It’s a big year for the Diablo franchise – 30 whole years have passed since 1996, and nowadays Diablo can feel the start of a creak in them knees when standing up.
The celebration is crazy though, with a new class coming to not just one, but THREE of the current Diablo games. Yes, you read that right – the Warlock class is coming to:
- Diablo II: Resurrected
- Diablo Immortal
- Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred
It really is the kind of thing that could only happen in a Blizzard property, because who else is maintaining multiple platforms of a game series.
But dear reader, I must inform you – it isn’t the same class each time. Each iteration of the Warlock shares many fun dark themes, but they each represent a very different incarnation of the demon-enslaving caster.
For Diablo II: Resurrected, Reign of the Warlock represents the dark magic user at the beginning of their craft, desperately trying to turn the resources of evil against their hellish masters. Warlocks in Diablo II use telekinesis to wield their weapons, with all kinds of groovy magicks allowing them to teleport and throw spectral blades. They can also summon three different, familiar demons: the Goatman, the Tainted, and the Defiler, with each offering a unique bodyguard situation.
Then, they can can also bind a demon. This allows the warlock to to benefit from whatever terrible hellish arsenal that foul creature might be packing. And in Diablo II, there is no shortage of demonic creatures to turn into your new friends.
Only that friendship doesn’t really last, because when you are done with them you can always choose to devour them, absorbing their terrible lifeforce and gaining temporary buffs depending on what sinful numpty you have gobbled up.
Reign of the Warlock will also bring a slew of quality-of-life updates to the game, including much desired loot filters, stash tabs, and an all-new collection tracking system. All for a game that is technically TWENTY SIX YEARS OLD.
In Diablo Immortal, the Warlock has walked further down their dark path – no longer content with simply enslaving lesser demons, the Warlock now has turned their gaze on more monstrous demon lieutenants. At the heart of her terrible arsenal is the Soulgorger, a monstrous beast that is more than happy to devour their former demonic allies.
Gone are the days of using more traditional weapons, instead now the Warlock is wielding a sacrificial dagger that can rend holes in reality and summon fiery chains to attack the forces of hell. In her offhand? Yeah, a demon skull to help attune those same terrible magicks.
Diablo Immortal’s Warlock content will also see a return to the iconic Lut Gholein, now under the control of the Maiden of Anguish, Andariel.
Why not wish her a happy Diablo Anniversary with some demonic magic?
Finally, Diablo IV introduces us to a Warlock that has lost themselves entirely to the infernal magic they employ. They no longer try to maintain any relationship with a demonic ally, summoning hordes of hellish minions wholesale to then detonate them at a whim.
A few choice demonic lords can be called upon to serve as true backup, but it is not a friendship with these beasts – you are hurting demons, with demons …that you hurt.
The visual design of this iteration of the warlock is all metal chains, flames, and destructive power – the very picture of brutality. You haven’t lived until you have summoned a disembodied demonic head to belch fire across the battlefield.
It’s a fantastic accompaniment to already-revealed Paladin Class, creating a beautiful theme of Light and Dark for the upcoming expansion. What suits you best? Holy fire, or Infernal Screams?
Diablo IV will also see a metric ton of improvements to the game as part of the upcoming expansion, including the return of our treasured Horadric Cube, a completely overhauled and expanded skill tree system, a new build-your-own endgame feature by way of War Plans and even …fishing?
It is an ambitious (and possibly downright mad) way to celebrate the games anniversary. Updating Diablo Immortal and Diablo IV are no-brainers, sure, whatever.
But Diablo II? Insanity. Very cool insanity, but insanity nonetheless. I am sure they would have added the Warlock to Diablo I and Diablo III if given the chance, but I am sure management had to draw the line somewhere.
If you are hungry to harness these demonic magicks, keep an eye on your game of choice – the Warlock will arrive in them at different times, although Diablo II is coming right away – as in, it is available now.
Can you believe such a thing is happening? Which version of the Warlock will you take for a spin first? Let us know in the comments or on our social media.
