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Diablo 4 Expansion: Release Date Speculation, Content, Villain, Story & More

Everything we know about Diablo 4's first expansion, including release date speculation, possible content, story, and the main villain.
Diablo 4 Expansion: Release Date Speculation, Content, Villain, Story & More

Looking for the latest news, leaks, and details, such as a possible release date for Diablo 4's first expansion? Then we've got you covered!

Blizzard unleashed prospective Nephalem on the world of Sanctuary via PC and consoles on 6 June 2023, but even before the release of Diablo 4, expansions have been confirmed. This consistently-updated article provides the latest information on Diablo 4's expansions, including speculation on a possible release date window, the type of content you can expect, and much more, so let Bul Kathos guide our hand as we dive into the unknown.

Update on 18 July 2023: No news yet on the Diablo 4 expansions but Season 1 is releasing on 20 July 2023!

Latest Diablo 4 Expansion News & Leaks

Diablo 4 expansion 1 2 new next upcoming content release date story regions zones sanctuary baal mephisto greater evils lord of terror
We are hoping Elias can summon some Diablo 4 expansion news soon! (Picture: Blizzard)

In this section, we'll update Diablo 4 fans with the latest expansion news and leaks as they come in. With that in mind, check out the latest news for Diablo 4's story-driven DLCs below.

Original expansion confirmation news below:

Speaking to Kinda Funny Games about the future of the game and what Activision-Blizzard is planning, Diablo general manager Rod Fergusson stated:

“As I sit here, we're about to launch the main game; we're finishing up season one, we're working on season two, we're working on expansion one, we're kicking off expansion two — we're working on that now, and we haven't even launched the game."

This means we're getting content for the game over the next several years and that Activision-Blizzard is looking at Diablo IV as a game with legs. They want to ensure the game retains players and plan to do so by releasing both seasons of rotating content and new expansions that add brand-new content to the game. 

Diablo 4 Expansion Release Date Speculation

Diablo 4 expansion 1 2 new next upcoming content release date story regions zones sanctuary baal mephisto greater evils lord of terror
The Lord of Hatred in Diablo 2. (Picture: Blizzard)

At the time of writing, there is no indication of a release date for Diablo 4's first and second expansions, and we have a suspicion there will be a third.

Diablo 4 has three-month seasons, with the first one starting in mid to late July 2023. However, these are not full, story-driven expansions. In terms of expansions, we suspect the first one to have a release date window of late 2024 and the second one in mid-2026. 

Check out the history of the Diablo franchise and its expansions below for a point of reference.

Diablo title/expansion Release Date
Diablo 3 January 1997
Diablo 1 Hellfire expansion 24 November 1997
Diablo 2 28 June 2000
Diablo 2 Lord of Destruction expansion 29 June 2001
Diablo 3 15 May 2012
Diablo 3 Reaper of Souls expansion 25 March 2014
Diablo 3 Rise of the Necromancer DLC 27 June 2017
Diablo 2 Resurrected 23 September 2021
Diablo Immortal 8 July 2022
Diablo 4 2 June 2023
Diablo 4 Expansion 1 Late 2024 speculation (TBC)
Diablo 4 Expansion 2 Mid-2026 speculation (TBC)
Diablo 4 Expansion 3 TBA

Remember, Diablo 4 is a live service game, and Blizzard has already confirmed they are working on the first expansion and starting on the second one. Therefore, we do think the expansions will release sooner than many expect, but not within the first year.

Diablo 4 Expansion Content Possibilities - SPOILER WARNING

Diablo 4 expansion 1 2 new next upcoming content release date story regions zones sanctuary baal mephisto greater evils lord of terror
Could the Lord of Destruction, Baal, return as the antagonist of Diablo 4's second expansion? We want to return to the Dreadlands, after all! (Picture: Blizzard)

We will likely see a huge new region (or two) in Diablo 4's first expansion. Diablo 4 covered the world of Sanctuary's eastern region, but the entire western continent is still up for grabs, including zones such as Dreadlands, Khanduras, Westmarch, and much more, as you can see from the image above.

We suspect that with each new expansion, Blizzard will add a new class, and we are hoping for the Paladin. A level cap increase, alongside a new profession, mobs, affixes, and activities, should also be added for a full expansion.

There's no official information about Diablo 4's expansion content just yet, so this is all speculation. 

Main Villain & Story For Diablo 4 Expansions - SPOILER WARNING

Diablo 4 expansion 1 2 new next upcoming content release date story regions zones sanctuary baal mephisto greater evils lord of terror
The Bloodied Wolf turned out to be the Lord of Hatred himself! (Picture: Blizzard)

Please note: The information in this section is pure speculation at the time of writing.

With the spoiler warning clear, if you've scrolled past the "Bloodied Wolf" image, we assume you want to know more about who we think the main villain of Diablo 4's first expansion will be and what the story should revolve around.

Based on what happened at the end of Diablo 4's story, with the player slaying Lilith, who wanted to protect Sanctuary from the Greater Evils, we think her father, Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, will be the main villain of the first Diablo 4 expansion.

