From Blizzard Entertainment:
Today at The Game Awards, Blizzard Entertainment unveiled Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, the next chapter in the Age of Hatred saga and the climactic showdown with Mephisto himself. Launching April 28, 2026, 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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GAME UPDATES | A Reforged Gameplay Experience
The Lord of Hatred expansion introduces Diablo IV’s most significant gameplay reworks since launch:
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Reworked skill tree with expanded caps and new class-defining variants
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A new Loot Filter for targeted farming
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Enhanced crafting with the return of the Horadric Cube
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A powerful new Talisman system granting set-bonus buildcraft
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Player-driven War Plans to shape the player’s endgame path
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Echoing Hatred, an unending gauntlet of demonic hordes for the ultimate test of skill
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And a calmer pursuit–Fishing along Sanctuary’s perilous waterways
Players who pre-purchase gain early access to the Paladin class, plus: 1 extra Stash Tab, 2 additional Character Slots, and 3 World of Warcraft décor items.
GAME EDITIONS
All editions of Lord of Hatred include immediate access to Diablo IV’s first expansion, Vessel of Hatred. Deluxe and Ultimate Editions add exclusive pets, mounts, armor bundles, cosmetics, Platinum, and more.
Blizzard also announced the Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection, inclusive of the base game and both expansions. Fight through Sanctuary, Nahantu, and Skovos for the fate of humanity with eight unique classes, including the all-new Paladin and Spiritborn. After completing the campaign, face greater challenges in a robust endgame with full cross-play and cross-progression.
