Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred expansion launches this year, so here's all we know
If you're looking for more demon-slaying action and Diablo 4's third season of content isn't hitting the spot, fear not because on top of seasonal updates, Blizzard has promised the game will receive a major expansion in 2024.
Vessel of Hatred will transport us to Nahantu - a region familiar to Diablo veterans - while also introducing a new class and a whole host of fresh loot with which to vanquish your foes.
Here's all we know about the game's first expansion, revealed at Blizzcon 2023.
What is the new location for Vessel of Hatred?
As revealed in the trailer for Vessel of Hatred, players can look forward to exploring the dense jungles of Nahantu. This is an area that series veterans have explored before in Diablo 2, so returning here is likely going to be a bit of a nostalgia trip for some.
What’s more, Nahantu is greatly juxtaposed by the rather desolate landscapes that the Fractured Peaks and surrounding areas offer in the base game of Diablo 4. We’ve only seen a CGI representation of the area so far, but it’s already looking vastly more verdant than anything we’ve seen in the game so far.
Who is the main villain in Vessel of Hatred?
Click to enlargeAs revealed in the trailer for Vessel of Hatred, the main villain for the new expansion will be the Prime Evil Mephisto. Just like the Nehantu, Mephisto is a returning character from Diablo 2, in which players previously fought and bested him as part of the campaign.
For reasons we’re not privy to just yet, Mephisto is back, and the story of the expansion will explore what demonic plans he has for this region of Sanctuary.
A new class is coming, but we don’t know what it is yet
Blizzard also teased that a new class will be coming in the Vessel of Hatred expansion, but we don’t currently know exactly what this will be. All Blizzard has told audiences so far is that the class will be completely new, and something that we have never seen in a Diablo game before.
For reference that means you shouldn't expect one of the following, since these have all featured in prior games (and Diablo Immortal):
- Amazon
- Assassin
- Bard
- Blood Knight
- Crusader
- Demon Hunter
- Monk
- Paladin
- Warrior
- Witch Doctor
- Wizard
We will update this article when we learn more information about how exactly this new Diablo 4 class will take shape, but initial datamines suggest it's called Spiritborn and will use Glaives as its weapon of choice.
The expansion is coming this year
What we do know is that we’ll be waiting a good while before players can get their hands on the Vessel of Hatred expansion. Blizzard has set a preliminary launch window of late 2024, which means we could be waiting another six months or so before we can dive into the jungles of Nahantu.
However, a press release promises that we will learn more about the Vessel of Hatred expansion in the summer of 2024, so keep your eyes peeled for more information around then.
Check out our Diablo 4 homepage for more useful guides. If you’re looking to level up quickly, we have an explainer on the best XP farms in the game right now. Alternatively, find out where to find the Training Dummy that was added in Season 2 of Diablo 4.
