Go to the Antiquarian's Den in a Royal City, form a full group of two or five players and choose the Hellgate mode that matches your party size and equipment. If you're learning, start with non-lethal 2v2 before risking equipment in lethal matches.
What Are Hellgates in Albion Online?
Hellgates are instanced PvPvE dungeons where two teams of the same size can meet in one arena. You'll fight demonic mobs, complete objectives and potentially face another team in a fight that decides who gets the best rewards.
Unlike the Mists or open-world roaming, Hellgates are meant for pre-made small groups. You can't bring your whole guild into a 2v2, and you can't enter with fewer players than the selected mode requires.
You earn Fame from PvE, open reward chests and, in lethal modes, may also loot the enemy team's equipment if you win. A loss in lethal Hellgates can cost your whole set.
The biggest advantage is that you can keep practicing the same kind of group PvP without searching the map for opponents. Over time you'll learn common matchups, better positioning and when to use your defensive abilities.
How to Enter Hellgates in 2026
Hellgates moved to the Antiquarian's Den in the Abyssal Depths update on June 30, 2025. You'll find the Den in each Royal City, including Caerleon. You no longer need to search open-world zones for Hellgate entrances.
- Enter the Antiquarian's Den.
Travel to a Royal City, locate the Den and use the bank or repair facilities to get ready.
- Form the right party.
Bring exactly two players for a 2v2 or five players for a 5v5. Decide in advance who's dealing damage, controlling the fight and handling healing.
- Meet the minimum Item Power.
Use at least 700 Base IP for non-lethal modes or 900 Base IP for lethal modes. Check your equipment before heading in.
- Choose non-lethal or lethal.
Non-lethal is better for learning and practicing. Lethal means full-loot PvP, so only bring gear you can afford to lose.
- Enter together.
Use the mode's entrance with your complete team, clear the nearby demons and keep an eye out for an opposing group.
The June 2025 update removed open-world Hellgate entry and made old Hellgate Map items unusable. They can be salvaged at full value, so don't follow tutorials telling you to use a map or search for a Hellgate portal in the open world.
2v2 vs. 5v5 Hellgates: Which Should You Play?
There are four playable combinations: 2v2 Non-Lethal, 5v5 Non-Lethal, 2v2 Lethal and 5v5 Lethal. The old 10v10 Hellgates were removed in 2025.
2v2 Hellgates
Perfect if you have one friend who wants to practice PvP. With only two players, communication, cooldown timing and choosing the right partner build matter a lot.
5v5 Hellgates
More about group composition and coordinated engagements. You'll usually want clear roles for tanking, healing, damage and support, along with someone calling targets.
For your first few matches, I recommend 2v2 Non-Lethal. It takes less preparation than organizing five players, lets you learn basic matchups and doesn't put a full-loot set at risk.
However, if you already have a regular five-player group, practicing together in non-lethal 5v5 can be a great way to learn tank engages, healing, focus fire and defensive rotations.
Hellgate Item Power Requirements and Soft Caps
Hellgates don't simply allow expensive gear to dominate every match. Both mode sizes have an entry requirement and a soft cap, which reduces how much Item Power above the cap contributes to your strength.
| Mode | Minimum Base IP | IP soft cap | IP above cap kept |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2v2 Non-Lethal | 700 | 900 | 10% |
| 5v5 Non-Lethal | 700 | 900 | 10% |
| 2v2 Lethal | 900 | 1,100 | 35% |
| 5v5 Lethal | 900 | 1,100 | 35% |
How does the soft cap work?
Suppose one of your items has 1,300 IP in a lethal Hellgate. Only 35% of the 200 points above the 1,100 soft cap counts, giving an effective 1,170 IP for that item under the basic soft-cap calculation.
In a non-lethal Hellgate, an item with 1,000 IP has only 10% of its 100 excess points counted, giving an effective 910 IP.
That means you can learn in a reasonable set instead of immediately buying the most expensive equipment. The soft cap limits the advantage of higher IP, but doesn't remove it completely.
For a full explanation of how Item Power and specialization affect your equipment, see my Albion Online Item Power Guide.
