Push if the next stage can become consistent after a focused change. Farm if the test is still unstable or if the needed upgrade comes from the current reliable loop.
Diagnose before changing everything
- Repeat the failing stage and note the exact loss point.
- Classify it as speed, single-target damage, or survival.
- Change one relevant skill, gear effect or Rune route.
- Re-test before declaring the stage solved.
Verified progression structure
The official game information confirms three Acts and four difficulty tiers. Plaguelands is a separate released progression layer: the Ver 1.02.00 release notes describe entry through the Portal UI after the relevant difficulty and Stage 1–10 requirement, with Contamination as an additional access condition. A stage guide should therefore name the Act, difficulty and system layer rather than saying only “push higher.”
| WALL | FIRST CHECK | NEXT TEST |
|---|---|---|
| Routine waves | Clear time and repeatability | Clear-speed skill or Rune change |
| Stage boss | Single-target damage and cooldown timing | Boss-focused test on the same stage |
| Survival | Exact loss point and defensive effect | One stability change before more damage |
| Plaguelands access | Difficulty, Stage 1–10 clear and Contamination requirement | Check the current release and hotfix notes |
Stage decision record
Save the failed stage, attempt count, failure type, patch, party, gear assumptions and result after one change. Ver 1.02.01 recorded a Plaguelands progress-reset issue and Ver 1.2.4 later addressed stage-change chest waiting-time resets; this history shows why a progression result needs a date and version.
Official sources: Plaguelands release and the versioned patch desk.