Sanctuary has never been busier or more mysterious than it is right now, with Diablo 4’s future looking incredibly promising. Expansion content, system overhauls, and especially the next class reveal have set the community ablaze with anticipation. Rumors and leaks are spreading everywhere, hinting at what’s ahead for Diablo 4, including dramatic, dark new character options and potential expansion release timelines. Here we compile the latest whispers and speculation about Diablo 4’s upcoming class and what may arrive beyond Lord of Hatred, including a look at potential release dates.
Diablo 4 New Class Leaks 2026
As Diablo 4 marches forward with its expansion roadmap, each season delivers new content, keeping players engaged and eager for more. The upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion is already shaping up to introduce landmark features, but nothing has grabbed players’ attention quite like the alleged leaks of new class artwork and hints at even bigger changes in 2026.
Community excitement continues to rise after last night’s apparent concept art leak for a never-before-seen class. The new figure appears unlike anything currently playable, hinting at a fresh direction in both style and mechanics for the game. Let’s look at everything that’s been uncovered and speculate on what may follow the Paladin.
Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred New Classes
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, which will offcially launched on April 28, 2026 is confirmed to bring two new classes. With Paladin officially revealed for Lord of Hatred, and coming early with Season 11 for those who pre-ordered, the expansion’s class roster won’t stop there. The second class, though still officially unannounced, has had art and silhouettes surface online, painting a picture of something truly unique. So, what is the next new class after Paladin? Let's take some preview:
1. Paladin
The first new class confirmed for Lord of Hatred is the Paladin. Players who pre-purchase the expansion have even been able to play as the Paladin in advance, rolling out alongside Season 11. The Paladin brings the expected holy avenger fantasy, with visually iconic shield throws, holy hammers, and combat auras. This class delivers on nostalgia, harkening back to the original Diablo II champion. Skill and balance updates coming with the expansion ensure that even returning mechanics like Judgment, Fanaticism, and thorns-focused builds, remain fresh. Multiple unique builds already exist, from ranged “Captain America” shield-throwing styles to auras-influenced group support play, keeping the class at the center of meta discussions even before its true prime arrives.
Paladins feel well established in Diablo’s universe, symbolizing the unwavering forces of light and order standing against sanctuary's endless tide of evil. They reflect the expansion's theme of celestial intervention, right down to their potential connection to new areas like Celestia, a place that sure sounds like the home of the paladins. Even with their lack of historical roots in Skovos, the expansion’s larger focus on duality and iconic archetypes creates excellent narrative cohesion.
2. Warlock (or "Demonologist"/Dark Caster)
The true wildcard is the unrevealed second class. Leaks, speculation, and Blizzard’s teasing all converge on a dark, magic-wielding character archetype. With repeated references in official teasers -“A second yet unrevealed class looms on the dark horizon…”- and a leaked image showing a hulking, red-tinged, spell-slinging caster wielding a massive sword, the probable contender is a Warlock or Demonologist.
The Warlock appears designed as a dark mirror to the Paladin: where the Paladin channels holy energy, this class is steeped in forbidden arts—blood magic, demonology, or twisted forms of occult power. Leakers and lore-watchers highlight key features: ropey red magic swirling around the arm, a “big spell” conjured in spectral crimson, and a melee-oriented stance uncharacteristic of most traditional casters. Some suggest this new class could siphon its own blood as magical fuel or even subdue demons as part of its gameplay, opening mechanics like demon pacts, transformations, or even demon summoning.
Tying into the expansion’s setting, Skovos is now a land marked by the clash of angels and demons, retconned to serve as the origin point of Sanctuary’s oldest powers. This choice for a new dark caster makes sense: it matches the newly revealed hellish region on the Skovos map, the overall “light versus dark” theme (echoed in the Deluxe Edition pre-order skins), and the missing gameplay fantasy of a true frontline mage. The Warlock stands as a dramatic foil to the Paladin, meeting both fan expectations and Blizzard’s stated goals to introduce fresh class mechanics and unexplored themes.
Future Diablo 4 New Classes Coming in 2026
While Lord of Hatred brings Paladin and likely Warlock, attention is already turning to the classes that could join the roster in further expansions or major updates. Over the past year, there’s been plenty of discussion about which archetypes might still fit into Diablo 4’s world, based on combat style gaps, lore opportunities, and what’s missing in the current meta.
