The Next Diablo 4 Class: Is Warlock Coming After Paladin in Season 12?

By Ansley Thu Feb 05 2026 08:16:01 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

With the Paladin confirmed as the headline class for Season 11 and the upcoming Diablo IV expansion Lord of Hatred, attention has shifted to the second, still-unannounced class expected to arrive in Season 12 or Season 13. A recent leak circulating on Chinese platforms and Diablo community hubs has reignited an old theory: the next class may be some form of Warlock or dark frontline caster.

While Blizzard has not confirmed anything, the visual and thematic clues are strong enough to warrant a closer look.

What the Leak Shows

The leaked image allegedly displays two classes side by side under the Lord of Hatred branding. On one side is the Paladin, clearly identifiable through holy iconography, shield use, and radiant effects. On the other hand, there is a previously unseen character that immediately stands out for three reasons:

This is not a traditional Diablo caster. Instead of staves, distance, and fragility, the design points toward a magic user meant to stand in the thick of combat.

Why This Doesn’t Look Like a Blood Knight

At first glance, the red effects naturally bring comparisons to the Blood Knight from Diablo Immortal. But the resemblance ends quickly.

The leaked character lacks the Blood Knight’s aristocratic, vampiric aesthetic. Instead of elegant armor and lifesteal visuals, the magic appears rope-like, almost as if blood or hell energy is being forcibly shaped and weaponized. The spell effect mimics the character’s arm, forming a massive spectral hand, suggesting direct manipulation rather than vampiric finesse.

In short, the color is similar, but the fantasy is different.

A Frontline Dark Caster Is New for Diablo

One of the most compelling aspects of this design is how unusual it is for the franchise.

Diablo casters traditionally fall into two camps:

This class appears to break that mold. The two-handed weapon, physical bulk, and close-range spellcasting all point to a hybrid identity: a caster who belongs on the front line.

That design space is largely unexplored in Diablo, which makes it appealing for an expansion meant to shake up the game’s systems and tone.

Warlock Fits the Theme of Lord of Hatred

Thematically, a Warlock-style class fits Lord of Hatred almost too well.

The Paladin represents faith, order, and divine power. Blizzard has consistently paired holy archetypes with darker counterweights. If one class channels the Light, the other logically draws from Hell.

A Diablo Warlock would not need to mirror World of Warcraft’s version directly. Instead, it could focus on:

This aligns with Diablo’s tone, where power is never free, and corruption is always close.

The Silhouette Evidence Matters

Earlier Lord of Hatred footage showed a shadowed figure standing behind the Paladin. That silhouette sparked months of speculation. Notably, it featured:

The leaked character matches many of those traits when accounting for pose and perspective. The hood, cape, and horned mask could easily read differently in a static stance versus a combat pose.

This doesn’t prove authenticity, but it does suggest continuity rather than coincidence.

Likely Release Timing

If Blizzard follows the same rollout strategy used for the Paladin, the second class could arrive before the expansion launch. Releasing it in Season 12 or 13 would allow time for:

That approach lowers risk when the expansion goes live and ensures both new classes feel complete.

Final Assessment

Nothing about this leak is confirmed. The image could be fake, exaggerated, or an early concept that never ships. But even setting the leak aside, the idea of a Warlock-style frontline caster makes sense from every angle:

Whether Blizzard calls it a Warlock, demonbinder, or something entirely new, all signs point toward a darker counterpart designed to stand toe-to-toe with Hell rather than fight it from afar.

If the next Diablo Showcase reveals this class, it won’t feel like it came out of nowhere. The groundwork has already been laid.