The Codex of Power Aspects are earned through completing Dungeons or parts of the Campaign. These will be an important part of any D4 hardcore leveling because they will add power to each build to help with survivability, mobility, or kill speed. Because these aspects are guaranteed to be earned versus hoping for a legendary item to drop we can plan out which ones we want to use before starting our characters.
There are many different types of Aspects… Offensive, Defensive, Resource, Utility and Mobility. Here is a list of Codex of Power Aspects that will be useful for hardcore players early game.
This list focuses on options that will help survive hardcore and is broken down by class, starting with the Aspects available to every class.
Check out the HC Build Guides for which aspects are used on a specific build early on.
HC CODEX ASPECTS BY CLASS
EVERY CLASS
Aspect of Retribution, Aspect of Disobedience, Aspect of Shared Misery, Eluding Aspect, Ghostwalker Aspect
Aspect of the Deflecting BarrierAspect of the Deflecting Barrier
While you have a Barrier active, there is a 7-13% chance to ignore incoming direct damage from Distant enemies.
Unlocked by completing Lost Keep in Hawezar
Every class
Aspect of MightAspect of Might
Basic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for 2-6 seconds.
Progress Campaign in Dry Steppes to unlock
Unlocked by completing Dark Ravine in Dry Steppes
Unlocked by completing Dark Ravine in Dry Steppes
Every class
Aspect of the ProtectorAspect of the Protector
Damaging an Elite enemy grants you a Barrier absorbing up to x damage for 10 seconds. This effect can only happen once every 30 seconds.
Unlocked by completing Lost Archives in Fractured Peaks
Every class
Aspect of RetributionAspect of Retribution
Distant enemies have a 8% chance to be Stunned for 2 seconds when they hit you. You deal 10-20% increased damage to Stunned enemies.
Unlocked by completing Abandoned Mineworks in Kehjistan
Every class
Aspect of DisobedienceAspect of Disobedience
You gain .25-.50% increased Armor for 4 seconds when you deal any form of damage, stacking up to 15-30%.
Unlocked by completing Halls of the Damned in Kehjistan
Every class
Aspect of Shared MiseryAspect of Shared Misery
Lucky Hit: When you hit a Crowd Controlled enemy, there is up to a 30-50% chance for that Crowd Control effect to spread to another unaffected enemy.
Unlocked by completing Oblivion in Hawezar
Every class
Eluding AspectEluding Aspect
Becoming Injured while Crowd Controlled grants you Unstoppable for 4 seconds. This effect has a 40-20 second Cooldown.
Unlocked by completing Caldera Gate in Fractured Peaks
Every class
Ghostwalker AspectGhostwalker Aspect
While Unstoppable and for 4 seconds after, you gain 10-25% increased Movement Speed and move freely through enemies.
Progress Campaign in Scosglen
Unlocked by completing Broken Bulwark in Scosglen
Unlocked by completing Broken Bulwark in Scosglen
Every class
BARBARIAN
Aspect of Bul-KathosAspect of Bul-Kathos
Leap creates an Earthquake that deals x Physical damage over 5-15% seconds. While standing in Earthquakes, you gain 1 increased Damage Reduction.
Unlocked by completing Light’s Refuge in Hawezar
Barbarian
Aspect of the Iron WarriorAspect of the Iron Warrior
Iron Skin grants Unstoppable and 18-28% Damage Reduction.
Unlocked by completing Carrion Fields in Dry Steppes
Barbarian
Iron Blood AspectIron Blood Aspect
Gain 2-4% Damage Reduction for each Nearby Bleeding enemy up to 10-20% maximum.
Unlocked by completing Forgotten Ruins in Kehjistan
Barbarian
DRUID
Vigorous AspectVigorous Aspect
Gain 10-15% Damage Reduction while Shapeshifted into a Werewolf.
Unlocked by completing Steadfast Barracks in Hawezar
Druid
Skinwalker’s AspectSkinwalker’s Aspect
When you use a Shapeshifting Skill that changes your form, gain x Life. If you are at full Life, gain the same amount as Fortify.
