From TechRadar · · 1m 20s
Diablo 5's first new class is a walking plague
BlizzCon 2026 gave us the Plague Knight, two familiar faces, and a promise of the biggest class roster Diablo has shipped.
In brief
BlizzCon 2026 gave us the Plague Knight, two familiar faces, and a promise of the biggest class roster Diablo has shipped. Diablo 5 arrives Spring 2029 with the most classes any Diablo has launched with, led by a disease-spreading heavy armor bruiser called the Plague Knight. Originally reported by TechRadar.
Three classes, one brand new
At the Forging the Next Era panel at BlizzCon 2026 in Anaheim, Blizzard named three Diablo 5 classes. One of them has never been in a Diablo game before.
Meet the Plague Knight
Game director Joe Shely introduced the first new class as heavily armored and relentless, built to grind through a battlefield rather than dance around it.
“The Plague Knight is the first new class that will be joining Diablo 5. This is a heavily armored class; it's a walking death.”
Disease is the resource
The Plague Knight spreads sickness across a fight, then eats it back for power. Infection is both the weapon and the fuel loop.
“You're going to be roaming the battlefield, spreading disease and consuming it for power.”
Demon Hunter and Monk return
Two fan favorites are confirmed back. Neither has appeared in every Diablo, so their return fills obvious gaps in the roster.
The biggest roster yet
Shely says Diablo 5 will ship with more classes than any Diablo at launch, and more total than any Diablo has ever had.
“I don't just mean more classes than another Diablo game at ship. I mean more classes total.”
Easy in, deep down
Blizzard's pitch for every class is instant fun on pickup with real build depth underneath. Expect more reveals before the Spring 2029 launch.
“They're approachable... But there's also deep ARPG mastery there, and a multitude of builds to explore.”
The big picture
Diablo 5 arrives Spring 2029 with the most classes any Diablo has launched with, led by a disease-spreading heavy armor bruiser called the Plague Knight.
