Blizzard has delivered one of the most ambitious updates in the history of Diablo II: Resurrected. The Reign of the Warlock DLC doesn’t just add content: It expands the game’s systems, introduces a completely new class, and strengthens the endgame with tougher encounters and deeper progression mechanics.
The expansion marks the first time in decades that Diablo II receives a brand-new playable class, signaling a clear effort to keep the legendary ARPG evolving for modern players.
New DLC: Reign of the Warlock
Unleash the Warlock
The Warlock is a forbidden scholar of demonic forces, wielding magic that most would consider heresy. Instead of simply destroying Hell’s armies, this class bends them to its will.
The Warlock can specialize in three distinct disciplines:
Demon Binding
This path revolves around enslaving demons and forcing them to fight for you. Players can summon creatures such as:
- Goatmen
- Tainted
- Defilers
Each demon type has unique traits and combat behavior. Warlocks may either command them strategically in battle or sacrifice them to absorb their power and temporarily strengthen their own abilities.
Eldritch Weapons
This specialization focuses on manipulating weaponry through dark enchantments. Warlocks can:
- Inflict crippling curses through weapon strikes
- Drain life from enemies
- Trigger violent magical detonations
- Create spectral weapon copies
- Throw weapons with deadly precision
Most notably, the Warlock can equip a two-handed weapon while still using an off-hand item, something no other class can do.
Chaos Magic
The Chaos tree embraces pure destruction. These abilities channel hellfire and void energy to devastate enemies from a distance. Advanced Warlocks can unleash catastrophic spells capable of tearing open the Abyss itself, obliterating everything caught nearby.
Warlock Passive
The class features a unique passive ability that allows the Warlock to levitate their main weapon. This mechanic makes the dual setup of two-handed weapon plus off-hand possible, fundamentally changing build diversity.
The Dark Origins of the Warlock
Warlocks trace their philosophy back to the Vizjerei mage clans, who once sought to understand and control demonic forces. Some mages took that pursuit further than others, embracing corruption in exchange for power.
Many who attempt this path lose themselves to madness. Those who succeed become something else entirely; masters of demonic essence, shaping Sanctuary according to their own ruthless vision.
Brave New Terror Zones
Terror Zones have been expanded and intensified.
Players now have greater influence over which Act becomes terrorized by using special consumables. When an Act is affected, enemies grow significantly stronger and offer improved rewards.
On Hell difficulty, a new threat enters the hunt: Heralds of Terror. These relentless pursuers stalk players through Terror Zones, and each encounter grows more dangerous than the last.
Additionally, defeating Terrorized Act bosses now has a chance to drop statues. Collecting all five statues unlocks a new pinnacle encounter.
Fight the Colossal Ancients
Combining the five statues opens the gateway to battle the Colossal Ancients, a high-difficulty endgame challenge.
The fight is designed as a brutal test of build optimization and execution. When one Ancient falls, the remaining ones grow stronger, escalating the encounter’s intensity.
Each Ancient drops a Unique Jewel. Players may only equip one of these jewels at a time, similar to the restriction applied to Gheed’s Fortune charm.
The Ancient variants and their jewel rewards include:
Talic
- Defender’s Fire
- Defender’s Bite
Korlic
- Protector’s Frost
- Protector’s Stone
Madawc
- Guardian’s Thunder
- Guardian’s Light
New Items: Grimoires, Sets, Uniques, and Runewords
The expansion introduces a substantial batch of new gear tailored primarily to the Warlock.
Grimoires
Warlocks can equip magical tomes in their off-hand slot. These Grimoires enhance Warlock skills and can roll elemental damage bonuses (Fire or Magic).
Grimoire tiers include:
Normal
- Old Book
- Tome
- Codex
- Compendium
- Grimoire
Exceptional
- Burnt Text
- Dark Tome
- Dark Codex
- Possessed Compendium
- Possessed Grimoire
Elite
- Forgotten Volume
- Occult Tome
- Occult Codex
- Blasphemous Compendium
- Blasphemous Grimoire
Dagger Updates
Daggers can now roll up to +1–3 Warlock skill bonuses. Vendors such as Akara, Drognan, Ormus, Jamella, and Malah now sell daggers again, restoring build accessibility.
