Blizzard Entertainment has marked the 30th anniversary of the Diablo franchise with a move that’s sent ripples through the gaming world: the introduction of a brand-new character class, the Warlock, to Diablo 2: Resurrection. This isn’t just a minor tweak or a small addition—it's the first new class for Diablo 2 in a quarter of a century. And that’s not all. The Warlock is making its debut across three major Diablo titles, promising a year of sweeping changes and fresh adventures for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
On February 12, 2026, Blizzard unveiled the Warlock during a global broadcast celebrating the franchise’s three-decade legacy. According to Gangwon Domin Ilbo, the new downloadable content (DLC) dubbed ‘Reign of the Warlock’ launched immediately for Diablo 2: Resurrection on Battle.net, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Existing players could jump into the new content right away, though a separate purchase was required for the DLC. For those looking for an all-in-one package, the new ‘Inferno Edition’ bundled the base game and expansion together.
The Warlock isn’t just another spell-slinger. As detailed in the developer interviews published by Inven and ZDNet Korea, this class is built around the idea of domination—literally commanding demons on the battlefield. While the Necromancer, a fan-favorite class, relies on a horde of minions that act as a defensive wall, the Warlock takes a more hands-on approach. Players can summon up to three distinct demons—each with unique abilities—and issue precise orders, telling them exactly where to go and what to attack. “The core fantasy is domination, not just summoning,” explained game designer Tim Vasconcellos. “You don’t give the demons any freedom. You tell them, ‘You go here, you attack that,’ and that’s what sets the Warlock apart.”
This control isn’t just thematic; it’s mechanical. According to eToday, the Warlock can bind demons to unlock special powers, or consume them to recover health and gain temporary buffs. High-level play sees Warlocks wielding devastating area-of-effect skills like ‘Apocalypse,’ ideal for tackling the game’s toughest endgame content. The class’s toolkit leans on physical, fire, and magic damage, offering a strategic edge and ensuring it doesn’t just overlap with existing classes. “There are magic damage skills in the Chaos tree, like ‘Mazma Bolt,’ and in the Eldritch tree, like ‘Eldritch Blast,’” Vasconcellos added. “These will let Warlocks handle almost any content solo.”
Of course, a new class is only part of the story. The ‘Reign of the Warlock’ DLC also introduces a raft of quality-of-life improvements and new challenges. Players now have access to a robust loot filter system, letting them show or hide dropped items without third-party mods—a long-requested feature among the community. Stash management has been overhauled, too: two free stash tabs are provided, with three advanced tabs dedicated to gems, materials, and runes, finally easing the notorious inventory crunch. There’s also a new ‘Chronicle’ system that tracks collected items and their origins, rewarding completionists with unique cosmetic effects like a glowing aura or portal skins. As Vasconcellos remarked, “We want every item to have a reason to exist, and every player’s long-term farming to be respected.”
The update’s endgame content is no less ambitious. The new ‘Terrifying Zones’ allow players to crank up the difficulty—and the rewards—by designating specific acts as horror-infested. Defeating bosses in these zones grants mysterious statues, which can be combined using the Horadric Cube to unlock the ‘Colossal Ancients’ boss fight. This encounter, Blizzard says, is designed to rival the infamous Uber Tristram in challenge, requiring specialized builds and teamwork to overcome. “We want this to be a pillar of the endgame loop,” said Vasconcellos. “It’s not something you’ll clear on your first try.”
Seasonal competition remains at the heart of Diablo 2. As reported by eToday, Ladder Season 12 concluded on February 12, with Season 13 set to kick off on February 21. Four gameplay modes—based on original and expansion content, plus hardcore status—will be available, and the race to level 99 and farm the best loot is expected to be as fierce as ever. At the same time, the update ensures that both single-player and multiplayer experiences are supported and balanced, a point repeatedly emphasized by Blizzard’s development team.
The Warlock’s arrival isn’t confined to Diablo 2: Resurrection. The class will also headline Diablo 4’s second expansion, ‘Lord of Hatred,’ launching April 28, 2026. According to GameToc, this expansion brings a new region, Scovos, inspired by the ancient Mediterranean, and introduces the Greek-style metropolis of Themis. The expansion also promises a completely reworked skill tree system, new items like relics and charms, and a ‘war planning’ system that lets players customize up to five activity playlists for tailored progression. “The contrast between the light-wielding Paladin and the darkness-wielding Warlock is central to the theme of ‘Lord of Hatred,’” Blizzard’s developers explained during the anniversary broadcast.
Meanwhile, Diablo Immortal will see the Warlock join its roster later in 2026, as part of a content roadmap centered around the demon queen Andariel. The mobile game will also reintroduce the iconic city of Lut Gholein, reimagined with inspiration from real-world Moroccan cities, and feature new quests, PvP events, and seasonal content updates. The Warlock in Diablo Immortal will wield forbidden Vizjerei magic and command a massive soul-devouring demon, blending fire attacks and summoning in a mobile-friendly format.
Blizzard’s commitment to honoring the legacy of Diablo 2 was a recurring theme in developer interviews. “We wanted to make sure it still feels like Diablo 2,” said senior producer Matthew Sederquist. “Every choice has consequences, every item matters, and we’ve kept microtransactions out of the equation. The Chronicle rewards are earned, not bought.” The development team, many of whom have played the game since childhood, expressed gratitude to fans worldwide—especially in Korea, where Diablo holds a special place in gaming culture. “It’s amazing to know Korean players share the same childhood memories,” Sederquist reflected, “and we’ll always listen to their feedback.”
With a cross-franchise rollout, extensive updates, and a heartfelt nod to its roots, the Warlock’s arrival signals not just a new chapter for Diablo 2, but a celebration of everything the series has meant to generations of gamers. For Blizzard and its millions of fans, this anniversary is more than a milestone—it’s a promise that Sanctuary’s fires will burn bright for years to come.