Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Launches With Paladin Class Return

Blizzard Entertainment has officially launched Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, the newest expansion that delivers a full-length story campaign alongside major gameplay changes designed to refresh the core experience for both new and returning players. This expansion marks a significant evolution for Diablo IV, bringing darker themes, deeper systems, and the long-awaited return of a fan-favorite class.

At the center of Lord of Hatred is a narrative that follows the Vessel of Hatred, telling the story of Lilith’s shocking return after being believed defeated. Her alliance with the demon lord Mephisto unleashes a wave of cruelty that spreads across the kingdom of Skovos, pushing the world of Sanctuary closer to collapse. Players are drawn into a more focused and cinematic campaign that deepens the lore while expanding the universe in meaningful ways.

One of the expansion’s biggest highlights is the reintroduction of the Paladin class, a staple from Diablo II that has been reimagined for Diablo IV’s modern systems. The Paladin arrives alongside a reworked Skill Tree system, offering greater flexibility, stronger identity, and more impactful build choices. This overhaul is designed to support long-term progression while giving players more freedom to experiment with playstyles.

Lord of Hatred also introduces access to the Vessel of Hatred region, which becomes available to all players, opening new environments to explore and new threats to confront. The expansion builds on Diablo IV’s open-world foundation, maintaining dynamic weather, large-scale exploration, and seamless questing while reinforcing the franchise’s darker tone and aggressive combat pacing.

Players can pre-order Lord of Hatred to unlock immediate access to the Paladin class, allowing them to prepare early for the challenges ahead and fully explore the class’s potential before diving deeper into the expansion’s content.

Diablo IV continues to support full cross-play across platforms, ensuring players can experience the expansion together regardless of where they play. With its blend of narrative ambition, mechanical refinement, and nostalgic class design, Lord of Hatred represents one of the most substantial updates to Diablo IV since launch.