Amazon
A sizeable portion of players expected the Amazon in the upcoming expansion, mostly because Skovos is canonically her homeland. The Amazon represents the spear, javelin, and composite-ranged playstyle many crave, and in Diablo II she filled a distinct spear-jav midrange role. Some still argue she could appear, as elements of “javelin ranged spellcaster” overlap with possible caster archetypes and the lack of true spear mechanics in the current game is notable. However, detractors suggest that Rogues (and Spiritborn to a degree) already fill much of the same space, and genderlocking—since Amazons were traditionally all-female—is seen as a sticking point. There are ideas to reimagine her as a formation or stances-based fighter, perhaps focusing on unique momentum mechanics or tactical teamplay.
Oracle (or Seer)
A notable prediction is a wisdom-based Oracle or seer class, deeply rooted in Ascari lore. Skovos divides its society between Amazons and Oracles, with the latter famed for prophecy, divination, and time magic through artifacts like the Sightless Eye. This opens the door for a totally unique spellcaster set apart from Sorcerer or Necromancer, focused on battlefield control—slowing time, duplicating self, or even “rewinding” events for both defense and offense. The symmetry of Paladin (Strength) and Oracle (Wisdom) classes has also been mentioned as a point in its favor, especially as it fills the “wisdom class” gap that currently only Druid occupies. The Oracle concept fits Skovos’ culture and the expansion’s broader focus on fate, prophecy, and reshaping the world, making it a top contender for future expansions.
Blood Knight
The Blood Knight has quickly become one of the most discussed candidates for a future Diablo 4 class, thanks to its unique blend of vampiric melee combat and blood-fueled magic once seen in Diablo Immortal. Recent community speculation, fueled by leaked concept art featuring a red-clad, sword-wielding frontline caster with ropey blood-like spell effects, suggests Blizzard may be considering this archetype as an edgier, more visceral counterpart to the Paladin. Players are excited by the prospect of a champion whose abilities revolve around self-siphoning life force, casting powerful blood spells, and thriving in close-quarters combat, traits that set the Blood Knight apart from both Barbarian and Sorcerer while delivering the long-requested “vampire warrior” fantasy to Diablo’s dark world. Though nothing is official yet, the class’s theme of embracing forbidden power would fit perfectly into the upcoming Skovos Isles region and the expansion’s overall tension of light versus darkness.
Witch (Sea Witch or Totem Caster Variant)
Returning demand exists for a Witch Doctor variant, though the addition of Spiritborn—a nature-based, jungle class—makes a straight port unlikely. Some suggest reimagining this archetype as a Sea Witch or ritualist, using water magics, curses, and summoned wards, themed around Skovos’ drowned and maritime threats. This approach would preserve dark ritual energy and pet-based gameplay without simply copying Necromancer or Witch Doctor of previous games.
Assassin
Another potential candidate is the Assassin from Diablo II, but most of her original fantasy—martial attacks, trap play, and shadow techniques is already represented by Rogue’s current kit. Unless new mechanics emerge (such as deeply innovative traps, unique combo points, or ultimate transformation moves), this class seems less likely in the near future.
Monk
Some fans lobby for the Monk’s return, captivated by his hand-to-hand, spiritual martial arts prowess. Yet with Spiritborn already serving as a martial, spiritual class, and Paladin covering holy archetypes, room for the Monk seems insufficient at present.
Demon Hunter
Newer requests involve a hybrid Demon Hunter-style archetype emphasizing dark, forbidden power without duplicating the Rogue's gameplay loop. Many fans picture a Demon Hunter that specializes in hunting monsters with traps, specialized weaponry, and dark arcane abilities, standing apart through a unique blend of ranged and tactical melee combat. With speculation fueled by concept art hinting at dark, mysterious magic and a brooding aesthetic, this class would satisfy those craving a distinct avenger who channels forbidden tactics and shadowy arts to hunt the horrors of Sanctuary.
Diablo 4 New Classes Release Date & Schedule in 2026
Looking beyond the Lord of Hatred, future class releases will likely align with upcoming expansion packs, major seasons, or anniversary events. Some sources suggest a pattern of revealing new classes near the start of a season to maximize hype, then giving players time to test balance before launching an expansion’s endgame. The dual reveal of Paladin and the possible Warlock/dark caster class ahead of the expansion reflects this approach.
Lord of Hatred is confirmed for April 28, 2026, and Blizzard’s typical pattern suggests further class additions won’t arrive until 2027’s content cycle at the earliest. That said, occasional class-related teasers or feature updates could slip in during major anniversary events or Blizzcon showcases, with speculation heating up again each time major artwork or dev interviews drop.