Blizzard Entertainment announced that the second expansion for Diablo IV, titled Lord of Hatred, will launch on April 28, 2026. The expansion introduces the Skovos region, two new character classes—Paladin and Warlock—and significant updates to endgame systems, including the War Plans activity system and the Echoing Hatred event. Players can pre-purchase the expansion now to gain immediate access to the Paladin class and continue the story when the full expansion releases.
The Paladin class focuses on defensive frontline combat powered by holy energy, featuring mechanics like Arbiter Form for temporary angelic transformation that enhances speed and damage even as moving. The Warlock class serves as a dark counterpart, weaponizing Hell’s power through forced demon binding and scaling damage that grows stronger in prolonged encounters. Both classes are designed to offer distinct playstyles centered on protection and high-risk, reward-based gameplay.
Set in the ancient region of Skovos—the birthplace of the first civilization in Sanctuary—the expansion explores areas tied to Lilith and Inarius, now under the rule of the Oracle and the Amazon Queen. The zone features harsh coastlines, storm forests, and ancient ruins filled with forgotten magic, with a new main city hub at Temis. Story content continues after the events of Vessel of Hatred, following Neyrelle’s struggle to contain Mephisto, the Prime Evil of Hatred, as his influence spreads toward Skovos.
Lord of Hatred will be available on PC, PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox One/Series X|S, with pricing tiers set at $39.99 for the Standard Edition, $59.99 for the Deluxe Edition, and $89.99 for the Ultimate Edition. The expansion represents a major evolution in Diablo IV’s endgame, emphasizing player choice, mastery, and high-stakes rewards through customizable War Plans and progression systems.
