The images show the game's current interface; the background, names and numbers are sample data.
A Dread Gate is a timed battle you open with a Dread Key. Monsters pour out of the gate in waves, and at the end the gate lord himself crosses the ash. The higher the key's tier, the bigger and tougher the horde, and the richer the reward. With a seal you can add modifiers to the gate for more experience and loot.
Dread Keys
- There are ten tiers: Dread Key I–X.
- How to get them: elite monsters (2%) and level-bracket bosses (8%) in the hunting grounds drop keys of the tier matching their bracket. World bosses drop higher-tier keys, and the weekly assignments of the Hero's Journal also reward a key. A successful gate gives you a chance at a key one tier higher.
- Dread Keys can also be stored in the Material Bag.
| Key | Drops from monsters (level) | Key | Drops from monsters (level) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1–29 | VI | 150–179 |
| II | 30–59 | VII | 180–209 |
| III | 60–89 | VIII | 210–239 |
| IV | 90–119 | IX | 240–269 |
| V | 120–149 | X | 270–300 |
Opening a gate
- Use the Dread Key in your bag (right-click). The gate's description appears: the number of waves, how hard the monsters hit and the time limit.
- Choose Open Gate. The key is used up.
Requirements:
- A Dread Gate can only be opened in a hunting area: first defeat a monster close to your level (your last kill must be no more than 90 seconds ago).
- You can only have one open gate at a time, and you cannot open one during an Ashwell run (see Ashwell).
Waves and the gate lord
- The gate's monsters come from your level bracket; the key's tier sets the number of waves and how strong the monsters are.
- Each wave brings (6 + tier) monsters and one elite. When all of them fall, the next wave arrives.
- After the last wave the gate lord (the boss of your level bracket) steps forth. Defeat it and the gate closes.
- Time limit: 10 minutes. If time runs out, the gate collapses and there is no reward. Logging out also loses the open gate.
- The run bar at the top of the screen shows the tier, the wave, the enemies left, the time, the gate lord and your seal's modifiers.
| Tier | Waves | Monsters per wave | Monster damage | Gate lord damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 3 | 7 + 1 elite | +12% | +15% |
| II | 4 | 8 + 1 elite | +24% | +30% |
| III | 4 | 9 + 1 elite | +36% | +45% |
| IV | 5 | 10 + 1 elite | +48% | +60% |
| V | 5 | 11 + 1 elite | +60% | +75% |
| VI | 6 | 12 + 1 elite | +72% | +90% |
| VII | 6 | 13 + 1 elite | +84% | +105% |
| VIII | 7 | 14 + 1 elite | +96% | +120% |
| IX | 7 | 15 + 1 elite | +108% | +135% |
| X | 8 | 16 + 1 elite | +120% | +150% |
Rewards
After defeating the gate lord:
| Reward | Amount |
|---|---|
| Treasure chest | I–III: 1 Silver Treasure Chest; IV–VII: 2 Golden Treasure Chests; VIII–X: 3 Golden Treasure Chests |
| Gold Bar | as many as the key's tier (more with a seal) |
| Experience | (3 + tier)% of your level's experience (more with a seal) |
| Legendary imprint | from tier III: a (tier × 8)% chance |
| Higher-tier Dread Key | I–IX: 60% chance of a key one tier higher; X: 30% chance of another tier X key |
| Hero's Journal | ash points and renown (scaling with the tier), and the gate counts toward the Dread Gate weekly assignment |
The whole server is told when you close a gate.
Dread Gate seals
When you use a key, the Seal button (cost: 5 gold × the key's tier) places random modifiers on your next gate of the same tier. The seal is on you, not on the key: it takes effect the next time you open a gate of that tier, and you can reseal (the new seal replaces the old one).
| Key tier | Number of modifiers |
|---|---|
| I–III | 1 |
| IV–VI | 2 |
| VII–IX | 3 |
| X | 4 |
Modifiers
| Modifier | Effect |
|---|---|
| Burning Ground | Monster attacks can set you on fire. |
| Swelling Hordes | Each wave's monsters are 20% tougher than the last. |
| Swift Host | Monsters move 25% faster. |
| Mirror Ward | 5% of the damage you deal to monsters is reflected back to you (it cannot kill you). |
| Poison Mist | Monster attacks can poison you. |
| Ironhide | Monsters take 30% less damage. |
| Besieger | The gate lord summons four escorts (they don't have to be killed). |
| Cold Breath | Monster attacks can slow you for 3 seconds. |
Seal rewards
- +15% experience and Gold Bars per modifier.
- 3 modifiers: an extra Golden Treasure Chest and a 50% chance of a common Elder Rune.
- 4 modifiers: an extra legendary imprint and a guaranteed rare Elder Rune.
In a party
- In a party the key holder opens the gate; your party members' kills count toward the waves and the gate lord.
- You can also find companions on the Dread Gate tab of the Runs window with the automatic group finder. At least one member must have a Dread Key. Once the party forms, everyone teleports to the key-holding leader, who opens the gate (see Runs).
See also: Runs, Ashwell, Elder Runes, Monsters and Bosses.