Diablo 4 Welcomes the Warlock Class, Also Arriving in Diablo 2: Resurrected

A brand-new class is set to join the fray in Diablo 4 this April with the Lord of Hatred expansion: the demon-summoning Warlock. Fans of the series won’t have to wait long to get a taste of the Warlock’s abilities, as this new class is also making its debut in Diablo 2: Resurrected today. The Warlock, a summoner at heart, shares some traits with familiar classes like the Necromancer and Witch Doctor. However, instead of raising the dead or commanding a horde of pets, Warlocks harness the dark powers of Hell, summoning demons to do their bidding. This includes calling forth demon allies for melee combat and even merging a group of demons into a formidable wall of flesh that acts as a protective barrier. Described as the most “heavy metal” class in Diablo 4, the Warlock serves as a dark counterpart to the new Paladin class introduced in the same expansion. In Diablo 2: Resurrected, the Warlock takes on a more subdued role, reflecting the class’s evolution throughout the Diablo saga. The Warlock will also appear in the free-to-play mobile and PC game Diablo Immortal, but that version, along with the return of Lut Gholein, won’t be available until summer. In Diablo 2: Resurrected, the Warlock prefers to keep his hands clean. During a playtest at Blizzard headquarters, I noticed that the Warlock commanded his weapons telekinetically, slashing at monsters and casting spells without direct contact. He wielded either a tome of spells or a shield in his off hand. Alongside casting spells and placing sigils that debuff or damage enemies, the Warlock can summon three types of demons: the Goatman, the Tainted, and the Defiler. These demons will accompany him, pursuing foes and following the Warlock on his journey through Sanctuary. The Warlock can also “bind” a demon, allowing him to utilize its unique abilities. Once he’s finished with a demon, he can devour it, absorbing its lifeforce for temporary buffs and traits based on the demon consumed. Developers have likened the demon-devouring mechanic to a Pokémon-like system, where different demon types possess their own characteristics. Players can access the Warlock through the Diablo 2: Resurrected – Reign of the Warlock add-on, a paid expansion launching on February 11 for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. In addition to the Warlock, the Reign of the Warlock DLC will introduce enhanced Terror Zones for greater challenges and rewards; new Heralds of Terror in Hell difficulty, which are relentless hunters that become increasingly dangerous with each encounter; and a challenging new boss battle against the Colossal Ancients, described as the next evolution of endgame battles designed to test players’ skills and builds. Reign of the Warlock will also bring several quality-of-life updates, including loot filters, advanced stash tabs (now with item stacking!), and the Chronicle feature, which allows players to track collected items, including uniques, sets, and runewords. While the Warlock in Diablo 2: Resurrected is a formidable summoner of Hell’s forces, its appearance in Diablo 4 will showcase the class “at the height of strength,” according to Blizzard. The Warlock will wield demons and hellfire’s destructive power, turning the wrath of Hell against itself when Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred launches on April 28. Blizzard plans to share more details about the Warlock in Diablo 4 during a Developer Update on March 5 at 2 p.m. PST / 5 p.m. EST. On Wednesday, alongside the official reveal of the Warlock, more details about Lord of Hatred were shared. The expansion will transport Diablo 4 players to Skovos, a Mediterranean-inspired land inhabited by the Askari (also known as the Amazons), where they’ll uncover the origins of humanity and the secrets of the Askari, the Prime Evils, and the ancient wars that shaped Sanctuary. In terms of gameplay, Diablo 4 players will engage in new War Plans, an endgame activity that answers the question, “What should I do next?” when you think you’ve completed the game. War Plans consist of a playlist of activities drawn from core endgame modes (the Pit, Internal Hordes, Helltides, Whispers, Nightmare Dungeons, Lair Bosses, and the Undercity), providing players with fresh rewards to pursue. Each activity within War Plans allows players to progress through unique challenges, enabling them to “change rewards, tweak monster spawns, and even incorporate features from one activity into another,” according to Blizzard. A new “hyper-rare” endgame event called Echoing Hatred will also be introduced, resembling a Horde Mode experience. By collecting rare Traces of Echoes, players can face infinite waves of enemies with increasing difficulty in Echoing Hatred. The longer you survive, the better the loot you’ll earn. Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred will also feature balance and quality-of-life changes, including an expanded skill tree with customizable skills; the return of the Horadric Cube for crafting rare items; and the long-awaited addition of fishing to the Diablo franchise. In Diablo Immortal, players can expect to see the Warlock this summer. The mobile version of the class will focus on a demon known as the Soulgorger, which devours other demons and absorbs their traits. The Warlock can “spew fire, tear holes in reality, and summon and chain demons,” according to Blizzard. Diablo Immortal will introduce the Warlock with a dedicated origin quest and a mission to defeat The Maiden of Anguish, Andariel, who has taken control of Lut Gholein to torment its inhabitants. 2026 is shaping up to be a significant year for the Warlock and the Diablo franchise, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Expect more details on the future of the Warlock class on March 5, along with a chance to experience it in Diablo 4 this April.