Andariel, the Maiden of Anguish is one of the Lesser Evils. Andariel appears in concept art for Diablo IV. She can also be briefly seen in the “Diablo IV – Rogue Announce Trailer” video.
As with all the Great Evils, Andariel was spawned from one of the seven heads of Tathamet. She controlled the Realm of Anguish in Hell. She was considered to be a close confidante of Diablo.
– Belial addressing Duriel and Andariel
The Lesser Evils came to be discontent with the Prime Evils’ focus on humanity after the events of the Sin War, furious that the Great Conflict had been apparently abandoned. Led by Azmodan and Belial, the Lesser Evils enacted a stratagem to overthrow the Three. Andariel and Duriel had their doubts at first, afraid that they would fall in the coming conflict. Belial however, kept them in the fold. The plan worked, and Andariel revelled in Diablo’s misery, enjoying a state of unmatched bliss through the humiliation of her former ally. However, the pact that the Lesser Evils had made soon fell apart, as Azmodan and Belial warred for the position of the supreme ruler of Hell. She aided the Evils for many years, but eventually lost faith in their plots.
– Deckard Cain
Nearly three hundred years after the Dark Exile, Diablo finally escaped from his captivity beneath the Tristram Cathedral, heading east to reunite with his brothers, Mephisto and Baal. Andariel and Duriel concluded that the Primes would inevitably reclaim their position in Hell. Therefore, they endeavored to gain favor with the Lord of Terror by protecting his human host. Andariel was thus sent by Diablo himself to invade the citadel of the Sisterhood of the Sightless Eye in order to close the passage through the mountains into the desolate eastern lands of Aranoch. During the assault on the Rogue Monastery, many sisters were slain and others were turned to serve Andariel herself. Her foul magics corrupted part of the nearby Dark Wood. By the time Diablo arrived and passed through the Eastgate Keep, Andariel’s position of power was well solidified. She sent the Slayer to guard the path between Waystruck and the Rogue Citadel.
The brief, yet horrific Reign of Anguish-reign did not last long however, as a group of heroes pursuing Diablo stormed the monastery, eventually coming to face off against Andariel on the fourth level of the catacombs. She not only struck out at her foes physically, but battered them emotionally as well, stirring within each of them; memories of loss, sadness, betrayal, regret, guilt, even as she fed upon on their anger and relished in their despair. Despite the heavy toll on the minds of those whom she attacked however, the heroes managed to and succeeded in dispatching her, sending Andariel back to Hell through the flames that she so hated.
– Kashya
Andariel had failed in killing Diablo’s pursuers but had still bought Diablo valuable time. Even after her death, the corruption she’d inflicted on the Dark Wood remained, and Fallen made their homes beneath the trees she had corrupted.
Due to the machinations of Adria, Andariel’s spirit eventually wound up in the Black Soulstone. Over 20 years after her defeat, she would become merged with Diablo, now the sole Prime Evil left. After Diablo’s defeat, all the lords of Hell were returned to the Black Soulstone, with their souls screaming for release. The stone was destroyed by Malthael in an effort to defeat the Nephalem, but he was defeated, and Diablo freed as a result, still containing the essence of Andariel and the other Evils. However, eventually, Andariel’s spirit was able to break free from Diablo, just as all the other Evils.
Andariel is the Act Boss of the first act of Diablo II and is found on the fourth level of the Catacombs. The first rooms are filled with undead and demonic minions; it is usually best to clear them so you can focus on Andariel herself. However, high-level characters that plan on rushing Andariel can safely skip the first two rooms altogether. Open the gates and proceed into the throne room; if you venture far enough, Andariel should approach you, saying either “Die, Maggot!” or “Fear me!”
It might be best to fight Andariel in the room with the blood pool in the center; you can run around the pool while Andariel chases you when you need to buy some time for healing potions to take effect or to flee back to town via the Town Portal. Andariel uses a potent Poison Spray ability that spreads in a large area: Mercenary units and minions that get hit will most likely die from the poison damage, given enough time. When you engage with her in melee combat, she can still poison you.
Though it is possible to limit the damage from the poison attacks by getting Poison Resistance and bringing Antidote Potions, it is probably better to just heal through the poison damage with healing potions or retreating to town to avail Akara of her healing services. Andariel hits for a decent amount of damage in melee combat as well. Just keep hitting her and she will eventually fall (if you run out of potions, you can always portal back to the Rogue Encampment and get some more). Andariel has negative Fire Resistance of -50. That means Fire attacks deal extra damage to her, so use Fire-based attacks or spells if possible.
