Diablo 4’s Next Big Move: Why Two Diablo 3 Fan-Favorites Could Shake Up Sanctuary!

Sanctuary trembles, not just from demonic incursions, but from the fervent whispers of its champions: who will join the fight in Diablo 4’s next major expansion? After the innovative Spiritborn class arrived with “Vessel of Hatred” in October 2024, attention now shifts to the expansion slated for 2026. While Blizzard remains tight-lipped, strong indicators and community sentiment point to two beloved classes from Diablo 3, the Crusader and the Monk, as prime candidates to enter the dark world of Diablo 4. Their unique playstyles and deep lore connections could reshape the battle against the Prime Evils.

Key Takeaways:

• Diablo 4’s next major expansion is scheduled for release in 2026.
• The first expansion, “Vessel of Hatred,” released in October 2024, introduced the new Spiritborn class.
• Community discussions and game lore suggest the Crusader and Monk from Diablo 3 are strong contenders for the next expansion’s new classes.
• Both classes offer distinct combat mechanics and resource systems that would diversify Diablo 4’s gameplay.
• The story arc following “Vessel of Hatred” points towards a focus on the Church of Light, providing a thematic link for these holy warrior archetypes.

The Landscape After “Vessel of Hatred”

The launch of “Vessel of Hatred” marked a significant chapter for Diablo 4. This expansion delved into the jungles of Nahantu, introducing the Spiritborn, a new class rooted in ancient Nahantu lore and communion with ethereal spirits. The Spiritborn, drawing power from Spirit Guardians linked to fire (Jaguar), lightning (Eagle), physical (Gorilla), and poison (Centipede) elements, provided a fresh take on character archetypes, reminiscent of a blend between Diablo 3’s Monk and Diablo 4’s Druid in its nature-based themes. Its arrival set a precedent for novel class introductions.

However, the game’s general manager, Rod Fergusson, has clarified that the next major expansion will not arrive until 2026, moving away from an initial implied annual expansion schedule. This deliberate pace allows Blizzard to refine core systems and focus on quality, potentially incorporating more fan-requested elements. The narrative after “Vessel of Hatred” leaves Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, as a primary threat, having possessed the body of the Zakarum prophet Akarat. This cliffhanger suggests the subsequent expansion will likely explore the conflict between the Church of Light and its now-corrupted prophet. This thematic direction provides fertile ground for the reintroduction of specific character archetypes.

The Crusader: A Bulwark of Faith

The Crusader, a popular class from Diablo 3’s “Reaper of Souls” expansion, represents the unwavering might of the Zakarum faith. These heavily armored warriors are masters of physical combat, wielding flails and shields, and channeling divine Holy, Fire, and Lightning magic. Their combat style is characterized by resilience, defensive capabilities, and an ability to deal substantial area-of-effect damage.

In Diablo 3, the Crusader uses Wrath as their primary resource, generated through basic attacks and spent on powerful offensive and defensive abilities. Key skills included:

• Punish: A primary attack that generates Wrath and increases Block Chance.
• Shield Bash: Charges at enemies, dealing damage based on weapon damage and shield block chance.
• Sweep Attack: A wide, sweeping attack with a flail, damaging enemies in a cone.
• Blessed Hammer: Summons spinning hammers that deal Holy damage, a staple ability.
• Falling Sword: The Crusader leaps into the sky and crashes down, damaging enemies upon landing.
• Akarat’s Champion: A powerful temporary transformation increasing damage and survivability.

The Crusader’s unique blend of melee combat and divine magic, coupled with their emphasis on defense, would fill a distinct niche within Diablo 4’s current class roster. While the Barbarian offers brute force and the Necromancer can tank with minions, a holy warrior capable of both absorbing punishment and delivering righteous fury is currently absent. Their lore, deeply intertwined with the Zakarum and the forces of Light, would align perfectly with a storyline centered around the corrupted Akarat and the Church of Light. The mechanical foundation of the Crusader’s Wrath resource and shield-focused combat could translate well into Diablo 4’s darker, more grounded art style, offering a fresh yet familiar experience for long-time players.

The Monk: Agile Asceticism

Contrasting the Crusader’s stalwart defense is the agile and spiritual Monk, one of Diablo 3’s base classes. Hailing from the realm of Ivgorod and dedicated to the Saphtev faith, Monks are martial arts experts who channel inner Spirit to unleash devastating physical, Holy, and Fire-based attacks. Their gameplay focuses on fast-paced, combo-driven combat, mobility, and crowd control.

In Diablo 3, Monks generate Spirit through primary attacks and consume it for their more potent abilities. Notable Monk skills include:

• Fists of Thunder: A rapid, Spirit-generating attack that hits multiple enemies.
• Crippling Wave: A wide, sweeping attack that slows and weakens foes.
• Dashing Strike: A quick dash to or through enemies, offering high mobility.
• Seven-Sided Strike: The Monk rapidly strikes a single enemy seven times.
• Lashing Tail Kick: A powerful kick that damages enemies in an arc.
• Mystic Ally: Summons a spiritual ally to fight alongside the Monk.

