Torchlight: Infinite · Beginner Endgame Guide
Timemark Progression Guide
From your first Netherrealm maps to stronger gear and better currency farming: what to focus on, when to craft, and how to keep moving forward.
Finishing the campaign is only the beginning in Torchlight: Infinite. The Netherrealm introduces Timemark difficulties, Beacons, new gear, crafting opportunities, and several progression systems. This guide is written for players who are entering that endgame for the first time. You don't need to learn every mechanic at once—focus on a few priorities, clear maps consistently, and improve your character as new challenges appear.
1. Getting Started After the Campaign
Once you finish the campaign, the main story introduces you to the Netherrealm and its Timemark maps. Think of Timemarks as the next stages of endgame progression. As you move forward, monsters become more demanding and the gear you find can support stronger upgrades.
Don't worry about immediately reaching the highest Timemark. Early progression is about learning your build, unlocking systems, and getting comfortable clearing maps. If a difficulty starts taking too long or you die frequently, it's completely reasonable to farm the previous stage for a while.
Start by following the game's progression objectives rather than spending all your currency on equipment. Several important character upgrades come from simply advancing the systems the game introduces.
2. Set Up Your Build and Defenses
Use Pro Builds as a starting point
Open the game's menu and look for the Pro Build feature. You can choose a build you like and overlay its setup as a reference while you develop your character. This is especially helpful if you're unsure which skills, talents, or equipment stats belong together. Use the overlay as a guide, not as a requirement to own every listed item immediately.
Understand your defensive layers
Work toward the 60% resistance cap as you enter harder content. Beyond resistances, consider how your build stays alive: Life, Armor, Evasion, and Energy Shield are important defensive options. Energy Shield stacking is popular on many builds, but the right combination depends on your character and its mechanics.
As you replace gear, look at the whole character rather than a single damage number. A new item may increase your damage but leave a resistance uncapped or remove an important defensive stat.
3. Beacons, Maps, and Early Currency
You'll need Beacons to enter Netherrealm maps. Beacons can drop while playing and can also be purchased from the Netherrealm Mentor. If you run low, check the Mentor before assuming you're stuck.
For most new players, the first currency-farming strategy is simple: keep completing maps efficiently. You'll earn drops, materials, Beacons, and opportunities to upgrade your equipment while opening up more of the endgame.
Early on, prioritize maps you can clear consistently over pushing a harder Timemark that slows you down dramatically. The goal is steady progression and a reliable supply of materials.
We'll add a dedicated Void Chart guide here, with a link explaining how to set up the chart for improved currency drops. For now, continue filling out the chart as you progress.
4. Path of Progression and Void Chart
Follow the Path of Progression
The in-game Path of Progression is one of the most useful tools for a beginner. Completing its objectives unlocks rewards including additional skill points, Star Talents, experience improvements, and materials. Check it regularly instead of waiting until you've hit a wall.
Build out your Void Chart
The Void Chart helps shape your Netherrealm rewards. As you complete maps and advance the system, you'll gain more options for improving the value of your farming sessions. We'll cover specific point allocation in a separate guide so this page stays focused on your overall progression.
5. Progressing Through the Timemarks
Each stage below explains the goal of that part of progression. These are practical recommendations, not a requirement to replace every equipped item at each Timemark. A good Legendary or a strong lower-level item may remain useful longer than an ordinary higher-level drop.
Timemark 1–2 · Establish your character
Learn the flow of Netherrealm maps, gather Beacons, follow Path of Progression objectives, and get your chosen build functioning. Equip useful drops and fix major gaps in damage or survivability. Avoid investing heavily in items you expect to replace quickly.
Timemark 3–4 · First major crafting checkpoint
As you reach Timemark 4, start collecting item-level 68–75 gear for your first full crafted set. This is the last important crafting breakpoint for Fine Embers. Use the Fine Embers you have collected to craft a complete, functional set of gear before moving into higher Timemarks.
Check item level, not required character level. The level needed to equip an item is not what determines its crafting potential. The item level controls the highest affix tier that can roll; item-level 68–75 bases can roll up to T4 affixes.
It is fine to do small crafts in TM1–3 if you get stuck, especially on your weapon. But TM4 is your first planned crafting goal, so avoid wasting Fine Embers trying to perfect earlier gear.
Timemark 5–6 · Progress with your TM4 gear
Your TM4 crafted set should give you a strong foundation for pushing through these Timemarks. Keep upgrading through useful drops and make targeted crafts if your damage or defenses fall behind, but avoid heavy investment in temporary gear. Your next major crafting goal is TM7, where stronger item-level bases become available.
