Inside the Diablo 4 community, most players think the next new class is basically decided already. Tons of content creators and Diablo partners have been teasing big things to come – most believe that means a paladin or crusader class. So much so that the first thought was that this class would come with the next season. Unfortunately, nothing of the sort has been announced for Season 11… yet. There is still time, though. Maybe Blizzard is holding it back for a surprise reveal closer to season launch.
What we do know is that it is almost certain that Paladin will be ‘next’.
As mentioned before, the popular theory is a paladin or crusader-style class, sometimes also called Templar, or Holy Knight.
This is the sword and shield fantasy people keep asking for. A real frontline holy warrior with support tools, not just another damage dealer. Players also love the idea that Diablo 4 might mix holy and shadow magic in that kit, tying into the Inarius and Lilith lore instead of going full classic church paladin. However, most think it will stay purely holy, since that archetype is such a staple in the Diablo series.
A recent ‘leak’ mentioning a Paladin within a version/build name in internal files only pushed the hype further. There are many reasons why fans are already calling Paladin the safe bet for the next expansion.
But here is the fun part – the talk did not stop there.
After Paladin, Who Comes Next?
Once you take Paladin as a given, the next big question comes up: who is after that?
Right now, the loudest answer is the Witch Doctor.
Yes, the Witch Doctor from Diablo 3 keeps coming up as one of the most requested returns. Players across Reddit and other community hubs call it one of the most unique classes Diablo ever had. Not just another caster, but a full voodoo-themed controller. Curses. Plagues. Pets. Psychological warfare. Zombie bears. Exploding chicken builds. Jars of spiders. People are genuinely serious about those jars of spiders – and of course, the exploding chicken.
Several players mention the same thing: “I would reinstall for Witch Doctor.”
Why So Many Diablo 4 Fans Want the Witch Doctor Back
Here is why Witch Doctor is getting that level of love:
- The class has a unique style that is not just pure magic. It is ritual, possession, hexes, and fear. The class feels different from Druid and Spiritborn, and much ‘darker’.
- The pet and control gameplay are a big part of that love. Players miss sending swarms of creatures and melting entire screens with poison and disease the way only Witch Doctor could. Class fantasy is important, and even though the Necromancer and Druid both offer pet/summon builds, too, no one does it like the Witch Doctor.
- It all comes down to identity. Many Diablo 4 players feel current classes are stuck in one or two meta builds per season, while Witch Doctor represents chaos, creativity, and weird off-meta fun. The hope is that, perhaps, more build diversity would come back with a class such as this.
Looking back at the Reddit thread, one comment stands out as the player put it pretty bluntly: “No other class lets you sprint around as a chicken bomb and blow up a room. Players want that level of personality back.”
Why Some Players Believe Witch Doctor Might Never Return
Naturally, opinions differ, so not every reply was on board.
There are players who argue that Witch Doctor would overlap too much with what Diablo 4 already has. Druid, Spiritborn, and Necromancer all cover parts of that fantasy already. Poison, Summons, Nature themes. They are worried Witch Doctor would feel like a hat on a hat, instead of a clean new identity.
There is also a tone/vibe argument. Diablo 4 seems to lean towards bleak, grounded, ritual horror, at least for now. Witch Doctor, in Diablo 3 at least, was pretty wild and showy, and sometimes even straight-up comedy. A few players said it would not fit the current atmosphere at all, unless Blizzard rebuilt it with more curse magic and body horror and less cartoon chicken.
The Paladin Still Has a Massive Fanbase Too
Of course, not everyone online is asking for Witch Doctor. A huge group is still yelling Paladin first. Even official Diablo 4 artwork has hinted that a “holy knight” might already exist in the game’s world – just not as a playable class yet. The “shield, weapon, party buffs, and group protection” class fantasy is missing right now, and people want it badly. Check out this official image below:
Of course, there are also players asking for Monk, Assassin, Amazon, or even a true ranged Demon Hunter – and someone, naturally, said “just make Diablo himself playable.” But the two loudest camps are clear: Paladin and Witch Doctor.
What the Witch Doctor Debate Really Shows About Diablo 4
If you zoom out, this whole debate is not only about class fantasy. It is also about pace and trust.
Players like to point out that Diablo 4 has only added one new class so far, and it has been over 2 years since launch. Some are worried Blizzard will “drip feed” classes through paid expansions, and take forever to deliver the full ‘roster’. Diablo 3 had long gaps too, but updates moved slower back then.
So when people beg for Paladin, or beg for Witch Doctor, it is not just “I like this theme.” It is “please give us more ways to play this game.”
Where Diablo 4 Fans Stand on the Next Class Debate
After the Paladin, which everyone still believes to be next, maybe even hiding behind a secret Season 11 announcement, the community is split on what should follow. However, the Witch Doctor feels like one of the most requested classes. People miss poison swarms, curses, voodoo, pets, and yes, the famous exploding chickens.
If Blizzard ever decides to bring Witch Doctor energy back into Diablo 4, a lot of players would absolutely celebrate.
For more Diablo 4 class talk, Paladin speculation, and expansion coverage, check out our Diablo 4 news section on Icy Veins.
