The Diablo series has never been short on ways to make its world feel dangerous, despite the raw power imbued in the very best and worst Diablo classes. Across its games, players have taken control of warriors, spellcasters, rogues, and other classes built around very different approaches to tearing through the forces of Hell. Diablo 5 is continuing that tradition, but Blizzard is also using its next game to introduce some particularly grim new ideas.
Blizzard has already confirmed that familiar classes will have a place in Diablo 5, with both the Demon Hunter and Monk returning for the upcoming game. Their return gives players some idea of the kinds of combat styles that will remain available, but the sequel is also expanding its roster with entirely new options. It’s worth noting that there is a wait ahead, of course, as Blizzard aims to release Diablo 5 in Spring 2029. Still, knowing three classes of its launch roster, including a new one, 2.5 years ahead of then is something else.
Diablo 5’s Plague Knight is the First New Class
The brand-new Diablo 5 class is called the Plague Knight, which game director Joe Shely described as the first new class coming to Diablo 5. Speaking about the class at BlizzCon’s New Era Panel, Shely called the Plague Knight both a “heavily armored class” and a “walking death,” giving fans a rough idea about how this class will fit into the franchise’s class dynamic. The description gets even more unpleasant from there, intentionally of course, with Shely adding that the Plague Knight will roam the battlefield “spreading disease and consuming it for power.” In Shely’s own words,
“The Plague Knight is the first new class that will be joining Diablo 5. This is a heavily armored class; it’s a walking death…You’re going to be roaming the battlefield, spreading disease and consuming it for power.”
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
In practice, Blizzard is building the class around the idea of turning sickness into a weapon, with its heavily armored design adding another layer to a character that sounds capable of standing in the middle of a fight while spreading destruction around it. It would not be surprising at all to see the Plague Knight top even the best, tankiest builds in Diablo 4, based on this description. However, it’ll likely be some time before fans see it in action.
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Image via Blizzard -
Image via Blizzard -
Image via Blizzard
The Plague Knight is also only part of Blizzard’s larger plans for the Diablo 5 class roster. Shely said the game will launch with “more classes than ever before,” clarifying that Blizzard means more classes overall rather than simply beating the number available in another Diablo game at launch. With returning classes like the Demon Hunter and Monk joining the new Plague Knight, Diablo 5 is shaping up to have a particularly broad selection when it arrives.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
The biggest question for many fans, now and heading into Diablo 5‘s eventual 2029 release, is whether or not the in-game changes will merit a sequel. Already, there are concerns that Diablo 5 will essentially be Diablo 4.5, but only time will tell how well the new game lands (as well as its new classes).