Diablo 4 Season 12 Release Date, New Class, Leaks and More
The world of Sanctuary is buzzing as Diablo 4 prepares for its next big updates. With the Lord of Hatred expansion coming soon, players are excited about D4 Season 12, new classes, and fresh endgame content. Blizzard has shared teasers, roadmap hints, and event previews, giving fans a glimpse of what’s ahead in 2026. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.

Diablo 4 Roadmap 2026: Season 12 and Expansion
2026 is shaping up to be a busy year for Diablo 4. The Lord of Hatred expansion launches on April 28, 2026, with Season 12 kicking off just before it. Blizzard’s roadmap shows:
• February 2026: A mysterious surprise event or reveal.
• March 2026: Start of Season 12, right after Season 11 ends.
• April 28, 2026: Release of the Lord of Hatred expansion.
Blizzard is keeping the schedule tight to avoid overlap between seasonal content and the new expansion.
Diablo 4 Season 12: Dates and Features
Season 12 begins on March 11, 2026, immediately after Season 11 ends. It will last around five to six weeks, ending just before the Lord of Hatred expansion launches.
Expected Features in Season 12
• Improved Sanctification: High-end items like mythic and ancestral gear will be safer to upgrade.
• Masterworking System Updates: Upgrades will feel more rewarding with extra bonuses.
• Tower and Leaderboards: Weekly resets and cosmetic rewards, including a new Halo slot per character.
• Pit Updates: Experimental content, such as goblin swarms or themed pits, tied to progression rewards.
• Experimental PvP: Possible 1v1, 2v2, or clan-based arenas for more replayable competitive content.
• Focus on Existing Content: Blizzard wants to improve familiar systems instead of adding too many new mechanics.
Lord of Hatred Expansion: Release Date and Features
The Lord of Hatred expansion releases on April 28, 2026, bringing a host of new content:
New Region: Sco Isles
Players travel to the Sco Isles, home of the Amazons, where they confront Mephisto and navigate alliances, including Lilith’s return.
New Playable Class
A new class, likely the Oracle, is teased. It focuses on prophecy, spiritual powers, and willpower-based gameplay.
Campaign and Endgame
• 10+ hours of new story content exploring Mephisto’s threat.
• Talisman System: New items with slots and set bonuses for customizing builds.
• Skill Tree Overhaul: More branching options and skill variants.
• War Plans: Players can choose endgame activities and rewards for a personalized progression experience.
• Haradric Cube & Crafting: Enhanced crafting options with item combination and customization.
• Echoing Hatred Mode: Endless waves of enemies with escalating rewards.
• Fishing: A new non-combat activity offering cosmetic rewards.
• Quality-of-Life Upgrades: Loot filters, higher level cap (70), more skill points, and UI improvements.
Diablo 4 New Classes in 2026
Oracle – Most Likely
The Oracle class fits the Sco Isles setting, focusing on prophecy and mystic powers. It’s expected to launch with the Lord of Hatred expansion.
Amazon – Unlikely
The Amazon may appear as an NPC or ally, but lore constraints make it unlikely as a playable class this expansion.
Warlock – Speculative
Hints suggest a dark magic-themed class, but the Warlock archetype doesn’t align with existing class design, making it unlikely.
Other Options
Other suggested classes like Witch Doctor, Monk, Assassin, and Demon Hunter face overlaps or lore issues, so they probably won’t appear in 2026.
PTR and Season 12 Timeline
Blizzard’s planned schedule for early 2026:
• February: Possible public test or surprise event.
• March: Season 12 starts.
• April 28: Lord of Hatred expansion launches.
This keeps a smooth transition from seasonal content to the major expansion while giving players a steady stream of updates.
2026 is shaping up to be a big year for Diablo 4, with Season 12 refining existing systems and the Lord of Hatred expansion introducing new regions, a new class, and expanded endgame content. Players will receive more Diablo 4 Gold and rare Diablo 4 items, and experience even more new content! Players can expect experimental PvP, evolving tower challenges, and fresh campaign adventures as Sanctuary faces its next wave of darkness.
MMOexp Diablo 4 Team