Lethal vs. Non-Lethal Hellgates
The difference between lethal and non-lethal modes is about more than a stronger enemy. It changes how much you're risking every time you queue.
Learn without full-loot losses
If you lose, you are knocked down rather than losing your equipped set. This is ideal for understanding enemy builds, practicing team coordination and making mistakes while learning.
Full-loot PvP
Other players can kill you and take your equipped items and inventory. The rewards are more valuable, but a bad fight can cost more than your previous few runs earned.
There's no need to move into lethal Hellgates the moment you reach 900 IP. Your group should first understand how to fight together, survive burst damage and adapt when the enemy has a different composition.
If replacing a lethal set would be stressful, lower your gear cost or practice non-lethal first. Win rate and survival are more important than showing up in expensive equipment.
How a Hellgate Match Works
After entering, you'll appear inside one of several demonic maps. Your team can defeat enemies, build progress toward the objective and collect Fame while staying ready for the other team.
Every Hellgate has an objective chest. If nobody arrives to fight, you can finish the PvE objective and collect the normal chest. If you defeat an opposing team, you can receive an upgraded reward.
Some layouts contain a miniboss or boss with an additional chest. Others don't, so not every run has exactly the same rewards or route.
When the enemy team enters, you need to shift your focus from PvE to PvP. Don't keep clearing mobs while another player gets free damage on your healer.
After winning, your team's health and negative effects are reset, and you can exit or enter a new Hellgate directly if the group and IP requirements are still met.
How Rising Lava Works in Hellgates
Hellgates aren't designed for players to run away forever. If a fight takes too long, a ring of lava starts shrinking the playable area until the teams are forced together.
The outer warning area
The first phase warns you that the safe zone is shrinking. Avoid getting trapped against a wall or chasing too far into an area that is about to turn dangerous.
Molten lava deals increasing damage
Standing in lava damages you for a percentage of your maximum health, and the damage increases the longer you stay in it. Don't expect normal armor to protect you from this environmental damage.
Molten lava strips shields
Once the ground becomes molten, protective shields are removed. The warning cracks before the actual lava don't break shields, following the 2025 mechanic change.
The Dragonfire defense penalty
Dragonfire Patch 3 added a 50% reduction to your defense against players while affected by the rising lava. That makes trying to outlast the other team in lava even more dangerous.
Eventually the safe area shrinks to a small central space. Players who stay in lava long enough also gain resistance to crowd control effects, making certain stun-based stall strategies less effective.
The lava is there to force an engagement. Try to win the fight with positioning and cooldown management, not by waiting outside the safe area and hoping your opponent dies first.
Balance note: a later NDA playtest proposed lowering the lava defense penalty to 25%. That is not treated as live in this November 2026 guide until an official live patch confirms it.
Hellgate Infamy, Fame and Rewards
Infamy is Hellgates' performance progression. The 2v2 and 5v5 modes track their Infamy separately, so your progress in one doesn't simply carry over to the other.
Defeating an enemy team can earn Infamy, while losing can reduce it. It helps reflect your experience in the mode, although a high rating doesn't guarantee every encounter will be fair or every reward will be amazing.
Does Infamy increase your loot?
No, not anymore. This is an important change from older Hellgate guides. In the June 2025 update, the developers removed loot scaling with Infamy. They also reduced the fame-related bonus from Infamy while increasing base rewards.
You can still earn good loot in your first matches, and you don't need to grind to a very high Infamy rating just for basic chest rewards.
Where does the silver come from?
You earn silver and rewards through PvE, end-of-run chests, optional bosses and, in lethal modes, equipment dropped by a defeated enemy team.
Keep track of your actual profit after market fees, repairs and any lethal losses. One big chest isn't enough to make an activity profitable if you lose an expensive set every few runs.
Measure your average earnings over several wins and losses. The best build is often the one you can play consistently rather than the most expensive set that wins one fight.
How Healing Works in 2v2 and 5v5 Hellgates
Healing is especially important in Hellgates because group fights are small and one player getting caught can end the match. However, Albion has content-specific penalties to prevent teams from simply healing forever.
