Shards of Agony serve as a key endgame material in Diablo 4, primarily tied to accessing high-value rewards from tough bosses like Duriel.
Primary Uses
Players use Shards of Agony to unlock the boss hoard chest of Duriel, King of Maggots, after defeating him in the Gaping Crevasse dungeon in southern Kehjistan. In Season 8 and later, summoning bosses no longer requires these shards, but three are needed to open Duriel's post-fight loot hoard for chances at Uber Uniques and top-tier gear. This shift makes them essential for targeted farming of rare drops without the old summoning grind.
Main Drop Sources
Grigoire, the Galvanic Saint, in the Hall of the Penitent (Dindai Flats), provides the most reliable Shards of Agony—defeat him then spend 12 Living Steel on his hoard for a guaranteed drop in Torment tiers. Echo of Varshan in the Malignant Burrow (Writhing Mire) offers another source by using 12 Malignant Hearts on his hoard, though less consistent than Grigoire. Additional chances come from World Bosses as random drops, Undercity of Kurast runs with Tribute of Titans, or Grotesque Debtors.
Optimal Farming Strategies
Prioritize Grigoire loops: farm Living Steel via Helltide Tortured Gifts (300 Aberrant Cinders each) to fuel quick clears, aiming for Torment I or higher for better rates. Stack lightning resistance with Topaz gems or gear to handle his attacks, and group up for faster kills while rotating summons. Supplement with Varshan using Whispers of the Dead for Malignant Hearts, and hit World Boss timers or Undercity for passive gains during downtime. This cycle maximizes Shards per hour while building other resources for Duriel pushes.