Lord of Hatred arrives in April 2026 with two new playable classes

During the Game Awards 2025, Blizzard announced Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, the latest expansion for its famous action-RPG, which will be released on April 28, 2026 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series.

This expansion brings together a campaign against Mephisto, two new classes, the ancient region of Skovos, and gameplay updates that promise to redefine how players experience Sanctuary. Pre-purchase grants immediate access to the highly sought-after Paladin class.

See more details below, via Blizzard:

Climax of the Age of Hate

Face the Lord of Hate: Following the events of Vessel of Hatred, this next chapter takes players into the final confrontation against Mephisto, whose deception and growing influence threaten to transform Sanctuary into a world consumed by villainy. As the legions of Hell advance and the ancient Fountains of Creation draw ever closer to Mephisto, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. To stop him, the Traveler must accept help from an old enemy long thought dead. Lilith returns and her final prophetic words resonate, forcing a dangerous alliance, united by necessity rather than trust. With time and allies running out, the Traveler desperately races to stop Mephisto before hatred transforms the world forever.

Powerful new classes: The Lord of Hatred expansion responds to years of community requests with two distinct new classes, significantly expanding how players shape their playstyle, identity, and dominance within Sanctuary.

• The Paladin emerges as the realm darkens, wielding hammer, shield, and the Holy Light to crush Mephisto’s demonic army with righteous fury. Through melee combat and his divine abilities, the Paladin allows players to attack with unwavering faith and overwhelming strength.
• A second class, yet to be revealed, looms on the dark horizon: its power is undeniable, and its arrival is set to reshape the battlefield when Lord of Hatred launches in April.

Dangerous lands: Skovos, ancestral cradle of the first civilization and former home of Lilith and Inárius, remains the sanctuary’s oldest and most legendary region. Now ruled by the Oracle and the Amazon Queen, this new land in the game mixes volcanic coastlines, storm-ravaged forests, and waterlogged ruins filled with forgotten legends.

• As the Traveler travels through Skovos, each expedition will reveal new towns, dungeons, and monsters. Players will test their courage against sinister cultists, oceanic horrors, and lingering shadows of hell.

Skills and details: The Lord of Hatred expansion brings one of the most complete gameplay evolutions since its launch.

• Extensively revamped skill trees introduce new class-specific variants and expanded level caps, providing new build possibilities and strategic depth for all eight classes.
• A new loot filter allows players to search for desired gear more efficiently.
• Improved crafting systems, including the return of the iconic Horadric Cube, strengthen experimentation and progression, while the new Talisman unlocks powerful set bonuses, expanding end-game customization in meaningful and class-defining ways.

Reworked endgame: After the dramatic end of the campaign, players will be able to access a revitalized endgame, built around player choice, mastery, increasing challenges and ever-improving rewards.

• War Plans allow players to create their own end-game progression path, selecting preferred activities and adding strategic modifiers while pursuing high-value rewards.
• Resonant Hatred represents the ultimate test of the Age of Hatred: a relentless runner of demonic hordes designed to challenge even the best builds.
• Players seeking respite from the demonic onslaught can explore Sanctuary’s dangerous waterways through fishing.

Game Editions and Early Purchase: Lord of Hatred includes the full Vessel of Hatred expansion, which players can access instantly with an early purchase. Venture through the jungles of Nahantu with the primal fury of the Natispirit class, as mercenaries join your cause against the oncoming darkness.

• Players who pre-order will receive early access to the Paladin class, an additional chest tab, two additional character slots, and three World of Warcraft decorative items (requires World of Warcraft: Midnight and a World of Warcraft subscription or active game time).
• Lord of Hatred is available in three editions:
• The Lord of Hatred Standard Edition includes Diablo IV’s first expansion, Vessel of Hatred.
• The Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition, plus the Skorch Chimera Pet, Skartara’s Basilisk Mount Pack, High Skyguard Cosmetic Pack, Premium Battle Pass Pack, and more when the expansion launches.
• The Ultimate Edition includes everything from the Standard and Deluxe editions, plus the Dark Knight armor pack (6 class sets), 3,000 platinum, Steed of the Bright Realm mount pack, Tymn, Echo of the Spire Back trophy, Rise of the Righteous city portal skin, and more at launch of the expansion.

