Diablo V's First Three Classes Revealed at BlizzCon 2026: Demon Hunter, Monk, and the All-New Plague Knight

Blizzard used the Forging the Next Era panel at BlizzCon 2026 to reveal the first three playable classes for Diablo V: the returning Demon Hunter and Monk, alongside an all-new Plague Knight that the studio describes as "the embodiment of walking death." Game Director Joe Shely said the sequel will ship with more classes than any previous Diablo game.

The panel, hosted the day after the BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony where Diablo V was first confirmed for Spring 2029, marked the first detailed look at the sequel's class design philosophy and the post-fall state of Sanctuary. According to Blizzard's official Diablo V: Forging the Next Era write-up, the three classes shown are launch classes, not the full roster: "These are only the first of the classes we'll reveal on the road to Diablo V, with more details on their combat, progression, and build possibilities to come."

Demon Hunter returns to the series with twin crossbows, "stalking the forces of Hell from the shadows and leaping across the battlefield to annihilate their prey," per Blizzard's class description. Monk brings back martial perfection, battering demons to a pulp with fists and calling down holy power. Plague Knight is the new addition: a heavily armored class that "roams the battlefield, spreading disease and pestilence, ultimately consuming it for power." Game Director Joe Shely called the class "a walking death" on stage and stressed that Diablo V will launch with more classes than any other Diablo game at ship, and more classes overall, not just at launch.

The reveal was published alongside a deeper dive into Diablo V's world, which Blizzard says is no longer a stable map. Sanctuary is being actively reshaped by Diablo, reflected in a procedural landscape where terrain, points of interest, monsters and rewards can change when players return. The Heir to Westmarch is the new protagonist framing, traveling with a caravan of survivors instead of retreating to towns. Among the named companions are a former Sister of the Sightless Eye and a stranded Treasure Goblin "searching for meaning in a world where greed has lost its purpose."

Itemization is also getting a Diablo II-flavored rework. Blizzard said Diablo V is experimenting with stat requirements on gear, larger items taking up more inventory slots, the return of gear-based sets, and a crafting system inspired by Diablo II's Runes and Runewords and Lord of Hatred's approach. Regular developer updates are planned starting in 2027, with signups open at the official Diablo V site.

Spring 2029 remains the only release window Blizzard has given for Diablo V. Platforms, pricing and a more precise launch date have not been announced.