Progress Campaign in Kehjistan to unlock
Druid
Aspect of Mending StoneAspect of Mending Stone
The duration of Earthen Bulwark is increased by 6 seconds. In addition, killing an enemy with Earth Skills replenishes x of your active Earthen Bulwark’s Barrier.
Unlocked by completing Sealed Archives in Dry Steppes
Druid
Aspect of QuicksandAspect of Quicksand
Damage from Earth Skills Slow enemies hit by 25-50% for 5 seconds.
Unlocked by completing Feral’s Den in Scosglen
Druid
Aspect of Cyclonic ForceAspect of Cyclonic Force
Cyclone Armor also provides Physical Damage Reduction. In addition, Cyclone Armor will also be applied to all Nearby Allies.
Unlocked by completing Collapsed Vault in Kehjistan
Druid
NECROMANCER
The Necromancer doesn’t have any Codex of Power Aspects that help with defensive or survivability. The class specific Codex Aspects for the Necro are focused on enhancing certain offensive skills.
The summons will help keep the necromancer alive. Having summons early on your hardcore gameplay may be a good idea.
ROGUE
Aspect of Explosive VerveAspect of Explosive Verve
Your Grenades, you gain 10-18% increased Movement speed for 3 seconds.
Unlocked by completing Derelict Lodge in Fractured Peaks
Rogue
Aspect of Siphoned VIctualsAspect of Siphoned VIctuals
Lucky Hit: Damaging a Vulnerable enemy with a Core Skill has up to a 10-20% chance to drop a Healing Potion.
Unlocked by completing Leviathan’s Maw in Hawezar
Rogue
Aspect of Uncanny TreacheryAspect of Uncanny Treachery
Dealing direct damage to a Dazed enemy with an Agility Skill grants Stealth for 4 seconds. Breaking Stealth with an attack grants you 15-45% Control Impaired Duration Reduction for 4 seconds.
Progress Campaign in Scosglen to unlock
Unlocked by completing Demon’s Wake in Scosglen
Unlocked by completing Demon’s Wake in Scosglen
Rogue
Cheat’s AspectCheat’s Aspect
You take 15-25% less damage from Crowd Controlled enemies. Whenever a Crowd Controlled enemy deals direct damage to you, gain 15% Movement Speed for 2 seconds.
Unlocked by completing Luban’s Rest in Scosglen
Rogue
Opportunist’s AspectOpportunist’s Aspect
When you break Stealth with an attack, you drop a cluster of exploding Stun Grenades around your location that deal x Physical damage and Stun enemies for 0.5 seconds.
Progress Campaign in Kehjistan to unlock
Unlocked by completing Prison of Caldeum in Kehjistan
Unlocked by completing Prison of Caldeum in Kehjistan
Rogue
Trickster’s AspectTrickster’s Aspect
Caltrops also throw a cluster of exploding Stun Grenades that deal x total Physical damage and Stun enemies for 0.5 seconds.
Progress Campaign in Dry Steppes to unlock
Rogue
SORC
Aspect of Singed ExtremitiesAspect of Singed Extremities
After Immobilize wears off, enemies are Slowed by 40-60% for 4 seconds.
Unlocked by completing Earthen Wound in Hawezar
Sorcerer
Aspect of the Bounding ConduitAspect of the Bounding Conduit
Gain 20-25% Movement Speed for 3 seconds after Teleporting.
Unlocked by completing Komdor Temple in Dry Steppes
Sorcerer
Aspect of the UnwaveringAspect of the Unwavering
Taking direct damage has a 2-6% chance to reset the Cooldown of one of your Defensive Skills.
Unlocked by completing Putrid Aquifer in Kehjistan
Sorcerer
Charged AspectCharged Aspect
Collecting Crackling Energy increases your Movement Speed by 10-15% for 4 seconds.
Unlocked by completing Maddux Watch in Scosglen
Sorcerer
Snowveiled AspectSnowveiled Aspect
Casting Ice Armor makes you Unstoppable for 2-3 seconds.
Unlocked by completing Sarat’s Lair in Scosglen
Sorcerer