2v2 healing reduction: 35%
The January 26, 2026 balance changes increased the healing debuff in 2v2 Hellgates from 30% to 35%. A dedicated healer can still be useful, but the team needs enough pressure and defense to avoid depending on endless sustain.
2v2 Hell Buff: +10% damage
The 2025 Abyssal Depths update added an additional 10% damage bonus to the 2v2 Hell Buff, making long, defensive fights less attractive.
5v5: Additional Healing Sickness with multiple healers
Since the May 2026 Radiant Wilds Patch 1 changes, 5v5 Hellgate teams bringing two or more healing staffs receive additional Healing Sickness. This discourages double-healer teams from waiting for lava to decide the fight.
The takeaway is simple: don't assume that adding another healer automatically makes a group stronger. A balanced team with damage, control, defensive options and clear positioning often works better.
Best 2v2 Hellgate Builds and Strategies
There isn't one permanent best 2v2 build. Balance patches can change which weapons are strongest, and a setup that wins one matchup may struggle badly against another.
However, you can learn a lot by understanding the main styles of 2v2 teams rather than copying one weapon without knowing why it's used.
Damage + Healer
One player pressures the enemy while the other keeps the team alive. Strong when both players manage positioning, protect the healer and pressure the same target at the right moment.
Double Damage / Burst
Two damage dealers try to end fights quickly with coordinated crowd control and burst. More offensive, but mistakes can be harder to recover from without sustained healing.
Pressure and Kiting
Use range, slows and movement to force the other team into bad positions. Requires discipline and an escape plan when lava reduces your space.
Control + Follow-Up
One player locks down a target and creates an opening for the second player's damage. Works best with clear communication and matching cooldowns.
What should you practice first?
Pick a clear win condition. For example, if your team relies on burst damage, identify which defensive ability needs to be removed or baited before you attack. If you're playing damage and healer, practice when to fall back together rather than splitting up.
Learn to inspect enemy weapons, choose a target and count important cooldowns. Don't change your entire build after a single loss; first work out whether the problem was the matchup, gear, timing or positioning.
You can find the latest weapon setups on my Albion Online Build Guides page. Because patches can change the meta quickly, I'd rather you choose a build you understand than promise one weapon will always be the best.
How to Build a Strong 5v5 Hellgate Team
5v5 Hellgates reward coordination. Five strong individual builds won't necessarily beat a balanced team that understands engages, peeling, healing and target priority.
Tank / Engage
Starts favorable fights, controls enemy positioning and creates a window for your damage dealers. Should call the engage clearly so everyone follows at the same time.
Healer
Keeps priority teammates alive, manages positioning and watches enemy interrupts. One healer with proper protection can be more useful than adding a second healer who triggers extra Healing Sickness.
Damage Dealers
Focus damage into the same target instead of splitting it. Choose a mixture of burst and sustained pressure that fits your group's engage style.
Support / Peel
Protects your healer, disrupts enemy engages, cleanses important effects and helps your team reset when an initial attack doesn't succeed.
A good starting template is one engage tank, one healer and three players who cover damage and support roles. The exact weapon choices should depend on the current patch and how your group likes to fight.
The 2026 additional Healing Sickness rule makes multi-healer 5v5 comps less attractive. Focus on a complete team with a clear strategy, not just more healing bars.
How to Win More Hellgate PvP Fights
A lot of Hellgate fights are decided before one team actually dies. Players waste mobility, use defensives too early or stand where the enemy team wants them.
Inspect before engaging
Check enemy weapons and armor, think about the enemy's damage pattern and identify the defensive cooldowns that can stop your strongest abilities.
Choose a target together
Coordinated damage is much more dangerous than two or five people attacking different targets. Use clear and simple calls during a fight.
Don't waste defensive abilities
Use defensive cooldowns when they actually stop damage or save someone from an engage. If you use everything to clear demons, the other team may arrive when you have nothing ready.
Protect your healer or backline
Don't force a chase that leaves your healer alone with an enemy damage dealer. Keep your team close enough to help one another.
Control the remaining safe area
When lava starts closing, stop chasing players across dangerous ground. Fight for good positioning inside the safe area and avoid getting pushed out.
