During The Game Awards, Blizzard Entertainment revealed the second major expansion for their action RPG, Diablo IV. Titled Lord of Hatred, the expansion is scheduled to launch locally on 28 April 2026. This update is set to conclude the current Age of Hatred storyline and features a confrontation with the Prime Evil, Mephisto.
A key component of the announcement involves the immediate release of the Paladin class. While the full expansion arrives in 2026, players who pre-purchase Lord of Hatred can access the Paladin immediately. Described as a “radiant sword-and-shield champion,” the Paladin utilises abilities such as Blessed Hammer, Zeal, and Heaven’s Fury, alongside divine transformations known as Arbiter form. Blizzard also noted that a second, currently undisclosed class will be added when the expansion officially launches in April.
The narrative backdrop for this expansion involves Hell’s legions encroaching on Sanctuary, requiring the protagonist to form a tentative alliance to stop Mephisto. This journey leads players to a new region called Skovos. This area is described as the ancient birthplace of Sanctuary’s first civilisation and the former home of Lilith and Inarius. The zone features diverse environments ranging from volcanic coasts to rain-lashed forests and is ruled by an Oracle and an Amazon Queen.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, Lord of Hatred will introduce several systems and reworks intended to alter the player experience. These updates include:
- A reworked skill tree with expanded caps and new variants.
- A new Loot Filter designed for targeted farming.
- The return of the Horadric Cube for enhanced crafting.
- A Talisman system that provides set-bonus build options.
- Player-driven War Plans for endgame progression.
- “Echoing Hatred,” a mode described as an unending gauntlet of enemies.
- The addition of fishing as a side activity.
For those looking to catch up on previous content, pre-purchasing Lord of Hatred also unlocks immediate access to the first expansion, Vessel of Hatred, which includes the Spiritborn class, Mercenaries, and the Nahantu region.
