The recent reveal of Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred at The Game Awards 2025 has sent the community into a frenzy. We finally have our release date of April 2026, we are traveling to the ancient Skovos Isles, and perhaps most importantly, the Paladin is finally joining the roster. With the Paladin available immediately for those who pre-order, the spotlight has shifted to the “mystery class” that Blizzard teased. This second class looms on the horizon, yet its identity remains hidden. While many point to the setting and scream for the Amazon, there is a stronger argument to be made for a master of demons: the Summoner.
The Skovos Setting and the Amazon Problem
It is easy to see why the Amazon is the popular guess. The Skovos Isles are the homeland of the Askari, also known as the Amazons. However, looking deeper into the lore reveals a significant hurdle. The Askari are a strict matriarchy where the warriors are exclusively female. The men of their society are relegated to roles as mystics, merchants, or Oracles. Blizzard has made it clear in Diablo IV that classes are not restricted by gender. Introducing a male Amazon warrior would require a massive retcon of established lore, or it would force a specific gender lock that goes against the design philosophy of the modern game.
Furthermore, rumors suggest a “Maiden” archetype might appear as a follower or a specific narrative figure within the expansion. This term could easily refer to the Amazon warriors we encounter on the islands rather than the player class itself. If the Amazon fantasy is fulfilled by NPCs or followers, it leaves the door wide open for a new player archetype.
We Do Not Need Another Knight
With the Paladin now confirmed, the quota for a holy warrior is filled. Classes like the Crusader or the Blood Knight, while cool in concept, occupy the same design space. They are heavily armored, melee-focused champions of a cause. Diablo IV needs contrast. We have the physical prowess of the Barbarian and the martial discipline of the Monk-like Spiritborn. We have the elemental destruction of the Sorcerer and the undead armies of the Necromancer. Adding another holy knight would feel redundant. The game demands something that sits on the opposite end of the spectrum from the Paladin.
The Case for the Summoner
If the Paladin represents the light, the new class must represent the dark. This is where the Summoner shines. We are not talking about a Warlock, which often feels too similar to the Necromancer in aesthetics. We are talking about a class that embodies the “Witch Doctor” archetype that many hoped for in the Vessel of Hatred expansion but never received. A true Summoner would not serve the darkness but would instead tame it.
The lore supports this perfectly. Humans in Sanctuary are Nephalem, the offspring of angels and demons. We are neither fully light nor fully dark, yet we can wield both. A Summoner class would lean into our demonic heritage without succumbing to evil. Unlike Mephisto and his brothers, who are the darkness, a Nephalem Summoner would view demons as tools to be enslaved and commanded. Imagine a class that turns the forces of Hell against themselves, not by confusing them, but by asserting dominance as their true master. Update: What could we call the summoner? Contributed suggestions would be Shadowbuilder, Shade, Whisperer, Willow, Archon, Alchemist, Void Summoner. What do you think?
The Horadric Legacy: A Tyrael-Inspired Caster
There is another fascinating possibility that looks toward the history of the franchise. Tyrael founded the Horadrim to hunt the Prime Evils. While the Paladin and the Crusader represent the martial strength of the light, the Horadrim represented the intellect and the arcane containment of evil. If the Paladin is the hammer that smites the demon, we are missing the scalpel that severs the soul.
We already have the Sorcerer for elemental destruction, but we lack a class focused on the ancient knowledge of the Horadrim. Simply calling the class “Horadrim” would likely be too generic, as it refers to an order rather than a fighting style. However, a specialized caster from within that order could be the perfect counterpart to the Paladin. A class like the Theurgist would fit this role beautifully.
A Theurgist would differ from a Wizard or Sorcerer by focusing on binding magic, sigils, and the usage of ancient artifacts. Think of the battle-hardened version of Deckard Cain or the darker side of Zoltun Kulle. This class would serve as a tactical caster who stands by the Paladin, using forbidden knowledge to lock down demons and manipulate the battlefield. It creates a poetic duality: the Paladin fights with faith, while the Theurgist fights with truth.
What the Community Is Saying
The discussions on Reddit and the Blizzard forums are heated. Many players are skeptical of the Amazon for the gender reasons mentioned above, pointing out that “Oracles” in lore are the male counterparts to the female warriors. Some speculate that an Oracle class could be a possibility, using vision and magic, but it might lack the visceral impact needed for a headline class.
However, a new theory is gaining traction regarding the Horadric legacy. Fans are drawing connections to Tyrael and the need for a scholarly caster to rival the Paladin. The concept of a Theurgist, wielding ancient artifacts and sigils rather than raw elements, has sparked intense debate. It appeals to those who want a class deeply rooted in the history of Sanctuary, distinct from the primal magic of the Sorcerer.
Still, the sentiment for a pet-based class that is distinct from the Necromancer remains strong. Content creators and lore enthusiasts are noting that with the return of Lilith as a potential ally and the fight against Mephisto, a class that manipulates the very essence of hatred and demonic power fits the narrative themes perfectly.
The silhouette teased by Blizzard is dark and commanding. While an Enchantress feels too light, this figure could easily be a master Summoner or a stoic Theurgist. A simple Monk or hybrid warrior feels too physical. Whether it is a “Shadow Builder” or a keeper of Horadric secrets, the community agrees on one thing: it must provide a fresh gameplay loop to control the battlefield, serving as the perfect foil to the righteous fury of the Paladin.