Season 12's Season Slaughter is wrapping up, and Blizzard is following it with one of the bigger updates Diablo 4 has seen in a while. Season 13: Lord of Hatred is the next major expansion, bringing two new classes and a stack of fresh content to the game. If you want to know exactly when to log in and what to expect, this guide has everything confirmed so far.
When does Diablo 4 Season 12 end?
Season 12: Season Slaughter ends on April 28. That gives you a tight window if you still want to finish any remaining seasonal objectives before the slate resets. Season 12 was a solid run that introduced the Killstreak System, Bloodied Sigils, and a genuinely memorable mechanic that let players take control of The Butcher. Those features disappear from the seasonal rotation when the clock hits zero, so don't sleep on them.
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Once Season 12 ends on April 28, seasonal content including the Killstreak System and Bloodied Sigils will no longer be accessible in the current form. Finish what you need before the cutover.
Season 13 launch screen
When does Diablo 4 Season 13 Lord of Hatred start?
According to Insider Gaming, Season 13: Lord of Hatred goes live on April 28 at 10:00 AM PT. The transition from Season 12's end to Season 13's start happens on the same day, so the gap between seasons should be minimal.
Here's the full regional breakdown:
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European and Asia-Pacific players should note the date flips to April 29 for their regions. Set a reminder the night before so you're not caught off guard.
Server countdown to Season 13
What's new in Season 13 Lord of Hatred?
The Lord of Hatred expansion is a direct successor to 2025's Vessel of Hatred, continuing what Blizzard has been building in the post-launch content roadmap. Two headline additions are confirmed.
What new classes are coming to Season 13?
Season 13 introduces two new playable classes: the Paladin and the Warlock. Both are confirmed additions tied to the Lord of Hatred expansion content. Details on their full skill trees and playstyles haven't been fully detailed in available sources yet, but Blizzard has confirmed major skill tree updates are part of the upcoming DLC package.
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Blizzard confirmed significant skill tree updates alongside the Lord of Hatred expansion, according to reporting by Insider Gaming. Expect notable changes to how existing classes interact with the new systems as well.
How does Season 13 compare to Season 12?
Season 12 leaned hard into chaos with the Killstreak System and the Butcher control mechanic, both of which gave it a distinct identity. Lord of Hatred is playing a longer game: new classes are a permanent addition to the roster, not a seasonal gimmick, which means the investment you make leveling a Paladin or Warlock carries forward beyond Season 13.
Whether it tops Vessel of Hatred is the real question the community is sitting with. Vessel of Hatred was a substantial expansion, and Lord of Hatred has the same structural weight behind it.
Getting ready before April 28
With less than three weeks left in Season 12 as of today, here's what's worth prioritizing:
- Complete any Season Slaughter journey objectives that reward cosmetics or currency you can carry forward
- Experiment with The Butcher control mechanic while it's still available, since it's one of the more unusual things Season 12 offered
- Read up on the confirmed Paladin and Warlock class details as Blizzard releases them, so you're not picking blind on day one
For more Diablo 4 coverage and guides on other games, browse more guides at GAMES.GG to stay up to date as Lord of Hatred details continue to roll out ahead of launch.