Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred launches with multiple editions across Battle.net, Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. With prices ranging from $39.99 to $89.99, deciding which version to buy depends entirely on how much you value cosmetics and seasonal progression.
The Skovos campaign, the new Paladin and Warlock classes, and all endgame content are accessible no matter which version you pick. This guide breaks down exactly what you get in the Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate, and Age of Hatred Collection tiers.
1. What Every Edition Includes
Lord of Hatred content
All four purchase options share a baseline set of gameplay content and account bonuses. The full expansion experience is accessible at every level, meaning Blizzard has not locked any mechanics or story content behind a premium tier.
Every edition of Lord of Hatred includes the following baseline items at launch:
- Lord of Hatred Expansion: Full Skovos campaign, both new classes, and all endgame content.
- Vessel of Hatred Expansion: Instant unlock, which includes the Spiritborn class and the Nahantu region.
- Paladin and Warlock Classes: Both new classes added in the Lord of Hatred expansion.
- Account Expansion: 2 Additional Character Slots and 1 Extra Stash Tab.
- 3 World of Warcraft Decor Items: Requires WoW: Midnight and an active WoW subscription. Items become available with the WoW 11.2.7 update.
If you already own Vessel of Hatred, you will receive the Herald of Hatred Pet Bundle as a substitute instead of a duplicate copy.
2. Standard Edition ($39.99)
Standard Edition
The Standard Edition is the base version of the game and includes the complete Lord of Hatred experience. If you only care about playing the new classes and exploring Skovos, this is the cleanest option.
The $39.99 tier contains only the shared baseline content listed above. It includes absolutely no cosmetics or premium currency. Every piece of gameplay content remains fully accessible at this tier.
3. Deluxe Edition ($59.99)
Deluxe Edition
The Digital Deluxe Edition bundles the full game with a curated cosmetic and seasonal package. The $20 premium is driven primarily by the Premium Battle Pass Bundle and the Skartaran Basilisk mount.
In addition to the baseline content, the Deluxe Edition includes these extras:
- High Heavensguard Paladin Cosmetic Bundle: Armor and weapon cosmetics for the Paladin, including helmet, chest, gloves, legs, boots, shield, and flail.
- Infernal Apostle Warlock Cosmetic Bundle: Armor and weapon cosmetics for the Warlock.
- Skartaran Basilisk Mount Bundle: New Basilisk mount type, mount armor, and trophy.
- Skorch, Mini Chimera Pet: A companion that automatically collects gold and materials.
- 1 Premium Battle Pass Bundle: Redeemable for any season, including Season 13. It does not expire and can be saved for a future season.
4. Ultimate Edition ($89.99)
Ultimate Edition
The Ultimate Edition is the most complete visual package available at launch. It includes everything in the Deluxe Edition plus an extensive set of additional cosmetics and 3,000 Platinum.
The 3,000 Platinum effectively offsets the premium price over the Deluxe tier. This means the massive cosmetic drop listed below comes at no extra cost for players who planned to spend Platinum anyway.
Beyond everything in the Deluxe Edition, the Ultimate tier adds:
- 3,000 Platinum: Usable for Shop cosmetics or Battle Pass Tier Skips.
- Umbral Knights Cross-Class Armor Bundle: Six class-specific armor sets for Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Rogue, Sorcerer, and Spiritborn.
- Steed of the Shining Realm Mount Bundle: A second premium mount, armor, and trophy.
- Two Reactive Back Trophies: Tymn, Echo of the Spire (Paladin) and Avel’hud, Nucleus of Perdition (Warlock).
- Two Town Portal Skins: Ascent of the Just (celestial) and Embrace of Evil (infernal).
5. Age of Hatred Collection ($69.99)
Age of Hatred Collection
The Age of Hatred Collection is a standalone bundle built exclusively for new players who do not yet own the Diablo IV base game. It bundles the base game together with the full Standard Edition content.
The collection strictly includes the following:
- Diablo IV Base Game: The full base campaign, playable immediately.
- Standard Edition Content: Vessel of Hatred, Lord of Hatred, Paladin and Warlock classes, 2 Character Slots, 1 Stash Tab, and 3 WoW Decor Items.
It does not include any Deluxe or Ultimate cosmetics, premium currency, or the Battle Pass Bundle. Existing Diablo IV owners receive no additional value from this package and should purchase Standard, Deluxe, or Ultimate directly instead.
6. Edition Comparison
Skovos
Both the Standard and premium editions include the full base game, and neither locks away core gameplay systems or story content. The biggest differences are cosmetics, mounts, and the Battle Pass token.
