Diablo 4's March of the Goblins: The best strategies and secret mechanics

If you've been wandering Sanctuary in Diablo 4 recently, you may have noticed a sudden uptick in greedy little creatures scampering through battlefields. That's because Blizzard has brought back one of its most loot-packed limited-time events: March of the Goblins, running now through August 5 as part of patch 2.3.2. This surprise addition brings a bonanza of Treasure Goblins back to the forefront, making it one of the best opportunities to farm gold, gear, Obols, and even ultra-rare Mythic loot.

But success in March of the Goblins isn't just about showing up. The event has a handful of unwritten rules-important gameplay habits, and meta-knowledge you need to maximize rewards while avoiding missed opportunities. Let's break down the best strategies and secret mechanics that separate casual participants from true goblin hunters.

Always Watch the Mini-Map: Goblins Reveal Themselves There First

In the chaos of Sanctuary's combat, a Treasure Goblin's high-pitched cackling or fleeting figure can easily get lost in the crowd. And once it's gone, it's gone for good-unless you can track it down quickly. The best way to do that? Keep one eye on your mini-map at all times.

Treasure Goblins appear on your mini-map with a unique icon, and that icon often shows up before you visually register the goblin in-game. By responding to that marker immediately, you can get the jump on the goblin before it disappears behind hordes of enemies. Whether you're farming dungeons, running open-world content, or exploring PvP zones, this tip alone can drastically increase how many goblins you find during the event.

Helltides = Goblin Hot Zones

It might seem counterintuitive to head into Helltides, where elite enemies are tougher and death is always around the corner. But if you're hunting goblins during this event, Helltides are the absolute best place to be.

Why? Helltides spawn enemies at a much higher density than normal. More enemies = more chances for Treasure Goblins to appear, which synergizes perfectly with the increased spawn rate during March of the Goblins. You'll need to be well-equipped or have reliable crowd control to survive the extra heat, but the rewards are well worth the risk.

For even more goblin-farming efficiency, consider rotating between multiple Helltide regions as timers shift. That way, you maintain pressure on multiple spawn points across Sanctuary and avoid downtime.

Fields of Hatred: PvP Optional, Goblins Guaranteed

Another underrated goblin-hunting location during this event is the Fields of Hatred, Diablo 4's PvP-enabled zones. These regions also feature enhanced mob spawns and have goblins that can drop PvP-exclusive rewards.

Concerned about other players ganking your goblin run? You can disable crossplay in your settings to lower the chance of encountering an enemy player in the Fields. This lets you enjoy the goblin spawns without the PvP chaos-unless you're into that, of course.

Greed Shrines Are Multipliers-Use Them!

Out in the wilds of Sanctuary, if you see a Greed Shrine, don't walk past it-activate it immediately. During normal gameplay, Greed Shrines cause enemies to drop extra gold on hit. But during March of the Goblins, they do something even more important: they increase the spawn chance of a Treasure Goblin.

This shrine effect stacks beautifully with the event's boosted goblin spawn rate, making it a prime mechanic for increasing goblin encounters. If you're speed-farming zones or dungeons, routing your path past shrine spawn points and tracking them on your map is highly recommended. When one appears, pop it and prepare to chase.

Know Your Goblin Types (and Their Loot)

In Season 7, Diablo 4 added a major upgrade to Treasure Goblins by introducing six variants, each with its own color and loot table. These goblins persist in Season 9, meaning you'll want to recognize them on sight to know what kind of treasure you're about to score.

Here's a breakdown of the goblins and what they offer:

1. Odious Ector (Green)

·Drops: Crafting materials (like Veiled Crystals and Fiend Roses)

·Best For: Crafters, alchemists, and gear rerollers.

2. Gilded Baron (Yellow)

·Drops: Massive gold piles

·Best For: Players buy Diablo IV gold for Masterworking or Gambling.

3. Glittering Prym (Diamond)

·Drops: Gem Fragments, Runes, Undercity Tributes

·Best For: Gem upgrades, rune farming, and Undercity progress.

4. Curious Murl (Purple)

·Drops: Murl's Bag of Obols (massive Obol cache)

·Best For: Gambling addicts at the Purveyor of Curiosities.

5. Gelatinous Syrup (Blue)

·Drops: Legendary gear, boss materials, elixirs, gold

·Special Effect: Splits into multiple goblins when killed

·Best For: Legendary farming, especially with friends.

6. Fancy Old Fedric (Mythic Purple)

·Drops: A guaranteed Mythic item + a Resplendent Spark

·Best For: Ultra-endgame chasers and Mythic collectors

·Spawn Rate: Extremely rare (~1-in-a-million chance)

If you're targeting a specific resource type-whether that's Obols, crafting materials, or gold-know which goblin to chase. And don't confuse Curious Murl with Fancy Old Fedric-both are purple, but only one of them can drop Diablo 4's rarest Diablo 4 Items.

Final Thoughts: Be Fast, Be Smart, Be Greedy

March of the Goblins is more than just a fun distraction-it's one of Diablo 4's most lucrative events. But just like real treasure, the best rewards are reserved for those who prepare, plan, and hustle. Between keeping your mini-map awareness high, prioritizing Helltides and Fields of Hatred, leveraging Greed Shrines, and knowing which goblin you're chasing, you can make this event a true gold mine.

The event ends on August 5, so sharpen your blades, pack your elixirs, and get out there while the goblins are still marching.