Learn from each loss
Check which cooldown decided the fight. Was it bad positioning, a missed purge, an interrupted heal or simply a matchup your composition struggles with? Fix the repeatable mistake first.
Winning more consistently usually comes from understanding your team's timing. You don't need to outgear everyone if you know exactly when to attack and when to reset.
PvE, Chests, Bosses and Exiting a Hellgate
Hellgates aren't purely PvP. Demonic enemies grant Fame and help your team progress toward the objective chest. Some maps also feature optional minibosses or bosses with their own treasure.
How do you get the main reward chest?
Complete enough of the PvE objective to unlock a reward if no enemy fight takes place. Defeating the opposing team gives a better end-of-run chest than simply finishing the PvE objective.
Do all Hellgates have a boss?
No. Some layouts contain a miniboss or a boss, but others only have the regular objective. Don't waste time searching every corner if you already know the map doesn't contain a boss.
How do you leave or chain another Hellgate?
After completing the encounter, follow the marked exit to leave with your rewards. If everyone still meets the group and IP requirements, you can also chain into another Hellgate without returning to the city after each run.
When the opposing team appears, stop treating the dungeon like a solo farming route. Your health, cooldowns and positioning matter much more than the next demon kill.
Hellgates and Antiquarian Standing
Since the Abyssal Depths update, PvP in Hellgates contributes toward Antiquarian Standing. You can use the Antiquarian's Den to check your progress and access related PvP content.
This progression is shared with other activities connected to the Antiquarian, including Corrupted Dungeons and the Depths. As you progress, you can work toward hell-themed rewards such as cosmetics and special mounts.
Antiquarian Standing is separate from Hellgate Infamy. Infamy reflects your Hellgate performance, while Antiquarian progression gives you longer-term rewards from PvP activity.
If you like the idea of PvPvE with a different risk system, see my Albion Online Depths Guide. If you prefer fighting completely solo, check the Mists Guide or your preferred Corrupted Dungeon build.
A Simple Hellgate Strategy for Beginners
I'd treat your first Hellgate sessions as practice rather than trying to earn a huge amount of silver immediately. Here's a routine that makes learning much easier.
- Find a teammate and start in non-lethal 2v2.
A duo is easier to organize than five players, and the non-lethal entry requirement is only 700 Base IP.
- Choose complementary builds.
Decide if you're playing damage and healer or a coordinated double-damage strategy. Make sure both players understand the win condition.
- Clear mobs without wasting everything.
Earn Fame and objective progress, but save important cooldowns and check when the enemy team might enter.
- Inspect and communicate.
Pick a target, identify the enemy's dangerous abilities and call when you're ready to engage.
- Respect the lava.
When the safe area starts shrinking, move early and preserve a good position. Don't trade your whole health bar for another few seconds of stalling.
- Review your fights before upgrading gear.
Try several matches with the same setup. Once your coordination improves, you can test lethal Hellgates with replaceable sets.
Learning Hellgates is about repeating good decisions. Every loss can teach you something, but only if you take a moment to understand what went wrong.
Common Hellgate Mistakes
Using old entry guides
Hellgates now start from the Antiquarian's Den. You don't need old Hellgate maps or open-world portal locations.
Bringing too much expensive gear
IP soft caps reduce the advantage of expensive equipment. Spend silver on learning and replacement sets, especially in lethal matches.
Having no clear target or win condition
Two damage players using burst at different times may be weaker than a simpler team that attacks together.
Trying to stall forever in lava
Rising lava strips shields, ramps up damage and reduces your defense against players. It is not a safe place to wait out the enemy team.
Running multiple healers without reading the rules
5v5 teams with two or more healing staffs receive extra Healing Sickness. More healers doesn't automatically mean more survivability.
Expecting higher Infamy to improve chest loot
Infamy no longer scales loot after the June 2025 overhaul. Focus on wins, Fame and actual rewards extracted.
What Changed in Hellgates in 2025 and 2026?
Older Hellgate guides describe different rules. These are the updates that matter most for players entering today.