New Paladin class

Blizzard also shared details on the Paladin, which you can check out below:

Guided by the Light: The Paladin is the supreme holy warrior of the Sanctuary. A champion of sword and shield, gifted not only with faith, but with the Light itself. More than just armored knights, Paladins are sacred conduits. When their unwavering devotion unites with the Light, they both become an unstoppable force against the darkness.

• Built on beloved mechanics that have shaped the Paladin’s identity, the class brings iconic abilities with new and revamped techniques. Classic abilities like Auras, Blessed Hammer, Blessed Shield, and Zeal return with a revitalized feel that blends the nostalgia of Diablo II with the visceral combat and more low-key visual style of Diablo IV. Where the Crusaders embody martial power, the Paladin fully surrenders to divine power.

Honoring the legacy: The Paladin carries over 25 years of Diablo heritage, and in Lord of Hatred he returns as the final beacon of Sanctuary’s divine authority. As Mephisto’s corruption spreads, the Paladins answer the call with unwavering dedication, transforming the battlefield into hallowed ground.

• While Auras and Holy Conjurations honor the class’s legendary past, Lord of Hatred takes the fantasy of power further than ever before. Through an angelic transformation, players can take the form of the Inquisitor, a radiant avatar inspired by Tyrael, symbol of celestial justice.

Key design pillars: Paladin is based on three fundamental pillars:

• The Indomitable Guardian: A steadfast protector strengthened by faith. With their shields in hand and the Light at their disposal, Paladins defend the innocent and stand firm against overwhelming evil.
• The Divine Arsenal: Classic medieval weapons, sword, shield, armor and holy hammers define the Paladin’s martial identity. But in addition to wielding these tools, Paladins summon them and grant them celestial strength, transforming classic medieval equipment into holy instruments of judgment.
• The Sacred Conductor: A living bridge between Heaven and Sanctuary, the Paladin channels Light like raw power. This manifests itself in a spectrum of radiant, not just golden, visual effects accompanied by heavy, thunderous sounds and animations that make every strike feel powerful.

Combat and skills: Like a classic sword and shield class, the Paladin’s abilities build strength, faith, and divine, overwhelming impact. We have the return of iconic classics with new animations, sounds and responsiveness: Auras, Blessed Hammer, Blessed Shield, Condemn, Zeal and Paradise Fury. The class also reintroduces the beloved Holy damage type, creating a clear identity in both power fantasy and mechanics. New abilities channel even more celestial energy and holy magic, making each strike steady, heavy, and undeniably empowered by Heaven.

Oath system: The oath system is a defining mechanic of the Paladin class. It is a set of sacred paths that reflect the codes of chivalry and religious identity that Paladins swear to uphold. Each Oath rewards players who fully immerse themselves in a distinct play style, expanding both fantasy and build creation.

• Inexorable focuses on the Paladin’s shield, turning defense into an offensive move, with Shield as the primary ability. The ultimate move, Fortress, is a defense-focused ability that makes the player exceptionally difficult to kill for a brief period.
• Fanatic it’s a melee frenzy, powered by an upgraded version of the Zeal skill. If Inexorable is the “shield”, this is the “sword”. With Zenith as the ultimate, this oath unleashes a devastating celestial strike that cuts the battlefield with a massive holy blade.
• Judicator brings holy judgment and wrath, using the conjurations of Blessed Shield, Hammer, Consecration, and Heavenly Fury to rain down divine punishment upon all that is wicked.
• Disciple it is the ultimate angelic transformation, completely embracing divinity in its purest form. Unleash the Sky Spear on enemies and take flight with your angelic wings in Inquisitor form.