Elon Musk is no stranger to headlines, whether for advancing space travel, reshaping the auto industry, or simply stirring up controversy on social media. But the billionaire has recently made news in a very different domain: competitive gaming. As it turns out, Musk has climbed the leaderboard in Blizzard Entertainment’s wildly popular Diablo IV, earning a spot among the top 20 players in the world.
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From Boardroom to Battleground
When you think of Elon Musk, images of rocket launches or electric cars might come to mind, not a gamer grinding his way through hordes of digital demons. Yet Musk’s gaming prowess has placed him among the top Sacred Spirit players in Diablo IV—a competitive class-based ARPG (action role-playing game) where strategy, reflexes, and character builds reign supreme.
Currently ranked 22nd in the world for a challenging endgame mode called “The Pit,” Musk has proven he can hold his own in this demanding activity. Players must eliminate waves of enemies under intense time constraints to summon and defeat a boss. Completing this mode at its maximum difficulty, Level 150, requires not only skill but near-perfect strategy.
Musk’s time of 2:45 on a Level 150 run secured him his spot, though he admitted on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience that his position isn’t static. “There are only two Americans in the top 20; the rest are mostly from Asia,” Musk said. At one point, he was ranked 19th, but the competition remains fierce, with global players constantly battling for top rankings.
This is true, by the way. https://t.co/C0aLHJ2l2y pic.twitter.com/1bCQtTekaF
— Crémieux (@cremieuxrecueil) November 4, 2024
Gaming as a Mental Workout
For Musk, gaming isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way to keep his mind sharp. He believes games like Diablo IV are an excellent tool for stress relief and problem-solving. “If I’m trying to achieve a great run in Diablo or even in a shooter, it’s a good way to see if my brain is working as it should or if I’m just tired,” Musk explained during his podcast appearance.
While Musk sees gaming as a form of mental training, not everyone is convinced he’s doing all the playing himself. Skeptics have pointed out the improbability of juggling his immense responsibilities—running companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter)—while simultaneously mastering one of the world’s most competitive video games. Whether or not Musk has a helping hand, his ranking is real, and it’s sparking debates across the gaming community.
Finally broke the 3 min barrier! 2:45 T150 clear.
Was worried that I’d had a stroke or something 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/6GEhjvV7EN
— Gamer (@cyb3rgam3r420) November 2, 2024
The Power of a Strong Build
One factor contributing to Musk’s success might be his choice of class and build. He plays as the Sacred Spirit, a class introduced in a recent expansion. According to Helltide.com, the build Musk relies on is centered around the Quill Volley ability, an overpowered skill that has dominated the meta this season. It’s currently one of the most popular choices for top players, thanks to its devastating damage output and versatility.
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Critics have noted that the Sacred Spirit class seems almost too powerful, accusing Blizzard of designing it to promote sales of the expansion. However, rumors suggest a mid-season patch might address the imbalance, aiming to bring other classes back into the competitive mix.
We have a mid-season update coming up and will have a small stream to talk about it and will have more news related to balance around then!
— Adam Fletcher (@PezRadar) October 29, 2024
A Gamer Among Titans
Musk’s gaming journey has reignited conversations about the role of video games in the lives of high-profile individuals. While some view gaming as a frivolous distraction, Musk champions it as a valuable mental exercise. “Games like Diablo teach you to focus under pressure, solve complex problems, and perform at your best,” he said.
As Season Six of Diablo IV progresses, it will be interesting to see whether Musk can maintain—or even improve—his ranking. For now, one thing is clear: even among rockets and electric cars, he’s found time to slay virtual demons and remind the world that billionaires, too, can be gamers.