The Reddit thread making the rounds claims Diablo 4’s next expansion is called Lord of Hatred and that the Paladin is finally returning. Since then, multiple reports have lined up around the same headline details, including an April 28, 2026 release date and early access to Paladin for players who pre-purchase.
What the Reddit post actually says
The discussion started in r/GamingLeaksAndRumours, where users pointed to hints that an announcement was imminent and tied it to recent developer messaging about watching a major showcase. One of the most repeated “clues” in the thread is the idea that a flail cosmetic appearing in seasonal content suggests Paladin, since flails are strongly associated with that class fantasy.
It is worth treating the Reddit thread as a snapshot of community detective work, not a primary source. The useful part is that it captures what players expected to see: an expansion title linked to Mephisto and a holy warrior class landing sooner than the expansion itself.
What seems confirmed now
Multiple reports say Blizzard revealed Diablo 4’s second expansion, Lord of Hatred, with a release date of April 28, 2026. The same coverage says the Paladin is playable immediately for anyone who preorders the expansion, rather than making everyone wait until the expansion launches.
GameSpot also reports that preorders include extra account perks like an additional stash tab and extra character slots. Windows Central echoes the “Paladin now via pre-purchase” detail and frames it as part of the big Game Awards drop tied to Season 11.
What’s in the expansion (and what’s still vague)
Windows Central describes Lord of Hatred as a Mephisto-focused expansion and says it’s positioned as a climax to what Blizzard is calling an “Age of Hatred Saga.” The same report lists major systems work, including reworked skill trees, a loot filter, and endgame changes such as War Plans and an “Echoing Hatred” gauntlet-style activity.
Both Windows Central and GameSpot also mention a second new class coming with the expansion, but it has not been revealed yet. And yes, Windows Central explicitly says the expansion is also adding fishing, which is either a bold tonal shift or a weirdly perfect late-game decompression feature depending on taste.
How this fits Diablo 4’s expansion path
Diablo 4’s first expansion, Vessel of Hatred, introduced the Spiritborn class, which Blizzard describes as a highly mobile fighter channeling Spirit Guardians and using weapons like glaives and quarterstaves. That matters because it shows Blizzard is willing to add both brand-new archetypes (Spiritborn) and classic favorites (Paladin) across expansions.
GameSpot notes that Paladin last appeared as a playable class in Diablo 2, while Diablo 3 used the Crusader instead of bringing Paladin back directly. If Paladin really is arriving early for pre-purchasers, it is a major “come back and try it” moment for lapsed players who missed the classic sword-and-shield feel.
At-a-glance: what you get when
| Item | When you can access it | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Paladin class | Immediately (before the expansion) | Players who pre-purchase Lord of Hatred |
| Lord of Hatred expansion content | April 28, 2026 | Expansion owners |
| Extra stash tab + extra character slots | With pre-purchase | Players who pre-purchase Lord of Hatred |
| Second new class (unnamed) | With the expansion release | Expansion owners |
FAQs
Is “Lord of Hatred” just a leak, or is it official?
It started as a leak-discussion topic on Reddit, but major outlets are now reporting Blizzard revealed Lord of Hatred with a firm date.
When does the Lord of Hatred expansion release?
Reportedly on April 28, 2026.
Can you play the Paladin right now in Diablo 4?
According to GameSpot, Paladin is playable immediately for players who preorder Lord of Hatred.
Is Paladin the only new class coming?
No, coverage indicates there’s a second class planned for the expansion launch, but it has not been revealed yet.
What big gameplay changes are being talked about?
Windows Central lists a loot filter, skill tree changes, endgame updates (including War Plans and Echoing Hatred), and the return of the Horadric Cube.
Is fishing really coming to Diablo 4?
Windows Central explicitly mentions fishing as part of the expansion package.
Conclusion
The Reddit thread was fun, but the bigger story is that the same “Lord of Hatred + Paladin” details are now being reported as part of Blizzard’s official reveal cycle. If the preorder Paladin access holds for your platform and region, it is one of the clearest reasons yet to reinstall Diablo 4 and test a fresh build before the April 2026 expansion lands.