Blizzard has introduced the Warlock to Diablo II Resurrected, marking the first new class added to the game in more than 25 years. The addition arrives as part of the franchise’s 30th anniversary celebrations and represents a significant expansion for a title long regarded as a defining entry in the action RPG genre.
The Warlock debuts in Diablo II Resurrected through an update titled Reign of the Warlock, while alternate interpretations of the class are also being rolled out across the broader franchise. A version of the archetype is launching in Diablo IV through its Lord of Hatred update on April 28, with another adaptation planned for Diablo Immortal later this summer.
In Diablo II Resurrected, the Warlock is portrayed as a figure deeply entangled with corruption and forbidden knowledge. Rather than seeking divine intervention, the class fantasy centers on a calculated willingness to wield dark forces for the greater good. According to lead game producer Matthew Cederquist, the character was designed to reflect the morally complex choices that have always defined Diablo II’s tone and structure.
From a gameplay perspective, the Warlock revolves around summoning, binding, and consuming demons. Players can call upon three core demon types: the Goatman, the Tainted, and the Defiler. Each demon offers distinct strengths and behaviors, encouraging experimentation in how encounters are approached. However, summoning is only the starting point. The class is built around the strategic tension between keeping a demon bound for its ongoing abilities or consuming it at a critical moment to gain powerful temporary buffs.
Only one demon can be bound at a time, forcing players to commit to their choices. This system is intended to create meaningful decision-making that can influence both short-term combat outcomes and longer-term build strategies. Blizzard states that the Warlock offers hundreds of possible combinations through different pairings of skills, demon types, and gear, reinforcing Diablo II’s emphasis on deliberate and methodical play.
One of the most distinctive elements of the class is the Eldritch skill tree, a melee-oriented path that allows Warlocks to wield two-handed weapons alongside a grimoire. This hybrid approach blends martial combat with arcane power and is described as a departure from traditional demon-focused builds. The result is a playstyle that broadens theorycrafting possibilities and encourages players to rethink established strategies.
Blizzard describes the Warlock as a tribute to the long-standing Diablo II community, many of whom have continued to play the game for decades. By introducing a new class during the franchise’s 30th anniversary, the studio aims to provide a fresh reason to return to Sanctuary while honoring the players who have sustained the game’s legacy.
