Diablo 5: Blizzard Announces 2029 Launch and First Three Classes

Blizzard has officially announced that Diablo 5 is coming in 2029, a turnaround so swift it practically qualifies as a sprint for a franchise that usually operates on the geological time scale. The announcement came during BlizzCon, where the developer quickly followed up the surprise reveal by showcasing the sequel's first three playable classes.

For a series where an 11-year gap between sequels is considered normal, a six-year window feels like Blizzard is moving with unprecedented urgency.

"This reveal marks the beginning of an ongoing conversation," the studio said during its "Diablo 5: Forging the Next Era" panel, emphasizing that the game is still in very early development.

The details

• Release window: 2029
• Confirmed classes: Demon Hunter, Monk, Plague Knight
• Platforms: Not announced
• Pricing: Not announced

Who is entering the fray?

Blizzard is promising "Diablo's largest class roster to date" at launch, though they are keeping most of those slots under wraps for now. The initial trio features a mix of returning favorites and a new hazard:

• Demon Hunter: Returning to dual-wield crossbows, striking from the shadows, and leaping across the battlefield—a playstyle veterans will recognize from Diablo 3 and Diablo Immortal.
• Monk: Battering demons with fists and calling down holy power to smite enemies, returning from Diablo 3 and Immortal.
• Plague Knight: A brand-new class that roams the battlefield spreading disease and pestilence, ultimately consuming it for power.

Given that players can expect the largest launch roster in franchise history, more familiar classes will likely join the lineup as development continues.

What is changing behind the scenes?

Itemization is taking a page from the past. Blizzard noted that its goal is to make items "readable, memorable, and worth chasing across hundreds of hours," modeled after Diablo 2's design philosophy.

In practice, this means the return of grid-based inventory management, where larger items take up more physical slots. It turns out the true enemy in 2029 will once again be playing Tetris with your backpack.

While the studio prepares to share regular development updates starting in 2027 to show off features and ideas taking shape, Diablo 4 players can expect current seasons to continue as normal in the interim.