The day is May 15th, 2012, and the release of Diablo 3 takes the gaming world by storm.
20 years after the release of Diablo 2, Diablo 3 is ready to continue the story of the Heroes of the High Heavens.
Gamers dive right in, excited to continue the Diablo story after the 2-decade wait.
The game kicks into full swing only to give gamers a disappointment. The incorporation of a controversial auction house and pesky bugs made Diablo 3 a difficult game to enjoy.
Fortunately, bug fixes took place a few years ago, updating the game’s quality and allowing Diablo 3 to be one of the most well-known RPG games on the market.
Perks of Diablo 3 include allowing gamers to experiment with different builds and focus on the story of their favorite heroes while overcoming some of the game’s most brutal bosses.
Speaking of Sanctuary’s brutal bosses — one powerful demon worth mentioning is Diablo 3’s Rakanoth. His dark backstory and powerful abilities make him a formidable enemy.
As you continue your journey through the High Heavens, here is where you can learn how to find and overcome Diablo 3 Rakanoth.
About Diablo 3 Rakanoth
Throughout the game, you collect kill bounties. One of the major bounties you will encounter in your journey to release the High Heavens from evil is killing Rakanoth, the Lord of Despair.
Before you start cleaving him to pieces, here’s a little history on how Rakanoth came to be.
Rakanoth was once a lieutenant of Andariel, one of the only female evils. During Rakanoth’s time as a lieutenant, he acquired the title Lord of Despair. He ruled over the Realm of Despair as a warden over the fallen angel Izual and keeper of the Realm’s prisoners.
Shortly after the death of Adariel, Rakanoth pledges his allegiances to Diablo.
During Diablo’s assault on the High Heavens, Rakanoth imprisons and guards the Archangel of Hope, Aurial — leading you to the events in Act IV of Diablo 3.
Now that you’re prepared with the backstory of Rakanoth, where can you find the Rakanoth location?
Where to Find Rakanoth
As you fight and trek your way through the High Heavens in search the Archangel Auriel, Rakanoth will confront you in Diablo 3 Act IV, just one of the three major bosses you will face in this grueling Act.
Some gamers recommend looking for the Rare Monster first when you begin Act IV. Then after the Rare Monster is vanquished, you can move on to find Rakanoth. This option is completely up to you.
To find Rakanoth, enter the first tier in the Gardens of Hope. Climb up the stairs and turn left.
As you approach the next set of stairs, there’s an entrance to the Library of Fate. Enter, and you will find Rakanoth. The fight is about to begin.
Right before you engage with Rakanoth, you will get teleported to the center of a room in the Library of Fate. A short clip will play before the fight begins.
If the above sounds familiar, then you’re in the right place.
Fighting Rakanoth
So, you find yourself in the center of the Library of Fate, about to battle the powerful boss known as Rakanoth. What do you do?
Many gamers have been faced with this question and have chosen poorly.
Before jumping in, here is everything you need to know about defeating Rakanoth!
The Fight
Here’s a bit of good news: the fight with this boss is single phase and straightforward. A pretty simple fight set up.
However, don’t get too comfortable. Despite the straightforward setup, Rakanoth will put forth a great deal of damage. His minions are relentlessly summoned throughout the course of the fight, adding to your list of perils.
If you’re an advanced gamer with strong builds looking for a tough challenge, you will certainly be in for a treat.
Rakanoth loves a melee fight and does not disappoint. He is a melee boss that will give you a run for your money. He doesn’t move as much as other bosses, but his attacks are just as dangerous and more damaging than his counterparts.
Rakanoth’s Abilities
We know now that Diablo 3 Rakanoth is a heavy melee fighter who regularly uses his minions, potentially causing you some major damage. What else should you watch out for?
Distancing yourself from Rakanoth throughout sounds like a good idea, right? Except Rakanoth’s most damaging abilities are best used from a distance.
Rakanoth is gifted with the ability to use ranged attacks as you run around. When you get too close, he’s happy to share his gift of damaging volleys.
