The Final Stand Against Mephisto
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred launches on April 28, 2026, on Steam, Battle.net, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Announced at The Game Awards 2025, this is the second major expansion for Diablo IV following Vessel of Hatred, and it brings two new classes, a brand new region, a complete skill tree overhaul, and a fishing minigame.
Yes, fishing. In Diablo 4. Mephisto must be furious.
Two New Classes
The Paladin — returning from Diablo II, the Paladin is built around holy-powered melee combat with Auras and iconic skills including Blessed Hammer and Zeal. A new Oath System reflects the sacred codes the order swears to uphold. Four specializations: Zealot, Judicator, Juggernaut, and Disciple.
Pre-purchasers already have access to the Paladin for current seasonal content.
The Warlock — a master of forbidden knowledge who bends demonic forces to their will. The Warlock does not serve Hell — it weaponizes it. Four specializations: Legion, Vanguard, Mastermind, and Ritualist. Arrives with the full expansion on April 28.
The New Region: Skovos
Skovos is the sacred island chain that has been part of Diablo lore since the original game but has never been a playable area. Described as the ancestral birthplace of the first civilization and the former home of Lilith and Inarius, Skovos features volcanic western regions, eastern forests, and sunken lands between. New towns, dungeons, and monsters await, including sinister cultists and horrors from the sea.
The Free System Overhaul
This is significant: every Diablo IV player who does not purchase Lord of Hatred still receives major improvements with the April 28 companion patch.
Free for all players:
- Complete Skill Tree rework for all 8 classes with new skill variants
- 40+ reworked skill choices across the full class roster
- New level cap
- Loot Filter
- 20 additional bonus skill variants
- The Horadric Cube crafting overhaul
- Talisman and Set Bonus system
- War Plans endgame progression
- Echoing Hatred gauntlet challenge
- Skovos campaign
- Both new classes
- Fishing
Editions and Pricing
Standard Edition — $39.99 Includes Lord of Hatred expansion and instant access to Vessel of Hatred.
Deluxe Edition — $59.99 Standard plus cosmetics, mount, and additional rewards.
Ultimate Edition — $89.99 Everything in Deluxe plus the Infernal Apostle Warlock Armor Bundle and additional cosmetics.
Pre-purchasing any edition unlocks Paladin class early access, an extra Stash Tab, and 2 new Character Slots immediately.
Should Diablo 4 Go Back on Your Backlog?
Lord of Hatred is a live service expansion — it is not a game you add to a backlog in the traditional sense. It is a game you return to and commit to as an ongoing activity.
Return now if:
- You played Diablo IV at launch or during Vessel of Hatred and drifted away
- The Paladin or Warlock class appeals to your playstyle
- The free skill tree overhaul alone is enough to bring you back
- You want an ARPG to play regularly through spring and summer
- You have never played Diablo IV — complete the base game first
- Your April is already full (REPLACED, MOUSE, Pragmata)
- You prefer to wait until after the first season patch cycle
The Backlog Coach Take
Lord of Hatred is the most significant Diablo IV update since launch. The free skill tree overhaul alone makes it worth logging back in on April 28 regardless of whether you purchase the expansion. If you have Diablo IV installed and unplayed, this is an excellent reason to finally start it.
Connect your Steam library to Backlog Coach to see if Diablo IV is sitting unplayed in your library — and whether April 28 is the right time to finally start it.