Blizzard’s official materials describe Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred as a paid expansion, but the sources available here do not verify that it was announced at The Game Awards. For players deciding whether to buy it, the key details are clearer: the expansion adds a campaign set in Skovos, two classes and new endgame systems; it includes Vessel of Hatred, but requires the Diablo IV base game.
Was Lord of Hatred announced at The Game Awards?
The event framing in the title is not established by the official Blizzard sources cited here. Those sources cover the expansion’s features, launch and purchase options, but do not confirm an announcement at The Game Awards. This article therefore sticks to what Blizzard says players can get and what they need to own.
What is Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred?
Lord of Hatred is a paid expansion that continues the story after Vessel of Hatred. Blizzard describes a campaign culminating in a confrontation with Mephisto in Skovos, an ancient region it calls the cradle of the Askari. Temis, Skovos’s capital, is also presented as an endgame hub. Blizzard’s expansion overview has the campaign and setting details.
What does the expansion add?
Two new classes
Blizzard associates the expansion with the Paladin and Warlock. The Paladin is a light-aligned fighter wielding a sword and shield; the Warlock commands demonic forces. Blizzard’s purchase article described immediate Paladin access through pre-purchase, while its Warlock announcement recap says the class arrives with the expansion. Because access can depend on edition and timing, check the current listing for your platform before buying.
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Endgame activities and systems
Expansion features named by Blizzard include War Plans, which let players select and chain endgame activities, and Echoing Hatred. The expansion also adds Fishing, the Horadric Cube crafting system and Talisman set bonuses. The official purchase overview describes these as part of Lord of Hatred.
Changes available to all players
Blizzard’s launch overview distinguishes expansion content from broader game updates. It lists major skill-tree changes, a Loot Filter, Map Overlay and Pathfinding as features for all players—not as benefits that require buying Lord of Hatred. See Blizzard’s launch overview for its feature and access breakdown.
Rank #2
- LORD OF HATRED EXPANSION — Includes Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Standard Edition and Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred. The Diablo IV base game is required to play.
- IN-GAME EXTRAS — Get 1 Extra Stash Tab, 2 Additional Character Slots, and 3 Decor Items in World of Warcraft.
- NEW CLASSES AND REGION — Master two new classes and explore the ancient region of Skovos in the Lord of Hatred expansion.
- ACTION RPG ADVENTURE — Slay demons, master abilities, explore nightmarish dungeons, and find legendary loot in a dark open world.
- NEW CAMPAIGN AGAINST MEPHISTO — Make your stand against the Prime Evil Mephisto in a rich new story featuring new enemies, regions, and narrative twists.
What do you need to own?
The Diablo IV base game is required to play the expansions. Blizzard’s purchase page states: “Lord of Hatred and Vessel of Hatred Expansion require Diablo IV base game.” Lord of Hatred includes Vessel of Hatred, so a buyer choosing Lord of Hatred should not assume they need to purchase Vessel separately. Check the exact contents of the edition and store listing before checkout.
- New to Diablo IV: Compare the Age of Hatred Collection—which Blizzard describes as bundling the base game, Lord of Hatred and Vessel of Hatred—with buying the games separately on your platform.
- Already own the base game: Compare the available Lord of Hatred editions and confirm whether Vessel of Hatred is already on your account.
- Already own an edition or its rewards: Blizzard says an edition upgrade does not grant again items already unlocked on the account.
How do the editions differ?
Blizzard lists Standard, Deluxe and Ultimate editions, as well as the Age of Hatred Collection for new players. Edition rewards can include cosmetics, Platinum, character slots and stash space; the exact contents vary. The official listing is the place to verify what a given edition includes for your platform and region. Live prices and storefront inventory are not established here, so compare current regional listings rather than relying on an old price.
Rank #3
- ULTIMATE EDITION CONTENT — Includes Vessel of Hatred Standard Edition, Lord of Hatred, Ultimate Edition cosmetic bundles, a Premium Battle Pass Bundle, and 3,000 Platinum.
- LORD OF HATRED EXPANSION — Includes Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Standard Edition and Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred. The Diablo IV base game is required to play.
- IN-GAME EXTRAS — Get 1 Extra Stash Tab, 2 Additional Character Slots, and 3 Decor Items in World of Warcraft.
- NEW CLASSES AND REGION — Master two new classes and explore the ancient region of Skovos in the Lord of Hatred expansion.
- ACTION RPG ADVENTURE — Slay demons, master abilities, explore nightmarish dungeons, and find legendary loot in a dark open world.
When does Lord of Hatred launch?
Blizzard’s purchase page gives April 28, 2026 as the availability date. Its launch overview says rollout begins April 27 at 4:00 p.m. PDT; these are compatible time-zone presentations of the launch. Use Blizzard’s launch overview for the local time in your region.
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- DELUXE EDITION CONTENT — Includes Vessel of Hatred Standard Edition, Lord of Hatred, the High Heavensguard Paladin Cosmetic Bundle, Skartaran Basilisk Mount Bundle, Mini Chimera Pet, and Premium Battle Pass Bundle.
- LORD OF HATRED EXPANSION — Includes Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Standard Edition and Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred. The Diablo IV base game is required to play.
- IN-GAME EXTRAS — Get 1 Extra Stash Tab, 2 Additional Character Slots, and 3 Decor Items in World of Warcraft.
- NEW CLASSES AND REGION — Master two new classes and explore the ancient region of Skovos in the Lord of Hatred expansion.
- ACTION RPG ADVENTURE — Slay demons, master abilities, explore nightmarish dungeons, and find legendary loot in a dark open world.
Rank #4
- AGE OF HATRED COLLECTION — Includes Diablo IV Base Game, Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred, and Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Standard Edition.
- IN-GAME EXTRAS — Get 1 Extra Stash Tab, 2 Additional Character Slots, and 3 Decor Items in World of Warcraft.
- NEW CLASSES AND REGION — Master two new classes and explore the ancient region of Skovos in the Lord of Hatred expansion.
- ACTION RPG ADVENTURE — Slay demons, master abilities, explore nightmarish dungeons, and find legendary loot in a dark open world.
- NEW CAMPAIGN AGAINST MEPHISTO — Make your stand against the Prime Evil Mephisto in a rich new story featuring new enemies, regions, and narrative twists.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
