Diablo 3’s Classes Should Appear as Mercenaries in Diablo 4

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred is a return to several things for the series. While it visually attempts to ape off of the much beloved and highly acclaimed Diablo 2, and it’s subsequent Lord of Destruction expansion, it appears as though Blizzard Entertainment wants to dig into that even further, dredging up mechanics and features from what was considered the high point of the series. And I couldn’t help but consider the possibility, or rather, how interesting it would be to see the classes from Diablo 3 appear in Diablo 4 as Mercenaries.

For those unfamiliar with the Mercenary system, in Diablo 2 you could hire mercenaries in major towns to accompany you through various continents to defeat the Prime Evils. These companions were not given individual character arcs, and were instead faces with names and classes attached. They could die, and if you had grown attached to them, either through their utility or constructing a narrative in your head over who they could have been, it could sometimes feel like a loss. New mercenaries could be hired to replace your old one, continuing the cycle of live, die, repeat.

Diablo 3 expanded this system, though some would argue that it was a step back in some ways as players weren’t exactly looking for the mercenaries of old to become fully fleshed out characters. Instead of hiring a nameless Sorcerer, instead you could take Cormac the Templar with you, who had a small introductory quest that gave you an idea of what this man was about, and what his ideals were. Diablo 3 had a total of three mercenaries you could recruit and equip, and even tailor their skills.

This is more or less the direction Diablo 4‘s Vessel of Hatred is seeming to go in. There are a total of four companion characters, which Blizzard Entertainment has shared very little information about, that seemingly have their own stories. What those stories are have yet to be seen, or their utility. But they seem to encompass some kind of role that will align with a handful of playstyles and builds. While these new Mercenaries in Diablo 4 do seem neat, a part of me would have loved, or would love, to see the classes of Diablo 3 return in some way.

Like many players I am beating on my chest for a true “tank” class. I want a Templar (that doesn’t seem likely given new lore), a Paladin (also unlikely due to lore reasons), or the Crusader (again, probably not possible due to lore). But if I can’t play one of these three “holy warriors,” I would love to see one join my party. Perhaps a jaded Paladin, or the last Crusader in search of someone to pass his armor and flail to. Or even the Demon Hunter! I loved the Demon Hunter and the lore surrounding the class. Yes, Diablo 3 was a colorful game which was a point of contention for the player base, but the Demon Hunter was a class forged in some of the most painful, traumatic experiences possible. So having a Demon Hunter, perhaps on the cusp of turning into what they hunt, would fall in line with the cynical tone of Diablo 4.

It would also give the team the chance to further flesh out what happened between the events of Diablo 3 and Diablo 4 without it being contained to a series of short stories or novels not everyone can get their hands on. (Or maybe don’t want to read in general.) I know I would certainly like to know more. Even getting that sliver of information about how Malthael wiped out a good chunk of humanity in Reaper of Souls had me sucked into the “What ifs” of what transpired between games.

And if we can’t play or revisit those classes that some of loved in Diablo 3 for one reason or another, adding them in through other means could, at the very least be interesting.

Diablo IV is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Vessel of Hatred expansion release date is 8, 2024.