The Monk’s distinct approach to combat, emphasizing swift strikes and spiritual energy, would bring a welcome dose of speed and finesse to Diablo 4. While the Rogue provides agility and the Sorcerer offers elemental magic, the Monk’s unique blend of spiritual martial arts and close-quarters combat is distinct. The potential for intricate combo systems and resource management tied to their Spirit mechanic could introduce a new layer of skill expression. Furthermore, the historical clashes between the Saphtev and Zakarum faiths, as seen in Diablo lore, could be rekindled in a narrative involving the Church of Light, potentially even introducing Ivgorod as a new explorable region.

The Argument for Dual Returns

The idea of bringing back two classes, rather than just one, for a single expansion might seem ambitious. However, there are compelling reasons why Blizzard might consider this strategy:

1. Player Demand: Both the Crusader and Monk are highly requested by the Diablo community. Reintroducing them simultaneously could generate immense excitement and draw back players who particularly enjoyed these archetypes in Diablo 3.
2. Thematic Cohesion: As mentioned, the post-“Vessel of Hatred” narrative leans heavily into the Church of Light and the corrupted Akarat. Both the Crusader (Zakarum) and Monk (Saphtev) are deeply religious warriors, albeit from different traditions, offering a natural fit for this storyline. Their differing perspectives could also be woven into the expansion’s questlines, providing interesting character interactions and choices.
3. Gameplay Diversity: Introducing two distinct playstyles—one focusing on robust defense and holy power, the other on agile martial arts and spiritual energy—would significantly broaden Diablo 4’s combat offerings. This contrasts with the single-class Spiritborn from “Vessel of Hatred” and could inject more variety into the meta.
4. Addressing Criticisms: While “Vessel of Hatred” brought a new class, the overall reception for Diablo 4’s post-launch content has been mixed. Bringing back familiar and beloved classes could be a way for Blizzard to “play it safe” with a known quantity, ensuring a higher degree of player satisfaction for the 2026 expansion. This could be seen as a strategic move to rebuild trust and enthusiasm for the game’s future.
5. Leveraging Existing Design: While adapting Diablo 3 classes to Diablo 4’s engine and design philosophy would still require significant development, the core concepts, skill identities, and even some animations could be re-purposed, potentially streamlining the development process compared to creating an entirely new class from scratch. This is not to say it would be trivial, but the foundational elements already exist.

Community Pulse and Speculation

Public discussions across platforms like Reddit, Quora, and various gaming forums frequently highlight the desire for more traditional “holy warrior” archetypes in Diablo 4. The Paladin, another iconic holy class from past Diablo games, is often mentioned. However, the distinct combat styles and detailed lore of the Crusader and Monk make them particularly strong candidates if Blizzard opts for a “returning class” approach. Some speculate that the next expansion might even introduce a regional expansion based on Ivgorod, the homeland of the Monks, further strengthening their potential inclusion.

While the Spiritborn was a bold step, a return to tried-and-true classes for the 2026 expansion could resonate deeply with the player base, offering a sense of nostalgia while still evolving within Diablo 4’s darker, more visceral world. The design philosophy of Diablo 4, which has aimed to blend elements from previous titles while forging its own identity, could see these iconic classes reimagined in a way that respects their origins while adapting to the current game’s mechanics and aesthetic.

Blizzard’s recent official news updates indicate a focus on “core system overhauls” for Diablo 4’s future, including itemization, the Paragon system, and overall build diversity. The introduction of two new classes would naturally fit into these overhauls, providing new avenues for experimentation and build crafting. The company has also confirmed leaderboards and a new rank system coming in 2026, suggesting a renewed emphasis on competitive play and depth, which new class additions would significantly bolster.

As the 2026 expansion approaches, the anticipation for new content, especially new classes, continues to build. The return of the Crusader and Monk would not only fulfill long-standing player desires but also offer a compelling narrative progression and a substantial infusion of fresh gameplay into Sanctuary. Their distinct identities and rich histories within the Diablo universe position them as prime candidates to lead the charge in Diablo 4’s ongoing battle against the demonic hordes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When is the next Diablo 4 expansion after “Vessel of Hatred” expected to release?

A1: The next major expansion for Diablo 4 is currently scheduled for release in 2026.

Q2: What new class was introduced in the “Vessel of Hatred” expansion?

A2: The “Vessel of Hatred” expansion, released in October 2024, introduced the Spiritborn, a new class that draws power from various spirit guardians.

Q3: Why are the Crusader and Monk considered potential new classes for Diablo 4’s next expansion?

A3: They are strong contenders due to high community demand, their thematic alignment with the ongoing Church of Light storyline, and their distinct gameplay styles from Diablo 3 that would add diversity to Diablo 4’s current class roster.

Q4: What are the main differences between the Crusader and Monk classes from Diablo 3?

A4: The Crusader is a heavily armored, wrath-fueled holy warrior focusing on defensive abilities, physical damage, and Holy/Fire/Lightning magic. The Monk is an agile, Spirit-fueled martial artist specializing in fast-paced melee combat, mobility, and physical/Holy/Fire attacks.

Q5: Will the next Diablo 4 expansion introduce new regions or story elements?

A5: The current narrative trajectory following “Vessel of Hatred” suggests a focus on the Church of Light and the corrupted Akarat, hinting at new story elements. Community speculation includes new regions like Ivgorod, the Monk’s homeland. Blizzard has also confirmed core system overhauls and competitive features for 2026.