Blizzard officially revealed the fifth and final class for Diablo IV and true to the online rumours and whispers, it is the Necromancer. The player character was revealed during the 2022 Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, along with some extra in-game details via a Developer Gameplay Showcase.
The Necromancer class has long been a fan favourite of Diablo fans, ever since it was first introduced as one of the five playable class in Diablo 2. The Priest of Rathma did make a return in Diablo 3, but only as a downloadable content class, and long after the Reaper of Souls had been released.
Now, we should mention that the reveal trailer doesn’t actually contain gameplay, but then again, this has been Blizzard’s habit when making announcements. The developer and studio is known for being inconsistent with the content it offers; when it announced the Rogue more than a year ago, its reveal trailer not only gave the backstory of the class but also gameplay footage of the character in action.
Having said that, the introduction video does show the character using a couple of skills that clearly are a staple of the class. At the very start of the video, we see them using Corpse Explosion to get rid of a demonic entity, clearly feasting on the remains of an innocent human. Then, at the end of the video, we see them posturing against werewolves by summoning the Army of the Dead, before cutting out to the game’s title.
That’s not all of the Necromancer footage though. In the earlier mentioned Developer Gameplay Showcase, the video actually shows the class with in-game action. At multiple points in the video, we can see the Priest of Rathma actually casting what appears to be a tidal wave comprised entirely of blood and bones. In another, you can see them swinging a scythe around a mob of demons swarming them, while conjuring a literal whirlwind of death in the process.
As for the overall gameplay in Diablo IV, Blizzard insists that the end game of Diablo IV is “just the beginning” of the game and players will be able to choose from three different end game content. This includes areas such as Nightmare Dungeons, Tree of Whispers, or Paragon Board in the final chapter. Nightmare Dungeons are zones teeming with increased demonic hazards and difficulty and even feature new objectives and afflictions.
Tree of Whispers provides world objectives and rewards players after completing bounties with Legendary gears, experiences, crafting materials, and more. Lastly, the Paragon Board, along with hundreds of optional routes to further customise your hero’s build, will unlock after players reach the game’s maximum character level. This particular feature should be no stranger to long-time fans, as it is a carry forward from Diablo 3.
Diablo IV is expected to launch in 2023, although Blizzard still hasn’t set an exact launch date. The game will be available on Windows PC, Xbox Series X and S, One X and S, and the PlayStation 5 and 4. In addition, the game will support cross-play and cross-progression across all platforms.
(Source: Blizzard)
Najlaa Aina contributed to this article.
