Diablo 4 Fans Discover Potential Clues to the Secret Cow Level

Diablo 4 fans have uncovered several new items in the ARPG's database that resemble objects used to access the Secret Cow Level and Whimsyshire in Diablo 3. While these items could be mere Easter eggs or red herrings, some players believe they might be clues leading to a Diablo 4 version of the Secret Cow Level.

Since its launch in June 2023, fans have been scouring Diablo 4 for signs of the Secret Cow Level, a legendary recurring joke throughout the series. Despite finding numerous clues suggesting its existence, players have yet to uncover this mysterious realm or its Diablo 4 equivalent.

Recently, fans may have discovered additional pieces to this intricate puzzle. Wowhead reported that members of the D4 secret-finding Discord identified several new items in Diablo 4 that are reminiscent of those used to open portals to secret realms in Diablo 3. The Rusted Bardiche, for instance, seems to be a nod to the Bovine Bardiche, which, when transmuted in Kanai’s Cube, opens a gate to Not The Cow Level in Diablo 3. Similarly, the Rusted Old Bell, Crooked Staff, and Jabbering Gemstone share the same flavor text and appear to be references to Wirt’s Bell, the Staff of Herding, and the Gibbering Gemstone—components necessary for accessing Whimsyshire, also known as the Pony Level in Diablo 3.

The Secret Cow Level in Diablo 4?

Rusted Bardiche

• "This badly damaged and decayed weapon reeks of manure. You question your decision to have picked this up."Similar to the Bovine Bardiche used to open the portal to Not The Cow Level in Diablo 3.

Rusted Old Bell

• "A worn, bloodstained bell. The letter ‘W’ has been crudely carved on one side. Though its purpose is lost to time, this was once an object of great significance."A reference to Wirt’s Bell, used to open the portal to Whimsyshire in Diablo 3.

Crooked Staff

• "The cracked and splintered remnants of an old staff. It clearly had magical properties once. Though its purpose is lost to time, this was once an object of great significance."A reference to the Staff of Herding, used to open the portal to Whimsyshire in Diablo 3.

Jabbering Gemstone

• "A cloudy gemstone of unknown origin. Holding it makes you want to talk to someone. Though its purpose is lost to time, this was once an object of great significance."A reference to the Gibbering Gemstone, used to open the portal to Whimsyshire in Diablo 3.

The Secret Cow Level began as a fan-made hoax in the original Diablo. It evolved into an inside joke, with Blizzard hiding Easter eggs in both the Diablo: Hellfire expansion and StarCraft, until it finally appeared in Diablo 2 as Moo Moo Farm and again in World of Warcraft during Diablo's 20th anniversary event. Diablo 3 added a twist with the rainbow-filled Whimsyshire realm, but also included Not The Cow Level for the game's third anniversary.

Though the urban legend or its equivalent has yet to be discovered in Diablo 4, players have unearthed several clues. Some fans found the Forlorn Hovel in Diablo 4 by killing cows, which supposedly drop items inspired by the original keys to the Secret Cow Level. Others have tried cleansing rituals at mysterious ox statues or explored parts of the map shaped like a cow's head. Despite Diablo 4 cheekily denying the existence of a Secret Cow Level, this has only fueled players' determination to find it.

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred releases on October 8, bringing the first DLC batch to the ARPG. If players are fortunate, this expansion might contain the missing pieces of the puzzle and finally unveil the path to the Secret Cow Level in Diablo 4.