Timemark 7 / 7-0 · Second major crafting checkpoint
Start collecting item-level 82–85 gear. These bases can roll T2 affixes and are the final major item-level range where you can craft without paying Flame Elementium (FE) as the crafting currency cost. Item-level 86+ gear opens access to T1 affixes, but introduces FE costs.
This is the time to round out your full gear set, aiming for mostly T2 and T3 affixes that support your build. You do not need perfect rolls: prioritize the damage, resistances, and defensive stats that will let you farm higher Timemarks comfortably. You can also compare the price of a suitable base or finished item in the Trade House.
Timemark 7-1 / 7-2 · Refine and prepare
Improve the gear slots holding you back, continue Path of Progression objectives, and make sure your defenses can handle the next difficulty. If your map clear speed drops sharply, farm a more comfortable tier until you can afford a meaningful upgrade.
Timemark 8 and beyond · Build a farming strategy
Once you're clearing higher-difficulty maps comfortably, start thinking about which content and reward systems are most profitable for your character. More expensive crafting and specialized farming can make sense here, but should follow your build's actual needs and the current season's economy.
6. When to Craft and When to Save
There are two big crafting goals as you progress through the Netherrealm: Timemark 4 and Timemark 7. Crafting between those points is fine when your character needs help, but focusing your materials at these breakpoints gives you a more reliable path into higher farming.
Item level versus level requirement
When choosing an item to craft, check its item level. This is different from the character level required to equip it. Item level determines which affix tiers can roll, so even an item you can equip right now may be a poor crafting base if its item level is too low.
Collect item-level 68–75 bases, which can roll up to T4 affixes. TM4 is the last major opportunity to make use of Fine Embers before moving into the next crafting bracket. Plan to craft a full usable set here, spending the Fine Embers you have saved. If you were stuck earlier, minor crafts were perfectly reasonable; TM4 is simply the first point where you should intentionally gear up across all your slots.
TM5–6: Make only the upgrades you need
Use the gear you crafted at TM4 to push forward. If a weapon or defensive slot is holding you back, improve it, but avoid sinking too many resources into pieces you plan to replace when you reach TM7.
Collect item-level 82–85 bases and craft toward mostly T2 and T3 affixes. This is your second major full-set crafting point and the last important range where crafting does not require spending Flame Elementium on the rolls. A rounded-out TM7 set should prepare you for more difficult and rewarding farming.
TM8 and beyond: Decide when FE crafting is worth it
Item-level 86+ gear can unlock T1 affixes, but crafting it costs Flame Elementium. Before you move into that bracket, make sure the upgrade is meaningful enough to justify spending currency that you could also use for trading.
| Progression point | Item level / affixes | Crafting plan |
|---|---|---|
| TM1–3 | Early drops | Use drops; do minor crafts only if you get stuck. |
| TM4 | 68–75 · up to T4 | First full crafted set. Spend saved Fine Embers on practical upgrades. |
| TM5–6 | Intermediate bases | Upgrade selectively; avoid heavy spending before TM7. |
| TM7 / 7-0 | 82–85 · up to T2 | Second full crafted set. Aim for mostly T2/T3 affixes without FE crafting costs. |
| TM8+ | 86+ · T1 available | Craft selectively; FE costs make each roll a bigger investment. |
Crafting breakpoints are based on the current guide strategy and corroborating community resources. Always check the affix preview and material cost in the crafting interface before spending, as seasons can change these systems.
7. What to Do When Progression Slows
If you aren't dealing enough damage
Revisit your Pro Build overlay, check your main skill setup, and examine your weapon and damage-related affixes. A targeted weapon upgrade can be more valuable than replacing several unrelated armor pieces.
If you're dying too often
Check resistances first, then look at your primary defensive layer. Make sure the equipment you're replacing isn't removing an important source of Life, Armor, Evasion, or Energy Shield.
If you're running out of materials
Farm maps you can clear quickly, continue building your Void Chart, and check Path of Progression rewards. Resist the temptation to keep rerolling an item that is already good enough for the next stage.
If you're not sure what to do next
Return to the Path of Progression. It provides a practical route through the game's systems and rewards, and it's often the simplest way to find your next objective.
We'll continue expanding this article with links to dedicated Void Chart and currency-farming guides, plus season-specific crafting examples. The goal is a clear written resource that new players can follow without having to already understand Torchlight's endgame.
Cliptis Timemark guide · Tartarus season · Crafting requirements may change with patches and economy updates.