Find strength in shadow, kinship in madness.
Blizzard Entertainment has finally lifted the lid on the Diablo series’ newest class, and it’s a big one. The long-rumoured Warlock class is coming to three different games, landing in Diablo IV’s Lord of Hatred expansion, arriving in Diablo Immortal, and making an unexpected debut in Diablo II: Resurrected on 12 February, marking the first new class that the classic action-RPG has received in 25 years.
The announcement came via Blizzard’s Diablo 30th anniversary Spotlight showcase, which also confirmed that the Lord of Hatred expansion will launch on 28 April for PC and consoles.
While Diablo IV players will have to wait a little longer, Diablo II fans can jump into the paid Reign of the Warlock expansion, priced at US$25, opening up a new era of ongoing development for the remastered classic.
The Warlock class is coming to three Diablo games; namely Diablo Immortal, Diablo II, and Diablo IV. Crucially, the Warlock is a completely original class for the franchise, marking its first-ever appearance across the Diablo series.
Warlock class arriving as part of Diablo IV's Lord of Hatred expansion
In Diablo IV, the Warlock arrives as part of Lord of Hatred, acting as a thematic counterbalance to the expansion’s Paladin class. Where the Paladin channels light and discipline, the Warlock leans fully into shadow, corruption, and demonic control; essentially the dark mirror of its holy counterpart. Blizzard has described the pairing as a deliberate contrast, giving players two radically different ways to experience the expansion’s new content.
Beyond the Warlock reveal, Blizzard outlined a substantial set of gameplay additions coming to Diablo IV with the Lord of Hatred expansion. These updates significantly expand both progression depth and endgame variety.
One of the more surprising inclusions is a full fishing mechanic, offering a calmer side activity alongside the game’s usual demon-slaying chaos. The skill tree is also receiving a major overhaul, introducing new abilities and greatly expanding build customisation, giving players more freedom to shape their characters.
For endgame players, Blizzard is introducing War Plans, a system that allows players to create personalised activity lists, adjust objectives, and earn rewards by completing chosen tasks. The system feels like an evolution of Adventure Mode, designed to provide structure and long-term goals after the campaign concludes.
Additional features include:
- A hyper-rare endgame event called Echoing Hatred, which unleashes infinite enemy waves and rewards loot based on survival time.
- The return of the Horadric Cube, allowing players to combine materials and items.
- Loot filters, long requested by the community.
- The comeback of Charms and item Sets, bringing back beloved progression mechanics from earlier games.
Together, these changes aim to deepen build diversity, reduce loot fatigue, and extend Diablo IV’s replay value well beyond its core story. Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred arrives on 28 April on PC and consoles.
Diablo II: Resurrected gets a new expansion and Steam launch
The Warlock class is also coming to Diablo II: Resurrected through the Reign of the Warlock, which effectively is the first true class expansion since the game’s original era.
“The Warlock is disciplined, ominous, and incredibly knowledgeable. For years, the warlock lingered in the shadows, studying secrets no mortal should know. Now they’ve abandoned theory for practice, bringing their dark craft to the battlefield. When it comes to gameplay, the Warlock dominates demons binding them to his will and consuming them when it suits him,” lead game producer Matthew Cederquist said.
The expansion effectively splits Diablo II into two versions: a time-locked classic mode, preserving the traditional experience, and a new, evolving edition called Reign of the Warlock, which will continue to receive modern updates and content.
Blizzard acknowledged the risks of expanding such a revered game, telling press that the team is acutely aware of its responsibility, stating they do not want to “mess up the Mona Lisa.” The approach aims to preserve nostalgia while carefully pushing the game forward with fresh ideas and systems.
Alongside the Warlock’s arrival, Diablo II: Resurrected is receiving a range of modern quality-of-life upgrades. Enhanced Terror Zones are being added, alongside loot filters, advanced stash tabs, and a new loot-tracking database called The Chronicle, which logs every item found and where it dropped.
These updates push Diablo II further into modern ARPG design while preserving its classic feel, particularly for players who want smoother progression and better inventory management. Reign of the Warlock is officially available now, and was launched soon after the Diablo 30th Anniversary Spotlight.
Each version of the Warlock is tailored to its respective game, rather than simply being ported across. Diablo II’s interpretation is the most mechanically dense, particularly through its demon-taming skill tree. This system allows players to dominate enemies, either turning them into temporary allies or consuming them for power, adding a layer of micro-management and tactical decision-making that significantly changes combat flow.
Meanwhile, Diablo IV and Diablo Immortal’s Warlocks lean more into fast-paced spell rotations and mobility, reflecting their more modern combat systems.
With the Warlock arriving across Diablo IV, Diablo II: Resurrected, and Diablo Immortal, players have fresh ways to return to the franchise and experience Sanctuary.