When Andariel dies, her body erupts in a pillar of flame, and the ground shakes as chunks of the ceiling fall down (the debris is not harmful), and a Town Portal opens up, which will take you back to the Rogue Encampment. Now, the way to the east is opened once more, and you can continue your journey to Act II. If you return, the fallen ceiling debris will have “magically” disappeared due to the game engine’s limitations.
Andariel’s Visage, a Unique Demonhead, can be retrieved in the game.
Andariel has a weakness for any fire-based damage, so try to use fire-based skills and weapons as much as possible. Amazons can use Fire Arrow, Paladins can use Holy Fire, Sorceresses can use any fire skill she might possess, and so on. Melee builds can also opt to augment their weapons with rubies or use charms to increase their fire damage if concerned about spending skill points on skills they will use only once. While Andariel’s poison can be quite lethal, returning to town whenever the poison damage starts to overtake the healing effect, and returning to the battle is an effective tactic. Here are some helpful hints on how to beat her with different classes:
Amazon – Utilize ranged attacks. Using a bow or javelins from long range allows Amazons to stay away from Andariel and possibly dodging some of her Poison attacks. Any damage increasing Fire Arrow or Cold Arrow will help.
Barbarian – If dual weapons are in use, then skills like Double Swing are excellent. Mana Stealing/Life Stealing weapons are useful too. Andariel isn’t too tough to kill and should go down fairly quickly by good weapons.
Druid – Molten Boulder or your best ranged weapon or spell. If you are a Shape Shifter, Werewolf can be good for fast damage, or Werebear for added hit points and damage.
Sorceress – The Sorceress is an excellent spell caster. The main downfall for the Sorceress is her weak armor and health but, if she can get Andariel into the room outside her starting room and get her stuck on one side of the lake, the sorceress may bombard her with as many spells as possible before she can retaliate. If she attempts to get within melee range, use Cold Spells to slow her down. Static Field is quite effective here, but keep in mind that in order to use it one has to get perilously close to the Maiden of Anguish. Use it once or twice to drop Andariel’s hit points by about 1/3, and then get away. Do not forget that the element of Fire is Andariel’s weakness, making spells like Fire Ball and Enchant useful, even on Nightmare/Hell. If you have Blaze, have her chase the sorceress, cast, and enjoy the spectacle.
Necromancer – Make sure to kill the creatures in Andariel’s throne room before the fight. These corpses will provide a nearby place to raise more skeletons if the necromancer is utilizing summoning skills, but be aware that skeletons tend to die extremely quickly to Andariel’s poison. Also, keep a golem in action at all times, as they are good tanks for the weaker skeletons. Use Poison and Bone spells to whittle down Andariel’s life quickly while she is distracted, and Amplify Damage is a great way to bring her down.
Paladin – The Might and Concentration auras massively increase the Paladin’s damage output; direct damage attacks such as Zeal and Vengeance help out too. The Cleansing aura can also help the Paladin and his group if poison is an issue. The Holy Fire aura is also a good offensive tool against the Maiden of Anguish, though this will not add fire damage to any other friendly entities nearby.
Assassin – Tiger Strike with a good finishing move can help bring down Andariel. Use traps to increase damage output.
Andariel is referenced in the flavor text of the Blackened Branch quest item.
Andariel’s Visage makes a return in Diablo III. Andariel’s extra appendages can be received as wings as a reward for completing Season 8’s journey.
The Essence of Anguish Soul Shard can be obtained, representing Andariel.
Andariel was a sadistic entity, not unlike Duriel. However, while Duriel reveled in physical agony, she derived pleasure from emotional suffering, believing in the “purity” of the emotion. A master manipulator, she set up scenarios in which the victim’s mental state was twisted inside out. She loved seeing people torn apart by their own inner agony and emotional pain. Her general bearing is one who is in a constant state of ecstasy, experiencing unthinkable pleasures. Considered one of the most relation orientated of the Great Evils, Andariel was said to abhor isolation, as she sustained herself on the suffering of others. Despite being one of the seven heads of Tathamet (whose body would come to form the whole of Hell itself), she was not fond of fire.
Andariel was rumored by some to be very beautiful—at least, as far as Maidens of Anguish were concerned.
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