Diablo 4 gets darker than ever in its new expansion, which comes with a brand new class, pets, and mercenaries. Oh my!
What you need to know
At today's Xbox Games Showcase, Diablo 4 revealed a new trailer for the upcoming Vessel of Hatred expansion.
The new expansion will launch on October 8, 2024 and there are bonus in game goodies for fans that preorder.
The story follows on from the end of Diablo 4's campaign, and will feature a new playable class The Spiritborn.
We're also getting mercenaries, new class skills and new Tree of Whispers activities — and PETS!!
It feels like a lifetime since November 2023 when we got our first peek at Vessel of Hatred, Diablo 4's first-ever expansion, and it's all been quiet on that front since. Thankfully, today, we got another incredible trailer for what will be a whole new area and a new class addition to the game.
Since this is the first Xbox Games Showcase with Blizzard under the Microsoft umbrella, following the acquisition, and Diablo 4 is currently doing numbers on Xbox Game Pass, it seemed fitting to have it as part of the show. Here's everything we saw in the trailer:
In the new Vessel of Hatred trailer, we see Neyrelle battling to maintain her sanity, having visions of her mother, and fighting against Mephisto's corruption. The trailer is grim, even for a Diablo game, and shows an even darker side of the story as Neyrelle's subconscious is twisted and tortured by the Lord of Hatred.
The Spiritborn is a brand new class to the Diablo universe
As anticipated following a bunch of datamined leaks, we are also getting a new class introduced to Diablo 4, and indeed brand new to the Diablo universe. The Spiritborn are described by Blizzard as follows:
Ranked among the apex predators of the jungle, the Spiritborn is an entirely new class to the Diablo series. They are battle-hardened with mystical synergies that could only be awakened deep within the jungles of Nahantu. Become one of the Spiritborn and embrace the ethereal Spirits entwined with this ancient civilization.
Nahantu, we now know will be the new region we are to explore in the new expansion, with the map opening up below Zarbinzet and Gea Kul. This dangerous new jungle region will feature new Strongholds, Dungeons and warring tribes of demons.
New stuff for ALL classes
As well as the huge map expansion and new class, all classes can look forward to updates via class skills, paragon boards and legendary glyphs. With new dungeons to explore and more Tree of Whispers activities.
Additionally Blizzard have teased the addition of Mercenaries, which we haven't seen since Diablo 2, and followers in Diablo 4. These powerful allies grow in power as they progress, and each are equipped with unique abilities to help you in combat.
There'll also be PvE mode, where you work with your part to complete objectives and slay a final boss in a multi-level dungeon.
We're getting pets!
Perhaps the single most exciting thing about this announcement, which was announced directly from Diablo socials rather than the showcase, is that we are getting PETS with the expansion for pre-ordering. You can even claim a free pet TODAY just by logging in. Pets will gather your gold and materials for you, no more zig-zagging across Sanctuary! Head to Kyovoshad now to meet your new best friend.
All editions of Diablo IV Vessel of Hatred and what you get
Pre-purchase the Standard Edition for $39.99 and get:
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Expansion
Alkor, Snow Leopard Pet
Mother’s Lament Legendary Gem for Diablo Immortal
Pre-purchase the Deluxe Edition for $59.99 and get:
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Expansion
Nahantu Veilwalker Spiritborn Armor
Alkor, Snow Leopard Pet
Mother’s Lament Legendary Gem for Diablo Immortal
Hratli, Canine Pet
Nahantu War-Cat Mount and Armor Bundle
One Premium Battle Pass Token
Pre-purchase the Deluxe Edition for $89.99 and get:
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Expansion
Nahantu Veilwalker Spiritborn Armor
Alkor, Snow Leopard Pet
Mother’s Lament Legendary Gem for Diablo Immortal
Hratli, Canine Pet
Nahantu War-Cat Mount and Armor Bundle
One Premium Battle Pass Token
3,000 Platinum
Natalya, Tiger Pet
Nahantu Unearthed Armor Bundle (5 class armor sets)
Wings of the Faith Cosmetic
Nahantu Themed Town Portal
What will Vessel of Hatred be about?
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Do not read if you have not finished the Diablo 4 campaign!
Vessel of Hatred, from the name and the voiceover within the trailer, we can assume will be centered around Mephisto. Mephisto is the Lord of Hatred, and he's found his fate intertwined with that of Neyrelle, who we see carrying his Soulstone off into the distance at the end of the base story of Diablo 4. Mephisto is one of the Prime Evils, of which Diablo himself is also, and you can read more about this in our Diablo lore summary.
There are already some mild spoilers for what's to come in Diablo 4's next chapter, which can be found in The Book of Lorath. This book details letters between Neyrelle and Lorath since the end of the campaign. Mephisto might be trapped inside a soulstone, but this isn't preventing his influence and corruption on Neyrelle's mind, as seen in one of her letters:
"I should not have come to Kurast. This was Mephisto’s domain. Almost as soon as I arrived, his voice grew louder, more insistent. The Lord of Hatred laughs at humanity’s insignificance. He mocks my weakness. He shows me the ruin that is to come. Sanctuary devoured. I fear the raging storm inside my head will drive me mad."
I might add that Mephisto has found himself intentionally trapped inside a Soulstone before, and this was also within the region of Kurast, which lies in the heart of Nahantu, the location of the expansion. Mephisto successfully corrupted this area in Diablo 2: Resurrected, and it looks like he'll be up to his old tricks in the expansion. It's likely the player character will need to pick up where Lorath has failed, and track Neyrelle to rescue her from his clutches.
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred comes to Xbox, Windows PC and PlayStation on October 8, 2024. The official Diablo socials state that there will be in-game goodies available for players who pre-order.
