Thrall

Activated Vessels are human cultists, Vessels that have let themselves be filled by a demonic presence, distorting them into a mutated monster of great power. Activated Vessels are demons.

Cultist summoners can be found alone, but are often encountered in circles of five or more individuals, all of whom are working actively to surrender their lives and bodies to a possessing demonic power. Players are well-advised to kill as many of the Vessels as possible, before they can call down a demon and become a more dangerous Activated Vessel.

The death animation for such monsters is delightful, with the monster stopping and shuddering as the demonic spirit leaks back out, before the corpse detonates in a spray of gore.

Diablo III Monster

Diablo III Monster [e]
Thrall
Classification:	Demons
Monster Family:	Cultist
Role:	Heavy Hitter, Tank
Monster Stats Norm/Night/Hell/Inferno
Life:	Unknown
Mana:	None
Armor:	Unknown
Resistance:	Unknown
Offence Norm/Night/Hell/Inferno
Armament:	Claws
DPS:	Unknown
Low Damage:	Unknown
High Damage:	Unknown
Range:	Melee
Speed:	Slow
Movement:	Slow
Monster Modifiers
None
Spells/Abilities
None
Found In
Tristram Cathedral Forgotten Tombs

Artwork showing an Activated Vessel.

These creatures are what Dark Vessels transform into, if they successfully summon a demon into their own bodies. Activated Vessels are mutated, half-demonic things who fight furiously and move very quickly. It's a good idea to kill off the Dark Vessels before they can activate, if at all possible.

Activated vessels have impressive death animations, standing still, shaking, and then shooting out embers of red light, like parts of the demon dispelling into the air.

Spells and Abilities

They have no spells or magical attacks, using brute strength and ferocity in their melee attacks.

Related Monsters

• Cultist
• Dark Vessel
  • Activated Vessel

Background

The spikes that poke out of their backs are called "Teeth of Diablo", and are indeed a metal spike inserted into the flesh of the willing recipient. The spike does not seem to cause internal haemorrhaging but instead some sort of perverse corruption of both soul and body.

Media

You can find pictures in the Diablo 3 screenshot and picture gallery:

• Diablo 3 screenshots and pictures
• Activated Vessel gallery search

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  Transforming Vessel.

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  Activated Vessel in different angles.

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  Activated Vessel concept art.

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  Activated Vessel in a ring of Dark Vessels.

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  Artwork by Brom showing off the demonic beast.