Diablo 4’s Next Expansion Might Be Time to Bring Out the Big Guns

Diablo 4 is currently in the midst of Season 8, and while the update has brought some fresh content, the realization that a new expansion isn’t arriving this year still stings. Of course, Diablo 4 going back on its initial annual DLC plans is likely for the best, since it gives developers more time. However, each smaller update can make the wait for a bigger content drop feel even longer.

Last year brought Diablo 4 players Vessel of Hatred. While the expansion’s story was lacking for some players, the DLC brought forth some exciting upgrades, like Diablo 4‘s Spiritborn class. Vessel of Hatred was strong from a gameplay standpoint, but there are still questions about how Blizzard plans to make its next expansion stronger. A more compelling story would be a great start, but also, in order to really ignite hype, Diablo 4 may need to finally introduce the titular antagonist.

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For Diablo 4’s Next Expansion to Meet Expectations, Diablo May Need to Finally Make an Entrance

Diablo Has Yet to Make His Presence Known

Diablo has appeared in every mainline Diablo game, but Diablo 4 has only been mentioned so far. Of course, since he’s the main antagonist of the series, he may be bound to make an appearance eventually, but the game may be better off doing so sooner rather than later. Some Diablo 4 players have been growing unhappy lately, as concerns about a lack of strong content and monetization have brought on fatigue.

If Blizzard wants to reignite excitement from frustrated fans, diving deeper into the game’s lore by bringing its main villain front and center may be the best way to do so. There is still room for Diablo 4 to grow, and crafting its next expansion around the character of Diablo could be just the kick that the game needs.

Season 9 of Diablo 4 is expected to start in July and end in September. According to the Diablo 4 2025 roadmap, this season will be titled Sins of the Horadrim.

As Exciting as a Diablo Appearance Would Be, it Would Also Leave Diablo 4 in a Tough Situation

If Diablo 4 goes all out for its next expansion, that means the game will be introducing its biggest villain just two DLCs in. Blizzard originally had plans for a healthy post-launch life, and bringing out Diablo this early on could potentially squash any potential to grow. If the next Diablo 4 expansion introduces the antagonist, then that leaves Blizzard with the nearly impossible task of one-upping its second DLC.

Developers already have the difficult job of meeting the class expectations set by the Spiritborn, so one can only imagine just how hard it would be to hit the same highs after showcasing Diablo himself. On the one hand, it may be too risky for Diablo 4‘s long-term goals, but on the other hand, it may be just wild enough of an idea to breathe fresh life back into the game.

Although Blizzard has confirmed that Diablo 4‘s next DLC won’t arrive until 2026, the developer has yet to reveal an official release date.

Diablo 4’s Next DLC Currently Remains a Mystery

Right now, there’s no clear idea as to what Blizzard has planned for its next big expansion. A fresh story and a new, unique DLC-exclusive class are to be expected, but that currently remains to be seen. Diablo 4 has now experienced two solid years, and it will be interesting to see just how much life the RPG has left in it. Only time will tell, but when the next DLC is finally announced, seeing which direction Blizzard has chosen to take with the next chapter after Vessel of Hatred will be intriguing.