THE RECKONING ARRIVES: DIABLO 4: LORD OF HATRED ANNOUNCED FOR APRIL 2026!

Blizzard Entertainment delivered an earth-shattering reveal at The Game Awards 2025, officially pulling back the veil on the second major expansion for their flagship action-RPG, Diablo IV. Titled Lord of Hatred, this colossal content drop promises to bring the "Age of Hatred Saga" to its devastating and climactic finale when it launches on April 28, 2026.

The reveal trailer itself was a masterpiece of meta-commentary, featuring the chilling voice of Mephisto, the Prime Evil and Lord of Hatred, mocking the very nature of the industry's awards show. The demonic monologue directly addressed Geoff Keighley, "Reiker," and "Shroud," underscoring the expansion's grand, world-shattering stakes.

The Final Stand Against the Lord of Hatred

The narrative thrust of Lord of Hatred is the ultimate confrontation: players must face the newly manifesting power of Mephisto as Hell's legions surge across Sanctuary. In a move that shocked veterans, the campaign is confirmed to feature the surprising return of the base game’s main antagonist, Lilith.

The new campaign will drive Wanderers into the fabled, ancient region of Skovos, an area described in the lore as the birthplace of Sanctuary’s first civilization. To stand a chance against the Prime Evil, the hero must forge an uneasy alliance with a returning figure, a partnership born purely of necessity.

The Dawn of Two New Classes

Perhaps the most anticipated feature is the introduction of two new classes, poised to dramatically shift the meta of Sanctuary’s high-stakes combat.

The Paladin: This iconic, shield-and-hammer wielding warrior is back! Pre-purchasers of the expansion gain immediate, early access to the class today. The Paladin brings four distinct Oaths, allowing for deep specialization, including the shield-focused Juggernaut and the holy magic-raining Judicator.
The Mystery Class: Blizzard has confirmed that a second, as-yet-unrevealed class will join the roster at the expansion’s full launch in April 2026. The developers tease this mystery combatant "looms on the dark horizon," their power undeniable.

A Fundamental Game Overhaul

Beyond the new classes and narrative climax, Lord of Hatred is delivering the biggest quality-of-life and gameplay changes seen since the game's launch, impacting all players:

A fully reworked Skill Tree with expanded class level caps.
The addition of a long-requested, powerful Loot Filter for more efficient farming.
Enhanced crafting systems, including the fan-favorite return of the legendary Horadric Cube.

Platforms and Release Window

The Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred expansion will be available on April 28, 2026, for PC via Battle.net and Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. It is worth noting that all editions of Lord of Hatred include the previous expansion, Vessel of Hatred, making this an ideal jumping-in point for new Wanderers.

Watch the Epic Reveal Trailer Below:

FAQ: Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred

Q: When is the official release date?

A: Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred launches on April 28, 2026.

Q: What are the new classes?

A: The expansion introduces two new classes. The first is the Paladin, which is playable today with pre-purchase. The second is an unannounced mystery class that will arrive at launch.

Q: Is this the first expansion?

A: No, Lord of Hatred is the second major expansion, following 2024's Vessel of Hatred. All editions of Lord of Hatred will include the Vessel of Hatred expansion as part of the purchase.

Q: What platforms will it be on?

A: It will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.