New Item Sets
Warlock Normal Set – Bane’s Garments
- Bane’s Wrathskin (Hard Leather Armor)
- Bane’s Authority (Light Belt)
Warlock Elite Set – Horizon’s Splendor
- Horizon’s Countenance (Demonhead)
- Horizon’s Dominion (Russet Armor)
- Horizon’s Hold (Demonhide Gloves)
- Horizon’s Legacy (Mirrored Boots)
- Horizon’s Secrets (Occult Codex)
New Runewords
Authority
- 3 Socket Body Armor
- Hel + Shael + Ral
Coven
- 3 Socket Helm
- Ist + Ral + Io
Void
- 3 Socket Dagger
- Thul + Zod + Ist
Vigilance
- 2 Socket Shield
- Dol + Gul
Ritual
- 3 Socket Dagger
- Amn + Shael + Ohm
New Unique Items
- Ars Ar Diablois (Blasphemous Grimoire)
- Ars Tor Baalios (Blasphemous Compendium)
- Ars Dul Mephistos (Occult Tome)
- Measured Wrath (Burnt Text)
- Dreadfang (Legend Sword)
- Wrathstep (Mirrored Boots)
- Bloodpact Shard (Mithril Point)
- Opalvorn (Ring)
- Sling (Ring)
- Entropy Locket (Amulet)
- Gheed’s Wager (Troll Belt)
- Hellwarden’s Will (Death Mask)
Master the Chronicle
The expansion introduces The Chronicle, a dedicated tracking system built for collectors and completionists. This feature records nearly everything a player discovers, transforming loot hunting into a long-term progression layer rather than a purely luck-driven chase.
Players can review exactly where and when an item dropped, making it easier to document rare finds and refine farming strategies.
However, the Chronicle is more than a digital archive. Completing sections of the collection grants rewards, encouraging players to actively pursue missing pieces instead of simply hoarding gear. For those who thrive on 100% completion, it adds a powerful new motivation loop.
Quality of Life: Loot Filter and Stash Tabs
Reign of the Warlock doesn’t focus solely on combat power; it also tackles one of Diablo’s oldest struggles: inventory management.
New Loot Filter
Players can now fully customize which items appear on the ground. The filter allows for deep personalization, letting you highlight valuable drops while hiding low-priority clutter.
Better yet, filters can be shared with other players, imported from the community, or fine-tuned to match specific builds. A quick toggle makes it easy to adjust visibility on the fly without disrupting gameplay.
The result is a cleaner battlefield where attention stays on combat instead of sorting through endless loot piles.
Advanced Stash Tabs
Storage capacity has been significantly expanded with additional stash tabs and smarter organization tools.
Key upgrades include:
- Stackable items to reduce space usage
- Dedicated tabs for materials, gems, runes, and consumables
- Improved categorization for faster inventory navigation
These changes dramatically cut down time spent managing storage, a subtle but impactful improvement for high-level players who farm constantly.
Reign of the Warlock doesn’t just add a new class or tougher bosses, it quietly reshapes the structure of Diablo II itself. With the introduction of an era-based system, Blizzard is drawing clearer lines between Classic, Resurrected, and the new Warlock chapter, protecting the identity of each version while still allowing the game to evolve.
The ability to carry characters forward into newer eras ensures that long-time players aren’t forced to abandon their progress. At the same time, the one-way transition preserves balance by preventing modern gear and systems from disrupting legacy environments. It’s a careful design choice that respects nostalgia while embracing growth.
Taken together, this DLC feels like more than a content drop. It feels like a statement about Diablo II’s future. Does Reign of the Warlock successfully modernize a legendary ARPG without sacrificing its soul, or does it push the classic formula into unfamiliar territory? What do you think about the new DLC? Share your thoughts and stay tuned to VGNW, follow us on X and keep an eye out for what comes next!
