The ‘Lord of Hatred’ Rises: ‘Diablo IV’ Expansion Set for April 2026
The climactic finale to the “Age of Hatred Saga.”
Summary
- Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred concludes the “Age of Hatred” Saga with a final battle against Mephisto on the isles of Skovos
- Releasing April 28, 2026, it’s available for pre‑order across all platforms in three editions
The highly anticipated expansion for Blizzard‘s Diablo IV, Lord of Hatred, was officially unveiled at The Game Awards 2025, confirming its status as the climactic finale to the “Age of Hatred Saga”. The expansion centers on a final stand against the titular greater demon, Mephisto, whose influence has spread widely across Sanctuary.
Lord of Hatred will transport players to the fabled isles of Skovos, the ancient birthplace of the first civilization and former home of Lilith and Inarius. This second major expansion follows the 2024 launch of Vessel of Hatred and comes alongside sweeping updates aimed at refining the core experience of the action RPG, which originally debuted in 2023.
The biggest reveal for the expansion is the introduction of two new playable classes, headlined by the return of the fan-favorite Paladin. The holy warrior class, which combines melee combat with the power of Holy Light, is designed to be a blend of Diablo 2 nostalgia and new features like the unique Oath System.
In a strategic move, players who pre-purchase Lord of Hatred gain immediate early access to the Paladin class, just in time for Season 11. The expansion also promises significant gameplay evolution for all players, including deeply reworked Skill Trees, an increased level cap, and enhanced crafting systems featuring the return of the iconic Horadric Cube.
Set for release on April 28, 2026, Diablo IV, Lord of Hatred is currently available for pre-order via the game’s official website for PlayStation, Xbox, as well as PC via Steam and Battle.net. The expansion is available in Standard, Deluxe and Ultimate editions, with all tiers including the Vessel of Hatred expansion.
