CHALLENGES

If the regular mod is too easy for you, try the following challenges. Your reward for success are some powerful charms and two new skills!

There are five challenges in Median XL:
Level Challenge
The Ennead Challenge
Attribute Challenge 250
Attribute Challenge 500
The Black Road Challenge

Advanced players only!

Acquiring your Class Charm
To participate in any of the challenges except the Level Challenge, the first thing you need is your class charm. To acquire it, go to the Kurast 3000 BA uberlevel and kill the Ennead Necromancer bosses. Each Necromancer you kill drops a class charm for a random class in addition to its regular drop.

See THIS PAGE for more information about Kurast 3000 BA.

Unlike most other special charms in the game, you can find these on any difficulty, and not just on Destruction (Hell) difficulty.

There are 7 class charms, one for each character class.

Sacred Sunstone : Amazon class charm
Shadow Vortex : Assassin class charm
Worldstone Orb : Barbarian class charm
Caoi Dulra Fruit : Druid class charm
Soulstone Shard : Necromancer class charm
Eye of Divinity : Paladin class charm
Nexus Crystal : Sorceress class charm

The class charm has only +2 to Light Radius on it when you first find it. But if you meet the challenge requirements, you can add extra bonuses to it with the Horadric Cube.

'Killing' a Boss
Some of the challenges require you to 'kill' a boss. This means that you need to be physically present at the battle and be nearby when the boss dies before you can use the cube recipe that grants you the reward.

If you succeed in killing the target monster, you get a whirling red overlay that looks like three rotating bolts:

You now have 30 seconds to perform the cube recipe. If you do not make it and the red overlay vanishes, you have to do it again!

Warning: This does not work if the monster is killed by reflected damage, due to a Diablo II engine limitation. Please use different means of killing the target.

1/5 LEVEL CHALLENGE
MAXIMUM LEVEL 50-70 DEPENDING ON ELEMENT

Three challenges in one. Be careful, there is a maximum level limit on this challenge!

Go to the Tran Athulua uberlevel on Hatred difficulty, find and defeat any of the three Priestesses.

She will drop her Sunstone. Cube it immediately while you have the red swirls on you. This will add some nice additional bonuses to your Sunstone, depending on which Priestess you kill, provided you are below the maximum character level for the Challenge. You have 30 seconds to cube the Sunstone after killing the Priestess, so keep your cube empty!

See THIS PAGE for more information about Tran Athulua.

Level Challenge 1: Fire
(Max Level 70)
For this one, you need to take out Philios, Priestess of Hefaetrus. She will drop a Sunstone of Fire. If you are level 70 or below, cube it while the red whirls are on your character to add extra bonuses.

Requires: level 70 or below

This upgrade recipe adds the following bonuses:

All Resists +20%

Level Challenge 1: Ice
(Max Level 60)
For this one, you need to take out Skovos, Priestess of Karcheus. She will drop a Sunstone of Ice. If you are level 60 or below, cube it while the red whirls are on your character to add extra bonuses.

Requires: level 60 or below

This upgrade recipe adds the following bonuses:

+2 to All Skills

Level Challenge 1: Thunder
(Max Level 50)
For this one, you need to take out Lycander, Priestess of Zerae. She will drop a Sunstone of Thunder. If you are level 50 or below, cube it while the red whirls are on your character to add extra bonuses.

Requires: level 50 or below

This upgrade recipe adds the following bonuses:

20% Increased Attack Speed
20% Faster Cast Rate
20% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Faster Block Rate
20% Faster Run/Walk
15% Bonus to all Attributes

Btw. You gain no experience on Hatred difficulty in Tran Athulua itself. Keep trying until you succeed!

Btw. Although all three Priestesses give you the same looking red swirls, you can only cube the charm after killing the Priestess who corresponds with the Sunstone type, namely the one who dropped it.

2/5 THE ENNEAD CHALLENGE
MAXIMUM LEVEL 80

You need to do the following challenge before you exceed character level 80. Simply go to the Kurast 3000 BA uberlevel on any difficulty and kill the Ennead Necromancer bosses there until your class charm drops. That is all!

