Diablo 4 Paladin: A Fresh Take Beyond Diablo 2’s Legacy
The Paladin has finally made its debut in Diablo 4, and after spending a weekend with this latest class, it’s evident that this holy warrior is a formidable presence, offering more than just a nostalgic nod to its Diablo 2 predecessor—though I do wish it embraced its roots a bit more. After a long wait of two and a half years, Blizzard surprised everyone by releasing the Paladin during the reveal of the new Lord of Hatred expansion at The Game Awards. Preordering the expansion grants early access to the Paladin, and it will also introduce a second, yet-to-be-announced class.
The Diablo 4 Paladin is an intriguing blend of the familiar and the fresh. While it carries the Paladin name from Diablo 2, it shares a significant amount of its toolkit with the Crusader from Diablo 3, featuring a variety of similar abilities and flashy holy magic. Overall, the Diablo 4 Paladin is a unique concoction that merges two distinct styles of light-wielding, with a dash of originality thrown in. For fans of the classic Paladin, there’s still plenty to enjoy. You can create a Hammerdin, zipping around the battlefield and obliterating hordes of demons with a flurry of spinning hammers. Zeal returns, along with powerful auras that were a hallmark of the class in Diablo 2.
There are four primary ways to build the Paladin in Diablo 4, each represented by the class’s unique Oaths mechanic. The Zealot Oath emphasizes relentless offense, centered around the iconic Zeal ability from Diablo 2, encouraging players to stack attack speed and critical hit chance. For those who prefer a more defensive approach, the Juggernaut Oath allows for a tanky playstyle focused on shield-based abilities and robust defense. The most visually striking option, the Judicator Oath, unleashes massive area-of-effect holy damage, applying Judgement to foes and triggering devastating explosions. Lastly, the Disciple Oath lets players temporarily transform into an angelic Arbiter, granting special buffs and dealing damage to nearby enemies. Players opting for this oath will aim to maintain their Arbiter form as long as possible to maximize its benefits and enhanced mobility.
While I anticipate creative builds that blend various skills and philosophies beyond the four outlined playstyles, this overview captures the essence of the class. I still wish the Paladin leaned a bit more into its Diablo 2 heritage. Many abilities, especially shield-based ones like Shield Charge, Blessed Shield, and Shield Bash, as well as skills like Condemn and Consecration, feel directly lifted from the Crusader. In many respects, the Diablo 4 Paladin feels like a fusion of two classes. For those nostalgic for Diablo 2, the Zealot Oath and abilities like Fanaticism Aura and Zeal provide a direct connection between the two games. The Judicator playstyle also channels some Diablo 2 vibes with Blessed Hammers and its Holy Light aura, which can be converted into fire damage with a new Unique item, effectively transforming it into Diablo 2’s Holy Fire aura. However, the other two Oath playstyles lean more towards the Crusader archetype. This isn’t necessarily a drawback, as the Crusader itself shares a significant lineage with the Paladin.
In Diablo 4, the shield-centric Juggernaut Oath and some of the class’s more extravagant holy abilities feel distinctly Crusader-like. The Disciple skills, while borrowing some elements from Diablo 3, such as Condemn and Falling Star (similar to the Crusader’s Falling Sword), present a different take with the Arbiter transformation, which diverges from its closest Crusader counterpart, Akarat’s Champion. Among the four playstyles, the Disciple Oath stands out as the most original interpretation of the holy knight, even if it incorporates several Crusader-inspired abilities.
Regardless of the path you choose, the Paladin in Diablo 4 is undeniably powerful. Its synergies are straightforward and easy to exploit, making it an excellent choice for newcomers to Diablo 4 or those returning after a break. Every ability feels impactful, and Blizzard has successfully captured that fantasy of the holy knight in shining armor that was sorely missed until now. The second expansion, Lord of Hatred, is set to launch on April 28. There are exciting developments on the horizon, including the return of beloved characters and the introduction of a new region, Skovos. This expansion marks a milestone as the first time a Diablo game has received two expansions, and Blizzard is gearing up to celebrate with the unveiling of a second, still-secret class. Alongside new classes, the expansion will revamp skill trees for all classes, introduce a loot filter, overhaul the endgame, and bring back the iconic Horadric Cube.
