Blizzard Confirms Diablo IV Expansion “Vessel of Hatred” Launching Late 2024 with New Class, Storyline

Blizzard Entertainment has officially lifted the veil on Diablo IV’s first major expansion, “Vessel of Hatred,” targeting a late 2024 release for PC and consoles. Revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase, the expansion promises a wealth of new content, including an entirely new class, a continuation of the game’s dark narrative, and an untamed new jungle region.

“Vessel of Hatred” picks up after the events of Diablo IV’s main campaign and centers around the return of Mephisto, one of the Prime Evils and brother to Diablo himself. The expansion sets players on a mission deep into the forgotten jungles of Nahantu, an ominous Southeast Asia-inspired landscape filled with ancient ruins, corrupted wildlife, and demonic forces tied to Mephisto’s growing influence.

Blizzard also teased a brand-new playable class exclusive to the expansion. While details remain scarce, the studio claims the upcoming class is one “never seen before in a Diablo game,” igniting fan speculation across forums and social media. Whether it’s a nature-wielding shaman or a blood-fueled warlock, fans are eager to see how this new archetype changes the meta and complements the existing five classes introduced at launch.

Gameplay-wise, “Vessel of Hatred” is expected to bring refined endgame activities, new co-op features, and expanded build diversity, with updated Paragon boards and a reworked loot system promised for the expansion window. PvP zones are also reportedly being revamped to make them more dynamic and worthwhile.

“Vessel of Hatred” marks Blizzard’s first significant content drop for Diablo IV since its June 2023 launch. While player retention has been a topic of concern, especially after a rocky reception to previous seasonal content, this expansion could be the fresh spark fans have been waiting for.

More details, including gameplay footage and class reveals, are expected to drop this August during Gamescom 2024. Until then, the denizens of Sanctuary can only prepare for the dark tide that Mephisto’s vessel will bring.