Mephisto is, of course, the Bloodied Wolf that players meet early on in Diablo 4. Since the Lord of Hatred is the only Greater Evil to show up in Diablo 4, we suspect he will be the first expansion's final boss.

Just speculating here, but we believe there might be three Diablo 4 expansions coming, with Baal (Lord of Destruction) being expansion 2's villain featuring the Dreadlands zone, and it should be finished off with Diablo, the Lord of Terror, as the final boss of Diablo 4's final expansion.

Check out our video below, where we discuss the regions of Sanctuary and even mention the unused western continent with locations for future expansions.

That's everything we know so far about Diablo 4's expansions/story-driven DLC coming your way in the future, including release date speculation, likely content, story, the main villains, and much more.

If any new information via official sources or leaks becomes available, we will update this article faster than a Treasure Goblin runs from Nephalem!

 


For more Diablo 4, be sure to check out our dedicated section or some of our Guides & Tutorials just below:

Diablo 4 Class Builds - Best Barbarian Build |  | Best Necromancer Build | Best Sorcerer Build | Best Druid Build | Best Rogue Build | All Classes Tier List | Best Class For Beginners | Build Calculator

Class Mechanics: Sorcerer Enchantment System | Barbarian Arsenal | Rogue Specialization | Necromancer Book of the Dead | Druid Spirit Animals | Unlock Golems

Items - Healing Vial | Item Slot Types | Transmogs/Wardrobe | Salvage Items | Durability & Repair | Trading Items | All Unique Items & Stats | Set Items | Item Quality/Rarity Levels | Elixirs | Butcher's Cleaver | Cry of Ashava Trophy

Features: Beginners Guide | Impressions From Beta

Quests: Ritual Tower Key | Forgive Me Side Quest | Traveler's Prayer Side Quest | Secret Of The Spring Riddle | Raising Spirits Side Quest | Woodsman Of Nevesk | Fiend Rose

General D4 Guides: Legendary & Gold Farming | Town Portal | Inventory Size | Stash Size | Beat Lilith's Lament | Beat Den Mother Boss | Beat Lord Avitus Boss | Beat Blood Bishop Boss | Reset Dungeons | Gathering Legions Guide | The Butcher Boss | Leave Dungeons | All Stronghold Locations | Hardcore Mode | Change Difficulty | Unlock/Launch Time | Balance Changes | Patch Notes

Diablo 4 Tech Guides - Ray Tracing Support | Couch Co-Op | Server Regions | PC Requirements & File Size | Diablo 4 Servers Down? | Connection Issues Fix | Crashing Issues Fix | Unable To Install or Patch | Low FPS Fix | Error Code 34202 Fix | Disable Fog & Glare | Stuck in Queue Fix | Console Issues | PC Issues | Enable & Disable Chat Bubbles | Hit Max Level Fast | Best PC Settings High FPS | Error Code 395002 Fix | Error Code 316719 Fix | D4 on Steam Deck | Offline Mode | DLSS 3 & NVIDIA Reflex

Crafting/Vendors - Jeweler | Gambling & Obols | Occultist | Alchemist | Blacksmith | | Monster Parts | Skins | Ore | Plants

Legendary Aspects - Codex of Power | Sorcerer Legendary Powers | Barbarian Legendary Powers | Rogue Legendary Powers | Necromancer Legendary Powers | Druid Legendary Powers

Activities - Strongholds | Nightmare Dungeons | Silent Chests | Altars of Lilith | Helltides | Endgame

Story & Lore - Campaign Length | Who is Lilith? | Who is Inarius | Deckard Cain | Secret Cow Level | All D4 Acts Listed

Zones - Fractured Peaks Overview | Scosglen | Kehjistan | Dry Steppes | Hawezar | All Waypoint Locations | Full World Map | Fractured Peaks Chests | Fractured Peaks Cellars

Stronghold Guides - Kor Dragan | Malnok | Nostrava |

Mounts - Temptation Mount | Diablo 4 Class Dismount Mechanics | Unlock & Customize |

Seasons - Battle Pass Price | Diablo 4 Season Duration | Battle Pass Differences | Get Favor | Next Season Start Date | Season Blessings | Season Journey | Diablo 4 Content Roadmap |

Gameplay Systems - Armor System | Clans | Primary Stats & Effects | Shrines & Buffs | Renown & Reputation | Max Level & Paragon Cap | World Tier Difficulty Levels | Followers/Mercenaries

World Bosses - Ashava | Avarice | Wandering Death | Beat Ashava | Ashava Spawn Location

Diablo 4 Misc - Statue of Inarius Price & Specs | Wolf Pack Cosmetic | Codes | Diablo 4 Free-to-Play? | Mother's Inked Title | Collector's Edition | How To Respec | Stagger Mechanic | Patch Notes | Asmongold Diablo 4 Beta Thoughts | Item Shop | Wings of the Creator Emote

Challenges/Achievements - Necromancer Challenges | Barbarian Challenges | Druid Challenges | Rogue Challenges | Sorcerer Challenges | Crafting Challenges

Diablo 4 PvP - Coming soon!

Our section keeps growing, so check for new guides daily! Don't forget to pick up one of the Diablo 4 Editions and join the fight to save Sanctuary soon.