With Reign of the Warlock, a new expansion for Diablo 2: Resurrected was a surprise – and we tested the new class!
Diablo 2: Resurrected unexpectedly received a new expansion, “Reign of the Warlock,” which also introduced a new class to the game. This was revealed during the Diablo Spotlight, which outlined what’s in store for the Diablo franchise this year. In addition to information about Diablo: Immortal, further details were shared about the upcoming Diablo 4 expansion, “Lord of Hatred,” which will be released in April. Fittingly, the second class for the latest installment was presented: the Warlock. Surprisingly, the class not only arrived in the newest installment but was also immediately available for the over 25-year-old Diablo 2 after the presentation! We took a look at the new class.
Scope
To even access the expansion, players who already own the base game, Resurrected, will have to shell out €25. Those who haven’t yet experienced the truly excellent remaster of the classic can jump right in with the Infernal Edition for €35. That might sound steep at first glance, but we need to take a closer look at the expansion and what it includes.
First and foremost, “Reign of the Warlock” introduces the aforementioned new class, along with all its associated features. This means new voice lines for the character, new items, and of course, new skill trees and visual effects. In addition, there’s a new endgame mechanic called Terror Zones, user interface overhauls, and other quality-of-life improvements. So, this isn’t something that was developed “just like that” or “on the side,” but rather something that required significant time and careful preparation. And it’s quite possible that we’ll get further updates and expansions for Diablo 2: Resurrected, provided the current DLC is well-received.
Three Paths
But let’s get back to the Warlock. Essentially, he’s someone who can summon demons and use them for their own purposes. This certainly fits into the typically dark, bloody world of Diablo 2. He’s primarily meant to represent the early stages of exploring forbidden, dark magic. The Warlock present in Immortal is intended to be a further development of this, and in Diablo 4 we’ll see the class reach its peak: a wild and untamed version. We’ll find out exactly what that will look like later this year.
So what exactly is the Warlock? As mentioned, he uses demons and dark magic. He has three paths available, one of which is a kind of “Necromancer Lite,” if you will. This is the Summoner path, where, for example, he commands Goatmen to fight for him. The second path allows him to become a fiery mage, wielding flames to his advantage. The third path is the “Eldrith” path, most similar to a battlemage who can also deliver powerful melee attacks. With his floating weapon and curses, he strikes fear into his opponents.
Two Skill Builds
As big fans of the Necromancer, we naturally started by exploring the Summoner tree and summoning demons to fight for us. This saves a lot of work, especially at the beginning, as the Goatman kills almost all enemies with one, or at most two, hits. Elite enemies and bosses are, of course, exceptions. But what isn’t possible now might be later. Next, we gain access to a “Tainted,” which means something like “Corrupted” or “Defiled” in English. This character doesn’t engage enemies in melee combat, but instead fires small fireballs that inflict considerable damage—if they hit. As the game progresses, we strengthen our minions, gain the ability to have multiple active at once, and can further enhance them with other abilities.
As a second approach, we explored the Eldritch skill tree, which relies heavily on miasma. For example, we can fire a miasma bolt that deals significant damage to enemies, or create a miasma chain. This chain damages enemies that touch it—something we can actively control, as it forms between an enemy or a point on the ground and ourselves, allowing us to extend it. As the game progresses, we primarily strengthen the chain, giving enemies little chance to reach us.
Necromancer 2.0?
Overall, it can be said that the two skill trees play very differently and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. While summoning units and having them fight for you is certainly reminiscent of the Necromancer, we didn’t get the feeling while playing that it was a copy of a familiar class. Although we do summon demons to fight for us, the Warlock in Diablo 2: Resurrected still has a completely unique feel. Overall, it can be said that the two skill trees play very differently and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Conclusion
“Reign of the Warlock not only came as a surprise, but was also released directly as a Shadowdrop. This made it all the more exciting to experience the expansion for myself. After all, Diablo 2 last received an expansion over 25 years ago, and with Resurrected, it was “only” a remastered version. But perhaps this very fact contributes to the DLC’s reception, which has been quite positive for many – myself included. The new class is fun and stands out somewhat from the others without feeling like a mere copy of an existing one. The new weapons, abilities, and options meaningfully complement the game. The quality-of-life improvements and new features, such as the Terror Zone, are also a logical next step in the evolution of Diablo 2. Those who haven’t yet had the chance to experience the game now have the perfect opportunity – but even fans will find this a welcome and exciting expansion.“
- Story/Atmosphere: 100/100
- Game Design: 80/100
- Balance: 80/100
- Scope: 80/100
- Presentation: 90/100
The review key for the PC was kindly provided to us by Faktor 3/Blizzard.
