The Diablo 4 item power breakpoints are a mysterious and secretive system that determines the true quality of a dropped gear piece. To have the best experience, it is helpful to understand how to utilize these item power buffs. This guide is here to outline how they work.

What Are Item Power Breakpoints in Diablo 4?

Diablo 4 Item Power Breakpoints are hidden stats that indicate which item can receive a significant boost to all its base stats when upgraded. Obtaining gear with an Item Power near the next threshold means it will gain much more than the standard 10% power increase. Crossing these thresholds will also grant special buffs.

There are six tiers of item power in Diablo 4, known as Item Power Breakpoints. Here are the different tiers:

Tier 1 Gear: Item Power 1 – 149 
Tier 2 Gear: Item Power 150 – 339 
Tier 3 Gear: Item Power 340 – 459 
Tier 4 Gear: Item Power 460 – 624 
Tier 5 Gear: Item Power 625 – 724 
Tier 6 Gear: Item Power 725 and above

Why Are Diablo 4 Item Level Breakpoints Important?

For example, if you have an armor piece with a power level of 300 and you upgrade it, it will only increase by 10 power and add a few enhanced stats. However, the next item level breakpoint tier is at 340. This means that if you upgrade an armor piece at 331, it will gain much more than 10 power.

This is where the importance of breakpoints comes in. Pushing a piece of gear past the next item level breakpoint will cause it to re-roll and increase its stats. The affixes it already has will jump to the next "bracket" of power and be re-rolled, helping to enhance your character.

Additionally, although the breakpoints are hidden, they determine the usefulness of an armor piece. When you find a new item that seems promising and has decent stats, check its power level. If it falls just below one of the levels listed above, it is usually better to wait. Tracking the item level breakpoints in Diablo 4 can save you time and resources when searching for a specific build.

How to Increase Item Level in Diablo 4?

Playing on higher World Tiers is the best way to find gear with higher Item Power ratings. Ancestral gear, the most powerful Diablo 4 items, is dropped in World Tier 4. These items often have an Item Power of 725 or above. 

In addition to farming, you can increase your Item Power by upgrading your equipment at a Blacksmith or Jeweler. Each item upgrade raises its Item Power score by 5, scaling up to +25 with maximum upgrades. By doing this, players can actually reach gear breakpoints.

That is all you need to know about Diablo 4 Item Level Breakpoints. Was this article helpful? Please let us know in the comments below.