Blizzard has officially revealed Diablo 4’s expansion, Lord of Hatred, confirming it features two new classes, including the highly anticipated Paladin.

Announced at The Game Awards 2025, Lord of Hatred is set to launch on April 28, 2026, marking the climax of what Blizzard calls the Age of Hatred Saga. Players will face the eternal evil Mephisto in a new campaign, while Lilith makes a surprising return from the dead following the events of Diablo 4’s main story. The expansion introduces the region of Skovos and brings significant gameplay updates.

The headline feature is that pre-purchasing Lord of Hatred grants immediate access to the Paladin class, a fan-favorite returning from Diablo 2 and one of the most requested classes for Diablo 4. Blizzard has kept the identity of the second mystery class under wraps.

Here’s the narrative setup:

Following the events of Vessel of Hatred, this new chapter leads players toward their final confrontation with Mephisto, whose deception and expanding influence threaten to turn Sanctuary into a realm consumed by malice. As Hell’s armies surge forward and the ancient Pools of Creation draw Mephisto closer, humanity’s fate hangs in the balance. To defeat him, the Wanderer must ally with an old enemy thought dead: Lilith. Her prophetic final words prove true, forcing a fragile alliance born of necessity rather than trust. With time running out, the Wanderer races to stop Mephisto before hatred forever reshapes the world.

As expected, the Paladin focuses on hammer and shield combat, striking foes with Holy Light abilities. Regarding the second mystery class, Blizzard noted it “looms on the dark horizon,” adding that its undeniable power will reshape the battlefield when Lord of Hatred arrives in April.

Skovos serves as the ancestral homeland of humanity’s first civilization and was once home to Lilith and Inarius. Recognized as Sanctuary’s oldest region, it is now ruled by The Oracle and the Amazon Queen. This unseen land features volcanic coastlines, storm-battered forests, and waterlogged ruins rich with forgotten lore.

The expansion also revamps Skill Trees, introducing new class-specific variants and raising level caps to offer fresh buildcrafting options across all eight classes. A new Loot Filter system helps players target specific gear more efficiently. Crafting receives an upgrade with the return of the Horadric Cube, while new Talismans unlock powerful set bonuses for late-game customization.

Veteran players will appreciate the revamped endgame content available after completing the campaign. War Plans allow users to create custom progression paths by selecting preferred activities and stacking strategic modifiers for high-value rewards. The Echoing Hatred serves as the ultimate challenge of the Age of Hatred, a relentless gauntlet against demonic hordes designed to test even the strongest builds. Additionally, the expansion introduces Fishing!

Lord of Hatred includes the complete Vessel of Hatred expansion, accessible immediately upon pre-purchase. Pre-order bonuses include early access to the Paladin class, an extra Stash Tab, two additional Character Slots, and three World of Warcraft décor items.

For more details on announcements from The Game Awards 2025, check out our full coverage and winners list.