In Diablo 4, character progression goes far beyond simply leveling up or stacking item power. The heart of true build customization lies in Aspects-powerful modifiers that transform ordinary gear into legendary-caliber items. By unlocking and imprinting these Aspects, you can tailor your character to fit a specific playstyle, whether that's a glass-cannon Sorcerer, a whirlwind-spinning Barbarian, or Diablo 4 Gold a skeletal army–commanding Necromancer.



The system that allows you to infuse gear with Aspects is called Legendary Imprinting, a process performed by the enigmatic Occultist NPCs scattered across Sanctuary. Mastering this system is key to creating an endgame-ready build. This guide will walk you through how imprinting works, where to find Aspects, the costs involved, and strategies to use your resources wisely.



What Is Legendary Imprinting?



Legendary Imprinting is the process of taking an Aspect-either from your Codex of Power or an extracted legendary-and applying it to a piece of gear. Once imprinted, the gear takes on legendary status and gains the powerful bonus associated with that Aspect.



For example:



A Sorcerer might imprint the Aspect of Control onto a ring for massive crowd-control damage scaling.



A Barbarian could apply Aspect of Numbing Wrath to improve survivability in higher-tier Nightmare Dungeons.



A Necromancer might add a minion-focused Aspect to a weapon, empowering their skeletons and golems.



The beauty of the system is flexibility. You're not at the mercy of RNG when it comes to finding the perfect legendary-you can make one.



How to Obtain Aspects



There are two primary ways to acquire Aspects:



Codex of Power (Permanent Unlocks)



Found by completing dungeons across Sanctuary. Each dungeon grants one fixed Aspect, which can then be imprinted infinitely.



The downside: Codex Aspects always roll at their minimum value, making them useful for early- and mid-game progression but less optimal in the endgame.



Extracted Aspects (One-Time Use)



Found on legendary gear drops. By visiting the Occultist, you can extract the Aspect from that gear, destroying the item but storing the Aspect.



Extracted Aspects retain the exact roll values they dropped with, making them significantly stronger than Codex versions.



However, they can only be used once, so choose your gear target carefully.



The Costs of Legendary Imprinting



Imprinting is not free-and the costs add up quickly, especially in the late game. Here are the main resources required:



1. Gold



Gold is the universal cost for imprinting, and it scales heavily with gear level. Early on, you may only need a few thousand. But by the time you're imprinting Sacred or Ancestral gear, the price can jump into the tens of thousands. Endgame optimization often eats through millions of gold.



Pro tip: If you find yourself running low, you can farm efficiently in Nightmare Dungeons or consider buying Diablo 4 Gold through third-party marketplaces to keep your progression flowing.



2. Veiled Crystals



Veiled Crystals are obtained by salvaging rare (yellow) items. Since you'll be cycling through gear constantly, it's easy to overlook them-but you'll need a steady stockpile for imprinting.



Don't sell every rare item to vendors. Salvage a portion of them to keep your Veiled Crystal supply healthy.



Focus on salvaging high-level rares, as they yield more Crystals.



3. Other Crafting Materials



Depending on the item slot you're imprinting, you may need additional rare resources. Examples include:



Demon's Heart – often required for imprinting weapons.



Angelbreath – tied to high-level utility items.



These resources drop from specific monsters, caches, or bosses, so if you plan on heavy crafting, make sure you're farming the right content.



Efficiency Tips for Legendary Imprinting



Because imprinting is expensive, efficiency is everything. Here's how to get the most out of your resources:



1. Be Selective With Gear



Don't waste resources imprinting onto gear you'll replace in a few levels. Save your best Aspects for Sacred and Ancestral gear at level 50+. In the campaign and early Nightmare stages, Codex Aspects are more than enough.



2. Prioritize Core Build Pieces



Not every item needs an Aspect. Focus on gear slots that directly power up your main damage skill or key defensive mechanic. For example:



Sorcerers: Imprint your main damage amplifier on rings and amulets.



Barbarians: Focus on weapons and chest pieces for survivability boosts.



Necromancers: Prioritize weapons for minion or Bone skill enhancements.



3. Use Codex Aspects for Testing



If you're experimenting with a build, start with Codex imprints. They're weaker, but cost-effective. Once you confirm a build feels right, replace the Codex version with a stronger extracted Aspect.



4. Salvage Smarter



Balance between selling rares for gold and salvaging them for Veiled Crystals. If you're flush with gold but short on Crystals, salvage more. If you're running dry on gold, sell instead.



5. Don't Forget Upgrades



Sometimes upgrading a piece of gear at the Blacksmith provides a bigger power spike than rushing into imprinting. Think long-term-your materials are finite.



Common Mistakes to Avoid



Even experienced players fall into some traps when imprinting. Here are a few to sidestep:



Imprinting onto low-level gear: Wasting a perfect Aspect on something you'll replace in two hours is painful. Wait until you have Sacred or Ancestral gear.



Using Codex Aspects late-game: They're fine early, but their minimum rolls will hold back your damage scaling past World Tier 3.



Burning through gold too fast: Imprinting is a money sink. Plan ahead and avoid going broke mid-season.



Neglecting resource farming: Gold, Crystals, and rare mats all bottleneck your progress if you don't stockpile.



Final Thoughts



Legendary Imprinting is the backbone of buildcrafting in Diablo 4. While leveling and gear power matter, it's the right Aspect in the right slot that turns a decent character into a powerhouse. By managing your gold, farming Veiled Crystals, and saving your best Aspects for late-game gear, you'll ensure your build is both efficient and devastating.



Whether you're imprinting a sorcerer's ultimate damage amplifier, a barbarian's tank-enabling Aspect, or a necromancer's summoning boost, smart choices will separate casual players from true endgame contenders. Take your time, D4 materials for sale imprint wisely, and watch your character ascend into legendary status.