Diablo IV: Lord Of Hatred Expansion Brings Paladin Class To The Game, Launches In April

Blizzard Entertainment has revealed a new expansion for Diablo IV called Lord of Hatred, and it will bring the highly requested Paladin class to the game when it launches on April 28, 2026. It will also bring a second unannounced class to Diablo IV, too, but Blizzard hasn’t revealed what that class is yet. 

Lord of Hatred will finish the Age of Hatred Saga that loosely began in the base game and really ramped up with last year’s Vessel of Hatred expansion. It will feature a campaign story that sees your hero face off against Mephisto in the ancient and fabled region of Skovos alongside new gameplay updates, two new classes, including the Paladin, and more. 

Pre-purchasing the expansion gives you access to the Paladin class immediately, giving you the chance to try it out before its divine authority takes center stage in next year’s Lord of Hatred expansion. 

Check out the Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred expansion reveal trailer below: 

“In the aftermath of Vessel of Hatred, this next chapter drives players toward their final stand against Mephisto, whose deception and spreading influence threaten to twist Sanctuary into a world consumed by malice,” Blizzard writes in a press release. “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 echoing true, forcing a perilous alliance bound by necessity rather than trust. With time and allies running out, the Wanderer is in a desperate race to stop Mephisto before hatred reshapes the world forever.” 

The new Paladin class gives players the chance to wield a hammer, shield, and Holy Light in the fight against Mephisto and his demon hordes. Blizzard says, “Through melee combat and divine abilities, the Paladin empowers players to strike with both unwavering faith and overwhelming force.” Blizzard says the second unannounced class “looms on the dark horizon,” noting the class’ power is “undeniable” and “poised to reshape the battlefield” when Lord of Hatred launches in April. 

Alongside new classes and story content, Blizzard says Lord of Hatred delivers the biggest gameplay evolutions since the launch of Diablo IV in 2023, including reworked Skill Trees that introduce new class-specific variants and expanded level caps across all eight classes, a new Loot Filter, enhanced crafting systems, including the return of the Horadric Cube, new Talisman unlocks, and more. It also features an overhauled endgame. 

“War Plans let players craft their own endgame progression path, selecting favored activities and layering strategic modifiers as they push toward high-value rewards,” Blizzard says. The expansion also features a new activity for players seeking respite from demon-slaying: Fishing. 

All purchases of the Lord of Hatred expansion include last year’s Vessel of Hatred expansion, and pre-purchasing the former instantly gives you access to the latter. If you pre-purchase, you will gain early access to the Paladin class, one extra Stash Tab, two more Character Slots, and three World of Warcraft decor items. 

You can purchase the Standard Edition, which includes Vessel of Hatred and Lord of Hatred, the Deluxe Edition, which includes both expansions as well as 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 Edition as well as the Umbral Knights Armor Bundle (with six class sets), 3000 Platinum, the Steel of the Shining Realm Bundle, Tymn, Echo of Spire Back Trophy, the Ascent of the Just Town Portal Skin, and more. 

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred launches on April 28, 2026. In the meantime, read Game Informer’s Diablo IV review, and then read our thoughts on last year’s Vessel of Hatred expansion.

What do you hope the second unannounced class is? Let us know in the comments below!