Why Infernal Hordes Matter Again in Season 11

In Diablo IV Season 11, many players shifted attention toward other endgame activities, but the Compass to Carnage event sharply increases the value of Infernal Hordes. The reason is simple: it boosts the frequency and payoff of Chaos Waves and ramps up Ether gains, turning a single run into a reliable loop for Scrolls of Restoration and high-quality gear rolls.

If you’re pushing progression and constantly tinkering with Sanctification outcomes, Scrolls of Restoration become a bottleneck. Infernal Hordes solves that problem because the drops are consistent, and the event’s Ether spikes let you afford the most important rewards every run.

What You’re Actually Farming: Scrolls, Ether, and Guaranteed Value Chests

Scrolls of Restoration: the real target

Scrolls of Restoration are the headline farm here. During Compass to Carnage, players commonly see Scrolls drop every run, and the volume scales with how cleanly you execute your Ether routing and reward priorities.

Ether: the currency that dictates your run quality

Ether is what you convert into the rewards that matter. The event significantly increases Ether from Chaos Waves, and that changes the optimal strategy: you’re no longer just “surviving waves,” you’re hunting the highest Ether moments so you can consistently buy both the boss reward and the best chest.

Equipment Cache: why it’s non-negotiable

The Equipment Cache is a cornerstone reward because it’s a dependable source of Greater Affixes. When you’re upgrading core slots, this chest provides a steady stream of high-upside items, and it can also contribute additional Scrolls alongside the boss rewards.

Compass to Carnage: What Changes and Why It’s So Strong

Compass to Carnage isn’t just a small bonus; it changes how you should approach the entire activity. The important effects are:

• More Infernal Horde compasses available through play, so you can chain runs.
• More Chaos Waves and better Chaos Wave outcomes.
• More Ether overall, with Chaos Waves being the biggest spike.

The practical result is that a single Chaos Wave can provide enough Ether to comfortably fund the key purchases in the run. During strong runs, you can also afford additional caches for gold or gem materials without sacrificing your core objectives.

Step 1: Choose the right wave count (6 vs 8)

For pure speed and Scrolls-per-minute, 6-wave runs are often the sweet spot if your build clears quickly and you’re not starved for compasses. They finish fast, keep the pace high, and still produce consistent Scrolls.

8-wave runs become attractive when you’re specifically chasing multiple Chaos Waves in one session. With Compass to Carnage active, longer runs can roll more Chaos Waves, and each Chaos Wave can be an Ether explosion that pays for everything you want.

Step 2: Prioritize Chaos Waves like they’re the objective

Chaos Waves are the engine of this farm. Under the event bonuses, Ether from a single Chaos Wave can be “run-defining,” meaning it determines whether you can buy both your main rewards and still have Ether left for extra caches.

Important note: don’t tunnel on only one Chaos Wave type. The big Ether payoff can show up across Chaos Wave outcomes, not just the ones players tend to talk about most.

Take a look at: a fast farming loop that also targets scrolls and mythics

Step 3: Spend Ether correctly every run

Your Ether spending should follow a strict priority if Scrolls are the goal:

• Fight Bartuk whenever possible, since boss rewards are a primary source of Scrolls.
• Buy the Equipment Cache for Greater Affix chances and additional high-value drops.
• Only then consider optional caches (gold, gem fragments) if you have surplus Ether.

This order keeps your run consistent. Even if a run rolls fewer Chaos Waves than you hoped, you still walk away with the items that matter for progression.

Step 4: Optimize pickup and downtime

Ether efficiency isn’t only about killing quickly; it’s also about minimizing wasted time between wave transitions and reward decisions. Keep your movement tight, clear spawns immediately, and avoid drifting away from the densest action areas unless you’re forced to reposition for survival.

How to Maximize Ether Gains Inside the Arena

Infernal Hordes rewards builds that can delete spawns instantly across a wide area. The most efficient approach is to position so that you’re consistently hitting where enemies appear, rather than chasing stragglers across the arena.

Wave choices: pick options that translate into Ether

Many Horde decisions look tempting because they add “more stuff,” but not all choices are equal for Ether. When you’re trying to fund Bartuk plus the Equipment Cache every run, your decision-making should heavily favor outcomes that increase clear speed, spawn density you can handle, or Chaos Wave value.

Build requirement: you don’t need perfection, you need consistency

You don’t need a showcase build to farm Scrolls efficiently, but you do need a setup that can:

• Clear packs immediately without ramp time.
• Stay alive without frequent resets.
• Handle Chaos Wave spikes without losing tempo.

Any build that meets those conditions can farm this loop. If you’re struggling, reduce wave count until you can complete runs smoothly, then scale back up.

Solo vs Group: Why Parties Win on Ether

Why a coordinated group outpaces solo

Even strong solo builds can’t match four players covering the arena. In a well-organized group, each player anchors a section so spawns die instantly. That means fewer leaks, faster wave completions, and more consistent Ether conversion into rewards.

Take a look at: a breakdown of Season 11 activities and what to prioritize

Simple group plan that works

• Assign each player a quadrant or corner to control.
• Prioritize builds with fast, reliable screen control and low downtime.
• Keep the pace: finish waves quickly so the run stays efficient.

This is especially effective during Compass to Carnage because Chaos Waves become even more valuable when the group can erase them instantly and collect Ether without chaos-induced slowdowns.

If your Chaos Waves are paying out big and you’ve already secured Bartuk and the Equipment Cache, you can start treating the run as a broader resource farm.

• Gold: useful if you’re rolling, upgrading, or constantly adjusting gear.
• Gem fragments: helpful for pushing toward top-tier gem upgrades like Royal gems.

The key is discipline: don’t sacrifice the core purchases that drive Scrolls and Greater Affix opportunities.

Common Mistakes That Kill Scrolls-per-Hour

• Skipping Bartuk to buy extra minor caches first.
• Overcommitting to 8-wave runs when your build can’t maintain speed and survivability.
• Chasing Ether pickups inefficiently and losing wave tempo.
• Ignoring party play when you have access to groups that can multiply clear speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Infernal Hordes a reliable way to farm Scrolls of Restoration?

Yes. With Compass to Carnage active, Scroll drops are consistent, and the Ether spikes from Chaos Waves make it easier to afford the best rewards every run.

Should I run 6 waves or 8 waves for the best results?

Run 6 waves if you want faster cycles and steady Scrolls-per-minute. Run 8 waves if you can clear quickly and want more chances at multiple Chaos Waves in one run.

What should I spend Ether on first?

Prioritize Bartuk and the Equipment Cache. That combination targets Scrolls of Restoration and provides strong chances at Greater Affix gear.

No, but it’s the ceiling for efficiency. A coordinated four-player group can cover spawns and finish waves faster, which usually increases Ether and reward consistency.

Can I still get value if I don’t roll many Chaos Waves?

Yes. Chaos Waves are the biggest Ether spike, but good wave choices, fast clears, and correct Ether spending still produce strong results.