Use the interactive table below to compare the features across all four editions side by side before finalizing your purchase.
| Content | Standard ($39.99) | Deluxe ($59.99) | Ultimate ($89.99) | Age of Hatred ($69.99) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diablo IV Base Game | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Lord of Hatred + Vessel of Hatred | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paladin & Warlock Classes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2 Character Slots + 1 Stash Tab | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3 WoW Decor Items | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| High Heavensguard Paladin Bundle | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Infernal Apostle Warlock Bundle | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Skartaran Basilisk Mount Bundle | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Skorch, Mini Chimera Pet | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| 1 Premium Battle Pass Bundle | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| 3,000 Platinum | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Umbral Knights Armor Bundle (6 Sets) | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Steed of the Shining Realm Mount Bundle | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Two Reactive Back Trophies | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Two Town Portal Skins | — | — | ✓ | — |
7. Which Edition Should You Buy?
For most returning players, the Standard Edition is the better value. You still get the full expansion, both new classes, and the complete Skovos campaign. If you are mainly here for the combat and the story, Standard already gives you the complete core package.
The premium editions make more sense if you care about the Premium Battle Pass or simply want the most complete digital package available on day one.
Get the Standard Edition If You…
- Want the full Lord of Hatred experience without paying extra.
- Do not care about cosmetic armor sets or the Battle Pass.
- Want the best value for the gameplay content alone.
Get the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition If You…
- Want the class-specific armor bundles for the Paladin and Warlock.
- Plan to buy the Season 13 Premium Battle Pass anyway.
- Already know you will spend Platinum in the cosmetic shop (Ultimate only).
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Paladin Gameplay
The sections below cover the most common questions about edition differences, platform requirements, and existing ownership.
Gameplay and Access Differences
These answers clarify if the editions contain different playable content or campaigns:
Do all editions include the same gameplay content?
Yes. The full Skovos campaign, both new classes, and all endgame activities are identical across every edition. Differences are cosmetics and currency only.
Is the Diablo IV base game required?
Yes. Both Lord of Hatred and Vessel of Hatred require the Diablo IV base game to play. New players who do not own it should purchase the Age of Hatred Collection rather than a standard edition.
Does Lord of Hatred need to be purchased per platform?
Yes. Lord of Hatred must be purchased separately on each platform. A purchase on one platform does not carry over to another, and duplicate purchases on the same platform do not grant additional rewards.
Cosmetics and Existing Ownership
Paladin’s skill
These answers cover how the bundles handle duplicate content and specific armor sets:
What if I already own Vessel of Hatred?
You will receive the Herald of Hatred Pet Bundle as a substitute, which includes the reactive Herald of Hatred pet, the Wrapped in Guise Mount Trophy, and the No Salvation Emblem.
Does the Umbral Knights bundle include Paladin and Warlock armor?
No. The Umbral Knights bundle covers Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Rogue, Sorcerer, and Spiritborn. Paladin and Warlock cosmetics are handled by their own dedicated bundles.
Can the Premium Battle Pass Bundle be saved for a future season?
Yes. The bundle can be applied to any season, including those not yet released, and does not expire. It cannot be redeemed if a Premium or Accelerated Battle Pass has already been activated for the current season.
9. Lord of Hatred Download Size and Preload
If you plan to preload Lord of Hatred and the massive 3.0.0 patch, you need to clear enough SSD space before the download begins. Preload availability and the required space vary by platform.
Players on Battle.net, Xbox, and PlayStation can begin preloading on April 23, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. PDT. Steam users must wait until the global launch to download the expansion.
- PC (Battle.net and Steam): The base game, combined with all high-resolution expansion assets, currently requires up to 168 GB of free space. Standard resolution installs require approximately 90 GB.
- PlayStation and Xbox: Expect download sizes to range from 40 GB to 85 GB, depending on whether your console downloads the high-resolution texture pack alongside the patch.
- Patch 3.0.0 Availability: You can download the core 3.0.0 patch even if you have not purchased the expansion.
10. What Time Does Lord of Hatred Release?
Launch Times
The expansion releases globally on April 28, 2026. However, Blizzard is using a global rollout, which means the unlock happens simultaneously worldwide rather than at midnight in your local time zone.
Because of this global sync, players in North America gain access on the afternoon of April 27. The exact unlock times by region are:
- 4:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Monday, April 27
- 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, April 27
- 11:00 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time on Monday, April 27
- 12:00 a.m. British Summer Time on Tuesday, April 28
- 1:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time on Tuesday, April 28
- 4:00 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time on Tuesday, April 28
- 4:30 a.m. India Standard Time on Tuesday, April 28
- 8:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time on Tuesday, April 28
- 9:00 a.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, April 28
