Diablo IV: Hidden Class Speculation for 'King of Hatred' – Full Analysis of Official Clues and Community Data
The 7th Class Mystery:
Is the Amazon Inevitable, or Just a Red Herring?
With Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred officially confirmed for April 28, 2026, the citizens of Sanctuary are ready to welcome the return of the Paladin. However, the massive cliffhanger Blizzard dropped at TGA—"A second new class lurking on the dark horizon"—remains the subject of intense debate.
On Reddit and forums, the roar for the Amazon is deafening. But as long-time observers of Blizzard's design philosophy, we must remain skeptical. Will they really release two "Legacy Classes" (Paladin + Amazon) in one expansion? Or are they preparing to shock the world again, just as they did with the Spiritborn in Vessel of Hatred?
Today, we analyze the data, the lore, and the mechanics to solve the puzzle of the 7th Class.
The Official Clues
Before guessing, let's look at the only two confirmed facts acting as the foundation for all theories:
- Light vs. Dark Balance: The Paladin represents Holy, Defense, and Melee. Designers hinted the second class would fill the "opposing" void. This implies the hidden class will likely focus on Shadow/Nature/Arcane magic and be a Ranged/Caster archetype.
- The Geography: The expansion takes place in the Skovos Isles. This is the homeland of the Askari civilization. In this matriarchal society, the Amazons are the warriors, while the Oracles serve as spiritual guides.
The Fan Favorite: Amazon
Community Support: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Archetype: Javelins / Elemental Archer / Physical Ranged
Why everyone thinks it's Her:
Data doesn't lie. In recent community polls, the Amazon holds a commanding 38% lead.
- The "Homecoming" Logic: Skovos is literally the Amazon homeland. Visiting Skovos without playing an Amazon would be a narrative dissonance.
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Datamining Traces: Early PTR datamines found unused tags like
Lightning_Fury, which many interpret as a smoking gun.
Despite the hype, bringing back the Amazon faces a massive design hurdle: She is too similar to the Rogue.
The Rogue already dominates the "Dexterity + Bow/Crossbow" niche. If Blizzard forces the Amazon into the game, she must be radically redesigned—perhaps abandoning bows entirely to focus on Shield + Javelin gameplay and Valkyrie summons. Otherwise, the loot pool for bows becomes overcrowded.
The Dark Horse: Oracle
Community Support: ⭐⭐⭐
Archetype: Willpower Caster / Fate Manipulation / The Paladin's Mirror
Why she might be the real "Game Changer":
Recall Vessel of Hatred. Blizzard skipped the Witch Doctor to give us the **Spiritborn**. This proves the developers favor "New Concepts" over pure nostalgia.
The current class roster has a gap. We lack a pure Caster class that utilizes Willpower as its primary damage stat (Sorcerers use Int; Necros use Int/Will). The Oracle fits this slot perfectly.
Lore Fit: In Skovos, Oracles are equal in status to Amazons. As masters of prophecy and mental fortitude, they are narratively perfect for battling Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred who specializes in corruption.
Gameplay Prediction: An Oracle class could introduce a "Fate Weaving" mechanic—dealing delayed damage, predicting enemy attacks, or manipulating debuffs. This offers a tactical depth currently missing in the ARPG landscape.
The Legacy Pick: Witch Doctor
Community Support: ⭐⭐
Archetype: DoT / Pet Master
While veterans miss the Nazeebo vibes, the environment is hostile for a Witch Doctor return:
- Niche Occupied: Summoning is owned by Necromancers; Poison/Nature is owned by Druids and Spiritborn.
- Wrong Region: Witch Doctors hail from the Teganze (Torajan Jungles), not the Skovos Isles.
Unless Blizzard completely reworks the WD into a "Pure Voodoo Caster" without pets, his chances are slim.
Verdict: Nostalgia vs. Innovation
The situation is delicate:
- If you believe Blizzard will listen to the fans and fix lore gaps, the Amazon is the obvious choice.
- If you believe Blizzard will prioritize game balance and innovative mechanics, the Oracle is the true protagonist.
Our Prediction: Blizzard might pull a hybrid move—releasing a class named "The Amazon Oracle" (or similar), combining the Javelin martial arts of the Amazon with the Lightning/Mind magic of the Oracle. This satisfies nostalgia while solving the "Rogue Overlap" issue.
The Moment of Truth
Keep your eyes peeled for these key dates:
- Mid-February (PTR Update): Once dataminers find a new weapon type (like a Javelin) or a new magic school (Prophecy), the debate will be over.
- Early March (Campfire Chat): The developer livestream will showcase "Core Gameplay Mechanics". If a Javelin or a Crystal Ball appears in the background, the answer will be self-evident.