Abhorrent Hearts power up endgame progression in Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred expansion by unlocking the Harbinger of Hatred's Hoard. These rare lair boss keys drop exclusively in Torment difficulties and require smart farming strategies to stockpile efficiently. Mastering their acquisition turns grueling boss runs into a streamlined loot pipeline for top uniques and gear.
Primary Farming: Urivar's Hoard
The cornerstone of Abhorrent Heart farming remains defeating Urivar, the spider-like boss in his lair. Collect 12 Judicator's Masks to open Urivar's Hoard, which has a solid chance to reward one or more Hearts alongside other valuables. Urivar lurks in the shadowed depths of Nahantu, accessible via specific waypoints after reaching Torment 1 or higher.
Streamline this by farming Judicator's Masks from elites in Nightmare Dungeons, Helltides, and Pits, as they drop frequently from high-density packs. Speedrunners clear Urivar in under two minutes with optimized builds, making multiple Hoard openings per hour feasible. Prioritize masks during Pit pushes or daily Helltide events to keep the supply flowing without burnout.
Secondary Source: Undercity of Kurast
For consistent volume, run the Undercity of Kurast with Tribute of Titans offerings. These special tributes, earned from Pit completions and other activities, trigger elite-heavy runs that spit out lair keys including Abhorrent Hearts at a respectable rate. Activate a Seething Opal of Torment beforehand to boost difficulty and rewards on your max viable tier.
This method shines for solo players, yielding hearts alongside boss mats like Malignant Hearts from Grotesque Debtors. Stack tributes from multiple characters to fuel marathon sessions, often netting 5-10 hearts per hour with good RNG. Avoid overcommitting if your clear speed lags, as slower runs dilute efficiency.
Alternative Methods and Boosters
Helltides offer a group-friendly option, where cinder-fueled elite kills drop Judicator's Masks en masse. Coordinate with a clan to cover the map, turning a single event into dozens of masks for subsequent Urivar farms. Nightmare Dungeons provide steady trickle drops too, especially tier 100+ with high elite density.
Boost yields by maintaining Whisper affixes that enhance material drops and using elixirs for extra boss loot chances. Alt characters excel here—farm masks on fresh season toons during leveling, then funnel to your main for Hearts. Track inventory across alts to avoid waste, aiming for 20-30 hearts weekly for sustained Harbinger farming.
Optimization Tips
Focus on mobility skills and crowd control to blitz elites and bosses. Vulnerable and crowd-control builds accelerate clears by 30-50%. Time sessions around double boss material events or seasonal buffs for exponential gains.
Rotate activities to prevent fatigue: Undercity mornings, Helltides evenings, Urivar nights. With discipline, expect 50+ hearts per week, fueling endless Hoard openings and build leaps. This loop defines Vessel of Hatred's endgame rhythm, rewarding patience with overwhelming power.