See THIS PAGE for more information about Kurast 3000 BA.

When you have your charm and meet the requirements, you can use the recipe:

Requires: level 80 or below

This upgrade recipe adds the following bonuses:

Amazon: uses Sacred Sunstone
+2 to Amazon Skills
Increase Maximum Life 15%
Poison Length Reduced by 33%
Unlocks your Ennead Challenge skill

Assassin: uses Shadow Vortex
+2 to Assassin Skills
50% Curse Length Reduction
Poison Length Reduced by 33%
Unlocks your Ennead Challenge skill

Barbarian: uses Worldstone Orb
+2 to Barbarian Skills
20% Bonus to Summoned Minion Life
Poison Length Reduced by 33%
Unlocks your Ennead Challenge skill

Druid: uses Caoi Dulra Fruit
+2 to Druid Skills
All Resists +25%
Poison Length Reduced by 33%
Unlocks your Ennead Challenge skill

Necromancer: uses Soulstone Shard
+2 to Necromancer Skills
40% Bonus to Summoned Minion Damage
Poison Length Reduced by 33%
Unlocks your Ennead Challenge skill

Paladin: uses Eye of Divinity
+2 to Paladin Skills
Total Character Defense +20%
Poison Length Reduced by 33%
Unlocks your Ennead Challenge skill

Sorceress: uses Nexus Crystal
+2 to Sorceress Skills
+25% to Spell Damage
Poison Length Reduced by 33%
Unlocks your Ennead Challenge skill

Your free bonus skill
This skill can be found at the bottom right of your third skill tab. When you complete the Ennead Challenge, upgrade your class charm and keep it into your inventory. This allows you to put skill points into the skill.

Name	Icon	Effect
LEADERSHIP [AMZ]		The high warriors of Skartara are born leaders, which they needed to be to make it this far. If she can concentrate on the battle, she can warn her allies of dangers and opportunities. Effect: press and hold to increase damage and life of allies in front of you
VAMPIRIC ICON [ASN]		An assassin knows well that most mages are male and usually spent their life in seclusion without seeing a woman. Some who have trained in these particular arts can also employ this strategy on the battlefield. Effect: unholy female sign in life stealing flames
WOLF STANCE [BAR]		The Wolf Tribe emphasises speed and agility, hunting in packs to strike unexpectedly and bring down the enemy force in a decisive strike. Stance effect: increases damage, speed and crushing blow
GOODBERRY [DRU]		The fruits of the Glor-An-Fhaidha, the sacred tree of life, can bring back mortals from the brink of death. Wise druids are on the lookout for large red berries growing on plants that ordinary do not bear fruit. Passive effect: create a Goodberry in the Horadric Cube that boosts life
UNHOLY PRAYER [NEC]		The dragon god of death Trang-Oul takes his faithful under his wings, turning aside blades and arrows. The caster serves as a conduit for Trang-Oul's power, meaning if his concentration is broken, the spell fails. Effect: press and hold to make nearby allies invulnerable
DIVINE APPARITION [PAL]		Like a deus ex machina, the paladin of Zakarum descends upon the battlefield, his mere appearance chilling his heathen enemies to the bone. Effect: teleport to target location and freeze enemies
ARCANE FURY [SOR]		Hell hath no Fury like a woman scorned. This metamagic ability drastically speeds up spellcasting, movement and mana regeneration for a short period of time. Effect: temporarily increases casting speed and mana regeneration

3/5 ATTRIBUTE CHALLENGE 250
REQUIRES 250 UNSPENT POINTS

To complete this challenge, you need to have at least 250 unspent attribute points and certain rare ingredients to enable this recipe.

For the class charm, see above. The other two ingredients are rewards from the Infernal Machine and Khalimgrad uberquests on Destruction difficulty.

