Blizzard Entertainment has announced Diablo IV expansion “Lord of Hated”, bringing with it a new Paladin class, a new region, new story bits, and more.
The new “Lord of Hatred” expansion is launching for all platforms next year, on April 28th, 2026.
Here’s a rundown on the new expansion, plus a trailer:
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred is the next chapter in the Age of Hatred saga and the climactic showdown with Mephisto himself. The second expansion to Diablo IV delivers a high-stakes campaign, two formidable new classes, sweeping gameplay evolutions, and reveals Sanctuary’s oldest, most storied region: Skovos.
Players who pre-purchase the expansion can step into the Light immediately with the Paladin, Diablo IV’s most-requested new class. Playable today, the radiant sword-and-shield champion channels power to smite the encroaching darkness of Mephisto’s malevolence. Players will get instant access to Vessel of Hatred, Diablo IV’s first expansion with Lord of Hatred purchase–unlocking the Spiritborn class, Mercenaries, and the wilds of Nahantu.
THE STORY | The Age of Hatred Reaches Its Climax
Hell’s legions now spill freely into Sanctuary, each deathly omen pointing to Mephisto’s long-laid design. As the Pools of Creation draw the Prime Evil ever closer, humanity as we know it stands on the brink of destruction. To stop him, the Wanderer must turn to an impossible ally whose return forces a fragile alliance bound by necessity, not trust.
NEW CLASSES | The Paladin Rises, While Another Looms on the Dark Horizon
Paladin: Hammer, shield, and Holy Light converge in the hands of Diablo’s indomitable holy warrior. With iconic abilities like Blessed Hammer, Auras, Zeal, and Heaven’s Fury with divine transformations including Arbiter form. Available today with pre-purchase.
A second new class waits in the shadows, bringing unbridled power with the launch of Lord of Hatred in April.
NEW REGION | Sanctuary’s First Civilization Awaits
The journey to stop Mephisto takes players to the never-before-seen region of Skovos, the ancient birthplace of the firstborn civilization and former home of Lilith and Inarius. Now ruled by The Oracle and Amazon Queen, Skovos blends volcanic coasts, rain-lashed forests, forgotten temples, and ocean-worn ruins, filled with new demons, dungeons and lore.
GAME UPDATES | A Reforged Gameplay Experience
The Lord of Hatred expansion introduces Diablo IV’s most significant gameplay reworks since launch:
- Reworked skill tree with expanded caps and new class-defining variants
- A new Loot Filter for targeted farming
- Enhanced crafting with the return of the Horadric Cube
- A powerful new Talisman system granting set-bonus buildcraft
- Player-driven War Plans to shape the player’s endgame path
- Echoing Hatred, an unending gauntlet of demonic hordes for the ultimate test of skill
- And a calmer pursuit–Fishing along Sanctuary’s perilous waterways
Diablo IV has been available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Battle.net and Steam). Check out our review here!
