Diablo 4’s Leaked New Class Might Not Be What It Seems

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Alright, so, there’s this buzz going around about the Paladin possibly popping into Diablo 4. I mean, these rumors have been swirling forever—or at least it feels that way. Remember how they were in Diablo 2? Then they sprouted wings or something and became the Crusader in later games. Fans have basically been crossing their fingers, toes, whatever, hoping to see them again in Diablo 4. Could it actually happen this time?

Okay, picture this: you’re digging through game files (not saying I ever would… or would I?), and stumble upon something like “2.5.Xpaladin.67961.” Sounds legit, right? Maybe. But there’s a twist. Even if this Paladin does ride in, might not be exactly who we remember. I mean, they could end up as any kind of holy warrior from Sanctuary’s pages—Paladins, Crusaders, Templars, Knights Penitent, you name it. And if they’re anything like me, they might not even know what they are yet.

Here’s the deal with these knightly types in Diablo—big, clunky armor types swinging holy power around like they own the place. They’re all exchanging nods with the Order of Zakarum or whatever edgy offshoot they’re part of. But, each of these knightly flavors brings a little something extra to the table.

So the OG Paladins? Those dudes were the first holy knights, like, ever in the game’s world. Think Protectors of the Word, Hand of Zakarum, Knights of Westmarch… Some really got knocked around by the story and ended up on the cutting room floor—by Diablo 3, they were pretty much toast. Almost extinct, and I’m sitting here thinking, “If they bring them back, how are they gonna weave that story in?”

I remember bumping into the ghost of Carthas, a Paladin from Diablo 2, while wandering around Hawezar. A nostalgic punch in the gut. Could you imagine picking up where they left off? Nailing that back into the lore’s gonna take some serious narrative gymnastics.

Then there are the Crusaders—kind of like Paladins, but with a fresher coat of paint. Some cleric named Akkhan whipped them up because the Paladin orders were sinking like stones. And they’re all about purifying Mephisto’s muck. They’ve been battling that nonsense for ages and, spoiler alert, it’s still a problem in Diablo 4. Makes sense they’d have a role, maybe even more so with players.

And how about those Templars? Talk about mysterious. They’re similar to Crusaders but only linked to Diablo 3 in a follower capacity—Kormac is basically your poster child here. Post-Diablo 3, it seems like Kormac’s on a mission to find his crew again. Cue the dramatic music?

Finally, gotta mention the Knights Penitent. Big ol’ bad guys in Diablo 4. Defectors from the antagonistic side could make cool playable characters. It kinda leaves you wondering if the next expansion might make it happen. What do they say? Time will tell, or something like that.

Oh, and I got sidetracked, but the Paladin nostalgia is real, and if Diablo 4 is gonna spin them into the mix, it’s bound to be a wild ride.