Requires: 250 or more unspent attribute points

This upgrade recipe adds the following bonuses:

Amazon:
+3 to Amazon Skills
+10% Increased Healing Rate from Potions
+25 to all Attributes

Assassin:
+3 to Assassin Skills
+20% to Poison Skill Duration
+25 to all Attributes

Barbarian:
+3 to Barbarian Skills
+50% Damage when using a Healing Potion
+25 to all Attributes

Druid:
+3 to Druid Skills
Damage Reduced by 10%
+25 to all Attributes

Necromancer:
+3 to Necromancer Skills
20% Bonus to Summoned Minion Life
+25 to all Attributes

Paladin:
+3 to Paladin Skills
25% Bonus to Vitality when using a Healing Potion
+25 to all Attributes

Sorceress:
+3 to Sorceress Skills
+2 to All Skills when using a Mana Potion
+25 to all Attributes

4/5 ATTRIBUTE CHALLENGE 500
REQUIRES 500 UNSPENT POINTS

The ultimate Attribute Challenge, this one requires you to save up 500 unspent stat points. Only the strong will survive!

For the class charm, see above. The other two ingredients are rewards from the Cathedral of Vanity and Akarat uberquests on Destruction difficulty.

Requires: 500 or more unspent attribute points

This upgrade recipe adds the following bonuses:

Amazon:
Maximum Skill Level Increased by 2
+100% Better Chance of getting Magic Items
+5 to Vitality per Socketed Gem
(adds +10 to level requirement)

Assassin:
Maximum Skill Level Increased by 2
+100% Better Chance of getting Magic Items
+150% Damage when using a Healing Potion
(adds +10 to level requirement)

Barbarian:
Maximum Skill Level Increased by 2
+100% Better Chance of getting Magic Items
+5% to Defense per Socketed Rune
(adds +10 to level requirement)

Druid:
Maximum Skill Level Increased by 2
+100% Better Chance of getting Magic Items
10% Chance to Avoid Damage
(adds +10 to level requirement)

Necromancer:
Maximum Skill Level Increased by 2
+100% Better Chance of getting Magic Items
+5 to Maximum Necromancer Minions
(adds +10 to level requirement)

Paladin:
Maximum Skill Level Increased by 2
+100% Better Chance of getting Magic Items
25% Uninterruptable Attack
(adds +10 to level requirement)

Sorceress:
Maximum Skill Level Increased by 2
+100% Better Chance of getting Magic Items
10% Curse Length Reduction
(adds +10 to level requirement)

5/5 THE BLACK ROAD CHALLENGE

It is said that the demon Kabraxas rewards his followers with infernal powers - the ability to heal, cast apocalyptic spells and fight like no mere human ever could.

To obtain Kabraxas' favour, you will need to pass his tests of faith first. These tests are based on the human weaknesses Kabraxas exploits to corrupt mortals. Thankfully, you are well above being corrupted... right?

This challenge is based on the Diablo novel of the same name.

Getting started
This challenge consists of five parts. You can do them in any order, but you will need to do all of them if you want the reward. All of them take place in Terror difficulty.

1. Trial of Fear
Overcome your fear of demons by tackling the Butcher in Terror difficulty. Go to The Hole Level 2 and summon him, then kill him. Cube the charm while the swirls are on your character.

See THIS PAGE for more information on the Butcher.

2. Trial of Greed
This challenge does not involve combat. Just get 666,666 gold or more in your pockets (not your stash) and use the recipe to complete the trial.

3. Trial of Contrition
Kabraxis is almost impressed with your combat prowess against demons. But how about other humans? To complete this Trial, summon and kill Shaman King Koth on Terror difficulty. Cube the charm while the swirls are on your character.

See THIS PAGE for more information about King Koth.

4. Trial of Knowledge
Obtain untold wisdom by collecting the positronic brains of the five Robot Bosses in Fauztinville in Terror difficulty. Kill the Robot Bosses and snap up their Brains.

See THIS PAGE for more information about Fauztinville.

Fauztinville is a huge level, and the Robot Bosses are fairly well hidden. You may need to explore the whole level. One of the bosses requires a teleportation ability to access; if you do not have a teleport skill, use an item with charges of Blink, like the runeword Pax Mystica or the ubercharm Moon of the Spider. A second boss is at the end of a hidden passage, but can be accessed through teleportation as well.

