Announced a the 2025 Game Awards, Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred is the second expansion in the Diablo 4 series. This paid expansion releases on 28 April 2026 and includes the previous expansion Vessel of Hatred.
New Classes
The Lord of Hatred features two classes, one is the Paladin, which was made available for the start of Season 11 and a yet to be announced class.
The unknown class has been described by Blizzard as it "looms on the dark horizon - its power undeniable, its arrival poised to reshape the battlefield when Lord of Hatred launches in April".
New Location - Skovos Isles
The new area of Sanctuary players will explore is the Skovos Isles, which are located in the southwest of the game world. The Skovos Isles include the main island Skovos and other islands, including Philios, Lycander, and Skartara. This was the ancestral birthplace of the first civilization and the former home of Lilith and Inarius. The zone features blends volcanic coasts, storm-lashed forests, and waterlogged ruins. It's likely the main hub will be Temis which is the captial city.
The Skovos Isles have never appeared in a Diablo game until now but are steeped in lore are the home of the Amazon (Askari), ruled by The Oracle and the Amazon Queen.
During Blizzcon '08's Lore & Art Panel for Diablo 3 it was revealed that Skovos would not be included during the events of Diablo 3, but that they fleshed it out and therefore it could be referenced by characters in the game world.
Despite this, Skovos did not appear in the Diablo 3 Reaper of Souls expansion, which was instead set in Westmarch. Fans speculated that it could appear in the next expansion, but that was never to be. In Reaper of Souls, there are references to Skovos being a very dangerous place where Nephalem are vanishing
Concept art of the Skovos Isles was released in 2006 for Diablo 3, prior to the zone being cut from the game after Blizzard decided the zone did not fit. The art below was created by Peter Lee and Christian Lorenz Scheurer in 2006.
The Skovos Isles were also visited by Lorath in the Book of Lorath as outlined in his journey map.
Skills and Skill Tree Changes
The skill trees are being reworked in Lord of Hatred and will include class-specific variants and expanded level caps for all classes, old and new.
Loot Filter
A loot Filter is also being added to the game. A feature that players have been asking for since th2 game launched.
Horadric Cube
The Horadric Cube returns in this expansion following its success in Diablo 2.
Like Diablo 2, players will utilise the Cube to create recipes, bringing more crafting options to the game. Perhaps this will be the key to accessing a Secret Cow Level as it was in Diablo 2.
A new Talisman will also "unlock powerful set bonuses, expanding late-game customization in meaningful, class-defining ways".
Endgame Additions
New endgame activities are coming, including the following:
- War Plans let players craft their own endgame progression path, selecting favored activities and layering strategic modifiers as they push toward high-value rewards.
- The Echoing Hatred stands as the Age of Hatred’s ultimate test: a relentless gauntlet of demonic hordes designed to challenge even the strongest builds.
Fishing
MMORPG fans love fishing and the feature is also being added to Diablo 4 in this expansion. More details to come.
Pre-Ordering Lord of Hared
As with all releases, this expansion can be purchased:
- The Standard Edition of Lord of Hatred includes Diablo IV’s first expansion, Vessel of Hatred.
- The Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition, as well as the Mini Chimera Pet Skorch, the Skartaran Basilisk Mount Bundle, the High Heavens guard Cosmetic Bundle, a Premium Battle Pass Bundle, and more when the expansion launches.
- The Ultimate Edition includes everything from the Standard and Deluxe Editions, as well as the Umbral Knights Armor Bundle (6 class sets), 3,000 Platinum, the Steed of the Shining Realm Bundle, Tymn, Echo of the Spire Back Trophy, the Ascent of the Just Town Portal Skin, and more when the expansion launches.