It’s official—the Diablo 30th Anniversary Spotlight just wrapped up, and Blizzard didn’t just bring the house down; they basically opened a portal to Hell and invited everyone inside. While we were all expecting some nostalgia and maybe a new pet, what we actually got was the reveal of the Warlock, a brand-new class that looks like a heavy metal album cover come to life. This isn’t just your standard spellcaster; the Warlock is described as a dark antihero who literally turns the wrath of the Burning Hell against itself.
The Warlock: Hell’s New Worst Nightmare
The Warlock is making history by being the first class to drop across the entire franchise simultaneously. While we have to wait until April 28, 2026, to play it in Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, the class actually launched today in Diablo II: Resurrected as part of the Reign of the Warlock update. This marks the first new class for Diablo II in over 25 years, which is absolutely wild. In terms of gameplay, think metal chains, unholy flames, and a “risk-reward” loop that lets you bind and devour demons for power. In Diablo IV specifically, the class is the dark mirror to the Paladin, focusing on forbidden rites and even a Metamorphosis ultimate that turns you into a full-blown demon.
Welcome to the Tropical Horrors of Skovos
Beyond the new class, the spotlight gave us our first real look at Skovos, the new region arriving with the Lord of Hatred expansion. Forget the snowy peaks and muddy swamps for a second; Skovos is a Mediterranean-inspired archipelago filled with ancient marble cities and rugged coastlines. The new capital, Temis, is set to be the main hub for the expansion’s story, which continues the Age of Hatred saga. It’s a beautiful place, sure, but it’s crawling with Mephisto’s corruption, and the lore ties deeply back to the origins of Lilith and Inarius.
A Massive Systems Overhaul is Coming
If you thought the game felt a bit predictable lately, the upcoming skill tree overhaul is about to change everything. Blizzard is stripping away the boring “stat-stick” nodes and replacing them with transformative upgrades that actually change how your abilities function. We’re also getting the return of some fan-favorite “old school” mechanics like Charms, Sets, and the legendary Horadric Cube. These will work through a new Talisman system, allowing for much deeper customization of your build without cluttering up your inventory like the old days.
Rethinking the Endgame with War Plans
One of the coolest features announced was War Plans, a new endgame system that lets you take control of your grind. Instead of just mindlessly running whatever is on the map, you can create a bespoke playlist of activities—like The Pit, Helltides, and Nightmare Dungeons—and progress through a unique reward track for that specific rotation. For the true masochists out there, they also revealed Echoing Hatred, an infinite-wave endurance event that just keeps throwing monsters at you until you eventually kick the bucket. It’s all part of a massive push to make the 30th year of Diablo the most content-heavy era the series has ever seen.
