The new Diablo IV expansion promises major innovations while bringing back an old character type.

The Age of Hatred Saga reaches its climax in Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred. This expansion features a high-stakes campaign against Mephisto, two new, powerful classes, the ancient and fabled region of Skovos, and sweeping gameplay updates that redefine how players experience Sanctuary. Pre-purchasing the game grants immediate access to the highly requested Paladin class, which offers a new path of divine retribution as darkness closes in.

Following Vessel of Hatred, the next chapter propels players toward their final stand against Mephisto. His deception and spreading influence threaten to transform Sanctuary into a world consumed by malice. As Hell’s legions surge and the ancient Pools of Creation draw Mephisto ever closer, the fate of humanity hangs by a thread. To stop him, the Wanderer must embrace an old foe long believed to be dead. Lilith returns, her prophetic last words proving true. This forces a perilous alliance, one bound by necessity rather than trust. With time and allies running out, the Wanderer must race against the clock to stop Mephisto before he reshapes the world forever.

The Lord of Hatred expansion answers years of community demand by introducing two new classes that dramatically broaden how players shape their playstyle, identity, and mastery in Sanctuary. As the realm darkens, the Paladin rises, wielding a hammer, shield, and Holy Light to smite Mephisto’s demon army with righteous fury. Through melee combat and divine abilities, the Paladin empowers players to strike with unwavering faith and overwhelming force. A second, unrevealed class looms on the dark horizon; its power is undeniable, and its arrival is poised to reshape the battlefield when Lord of Hatred launches in April.

Skovos, the birthplace of the first civilization and former home of Lilith and Inarius, is Sanctuary’s oldest and most storied region. Now under the rule of the Oracle and the Amazon Queen, this in-game land, which has never been seen before, blends volcanic coasts, storm-lashed forests, and waterlogged ruins steeped in forgotten lore. As the Wanderer embarks on their journey through Skovos, they will discover new towns, dungeons, and monsters with each expedition. Players will test their mettle against sinister cultists, oceanic horrors, and lingering shadows of Hell.

The Lord of Hatred expansion delivers one of the most comprehensive gameplay evolutions since the game’s launch. Deeply reworked skill trees introduce new class-specific variants and expanded level caps, offering fresh builds and strategic depth across all eight classes. A new loot filter empowers players to target desired gear more efficiently. Enhanced crafting systems, including the return of the iconic Horadric Cube, encourage experimentation and progression. The new Talisman unlocks powerful set bonuses and expands late-game customization in meaningful, class-defining ways.

After the campaign’s dramatic finale, players can access a revitalized endgame built around player choice, mastery, escalating challenges, and increasingly rewarding loot. War Plans allow players to craft their own endgame progression path by selecting preferred activities and layering strategic modifiers as they strive for high-value rewards. The Echoing Hatred is the ultimate test of the Age of Hatred: a relentless gauntlet of demonic hordes designed to challenge even the strongest builds. Players seeking a break from demon slaying can experience the perilous waterways of Sanctuary through fishing.

The Paladin is Sanctuary’s quintessential holy warrior, a sword-and-shield champion empowered by faith and the Light itself. Unlike mere armored knights, Paladins are forged as holy conduits. When their unwavering devotion joins with the Light, they become an unstoppable force against the darkness. Built on beloved mechanics that have shaped the Paladin identity, the class features iconic abilities alongside new skills. Classic skills like Auras, Blessed Hammer, Blessed Shield, and Zeal have been revitalized to blend Diablo II nostalgia with Diablo IV‘s visceral combat and grounded visual style. While Crusaders embody martial might, Paladins lean fully into divine power.

Carrying more than 25 years of Diablo legacy, Paladins return in Lord of Hatred as Sanctuary’s last beacon of divine authority. As Mephisto’s corruption spreads, Paladins answer the call with unwavering devotion, turning the battlefield into sanctified ground. While Auras and Holy Conjurations honor the class’s storied past, Lord of Hatred takes the power fantasy to new heights. Through an angelic transformation, players can ascend to the Arbiter form: a radiant avatar of celestial justice inspired by Tyrael.

The Paladin is built on three foundational pillars. First, they are an immovable protector, empowered by faith. With shield in hand and light at their back, Paladins defend the innocent and stand unbroken against overwhelming evil. Classic medieval weaponry, swords, shields, armor, and holy hammers, define the Paladin’s martial identity. However, beyond merely wielding these tools, Paladins also empower them with celestial force, transforming them into holy instruments of judgment. A living bridge between Heaven and Sanctuary, the Paladin harnesses the Light as raw power. This manifests through radiant visual effects, not just gold, supported by weighty, thunderous sound and animation that makes every strike feel mighty.

As a classic sword-and-shield class, the Paladin’s skills reinforce strength, faith, and an overwhelming divine presence. Iconic favorites, Auras, Blessed Hammer, Blessed Shield, Condemn, Zeal, and Heaven’s Fury, return with new animations, sounds, and responsiveness. The class also reintroduces the beloved Holy-damage type, establishing a clear identity in terms of both power fantasy and mechanics. New abilities further channel celestial energy and holy magic, making each attack feel unwavering, weighty, and unmistakably empowered by heaven.

The Oath System is a defining Paladin class mechanic. It is a set of sacred paths that reflect the codes of chivalry and the faith-driven identity that Paladins swear to uphold. Each Oath rewards players for fully embracing a distinct playstyle, deepening the fantasy and buildcraft experience. The Juggernaut focuses on the Paladin’s shield, turning defense into offensive movement, with Shield Bash as the primary skill. The ultimate move, Fortress, is a defensive skill that briefly renders the player nearly invincible. Zealot is a frenzied melee powered by an enhanced Zeal skill. Where Juggernaut is the “board,” Zealot is the “sword.” Zenith is this Oath’s ultimate, unleashing a devastating celestial strike that cleaves the battlefield with a massive holy blade. Judicator wields holy judgment and wrath with the holy conjurations of Blessed Shield, Hammer, Consecration, and Heaven’s Fury, raining divine punishment upon all that is wicked. Disciple is the ultimate angelic transformation that fully embraces divinity in its purest form. Unleash the lance with Spears of the Heavens on your enemies, then take flight with your angel wings in Arbiter Form.

The Lord of Hatred expansion is included in Vessel of Hatred, which players can access instantly by pre-purchasing. Venture through the wilds of Nahantu with the primal fury of the Spiritborn class as mercenaries join your cause against the encroaching darkness. Those who pre-purchase will gain early access to the Paladin class, an additional Stash Tab, two extra Character Slots, and three World of Warcraft décor items. Lord of Hatred is available in three editions. The Standard Edition includes Diablo IV’s first expansion, Vessel of Hatred. The Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition, plus the Mini Chimera Pet Skorch, the Skartaran Basilisk Mount Bundle, the High Heavens Guard Cosmetic Bundle, a Premium Battle Pass Bundle, and more. The Ultimate Edition includes everything from the Standard and Deluxe Editions, plus the Umbral Knights Armor Bundle, six class sets, 3,000 platinum, the Steed of the Shining Realm Bundle, Tymn, the Echo of the Spire Back Trophy, and the Ascent of the Just Town Portal Skin.

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred will be released on April 28 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Source: Gematsu