LAST EPOCH LEVELING GUIDE
Last Epoch: 2 Ways to Enter the Endgame Quickly
When leveling a new character in Last Epoch, players typically follow the campaign step-by-step to level up, securing Passive points and Idol slots through various quests before transitioning to the endgame content, the Monolith of Fate.
However, you do not necessarily have to complete the campaign from start to finish to access the endgame. If your character is strong enough, you can enter the Monolith of Fate early mid-campaign to level up, and by utilizing the three dungeons scattered throughout the campaign, it is also possible to skip large sections of the campaign entirely.
Notably, in Season 5, caches providing a guaranteed one-time drop for each dungeon key have been added to specific campaign areas so that even a player's first character of the season can attempt dungeon skips, making this a strategy worth using actively.
However, skipping the campaign does not automatically grant the Passive points and Idol slots from skipped quests. Since there are more reward quests available than the maximum obtainable limit, you can simply check your quest log later and complete only as many optional quests as you need to fill the gap.
However, you do not necessarily have to complete the campaign from start to finish to access the endgame. If your character is strong enough, you can enter the Monolith of Fate early mid-campaign to level up, and by utilizing the three dungeons scattered throughout the campaign, it is also possible to skip large sections of the campaign entirely.
Notably, in Season 5, caches providing a guaranteed one-time drop for each dungeon key have been added to specific campaign areas so that even a player's first character of the season can attempt dungeon skips, making this a strategy worth using actively.
However, skipping the campaign does not automatically grant the Passive points and Idol slots from skipped quests. Since there are more reward quests available than the maximum obtainable limit, you can simply check your quest log later and complete only as many optional quests as you need to fill the gap.
METHOD 01
Fastest, but Most Dangerous! Early Monolith Entry
The simplest method is to pause campaign progression once you reach The End of Time and jump directly into the Monolith of Fate. Although the Monolith of Fate is endgame content, entering it does not require defeating the campaign's final boss. Therefore, if your character is strong enough, you can stop running the campaign and enter the Monolith to level up quickly.
For builds with strong early-game performance or alt characters already equipped with powerful gear, players sometimes attempt entering the Monolith around levels 20 to 40. However, keep in mind that this is primarily aimed at experienced players seeking fast power-leveling, so beginners should exercise caution. If killing monsters takes too long or you suffer repeated deaths, progressing through the campaign a bit further to acquire levels and gear before returning will actually save time.
For builds with strong early-game performance or alt characters already equipped with powerful gear, players sometimes attempt entering the Monolith around levels 20 to 40. However, keep in mind that this is primarily aimed at experienced players seeking fast power-leveling, so beginners should exercise caution. If killing monsters takes too long or you suffer repeated deaths, progressing through the campaign a bit further to acquire levels and gear before returning will actually save time.
Pros· Starts endgame content the fastest.
· Allows leveling and gear farming at the same time.
· Significantly cuts down the time spent on the campaign.
· Pairs exceptionally well with alts supplied with powerful leveling gear.
· Allows leveling and gear farming at the same time.
· Significantly cuts down the time spent on the campaign.
· Pairs exceptionally well with alts supplied with powerful leveling gear.
Cons· High difficulty at low levels.
· Can be inefficient for a first character.
· Passive points and Idol slots must be made up for later.
· Can be inefficient for a first character.
· Passive points and Idol slots must be made up for later.
Recommended: Alts with leveling gear, strong early-game builds, experienced players
Not Recommended: First character of the season, undergeared characters, beginners
Entry Level: As early as around levels 20–40
Rating: Speed ★★★★★ / Stability ★★☆☆☆
Not Recommended: First character of the season, undergeared characters, beginners
Entry Level: As early as around levels 20–40
Rating: Speed ★★★★★ / Stability ★★☆☆☆
METHOD 02
Skipping the Campaign via 3 Dungeons
Dungeons in Last Epoch are not just for farming items. Although each dungeon is located relatively early to mid-way through the campaign, clearing a dungeon and taking its alternate exit connects to a different campaign region, enabling you to skip sections of the main campaign questline.