5. Trial of Blood
Kabraxus' element is Fire. Try and sway the Amazon Islands to your cause by eliminating the Priestesses of the amazon gods of Ice and Lightning. But do it quickly. Kabraxus has no time to waste on bumbling humans like you.

Your targets are Skovos, Priestess of Karcheus, and Lycander, Priestess of Zerae. Both can be found in the Tran Athulua uberlevel. Go kill them on Terror difficulty.

The catch is that after you kill either one, you now have only 30 seconds to kill the other and then cube the charm. You can only complete this Trial if you lead them to the same area and kill them quickly, one after the other.

There is a third Priestess on the level, Philios, Priestess of Hefaetrus. This one is not useful in the context of this challenge.

See THIS PAGE for more information about Tran Athulua.

After killing the first Priestess, you have 30 seconds to kill the second Priestess and then execute this recipe. Hurry up.

Black Road Completion
You did all five Challenges above? Great! Buy four Victim's Hearts (sold by magic item vendors) and cube them with your class charm. If you completed all five Challenges, you will get a free skill and unlock the Level Challenge Skill in your skill tree.

This upgrade recipe adds the following bonuses to your class charm:

Amazon : uses Sacred Sunstone
+150 to Life
+150 to Mana
Unlocks your Black Road Challenge skill

Assassin : uses Shadow Vortex
+150 to Life
+150 to Mana
Unlocks your Black Road Challenge skill

Barbarian : uses Worldstone Orb
+150 to Life
+150 to Mana
Unlocks your Black Road Challenge skill

Druid : uses Caoi Dulra Fruit
+150 to Life
+150 to Mana
Unlocks your Black Road Challenge skill

Necromancer : uses Soulstone Shard
+150 to Life
+150 to Mana
Unlocks your Black Road Challenge skill

Paladin : uses Eye of Divinity
+150 to Life
+150 to Mana
Unlocks your Black Road Challenge skill

Sorceress : uses Nexus Crystal
+150 to Life
+150 to Mana
Unlocks your Black Road Challenge skill

Your free bonus skill
This skill can be found at the bottom right of your third skill tab. When you complete the Black Road Challenge, upgrade your class charm and keep it into your inventory. This allows you to put skill points into the skill.

Name	Icon	Effect
WAR SPIRIT [AMZ]		Many of the amazon deities represent an aspect of war. The deity's spirits, summoned by an amazon high priestess or warrior queen, protect her in battle by striking down her enemies, seemingly out of nowhere. Effect: periodically emits spike novas that deal weapon damage
WAY OF THE RAVEN [ASN]		This weapon modification uses a cryocooler to deliver a freezing strike to the minions of the Burning Hells, slowing them down to dispatch them in cold blood. Passive effect: adds cold damage to attacks, improves cold skills
THUNDERGOD [BAR]		A warrior who has his eyes on the throne of his tribe is sent to the summit of Mt. Sescheron to await the next thunderstorm. If he survives, he may have learned something valuable about the forces of nature. Effect: adds stun damage and periodically emits stun novas
LIFESHIELD [DRU]		Aside from their healing effect on humans and other animals, the juice of the Glor-An-Fhaidha's fruits can be applied to armour, making it as hard as the bark of a thousand year tree. Passive effect: consuming a Goodberry also increases defence
LICHE FORM [NEC]		Many charlatan deathspeakers see it as their destiny to become a deathless liche. Few know before ritually stabbing themselves that the undead are kept alive through Trang-Oul's will and quickly return to their former state. Effect: briefly turn invulnerable and shoot punishers at nearby enemies
SCOURGE [PAL]		There is no justice like angry mob justice. The farmers and workers of Westmarch stand ready to aid in the battle against the unholy menace. Effect: summons zealous followers
DISINTEGRATE [SOR]		The ethereal plane is a place of powerful chaotic energy where the laws of nature do not apply. Where the ethereal and physical plane intersect, all physical matter is destroyed. Effect: massively damaging blast of magic around caster