Diablo IV Paladin Now Playable: Pre-Order Lord of Hatred to Unlock Holy Warrior

Blizzard Entertainment has made the Paladin class available now in Diablo IV for players who pre-order the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion. The full expansion story arrives on April 28, 2026.

The holy warrior class is ready to wield divine might while players await their confrontation with Mephisto in the new Skovos region.

The Wardens of Light

The Paladin hails from the Wardens of Light, a faction founded by an ex-Zakarum Paladin seeking to prevent the corruption that plagued the original order. Rather than following religious doctrine, these heavily armored warriors embrace "faith in oneself" as they roam Sanctuary protecting the innocent.

Their five core virtues guide them: Valor (overcome evil with courage), Justice (protect the innocent), Hope (be a beacon), Fate (acceptance as eternal protectors), and Wisdom (balanced mind, body, and spirit).

Four Oath Paths

The Paladin's unique class mechanic centers on the Oath system, allowing players to specialize in four distinct playstyles:

Zealot - Grants Fervor stacks where critical strikes echo attacks for additional damage. Perfect for aggressive close-combat specialists wielding massive holy swords.

Juggernaut - Consumes Resolve stacks for increased damage and size. This shield-focused path converts defense into devastating offense.

Judicator - Basic skills apply Judgement while Core skills detonate enemies for devastating area damage. Ideal for crowd control through holy hammers and divine punishment.

Disciple - Cooldown skills grant the Arbiter form, transforming the Paladin into an angel with celestial spear attacks and flight capabilities.

Signature Skills and Auras

Returning Diablo II favorites make their appearance including Blessed Hammer, Blessed Shield, and Zeal. The class also features a robust Aura system with both passive and active abilities:

• Fanaticism - Boosts attack speed and critical chance
• Defiance Increases armor and resistances
• Holy Light Enhances damage while providing healing

Ultimate abilities include Heaven's Fury (calling down divine wrath), Fortress (impenetrable defense), Zenith (peak holy power), and Arbiter of Justice (full angelic transformation).

Ten Unique Class Items

The Paladin arrives with ten class-exclusive Unique items tailored to different Oath builds, including Promise of Glory (flail), Herald's Morningstar (mace), and multiple shields designed for specific playstyles.

Class Quest Available to All

A new class quest involving preventing a saint's sacrifice to Andariel will be available to all players regardless of which class they're currently playing.

A second unrevealed class will also launch alongside the expansion when the Lord of Hatred story releases in April 2026.