Diablo 4: Does Your Choice on the Holy Cedar Tablet Matter?

Jan-13-2025

 

In Diablo 4, players are constantly faced with choices that shape their journey through the game. However, not every decision carries weight in terms of gameplay or story progression. One of the earliest, and most intriguing choices you'll encounter happens during the Rite of Passage quest.

 

During this task, you will gain a deeper understanding of the Holy Cedar Tablet and asked to choose one of several options to inscribe. But does this choice actually affect your adventure? Let's dive into the details and see whether it truly matters.

 

 

The Rite of Passage

The Rite of Passage quest is one of the first major quests in Diablo 4. It aims to help you understand the diablo 4 world and key location, Kyovashad. In front of the gates of Kyovashad, there is a grumpy guard halts your progress, demanding that you perform a ritual before you're allowed entry to the city.

 

This ritual involves the Holy Cedar Tablet, a mystical object at a shrine just outside the city. You're given a choice of five inscriptions to carve into the tablet, each representing one of the seven deadly sins (with one option offering nothing at all):

 

Inscribe Fear into the wood

Inscribe Anger into the wood

Inscribe Pride into the wood

Inscribe Greed into the wood

Inscribe Nothing but Scribbles into the wood

 

While these choices seem significant at first glance, the question on everyone's mind is: Does this inscription actually matter?

 

Will This Choice Matter?

As of the current version of Diablo 4, the answer is clear: No, the choice doesn't have any meaningful impact on your gameplay or story progression. Regardless of which inscription you choose, the outcome is the same. You will gain access to Kyovashad and receive a reward of 300 Diablo 4 Gold and 880 XP. That's it—no branching storylines, no change in your character's journey, and no lasting consequences.

 

At this stage in the game, the Rite of Passage serves as an introduction to the game's world, as well as a way to familiarize you with the theme of sin and penitence in the Cathedral of Light. It doesn't influence the events that follow or alter how you interact with the world. All players will continue down the same path, regardless of their choice on the Holy Cedar Tablet.

 

Why Even Bother with the Choice?

So why does this seemingly minor decision exist at all? It's all about flavor. This choice allows you to add a small roleplaying element to your character's journey. Perhaps you want to inscribe Greed because your character is a ruthless treasure hunter, or maybe Anger represents their inner turmoil.

 

On the flip side, you might choose to scribble nothing, signaling defiance against the Cathedral's dogma. It's a lighthearted moment that offers a tiny bit of character customization and adds some personality to the prologue.

 

Moreover, it's important to note that Diablo 4 places a heavy emphasis on player choices, so while this particular decision doesn't hold weight, it could serve as a narrative device for later chapters or expansions. Blizzard may choose to revisit this moment in future updates, potentially tying it to more significant consequences. However, that remains to be seen.

 

Final Thought

In the grand scheme of Diablo 4, the Holy Cedar Tablet choice during the Rite of Passage is more of a roleplaying opportunity than a crucial gameplay decision. It doesn't affect your progress, alter the story, or impact your character in any meaningful way.

 

But it's a small moment that adds flavor to the experience, allowing players to reflect on their character's nature and enjoy a rare, consequence-free decision. So, pick whichever inscription feels right for your journey, and enjoy the little touch of individuality it brings to your adventure in Diablo 4.