Blizzard Entertainment has unveiled Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, the next major expansion in the Age of Hatred saga. Revealed during The Game Awards 2025, the expansion launches on April 28, 2026 and brings the story toward a long awaited confrontation with Mephisto. Blizzard describes it as the climactic chapter of the current saga, raising the stakes for Sanctuary and everyone still standing within it.
Lord of Hatred delivers a full campaign, sweeping gameplay updates, and two new classes. It also introduces a brand new region to explore, Skovos, which Blizzard calls Sanctuary’s oldest and most storied land. The expansion continues Diablo IV’s darker tone while expanding both narrative and endgame systems in a big way.
The Paladin Returns With Another Class Waiting in the Shadows
One of the headline reveals is the return of the Paladin, one of the most requested classes from the Diablo community. Players who pre purchase Lord of Hatred gain immediate access to the Paladin, which is playable today. The holy warrior combines sword, shield, and divine power with familiar abilities like Blessed Hammer, Auras, Zeal, and Heaven’s Fury. Blizzard also confirmed divine transformations, including an Arbiter form.
Blizzard also teased a second new class that will arrive with the full launch of Lord of Hatred in April. Details remain under wraps, but the studio describes it as bringing unbridled power, hinting at a darker counterpart to the Paladin’s holy presence.
Skovos Introduces Sanctuary’s Oldest Civilization
The campaign takes players to Skovos, a never before seen region and the ancient birthplace of Sanctuary’s first civilization. It was once home to Lilith and Inarius and is now ruled by The Oracle and the Amazon Queen. Blizzard describes Skovos as a mix of volcanic coastlines, rain soaked forests, forgotten temples, and ocean worn ruins.
The region introduces new demons, dungeons, and lore while pushing deeper into Diablo’s mythological roots. It feels like a major expansion of Sanctuary’s history rather than just another new zone to clear.
Major Gameplay Changes Reshape Diablo IV
Lord of Hatred includes Blizzard’s most significant gameplay updates since Diablo IV launched. These changes affect both progression and endgame play. Highlights include a reworked skill tree with expanded caps and new class defining variants, a new loot filter for targeted farming, and enhanced crafting with the return of the Horadric Cube.
The expansion also introduces a Talisman system that grants set bonus build options, player driven War Plans that shape endgame progression, and Echoing Hatred, an endless gauntlet designed to test survival and mastery. Blizzard even added Fishing as a calmer activity along Sanctuary’s dangerous waterways, offering a break from constant combat.
Editions, Collections, and What Comes Next
All editions of Lord of Hatred include immediate access to Diablo IV’s first expansion, Vessel of Hatred. Deluxe and Ultimate Editions add cosmetic content, mounts, armor sets, Platinum, and more. Blizzard also announced the Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection, which bundles the base game and both expansions into one package.
With Mephisto’s influence spreading and Sanctuary on the brink, Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred looks positioned as a major turning point for the series. We will continue covering updates as Blizzard shares more details leading into its April 2026 launch.