Blizzard is closing out the Age of Hatred saga with a bang. Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, the game's second major expansion, launches on April 28th and brings the return of one of the franchise's most beloved classes: the Paladin.
The Paladin isn't just fan service — it's a full class rework that draws from Diablo II's Holy Warrior while adding modern mechanical depth. Auras, combat skills, and the iconic Blessed Hammer all return, reimagined for Diablo IV's open-world structure. Players who pre-purchase Lord of Hatred already have access to the class in the base game, and early reception has been overwhelmingly positive.
But the Paladin shares the spotlight with the expansion's second new class: the Warlock. Where the Paladin channels divine light, the Warlock deals in dark pacts and summoned horrors, offering a playstyle that sits somewhere between the Necromancer's minion management and the Sorcerer's raw damage output. Blizzard has described it as their "most mechanically complex class to date."
The expansion's story drives players toward a final confrontation with Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred himself. The narrative picks up after the events of Vessel of Hatred, with Mephisto's corruption spreading across Sanctuary. In a surprising twist, Lilith returns — not as an antagonist, but as a reluctant ally forced into an uneasy alliance against a greater threat. The new region of Skovos opens up as the expansion's primary setting, featuring Greek-inspired architecture and island geography.
Endgame additions include War Plans — a customizable progression system — the Echoing Hatred, an endless dungeon mode, and yes, fishing. Lord of Hatred is available for pre-purchase now across all platforms, with the Standard expansion priced at $39.99.