche appears to be a callback to the Bovine Bardiche, which opens a gate to Not The Cow Level in Diablo 3 when transmuted in Kanai’s Cube. Additionally, the Rusted Old Bell, Crooked Staff, and Jabbering Gemstone all share the same flavor text, and seem similar to Wirt’s Bell, the Staff of Herding, and the Gibbering Gemstone, the components required to access Whimsyshire, sometimes referred to as the Pony Level of Diablo 3.
The Secret Cow Level in Diablo 4?
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Rusted Bardiche
- “This badly damaged and decayed weapon reeks of manure. You question your decision to have picked this up.”
- Similar to the Bovine Bardiche used to open the portal to Not The Cow Level in Diablo 3.
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Rusted Old Bell
- “A worn, bloodstained bell. The letter ‘W’ has been crudely carved on one side. Though its purpose is lost to time, this was once an object of great significance.”
- A reference to Wirt’s Bell, used to open the portal to Whimsyshire in Diablo 3.
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Crooked Staff
- “The cracked and splintered remnants of an old staff. It clearly had magical properties once. Though its purpose is lost to time, this was once an object of great significance.”
- A reference to the Staff of Herding, used to open the portal to Whimsyshire in Diablo 3.
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Jabbering Gemstone
- “A cloudy gemstone of unknown origin. Holding it makes you want to talk to someone. Though its purpose is lost to time, this was once an object of great significance.”
- A reference to the Gibbering Gemstone, used to open the portal to Whimsyshire in Diablo 3.
The Secret Cow Level started as a fan-made hoax in the original Diablo. It evolved into an inside joke when Blizzard seeded Easter eggs into both the Diablo: Hellfire expansion and StarCraft, until it finally appeared in-game during Diablo 2 as Moo Moo Farm, and again in World of Warcraft for the Diablo 20th anniversary event. Diablo 3 mixed up the formula with the rainbow-filled Whimsyshire realm, though it added Not The Cow Level for the game’s third anniversary.
The urban legend or its equivalent has not been discovered in Diablo 4 yet, but players have discovered several clues along the way. Some fans found the Forlorn Hovel in Diablo 4 by killing cows which allegedly drop items inspired by the original keys to the Secret Cow Level, while others attempted cleansing rituals at mysterious ox statues, or searched a part of the map that looked like a cow's head. Diablo 4 has cheekily denied the existence of a Secret Cow Level, but that has only made players more insistent on finding it.
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred releases on October 8, bringing the first batch of DLC to the ARPG. If players are lucky, this expansion will contain the missing pieces of the puzzle and finally reveal the way to the Secret Cow Level in Diablo 4.
Diablo 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
WHERE TO PLAY
Diablo® IV is the ultimate action-RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot.
Embark on the epic campaign solo or with friends, meeting memorable characters through a gripping story in a beautifully dark world, or explore an expansive end game: battle iconic bosses for powerful loot, fight back the encroaching onslaught of Hell in Helltides, master the Forge to create your ultimate weapons and progress powerful characters, with cross-play and cross-progression on all available platforms.
Discover the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre. As the battle between the High Heavens and Burning Hells rages on, hatred devours Sanctuary as evil spreads and a new wave of cultists and worshippers arise to embrace Lilith’s coming. Only a brave few dare to face this threat and bring light to the all-consuming darkness.
Expansive Open WorldForge your own path through the corrupted lands of Sanctuary, an ever-growing, fully explorable world teeming with challenges, quests, enemies, and loot. Join your fellow adventurers, rescue and retake besieged towns, delve into nightmarish dungeons and uncover lost secrets as you fight back evil. The many zones of Sanctuary are yours to explore, and with rotating areas of extreme peril like World Bosses and Helltide, danger lurks at every turn.
Immersive Character DevelopmentCreate and customize your character to face the encroaching darkness. Choose from one of five classes and build your hero with skills, abilities and cosmetics, creating a champion that is uniquely your own. Grow stronger as you progress through powerful Skill Trees and develop even more unique end game specializations with Paragon Boards.
Legendary Gear, Epic BattlesDiscover and experiment with a vast arsenal of powerful weapons, armor and more to fight back against the demons threatening Sanctuary. Explore unique combinations, create your own upgrades and collect a plethora of powerful tools to battle in immersive, action-packed combat against the deadliest of enemies.
Seasons & EventsThe tales of Sanctuary continue to unfold. Create Seasonal Characters and join in fresh adventures - master new mechanics and take on the latest threats in each new Season. Complete harrowing feats of the Season Journey and earn new Battle Pass rewards. Plus, sharpen your swords and get in the spirit of the seasons when Limited-Time Events sweep through Sanctuary.
End Game UndertakingsThere’s even more Diablo® IV to explore as you reach higher levels and more fearsome World Tiers. Face the greatest challenge yet as you take on the most powerful demons in The Pit, steel yourself against Uber Bosses to reap uber unique rewards, fight back overflowing armies of Hell as Helltides emerge across Sanctuary, battle larger-than-life World Bosses, and master the Forge to create the mightiest weapons fit for a hero.
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Cross Save
- All platforms
- Franchise
- Diablo
- Number of Players
- 1-2 players
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- File Size Xbox Series
- 158.25 GB
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 players (console only)
