Diablo 4 – Fortify generation explained and how to use it

Need to get your head around Diablo 4 Fortify? While destroying your enemies is of great importance, you can’t do that if you’re not alive. This skill can help, but only if you know how to use it.

There are plenty of components needed to stay alive in Diablo 4, from having the best Diablo 4 endgame build to playing as one of the five Diablo 4 classes that suit you best. However, when things come down to the wire and you’re on the brink of death, Fortify can help.

What is Fortify in Diablo 4?

Fortify is a Diablo 4 mechanic that gives you a 10% damage reduction when your current life is below the total amount of Fortify you have. For example, if your current health is at 3,000, you have to have 3,000 Fortify or more to become Fortified.

You can check the current level of the stat by hovering over the health globe, which will bring up the Fortify stat. When you become Fortified, the globe will glow a brighter red. This will also show you the exact amount of health, obviously, and you can see the difference between the two. Your Fortified level will deplete when you’re out of combat, so you won’t be in the state forever. You also will lose it normally as you lose health.

When playing the game, I’ve found that Fortify is most likely to activate as I’m losing my health. While you can build it up high enough, it’s far more likely that Fortify will activate when you’re low on life. Eventually, your health bar will drop below the amount of Fortify you have, and you’ll become Fortified. However, you can build up the stat, as well.

How to generate Fortify in Diablo 4

You can gain Fortify by using your skills and Aspects that generate the stat. Only three classes in the game are able to generate it: Barbarians, Druids, and Necromancers. Unfortunately, Rogues and Sorcerers can’t become Fortified. They use Barrier instead. Here are the specific skills that generate the stat for each class:

• Barbarian – Bash, Iron Skin, Rallying Cry, Thick Skin, War Cry
• Druid – Earth Spike, Earthen Bulwark, Maul, Debilitating Roar, Trample, Grizzly Rage, Natural Fortitude, Thick Hide, Defensive Posture, Nature’s Resolve, Safeguard
• Necromancer – Blood Surge, Bone Prison, Drain Vitality, Hemorrhage, Necrotic Carapace

Druid, in particular, has lots of ways to generate the stat. Each one of these skills will generate a bit of the stat towards becoming Fortified, so if you’re looking to generate it, these are the skills you’ll need to use.

You can also strengthen the stat by socketing Diablo 4 Sapphires into gear and using Legendary items and armor that give special boosts when you’re Fortified. These stats are Fortify Generation, Damage when Fortified, Damage Reduction while Fortified, and Attack Speed when Fortified. By using these items, you can make yourself far more powerful when Fortified. At its height, Fortify can give you up to 40% damage reduction. This is a huge step up from 10%.

That covers how to generate and use Fortify in Diablo 4. Make sure to check out our best Whirlwind Diablo 4 Barbarian build and our best Corpse Explosion Diablo 4 Necromancer build to really make use of your skills.