There are three dungeons: Lightless Arbor, Soulfire Bastion, and Temporal Sanctum, and entering each requires its corresponding key. In Season 5, three one-time caches containing dungeon keys were added to specific campaign maps, allowing even your first character to make use of dungeon skips immediately. While the maps containing the chests are fixed, their exact locations within those maps are randomized, so search the zone thoroughly.
Of course, you do not have to use every dungeon to skip the campaign. However, completing each dungeon for the first time awards 2 Passive points and 1 Idol slot per dungeon, which reduces the amount of missing rewards you need to make up later, so taking advantage of them is highly recommended.
There are three dungeons: Lightless Arbor, Soulfire Bastion, and Temporal Sanctum, and entering each requires its corresponding key. In Season 5, three one-time caches containing dungeon keys were added to specific campaign maps, allowing even your first character to make use of dungeon skips immediately. While the maps containing the chests are fixed, their exact locations within those maps are randomized, so search the zone thoroughly.
Of course, you do not have to use every dungeon to skip the campaign. However, completing each dungeon for the first time awards 2 Passive points and 1 Idol slot per dungeon, which reduces the amount of missing rewards you need to make up later, so taking advantage of them is highly recommended.
| Dungeon | Guaranteed Key Location | Skip Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Lightless Arbor (Ruined Era) | The Forsaken Trail (Ruined Era) | Exits to The Risen Lake (Imperial Era) [Act 3 → Act 4] |
| Soulfire Bastion (Imperial Era) | Ruins of Etendell (Imperial Era) | Exits to Kolheim Pass (Divine Era) [Act 4 → Act 7] |
| Temporal Sanctum (Imperial Era → Ruined Era) | Maj'elkan Catacombs (Imperial Era) | Exits to The Radiant Dunes (Divine Era) [Act 5 → Act 9] |
Pros· Skips lengthy campaign sections entirely.
· Grants Passive points and Idol slots as completion rewards.
· Provides access to dungeon-exclusive rewards.
· Grants Passive points and Idol slots as completion rewards.
· Provides access to dungeon-exclusive rewards.
Cons· Finding dedicated keys for each dungeon can be tedious.
· Higher difficulty compared to standard campaign zones.
· Skipped quest rewards are not granted automatically.
· Passive points and Idol slots must be supplemented later.
· Higher difficulty compared to standard campaign zones.
· Skipped quest rewards are not granted automatically.
· Passive points and Idol slots must be supplemented later.
Recommended: Players familiar with dungeon mechanics, alts with leveling gear
Not Recommended: Players who dislike farming keys, players who dislike learning dungeon mechanics
Rating: Speed ★★★★☆ / Stability ★★★☆☆
Not Recommended: Players who dislike farming keys, players who dislike learning dungeon mechanics
Rating: Speed ★★★★☆ / Stability ★★★☆☆
CHECK POINT
Reaching early isn't everything! What to check after skipping
When using campaign skips for the first time, Passive points and Idol slots are where players get confused the most. Skipping the campaign via dungeons or the Monolith does not automatically award quest rewards from skipped zones. Consequently, skipping campaign content can leave you short on Passive points and Idol slots.
In this case, you will need to clean up skipped side quests to reach the maximum cap for Passive points and Idol slots. However, you do not need to backtrack through every single skipped side quest. Last Epoch provides more reward quests than the maximum cap, so you only need to pick and complete your preferred quests until you hit the cap.
In this case, you will need to clean up skipped side quests to reach the maximum cap for Passive points and Idol slots. However, you do not need to backtrack through every single skipped side quest. Last Epoch provides more reward quests than the maximum cap, so you only need to pick and complete your preferred quests until you hit the cap.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated with the help of AI. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
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