Blizzard has finally answered the community’s biggest request! The Paladin is officially joining Diablo 4 with the Lord of Hatred expansion on April 28, 2026. Right after The Game Awards, Blizzard dropped the first full fact sheet, giving us a small look at the franchise’s best class.
A Holy Warrior Guided By the Light
The Paladin returns as Sanctuary’s classic holy champion. It is a sword-and-shield fighter empowered directly by the Light. More than armored knights, these warriors act as living conduits of divine energy, mixing faith, martial skill, and powerful, radiant skills.
Long-time Diablo fans will instantly recognize it. We are talking about strong defenses, powerful melee attacks, and holy magic that absolutely melts corrupted enemies.
Nostalgia Meets Diablo 4’s Modern Combat
Blizzard says this class is built from the ground up on the mechanics that have defined Paladins for 25+ years. You will find a mix of returning classics and new additions:
- Auras
- Blessed Hammer
- Blessed Shield
- Zeal
- Condemn
- Heaven’s Fury
All of them have new visuals and sound design adapted to Diablo 4’s heavier, more grounded style. The beloved Holy damage type is coming back too, something players have been begging for since launch.
Where Crusaders leaned into heavy armor and overwhelming force, the Diablo 4 Paladin is fully committed to divine magic.
A Legacy Character Reborn for Lord of Hatred
The timing is not random: with Mephisto’s corruption spreading across Sanctuary, Paladins rise again as the last remnants of divine authority. Their theme in this expansion leans heavily into celestial power, to the point that players can ascend into a Tyrael-inspired angelic form.
This transformation, called Arbiter Form, turns the battlefield into literal holy ground.
Core Identity – Three Design Pillars
Blizzard highlights three big pillars that define how the class feels:
- The Indomitable Guardian
- An unbreakable protector that stands firm against impossible odds. Shields, faith, and pure presence keep them alive.
- The Divine Armory
- Holy hammers, blades, and shields become living instruments of judgment as Paladins conjure and empower them with the Light.
- The Holy Conduit
- Every strike feels infused with celestial power. This manifests through a spectrum of radiant VFX!
Sword, Shield, and the Wrath of Heaven
The Paladin is a true sword-and-shield class. Heavy melee attacks, holy blasts, and consecrated ground all play a part in the kit. Blizzard emphasizes “weighty hits“, radiant spell effects, and a clear identity linked to divine power.
Expect a class that feels tanky, aggressive, and extremely cool to play.
The Oath System – The Paladin’s Unique Mechanic
The biggest new addition is the Oath System, a set of sacred “paths” that reflect different Paladin philosophies. Each Oath changes your gameplay, pushing you into a distinct playstyle with its own mechanics and ultimate ability.
Here are the four confirmed Oaths:
- Juggernaut – Shield Mastery
- Zealot – Frenzied Holy Melee
- Judicator – Holy Judgment & Wrath
- Disciple – Full Celestial Ascension
For more information about the Oath system, you should take a look at our in-depth Oath overview, where we go over all the details and what makes each Oath so exceptional!
A Class Built for This Moment in Diablo’s Story
The Paladin is not just another new class. Blizzard is positioning it as a major piece of the expansion’s story. As Sanctuary descends deeper into Mephisto’s influence, the Paladins return as the last bastion of divine justice and holy authority.
They are faithful, radiant, and absolutely terrifying for demons.
For more information about the upcoming expansion, take a look at our latest news!
