Diablo 4 Duriel

Duriel Diablo IV

Duriel returns as an enemy in Diablo IV.

His appearance is slightly altered compared to his Diablo II incarnation: he is less insect-like and more reminiscent of Ghom, with a fanged vertical maw in place of a stomach, more bestial and less insectoid jaws.

Gameplay video features him performing a fatal attack on a Barbarian, involving impaling him with a claw and devouring him with a mouth on Duriel’s torso.

Diablo 4 Duriel

Duriel, one of Diablo 2’s toughest and iconic bosses, will return for Diablo 4. As a grub/larva-like creature, he lives in a cramped chamber and fills the room with numerous maggot monsters when engaged by players:

“He’s returning to Diablo 4. His name is Duriel, The Lord of Pain. In Diablo 2, if you fought him, you know that he comes toe-to-toe with you and only one of you comes out alive. You’re enclosed in this small space. We wanted to honor the legacy of who he was in Diablo 2 while also elevating it and telling more of a story about who he is for Diablo 4.”

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Burrowing special attack

Blizzard detailed one of Duriel’s special moves as a boss: the ability to burrow into the ground, leaving the player to fend off swaths of maggots:

“He’s Lord of Pain, but also Lord of Maggots, so we decided to explore that side of him. He burrows into the ground to give you one-on-one time with the maggots, reducing the space you have to fight him.”

Diablo 4 Burrowing special attack

Craters where Duriel has burrowed into the ground

Player swallowing attack

In addition to burrowing, Duriel can draw the player into his stomach, which is clamped shut with interlocking teeth, and then spit the player out in a pile of ooze. Blizzard likened this to being inside an iron maiden cage, which were used in medieval times:

“He jabs you and pulls you into his belly. We’re trying to use that symbolism like an iron maiden, a cage during the medieval times. We wanted to evoke those emotions in you when you see Duriel.”

Diablo 4 Player swallowing attack

Duriel spits out a swallowed a Barbarian from his stomach

Duriel gameplay footage

During 2019’s BlizzCon footage, we can see a Barbarian battling Duriel:

A Barbarian battles Duriel and his maggots

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