The Warlock is Diablo 2's first new class in 25 years, it's playable right now, and, oh, it's coming to Diablo 4 too

I genuinely never thought I'd see the day Diablo 2 gets a big content update, much less a whole new class. But that day is here, as Blizzard has announced the meaty Diablo 2 Resurrected update Reign of the Warlock is available to download for free right now, and yes, it adds the brand new Warlock class to Diablo 2 today.

Blizzard came prepared for Diablo's 30th birthday stream today, revealing the first new Diablo 2 class in more than 25 years, the third new Diablo 4 class since its launch in 2023, and if my math is right, the fifth new Diablo Immortal class.

To be clear, Diablo 2 is the only game getting the Warlock class right now. It's being added to Diablo 4 with the launch of Lord of Hatred in April, and to Immortal this Summer.

The first playable Warlock in Diablo history, the new class lets you summon three different demon types; the Goatman, the Tainted, and the Defiler; and they'll fight alongside you with their own unique abilities. However, Blizzard says "the true heart of the class" is its ability to bind a single demon at a time and the strategy of deciding when its time to devour them for temporary buffs. "Do you keep that demon around for its abilities? Or do you consume it at the perfect moment to turn the tide?" asks Diablo 2 Resurrected producer Matthew Cederquist in an Xbox Wire post.

"This is a class which rewards those who want to think ahead, plan encounters, and experiment," Cederquist added.

If that doesn't really sound like your style, there's also a melee-centered branch that lets you brandish two-handed weapons alongside your spell book for something of a hybrid playstyle, which Cederquist said "upends every theorycraft we've ever explored," adding that this is "a bold nod to the Hexblade Warlock from “Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition."

I've been playing Diablo 2 for 25 years, and to this day I play it more than Diablo 4 thanks to Resurrected. I told a colleague earlier today I was "hoping against hope" to see something new for my very old friend, and now I can't wait to get off work to go start a Warlock. I imagine it'll be genuinely surreal to step out into the Rogue Encampment as something other than the same classes I've experimented with since childhood. Is it 5pm yet?

Diablo 4 is bringing back killstreaks in run-up to season 12, with special bloodied items to help you unleash hell.

Author: jordan.gerblick@futurenet.com (Jordan Gerblick)

* This article was originally published here