Image Credit: Bethesda
Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Screenshot by GameSkinny

Diablo 4: How to Complete Holding Back the Flood Season 1 Quest

If you're stuck at the Holding Back the Flood quest in Season of the Malignant, here's what to do.

Season of the Malignant is the first season in Diablo 4 and it starts off with a bang. After a few quests, however, it comes to a bit of a halt with the Holding Back the Flood quest. With a general goal to finish Chapters 1 and 2, Holding Back the Flood progresses you through more of the seasonal battle pass. This is what you need to do to complete Holding Back the Flood in Diablo 4.

Recommended Videos

How to Complete Holding Back the Flood in Diablo 4

Season of the Malignant starts the new storyline with a man shouting that a woman turned into a corrupted demon. For the first quest you’re sent off to find Cormond. Once you find him, he sends you on a couple more quests. Finish them up and he then tasks you with clearing malignant corruption while waiting as he searches through the ruins of Orbei Monastery.

This is when the quest Holding Back the Flood starts. As a means to waste time while Cormond is away, you’re tasked with completing Chapters 1 and 2 of the seasonal story in your Season Journey tracker. To open your tracker, navigate to the Battle Pass menu using U on keyboard. Click on the Season Journey percentage bar to see the chapters and their quests.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

Chapter 1 Quests

To complete the first chapter of Season of the Malignant, you need to finish seven of the nine quests listed in the journal. Throughout the first few quests for Cormond you’ll have finished a couple of them already, however. All nine quests are:

  • The Hangman’s Garden: Collect Gallowvine, found nearly anywhere.
  • Heart Of Corruption: Collect a Malignant Heart, available after completing or skipping the Campaign.
  • Den Of Evil: Complete any Dungeon found on your Map.
  • Trouble In The Wilds: Complete a World Event found on your Map.
  • Into The Frozen Dark: Complete (3) Dungeons in Fractured Peaks.
  • What Lurks Below: Complete a Cellar.
  • Kind Stranger: Complete (5) priority or side quests.
  • Keeper Of The Keys: Collect a Whispering Key, sold at the Purveyor of Curiosities.
  • Waste Not: Salvage (10) Normal items at the Blacksmith.

If you need to finish the main campaign still, you’ll most likely have finished seven of the quests during the course of that gameplay. Heart of Corruption and Den of Evil will end up marked off as done once you start Holding Back the Flood.

Chapter 1 Rewards

Along with getting rewards for each quest completed, you’ll get additional rewards for completing chapter 1.

  • Greater Favor
  • First Journey Cache
  • Aspect of Ancestral Charge (Barbarian only)
  • Subterranean Aspect (Druid only)
  • Aspect of Gore Quills (Necromancer only)
  • Aspect of Pestilent Points (Rogue only)
  • Aspect of Searing Wards (Sorcerer only)
Screenshot by GameSkinny

Chapter 2 Quests

Nine of the 11 quests need to be completed in order to move on from chapter two.

  • Undertaker: Complete 10 Cellars.
  • Stopping The Spread: Collect (3) Malignant Hearts, available after completing or skipping the Campaign.
  • Ruins Reclaimed: Conquer a Stronghold.
  • Gemcutter: Craft any Chipped gem at the Jeweler.
  • A Torch In The Depths: Complete (5) Malignant Tunnels, available after completing or skipping the Campaign.
  • Baptized In Blood: Reach level 25.
  • Vivisector: Collect (15) Demon Hearts, found from killing Demons or in Cellars.
  • A Warrior Of Taste: Change your gear’s appearance at the Wardrobe (five items).
  • Lighting The Way: Interact with (10) waypoints for faster travel to new places.
  • Spit And Polish: Upgrade (2) items one level at the Blacksmith or Jeweler.
  • Finer Clarity: Upgrade your potion to Minor at the Alchemist.

Once you finish the nine quests you’ll end Holding Back the Flood.

Chapter 2 Rewards

  • Greater Favor
  • Second Journey Cache
  • Bold Chieftain’s Aspect (Barbarian only)
  • Shockwave Aspect (Druid only)
  • Aspect of Exposed Flesh (Necromancer only)
  • Aspect of Surprise (Rogue only)
  • Aspect of Frozen Orbit (Sorcerer only)

That’s how to complete Holding Back the Flood in Season of the Malignant for Diablo 4. Once complete you’ll be able to learn more about the corruption and how to end it from Cormond. If you need help with any of the tasks, such as claiming a Stronghold, finding cellars to clear, or how to get Whispering Keys, check out our full guide library for D4.


GameSkinny is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Ashley Erickson
Ashley Erickson
Ashley, otherwise known as Glitchiee, is an avid gamer of RPGs, TTRPGS, farming sims, and survival crafting games. Playing since she can remember, she started on the SNES, GameBoy Color, and collection 1st gen Pokemon cards. Using her passion for gaming, she's written about games for a combined total of 2 years.