The Lord of Hatred expansion has officially been revealed, and the Diablo community is finally getting the one thing it has been screaming for since launch: The Paladin.
Following the massive reveal at The Game Awards earlier this week (December 11, 2025), we now have concrete details on the next chapter of Diablo IV. Set to launch on April 28, 2026, the Lord of Hatred expansion will take us to the Skovos Isles to face Mephisto—but you don’t have to wait until April to start swinging a holy hammer.
Here is everything we know about the Paladin, the confirmed features, and the rampant speculation surrounding the mysterious unnamed second class.
The Paladin: Playable Now (With a Catch)
The biggest news is that the Paladin isn’t just “coming soon”—it is playable right now for anyone who pre-purchases the expansion. This marks the first time Blizzard has released a class before the expansion it belongs to, likely a move to bring players back for Season 11.
What we know about the Class:
- Archetype: True to its Diablo 2 roots, this is a Strength/Willpower-based “Sword and Board” class. It fills the heavy armor/holy magic niche that was missing from the launch roster.
- Class Mechanic – “The Oaths”: Instead of a simple specialization, Paladins choose a “Holy Oath” (Juggernaut, Zealot, Judicator, or Disciple). This dramatically changes their playstyle—Juggernaut turns your shield into your primary weapon (Shield Bash builds are back!), while Zealot focuses on rapid attack speed and “on-hit” holy fire.
- Auras are Back: Yes, Auras return as passive/active toggles, allowing you to buff party members or debuff enemies with “Conviction.”
- Ultimate Form: The new “Arbiter” form transforms the Paladin into a winged avatar of light (similar to Tyrael), granting flight-based movement abilities for a short duration.
The Unnamed Second Class: The “Amazon” Theory vs. The “Warlock” Theory
Blizzard confirmed that Lord of Hatred will ship with two new classes. The Paladin is the first, but the second will remain a mystery until launch day in April 2026. However, clues from the trailer and the new region (Skovos) have led to two leading theories.
Theory A: The Amazon (or “Askari”)
- ** The Evidence:** The expansion takes place in the Skovos Isles. In Diablo lore, Skovos is the homeland of the Askari people—better known as Amazons.
- The Fit: We currently lack a dedicated spear/javelin class (Spiritborn uses glaives/polearms, but plays differently). A class focused on javelins, bows, and “Storm/Lightning” magic would perfectly fit the setting.
- The Problem: The Paladin has already received several spear-based skills and “Spears of the Heavens” spells. Would Blizzard release two spear-adjacent classes in one update?
Theory B: The Warlock / Witch
- The Evidence: The Lord of Hatred cinematic features a distinct “Light vs. Dark” theme. If the Paladin represents the Light, the second class may represent the Dark to balance the roster.
- The Silhouette: A brief teaser image showed a silhouette wielding what looked like a ritual dagger and floating off the ground.
- The Fit: We are missing a dedicated “Dark Caster” or “Demonologist.” The Necromancer controls undead, but a Warlock who binds demons or uses “Void/Shadow” magic (similar to the Pale Knight concepts) would offer a caster playstyle distinct from the Sorcerer.
The Region: Skovos Isles
We are finally leaving the mainland. The Skovos Isles are described as a “volcanic, jungle-covered archipelago” brimming with ancient ruins.
- New Mobility: The islands are vertical. Expect new traversal mechanics (potentially related to the new Mount types) to scale cliffs and ancient temples.
- Fishing: It sounds like a joke, but “Fishing” has been confirmed as a new side-activity. Whether this is a simple mini-game or a deep crafting source remains to be seen.
Story: The Return of Lilith?
The most shocking lore reveal is the “unthinkable alliance.” To defeat Mephisto (who has been festering in the Soulstone since the end of the base game), the Wanderer may be forced to resurrect or ally with a remnant of Lilith. The trailer explicitly shows Inarius’s tomb and hints that “Mother must return to save her children.”
Release Date & Roadmap
- Paladin Class: Available Now (Season 11).
- Expansion Launch: April 28, 2026.
- Mystery Class Reveal: Expected early 2026 (likely February).
For now, the servers are flooded with Paladins. If you see a dozen players throwing blessed hammers in Kyovashad, you know why.