Upcoming Diablo IV Expansion ‘Lord of Hatred’ to Include Kurast from Diablo II

Next week, BlizzCon, the eagerly anticipated in-person gaming convention, will make a significant comeback at the Anaheim Convention Center. The event faced challenges posed by the COVID pandemic in recent years, and there is high anticipation, especially for the highly awaited game, Diablo IV.

Just last month, Rod Fergusson, the franchise manager at Blizzard, confirmed the exciting news that the game will receive annual expansions. As a result, fans are eagerly awaiting an expansion announcement at the convention, with the first leaks and rumors already circulating online.

Recently, Blizzard uploaded a Technical Alpha build of version 2.0 to its private testing branch, and reports have surfaced regarding data mining that unveils the possible title of the first Diablo IV expansion as “Lord of Hatred.” The expansion is expected to center around the formidable Prime Evil Mephisto, a prominent character in the base game, aligning with the narrative direction set in the game’s main storyline.

According to the leaked information, the upcoming expansion may include the addition of the Kurast region from Diablo II and the introduction of various new features, including but not limited to:

1. A new Spiritborn class with a nature-themed focus
2. A Mercenary system enabling players to hire NPCs, equip them with gear, and level them up via dedicated skill trees
3. The introduction of corrupt Runestone crafting
4. Implementation of raid content

While these leaked details seem promising, it is important to approach them with caution until official announcements are made. Meanwhile, Diablo IV recently made its debut on Steam, although it faced initial challenges such as review-bombing. The game has also initiated its second season, the “Season of Blood,” which appears to have addressed community concerns by streamlining the leveling process and minimizing dungeon backtracking, while enhancing loot drop rates.

In addition to the latest developments in the world of Diablo IV, Blizzard’s recent meet-and-greet event with their new owners from Xbox has garnered attention. Notable figures such as Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond, and Matt Booty were present, signifying potential exciting prospects for the future of Blizzard under this new ownership.