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Blizzard has revealed the newest expansion for Diablo IV, named Lord of Hatred.
Blizzard put the spotlight for the expansion in a big way for this year’s The Game Awards. The Lord of Hatred Mephisto appeared in the Game Awards stage himself to chastise everyone in the audience before introducing the trailer.
How Mephisto Came Back
Mephisto originally appeared in Diablo II, as one of the Prime Evils that Diablo tried to free in the events of the game.
Mephisto was imprisoned in Kurast temple and was able to corrupt Zakarum’s high council – the order of the Paladins – while he was there.
In the end of the game Mephisto and Diablo were defeated and their soulstones were destroyed.
In Diablo IV, Mephisto’s daughter Lilith founded Sanctuary with an angel, Inarius, but she was banished after growing tension between humans and demons.
After cultists summon Lilith back, she plots to take over Sanctuary by bringing over the Lesser Evils from Hell. However, she also had plans to take over Hell itself.
To do so, she intended to consume her father’s essence. At the end of Diablo IV, Lilith and Inarius are dead, opening the opportunity for the Prime Evils to enter Sanctuary.
Mephisto was already plotting to return to threaten humanity in the first expansion, Vessel of Hatred. In the end of this expansion, Neyrelle successfully severs her connection to his soulstone, but another takes on the role of Mephisto’s vessel.
What To Look Forward To In Lord Of Hatred
Two classes are getting added in Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, one of which being the Paladin. The new region to explore is Skovos, the onetime home of Lilith and Inarius which may have a pathway towards Hell.
Blizzard promises to rework gameplay systems again, such a new skill variants and level cap increases. There will also be a Loot Filter to make sorting loot easier.
Blizzard also promises an interesting new addition to Diablo IV’s endgame. With Craft War, you can curate how you progress in the endgame using specific modifiers.
But perhaps most important of all, they’re adding fishing.
What Else Could Be There?
As we pointed out, Paladins were corrupted by Mephisto in Diablo’s deepest lore. It’s possible that you can play a Paladin, fighting other corrupted Paladins. And we wonder if Blizzard has some idea to let you play a corrupted Paladin yourself.
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred is releasing on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S this April 28, 2026. You can watch the official announcement trailer below.
