Delves are max-level content — you unlock them by reaching the current expansion's level cap, then picking up the short introductory quest that points you at your first Delve. Tier 1 is available the moment that quest is done. There is no separate item-level gate to start, no group requirement, and no attunement chain. Higher tiers unlock as you clear the ones below them.
- Level required: the current expansion's level cap (max level).
- How you start: an intro quest appears once you hit cap; it walks you into a starter Delve.
- Group size: 1 to 5 players. Solo works — you get an NPC companion who heals and helps.
- Starting tier: Tier 1. Each tier you complete opens the next.
- Difficulty scaling: tiers scale with your gear and skill, not your level, once you are capped.
- Account-wide: tier progress carries to your alts, so a second character skips the climb.
- Weekly rewards: completing Delves feeds your weekly reward chest alongside dungeons and raids.
Can you do Delves before max level?
You can physically walk into the Delve zones while levelling, and some of them sit inside levelling areas, but the content is tuned for capped characters and the reward structure assumes you are there. Practically: keep levelling, then come back. It is faster to hit cap first than to grind a Delve that drops gear you will outgrow in an hour.
What tier should you start at?
Start at Tier 1 even if you have decent gear — the early tiers take a couple of minutes each and they unlock the ladder above them. Most players push through the low tiers in one sitting, then slow down around the middle of the range where mechanics start punishing sloppy pulls.
Tier 8 and above is where the meaningful gear sits, and Tier 11 is the serious end of the ladder. Do not jump straight there on fresh cap gear; you will spend more time dying than clearing.
Do you need a Coffer Key to run a Delve?
No — you can run the Delve itself freely. Keys are what let you open the bonus chest at the end for extra loot. Running without a key still gives you credit and the standard rewards, you just skip the chest. Keys come from weekly activities around the world, and unspent progress toward them carries over.
Are Delves worth doing at max level?
Yes, especially if you play solo or on an unpredictable schedule. Delves are the one endgame track that does not require a group, a queue or a scheduled raid night, and the higher tiers put out gear that is genuinely competitive with group content. They are also the cheapest way to gear a fresh alt.
If you would rather not spend a week climbing the tier ladder yourself, PewPewShop runs Delve help with vetted human players — coaching and play-together sessions covering tier unlocks from EUR 12, Delves Boost from EUR 17, and Tier 11 clears from EUR 44. No bots, no cheats, and you are welcome to just take a session or two and finish the rest yourself.