The first Level 99 Warlock has officially been achieved in Diablo II: Resurrected, and it did not take long.
Shortly after the launch of Reign of the Warlock, MrLlamaSC became the first online player to push the new class all the way to Level 99, which secured him the spot as the world’s first 99 Warlock on ladder.
But as always with Diablo 2 races, the story does not stop there.
Hardcore Just Two Hours Behind
MrLlama managed to be the first Softcore 99 Warlock, but the Hardcore ladder was not far behind. A Hardcore player reached Level 99 just two hours later, making this one of the closest softcore vs hardcore Level 99 races in recent memory.
That gap might sound small, but at this level of grinding, two hours can mean sleep, team efficiency, or perfectly optimized Terror Zone rotations.
There was also an offline Level 99 achieved by dedicated grinder Enpherno, though online ladder and offline runs are generally treated as separate categories within the community.
Level 99 Is Not a Small Achievement
For anyone unfamiliar with Diablo 2’s leveling curve: 99 is not just “max level.” It is a wall.
Experience scaling in Diablo 2 is notoriously punishing. The halfway point to 99, in terms of raw XP, is somewhere around the early 90s. Pre-Terror Zones, the jump from 98 to 99 could take nearly as long as leveling from 1 to the high 90s combined.
Terror Zones have made the grind more flexible and somewhat faster, but reaching 99 still requires extreme efficiency, planning, and endurance, especially early in a ladder season.
The Usual Debate: Team Races vs. Solo Prestige
As with every 99 race going back to the original ladder resets, community assistance played a role. High-level runners typically receive support from teams who:
- Prepare Terror Zone rotations
- Provide Battle Orders buffs
- Help maintain high player-count games for maximum XP
- Trade or funnel important gear early
Now, of course, one could argue that this is simply how competitive Diablo 2 has always worked. Nevertheless, a lot of players believe true prestige would come from official Solo Self-Found (SSF) leaderboards that eliminate outside assistance entirely.
So, naturally, calls for opt-in SSF ladders have resurfaced again following the Warlock race.
It is a debate as old as Diablo 2’s ladder system itself, and it is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
A Milestone for the New Class
Controversy aside, this is the first Level 99 achievement for the Warlock since the launch of Reign of the Warlock. For a new class entering one of the most grind-heavy endgames in ARPG history, that is a significant milestone.
Even if you view it as a team victory, a streamer moment, or simply the natural evolution of ladder racing, the fact that the Warlock has officially entered the Level 99 club is a win regardless.
And the season is just getting started.
For more updates on Diablo 2: Resurrected, make sure to visit our Diablo 2 news hub.
