Diablo 4: How to Get and Use Hail of Verglas
Jul-24-2025 PSTIn this guide, we’ll break down how to obtain Hail of Verglas, what it does, which classes benefit most, and how to use it effectively in builds to freeze, control, and obliterate your enemies across Sanctuary.
What Is Hail of Verglas?
Hail of Verglas is a Legendary Aspect or seasonal power that conjures a storm of icicles to rain down in a cone or circular area, dealing high Cold damage and applying Freeze or Chill. It scales with Cold Damage, Vulnerable Damage, and Crowd Control effects.
While it varies by class and seasonal patch, its general description is:
"Unleash a frozen barrage that rains down icicles in an area, dealing X Cold Damage and applying Chill. Enemies already Chilled or Frozen take increased damage and may become Vulnerable."
This makes it a high-value offensive and utility ability—excellent for both area-clearing and elite boss control.
How to Get Hail of Verglas
There are three main ways to acquire Hail of Verglas depending on its seasonal context:
1. Seasonal Reward Tree or Codex (if available)
In certain Seasons, especially in Season of the Construct or Season of the Fractured Realms, Hail of Verglas may be unlocked as part of the Season Journey or as a craftable item in the Codex of Power.
Check your Season tab: If Hail of Verglas is a seasonal Aspect, you’ll find it under “Powers” or “Aspects.”
Unlock by progressing tiers in the Season Journey. Some players get it in Chapter 3 or 4 by completing seasonal activities.
2. Dungeon Drops or World Boss Caches
If Hail of Verglas is an Aspect, it may be unlocked by completing a specific Nightmare Dungeon or found in Legendary loot.
Farm dungeons in Fractured Peaks or Hawezar, where Cold-themed loot is more likely to drop.
World Boss chests and Helltide Mystery Chests may drop it randomly on higher World Tiers (WT3 or WT4).
3. The Pit or Tormented Bosses
In late-game tiers (post-Level 70), the Pit of Artificers or Tormented Bosses may drop exclusive versions of powerful Aspects or Unique items. If Hail of Verglas is part of these elite pools, you must:
Clear high-tier Pit levels (Tier 30+).
Target-farm bosses like Grigoire or Beast in the Ice with Cold-themed loot tables.
Classes That Use Hail of Verglas Effectively
1. Sorcerer (Frost Build)
The Frost Sorcerer can fully utilize Hail of Verglas by combining it with:
Ice Shards
Frost Nova
Blizzard with Glacial Aspect
Synergy:
Use Frost Nova to Freeze enemies, then cast Hail of Verglas to deal massive bonus damage.
Stack Chill duration, Freeze duration, and Vulnerable Damage to amplify burst.
2. Rogue (Frost Imbuement Build)
Rogues using Cold Imbuement on Barrage or Rapid Fire can trigger Chill effects that set up Hail of Verglas.
Strategy:
Open with Imbued Barrage to Chill enemies.
Drop Hail of Verglas as a finisher, applying Vulnerable and AOE burst.
Use Concussive and Exploit Weakness passives for bonus damage.
3. Druid (Storm + Cold Hybrid)
Some Cold-based Druids or storm hybrids can slot Hail of Verglas with Hurricane and Pulverize, especially with Cold-based Aspects that alter the skillset.
Best Stats and Gear for Hail of Verglas
To optimize the damage and utility of Hail of Verglas, stack the following:
Priority Offensive Stats:
Cold Damage %
Vulnerable Damage %
Critical Strike Chance / Damage
Crowd Control Damage
Intelligence (for Sorcerers) or Dexterity (for Rogues)
Defensive Enhancements:
Freeze Duration Increase
Chill Application Rate
Barrier Generation (Sorcerer)
Evade Cooldown Reduction (Rogue mobility)
Best Gear Slots:
Amulet or Gloves: Ideal slot for engraving Hail of Verglas if it's an Aspect.
Two-Handed Weapon: If you're a Sorcerer and want high Aspect scaling.
How to Use Hail of Verglas in Combat
Here’s a rotation example for both Sorcerers and Rogues:
Sorcerer Combo:
Cast Frost Nova to Freeze enemies.
Use Blizzard or Ice Shards to Chill further.
Activate Hail of Verglas to finish enemies with increased damage from Freeze and Vulnerable.
Reposition with Teleport or Flame Shield if needed.
Rogue Combo:
Activate Cold Imbuement.
Use Puncture or Barrage to Chill enemies and build combo points.
Drop Hail of Verglas on the slowed pack.
Dash behind enemies to reposition or prepare a Shadow Step.
Advanced Tips
Enemy Clusters = More Value: Hail of Verglas shines in group fights. Use terrain and elite packs to line up large groups before casting.
Synergize with Freeze Buffs: Equip passives or items that give bonuses against Frozen enemies for massive synergy.
Cooldown Management: If Hail of Verglas has a cooldown, pair it with Cooldown Reduction stats or Keystone Passives to increase uptime.
Glyph Synergy: In Paragon boards, look for glyphs like Control, Exploit Weakness, or Frigid Fate for added damage against CC’d enemies.
Final Thoughts
Hail of Verglas is a powerful Cold ability that cheap Diablo IV gold rewards smart timing, synergy with Freeze and Chill mechanics, and efficient crowd control. Whether you’re a Sorcerer seeking massive AOE burst or a Rogue looking to punish Chilled enemies, this ability adds a flexible and destructive tool to your arsenal.
Unlock it early in the season, tune your gear around Cold and Vulnerable synergies, and watch your enemies freeze—and shatter—under the storm.