June 30, 2025: Abyssal Depths update
Hellgates moved to the Antiquarian's Den, 10v10 was removed, entry IP and soft caps were adjusted, base Fame and loot increased, and Infamy stopped improving loot. The 2v2 Hell Buff also gained +10% damage.
January 26, 2026: 2v2 healing reduced
The 2v2 Hellgate healing debuff increased from 30% to 35% to make dedicated-healer compositions less dominant.
May 4, 2026: 5v5 multi-healer penalty
Teams with more than one healer in 5v5 Hellgates began receiving extra Healing Sickness, discouraging double-healer stall compositions.
October 2026: Dragonfire lava changes
The rising lava began reducing defense against players by 50%, making stalling in molten lava far riskier. A later NDA test proposal discussed lowering this to 25%; live patch notes take priority if the value changes.
The important thing is that the game's PvP rules, not just individual weapon changes, can affect which builds are strongest. Always check new balance notes before copying an old Hellgate setup.
Are Hellgates Worth Playing in 2026?
Yes, especially if you have a friend or a regular five-player group and want repeatable PvP practice. Hellgates let you work on your team composition, positioning and decision-making without spending as much time searching for opponents.
Non-lethal Hellgates are a good place to learn. Lethal Hellgates can offer valuable loot, but your profit depends heavily on winning and how much your team spends on each set.
They're not my first recommendation if you want a completely solo activity, because you need a full team to enter. For solo players I'd recommend starting with the Mists, Depths with friends, or comparing other methods in my Solo Fame Farming Tier List.
Albion Online Hellgates FAQ
Where do you enter Hellgates in Albion Online?
Enter the Antiquarian's Den from a Royal City, including Caerleon. Hellgate entrances were moved out of the open world in the June 2025 Abyssal Depths update.
Can you enter Hellgates solo?
No. Hellgates require a full group of two players for 2v2 or five players for 5v5. For solo instanced PvP, try Corrupted Dungeons instead.
Are 10v10 Hellgates still available?
No. The 10v10 mode was removed in June 2025. Its old Albion Journal missions were placed in the Archive.
What Item Power do you need for non-lethal Hellgates?
At least 700 Base Item Power. The non-lethal IP soft cap is 900, with 10% of IP above that threshold counting.
What Item Power do you need for lethal Hellgates?
At least 900 Base Item Power. The lethal soft cap is 1,100, with 35% of IP above that threshold counting.
Do you lose your gear in Hellgates?
You are not full-looted in non-lethal Hellgates. Lethal Hellgates are full-loot PvP, so a death can cost your equipped set and inventory.
How does rising lava work in Hellgates?
As the match continues, lava closes in and damages anyone standing outside the safe area. Molten lava strips shields and also reduces defense against players. Fight for the remaining safe space rather than stalling outside it.
Does Infamy increase Hellgate loot?
No. Loot scaling with Hellgate Infamy was removed in June 2025. Infamy still affects progression and Fame rewards, but winning and escaping matter more than chasing Infamy for better chest loot.
How much healing reduction is there in 2v2 Hellgates?
Healing is reduced by 35% in 2v2 Hellgates following January 2026 balance changes. Teams with more than one healer also receive additional Healing Sickness in 5v5 Hellgates.
Can you enter another Hellgate after a win?
Yes. After completing a match, you can leave through the exit portal or chain into another Hellgate if your team still meets the entry requirements.
Which mode is best for beginners?
Start in 2v2 Non-Lethal Hellgates with a friend. They're easier to organize, use a lower entry requirement and let you practice matchups without full-loot losses.
How do you earn Antiquarian Standing?
PvP activity inside Hellgates contributes to Antiquarian Standing. The Antiquarian's Den also serves as a hub for the Depths and Corrupted Dungeons.
Find a teammate. Learn your matchups.
Start in non-lethal Hellgates, learn the IP limits, pay attention to your cooldowns and fight for the safe space before the lava closes in. Once your team is comfortable, you can take the same skills into lethal 2v2 or 5v5 fights.
Mechanics references: Abyssal Depths update, January 2026 healing changes, May 2026 healing sickness update, and current Hellgate mode and lava reference. Some balance changes may be under NDA playtest; check official live patch notes for later updates.