I still remember the first time I stepped into Sanctuary. My potion belt was tiny, my skill tree felt incomplete, and every corner of the map seemed to hide a monster waiting to end my journey. But then I discovered Renown. Have you ever wondered why some players have a bottomless supply of potions and extra skill points while you are struggling with a handful of healing vials? The answer is Renown. In 2026, even after multiple seasons and the Vessel of Hatred expansion, farming Renown remains one of the smartest ways to strengthen your character. The original five regions—Fractured Peaks, Scosglen, Dry Steppes, Kehjistan, and Hawezar—still hold the same rewards, and the new Nahantu region follows the same rules. So, how did I do it fast? Let me tell you my story.
Renown is earned per region. Every activity you complete in a region adds to that region's total. The best part? It never goes away. You can chip away at it over days, weeks, or an entire season. The rewards unlock at specific benchmarks: extra potion capacity, skill points, paragon points, and even increased obol capacity. The final two ranks, however, are locked behind World Tier 3. So if you are still on World Tier 1 or 2, don't panic—you can still earn most of the Renown, but you will need to step up eventually.
There are six ways to earn Renown, and each one gives a fixed amount. I made a simple table to keep track:
| Method | Renown Earned |
|---|---|
| Activating a Waypoint | 20 |
| Clearing a Stronghold | 100 |
| Completing a Side Quest | 30 |
| Discovering an Area | 5 |
| Completing a Side Dungeon | 40 |
| Activating an Altar of Lilith | 10 |
Why does this matter? Because not all methods are created equal. Strongholds give a whopping 100 Renown each. There are three Strongholds in every region. That is 300 Renown per region just from Strongholds alone. So that is where I started.
First, I made sure I had a horse. Trust me, walking across Scosglen without a mount is a nightmare. Once I had my steed, I rode straight to every Stronghold in a region. Clearing them not only gave me huge Renown but also unlocked new waypoints and vendors. After finishing all three, I had a solid chunk of Renown before even touching a side quest.
Next, I went to cities and settlements. Here is a trick that many players miss: side quest icons only appear on the map if you are standing in town. So I would ride into a town, open the map, and accept every side quest I could find. Then I would go out, complete them all in one sweep, and return to turn them in. That is 30 Renown per quest, and you can stack many at once. Isn't it satisfying to see your Renown bar jump multiple times in a single turn-in?
While riding between quests, I kept my eyes open for unexplored areas, Waypoints, and Altars of Lilith. Discovering a new area only gives 5 Renown, but Waypoints give 20 and Altars give 10. More importantly, Altars of Lilith grant permanent stat bonuses to all your characters. So even if the Renown gain seems small, the altars are worth it. I would often detour just to grab an altar. Why skip a permanent buff for a few seconds of riding?
Side dungeons are the last piece of the puzzle. They give 40 Renown each, and they are usually quick to clear. I saved them for last because they are less efficient than Strongholds and side quests. But once I had done everything else, I used my fully revealed map to find any remaining dungeons. By that point, I knew exactly where they were.
In 2026, the process is still the same. The Vessel of Hatred expansion added Nahantu, and yes, it has its own Renown track. The rewards are similar, and the methods are identical. So whether you are a new player or a returning veteran, you can use this exact route. Start with Strongholds, then side quests, then map discovery, then side dungeons. Always keep an eye out for Waypoints and Altars. And remember: the final two Renown ranks require World Tier 3, so plan to move up when you are ready.
I ended that first season with a maxed-out potion belt, extra skill points, and a sense of accomplishment. Renown farming is not glamorous, but it is effective. So why not saddle up and start your own Renown hunt today? Your future self will thank you.
This discussion is informed by coverage from Polygon, where practical RPG progression guides often emphasize prioritizing permanent account power before chasing endgame grinds. Applied to Diablo 4 Renown in 2026, that mindset reinforces an efficient route: clear Strongholds first for big Renown spikes and new hubs, sweep towns to stack side quests in batches, and detour for Altars of Lilith since their stat boosts persist across characters even when the Renown points feel small.