Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred launches on April 28, 2026, sending players to Skovos, an ancient island region that has been part of the game’s lore since the beginning but was never playable until now.
If you just purchased the expansion or are returning to Sanctuary after some time away, getting into the new campaign takes a few setup steps. This guide covers every prerequisite, how to select the right campaign state in character creation, and exactly where the Lord of Hatred questline begins.
1. What You Need Before Starting
Age of Hatred Collection
Before you can launch Lord of Hatred, make sure these account and purchase requirements are met. The expansion will not function correctly on your account if any of these are missing.
Base Game Required
You must have the Diablo IV base game installed and updated to access the expansion content. Ensure you have the right components before launching:
- Own the base game: The expansion is not standalone; you must own the base game on your chosen platform.
- Purchase the expansion separately for Game Pass: Xbox Game Pass covers the base game, but the expansion requires a separate purchase.
- Buy the Age of Hatred Collection: New players can buy this bundle to get the base game, Vessel of Hatred, and Lord of Hatred together.
Expansion Editions and Access
Lord of Hatred is available in three editions. Here is a breakdown of what each tier provides for your account:
- Standard ($39.99): Full campaign and features.
- Deluxe ($59.99): Full campaign plus premium cosmetic items.
- Ultimate: Full campaign, premium cosmetics, and accelerated battle pass unlocks.
Keep these ownership and platform rules in mind when purchasing the expansion:
- Instant Unlock: Every edition includes Vessel of Hatred. You will not be charged twice if you own it, but it will not be re-granted as a gift code.
- Platforms: Available on PC (Battle.net and Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Online Connectivity
Diablo IV requires a persistent internet connection and an active Battle.net account to play. There is no offline mode available, regardless of your platform or whether you intend to play solo.
2. Do You Need to Complete Previous Campaigns?
Paladin Gameplay
The short answer is no. Lord of Hatred is designed to be accessible from a fresh account, and during character creation, you can select a campaign state that skips directly to the expansion content. That said, playing through the prior campaigns at least once is strongly recommended before jumping in.
Lord of Hatred is the direct narrative conclusion to Vessel of Hatred, which itself wraps up the base game’s storyline. The full recommended play order is:
- Diablo IV base game: Defeat Lilith and learn the origins of Sanctuary’s current crisis.
- Vessel of Hatred: Follow Neyrelle into Nahantu and witness Mephisto’s growing influence firsthand.
- Lord of Hatred: Face the final confrontation with Mephisto in Skovos.
The expansion’s events around Mephisto’s escape, Neyrelle’s fate, and the significance of the Pools of Creation carry far more weight if you have experienced those earlier stories.
Once you complete the Lord of Hatred campaign on any character, a Skip Campaign option becomes available in the Character Select screen for all future characters, with no realm restriction.
3. What Led to Skovos
Skovos
Understanding the setup makes the campaign’s opening feel more meaningful. This section covers only what Blizzard has shared publicly, with no story spoilers beyond that.
Here is a quick recap of the key events leading up to Lord of Hatred:
- Diablo IV: The Wanderer defeats Lilith, but Mephisto, one of the three Prime Evils, remains free. The scholar Neyrelle captures his essence inside a Soulstone to contain his influence.
- Vessel of Hatred: The Wanderer pursues Neyrelle into Nahantu, where Mephisto’s corruption has already taken root. His influence is temporarily held in check but never destroyed.
- Lord of Hatred: Mephisto breaks free entirely and sets course for Skovos, targeting the Pools of Creation. By corrupting them, he intends to reshape humanity as weapons against the High Heavens.
Skovos is the ancient birthplace of the firstborn civilization and the former home of both Lilith and Inarius. Today, it is ruled by The Oracle and the Amazon Queen, stretching from volcanic western shores to dense eastern storm forests.
4. How to Start the Lord of Hatred Campaign
Lord of Hatred Expansion
Getting into the expansion follows a short, linear setup process in the character creation and selection screens. Follow these steps in order to jump directly into the new story content on the Skovos Isles.
How to Launch the Skovos Campaign
- Confirm the expansion is active. Look for the Lord of Hatred branding on the loading screen when launching the game.
- Choose a realm. Select Play from the main menu and pick either the Seasonal Realm or the Eternal Realm.
- Create a new hero. Choose from the eight available classes, including the new Paladin and Warlock.
- Configure character rules. Enter a name and toggle Seasonal or Hardcore depending on your preference.
- Open Change Campaign State. Click the button near the top of the screen, then select the “expansion completed” option to skip to the new content.
- Select your starting difficulty. Choose Normal for new players, or Hard/Expert for returning veterans.
- Follow the opening questline. Follow the yellow and purple quest marker to Backwater and take the boat to the Skovos Isles.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Paladin
The questions below cover the most common points of confusion when setting up Lord of Hatred. Use this quick reference to clarify any remaining questions about accounts or characters.
Expansion Access Questions
These answers clarify purchase requirements and expansion bundles.
Do I need to buy Vessel of Hatred separately?
No. All editions of Lord of Hatred include Vessel of Hatred as an instant unlock. One purchase covers both expansions.
Character and Progression Questions
These answers cover how your seasonal progress carries over into the new campaign:
Can I play all eight classes in the Lord of Hatred campaign?
Yes. All eight classes, including the new Paladin and Warlock, can play through the campaign from level 1.
Will I miss seasonal rewards on an Eternal Realm character?
Yes. Season Rank rewards, Season Blessings, and Seasonal Reliquary rewards are exclusive to the Seasonal Realm.
Where does the campaign end?
The campaign concludes with a final confrontation against Mephisto in Skovos. After completing it, the Temis endgame hub unlocks fully.
