Leak Suggests Diablo 4’s New Class Might Differ from Expectations

Sure thing, let’s dive into the world of Diablo 4 with a bit of raw human chaos:

So, rumors are swirling again—and you know how reliable those can be, right? But apparently, there’s this whisper in the wind about the Paladin making a grand entrance in Diablo 4. Yeah, the Paladin! It’s like the OG hero type from Diablo 2. Then they kind of morphed into the Crusader, but that’s a whole other story. Anyway, fanatics of the series have been practically begging for this, and it looks like the devs might just give in.

But, here’s the kicker. This new class? Might not be exactly what the fans have cooked up in their heads. Like, someone found this file named “2.5.Xpaladin.67961″—doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, huh? But that’s what threw everyone into a tizzy. The final version could become almost any kind of holy warrior you can imagine. We’re talking Paladins, Crusaders, maybe even Templars and Knights Penitent. You see where this is going, right? Endless possibilities.

Alright, now let’s break down what those armored do-gooders are all about. All of these classes sort of share this DNA—they dress up in heavy armor and throw around holy magic like it’s nobody’s business. But the different flavors have their own little quirks.

First off, let’s talk about the Classic Paladin. Like, the granddaddy of ’em all. These guys were the first holy knights to strut their stuff in Sanctuary—and as playable characters, too. You had groups like the Protectors of the Word, the Hand of Zakarum, and Knights of Westmarch. Lots of corruption and destruction though, so by Diablo 3’s time, they were as good as extinct.

There’s a ghost in the machine, quite literally, with Carthas—the once Knight of Westmarch. You’ll run into his specter in Diablo 4 as a side quest challenge in Hawezar. It’s kind of poetic, in a way. I’d say bringing back the original Paladins would tug on all the nostalgic heartstrings, while needing some serious lore ironing to pull off.

Crusaders are the successors, right? They’re like the spiritual—and literal—continuation, cooked up by this cleric called Akkhan to cleanse after the Paladins went haywire. They’ve spent ages trying to scrub out Mephisto’s evil smudges both inside and out of the Zakarum church. Spoiler: the job’s not done, even in Diablo 4. And you can stumble upon plenty of Crusaders on your journeys.

Templars? Mysterious bunch. They’re the dark horses of this tale, really. You only see them hanging out in Diablo 3, with Kormac being your go-to follower. The Templars are like a shadowy reflection of the Crusaders. They’ve had their share of run-ins with everyone from the Knights of Westmarch to literal death’s incarnation, Nephalem. By the game’s end, they’re almost wiped out. But, somewhere in the shadows, Kormac’s hunting for his fellow knights.

Lastly, the Knights Penitent. They’re front and center in Diablo 4—your friends and your foes. They’re born from the carnage post-Diablo 3. The Cathedral of Light’s enforcers, hanging out with Inarius. But things go south fast. Being on their bad side is part and parcel of the Diablo 4 gig.

Imagine the next expansion letting you play as a redeemed Knight Penitent. It’s the kind of delicious twist in the narrative that just fits perfectly into the chaotic world of Diablo. Who knows where they’ll go with this new class thing. Could be anywhere, could be nowhere. The fun is in the waiting, isn’t it? Just keep your fingers crossed that the devs throw something mind-boggling our way.