Rakanoth’s Major Attacks
Don’t underestimate the power of Rakanoth. He is capable of numerous one-hits that kill players instantly in a single blow.
Without top quality gear or high hit points, you will want to learn how to avoid Rakanoth’s most common attacks.
Here are a few of Rakanoth’s favorite attacks to watch out for:
- Blade Strike: Rakanoth will teleport towards the player while turning bright blue and lunging his blade arms at the hero. Watch out, as this basic melee attack causes tremendous damage
- Blade Cleave: This is Rakanoth’s go-to attack. He takes one or two arm blades and destroys everything within range. As damaging as it sounds, this attack takes a little extra time and is avoidable
- Teleport: One of Rakanoth’s most unique attacks is his ability to teleport. When you’re out of range, Rakanoth will teleport to you with a surprising slew of attacks. If you’re in close range, Rakanoth can do the opposite. He’ll teleport away to take a moment to summon his minions
- Volley: When Rakanoth is ready to send our a volley, he rises into the air holding his arms open wide. Then he lets loose a volley of spinning blades. Hide behind a pillar in the arena and you can avoid these blades
- Summoning Minions: Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, Rakanoth shows you this surprising move. He will teleport away from you and appear to prepare a volley. Instead of attacking you, he will slowly spin and toss blades around the arena. As the attack finishes, Soul Devourers — Rakanoth’s minions — will rise near you and suck your health globes dry
- Inferno Difficulty: Watch out for Rakanoth’s rage timer. After three minutes of fighting, Rakanoth will become more aggressive by increasing his attacks and other abilities against you
Even with the knowledge of Rakanoth’s major attacks, he will prove to be a formidable enemy. His surprise attacks and maddening Inferno Difficulty will keep the most advanced game players on their toes.
If you think Rakanoth is as tough as the bosses can get, you’re in for another surprise. There are variants that take Rakanoth (and other boss enemies) to the Uber level.
Rakanoth Variants
Where’s the fun in a game with only mysterious and deadly bosses? In Diablo 3, Rakanoth is one of the seven bosses to have an Uber variant.
The Vile Executioner, Vicious Blademaster, has similar attack strategies as Rakanoth. Unlike Rakanoth, the Vile Executioner fights alongside the Foul Desecrator, Foul Maw of Hell.
Players will have a more difficult time overcoming this Rakanoth variant than they did in Act IV.
Fun Facts About Diablo 3 Rakanoth
In Diablo 2, the Prophecy of the End of Days is revealed.
Rakanoth, the Lord of Despair, is the only boss mentioned in the prophecy:
“…And, at the End of Days, Wisdom shall be lost as Justice falls upon the world of men. Valor shall turn to Wrath — and all Hope will be swallowed by Despair. Death, at last, shall spread its wings over all — as Fate lies Shattered forever.”
The brief part, “hope will be swallowed by Despair,” directly refers to Rakanoth’s attack on the Silver City. Auriel, the Archangel of Hope, is captured and held hostage by Rakanoth. It’s not until the Nephalem heroes destroy Rakanoth that Auriel can be freed.
Although Diablo 3 has undergone a few updates to straighten out the glitching bugs and add to the story, Rakanoth has always been an original boss enemy character. In fact, when the game was first being developed, developers were planning to use his design for Azmodan, the Lord of Sin.
Borderlands 2, an action role-playing game, hosts a creature called Rakkanoth. Like Diablo 3, the Rakkanoth is also a boss enemy.
More on Diablo 3
There is a lot to learn about the mystery and abilities of Diablo 3 Rakanoth. His history, intense damage abilities, and variants will keep every gamer adequately challenged as they free the High Heavens from the clutches of evil.
Diablo 3 offers more diversity in hero character customizations. New and old boss enemies and monsters satisfy the cravings for new fights and challenges. The adventure story mode of Diablo 3 continues the Diablo saga right where Diablo 2 leaves off.
There is much more to learn about the story, characters, and strategy in Diablo 3.
Check out our other great blogs and gamer tips on how to improve your skills, must-know essentials, and boost your builds in Diablo 3!
