While the official announcement for Diablo 4's third expansion is likely still some time away, players are already speculating about what the next new class might be.
For Diablo series, new classes have always been a major draw for expansions. From Crusader and Necromancer to the classes added post-launch in Diablo 4, every new addition impacts build choices, gear requirements, and the overall game meta.
If Blizzard chooses to preview Expansion 3 at a future BlizzCon, the new class will undoubtedly be a highlight.
However, since Blizzard hasn't confirmed which class will be included in the third expansion, the best approach right now is to analyze Diablo 4's current roster, classic series classes, and unexplored gameplay styles to determine the most likely candidates.
Monk
Monks are one of the classic classes players frequently ask to see return.
In Diablo 3, Monk featured high-speed movement, close-quarters combos, and a distinct martial arts style. Its overall pacing differed significantly from traditional heavy melee classes like Barbarian, making it instantly recognizable.
In reality, however, Monk's potential return depends on Spiritborn. Spiritborn already features high-mobility melee combat, rapid repositioning, and numerous skills centered on spirit energy - gameplay elements that closely resemble Monk's style.
Furthermore, Spiritborn's tribal and spirit-based themes overlap with design elements previously associated with both Monk and Witch Doctor.
If Blizzard were to simply port D3 Monk directly into the game, the two classes would likely suffer from overlapping roles.
That said, Monk could still return if it undergoes a significant overhaul. This might involve emphasizing fist weapons, rapid-fire strikes, and defensive counters, while establishing a new resource loop based on D4 items - effectively refocusing the class on its core martial arts identity.
Amazon
Amazon faces fewer hurdles than Monk.
Diablo 4's Rogue already covers bow combat, agile movement, and certain ranged damage playstyles; consequently, a traditional Bow Amazon would easily overlap with the existing Rogue class. However, Amazon's identity isn't defined solely by the bow and arrow.
Javelin, Spear, and Lightning-based Amazon builds can still form a distinct class identity. This is particularly relevant given that Diablo 4 currently lacks a class with a gameplay system fully centered on spears, javelins, thrown weapons, and their associated Diablo 4 items.
This actually creates an opening for Amazon. If the developers decide to bring back this classic class, the most logical approach wouldn't be to create another ranged archer; instead, they could emphasize spear charges, javelin throws, spreading lightning attacks, and precise mid-range strikes.
This strategy would preserve Amazon archetype familiar to D2 players while clearly avoiding the gameplay territory already covered by Rogue.
Witch Doctor
Witch Doctor is another highly distinctive class of Diablo 3. Its unique combat style - defined by poisons, pets, summons, and eerie spells - stands out, yet this design feels a bit crowded within the current Diablo 4 landscape.
Necromancer already possess a mature summoning system and command corpses, curses, and a vast array of dark magic, while Spiritborn covers elements like spirits, nature, and tribal culture. Consequently, no matter which direction Witch Doctor takes, it risks overlapping with existing classes.
Therefore, rather than a direct recreation of D3 Witch Doctor, the developers are more likely to deconstruct its defining features - such as poison spells, curses, totems, or unique summoning mechanics - and recombine them into a distinct new class.
Blood Knight
If the developers choose not to look to D2 or D3 for inspiration, a Blood Knight-style class becomes an interesting option.
Blood Knight archetype has already been utilized in Diablo Immortal, and since Diablo 4 already features numerous vampire enemies, blood-based abilities, and dark religious themes, such a design would fit seamlessly into the world of Sanctuary.
More importantly, it is easy to establish a combat style for Blood Knight that differs significantly from the current classes.
Its gameplay could revolve around mechanics like health consumption, life-stealing, sustained regeneration, blood-based skills, and short-term transformations. It could utilize two-handed weapons or polearms, with D4 unique items further enhancing a high-risk, high-recovery melee combat loop.
While Barbarian emphasizes strength, weaponry, and direct strikes, and Necromancer leans into death, corpses, and summoning, Blood Knight could center its mechanics on a cycle of trading health for damage and then reclaiming that health through combat.
If the developers can craft mechanics that are sufficiently distinct, this class has the potential to stand apart from the existing roster.
Shaman, Dark Knight, and Spellsword
Of course, the new class for Expansion 3 does not necessarily have to come from Diablo's past roster.
Spiritborn has demonstrated the developers' willingness to create entirely new class concepts for Diablo 4, making completely original designs a distinct possibility for the future.
For instance, a Shaman class could be built around totems, elemental spells, and short-duration summons, further distinguishing itself from Druid's shapeshifting and nature magic.
A Dark Knight could wield greatswords and heavy armor, emphasizing blocking, charged attacks, or high-risk melee combat to create a heavy-hitting playstyle that is more stable and rhythm-focused than that of Barbarian.
There is also significant potential for a Spellsword. Currently, Sorcerer relies primarily on pure spellcasting, leaving a gap for a class that truly blends large melee weapons with magic. Enchanted weaponry, elemental slashes, defensive spells, and close-range spellcasting could all serve as core elements of such a class.
More daring directions cannot be ruled out either; after all, Spiritborn proved that Blizzard is willing to push the boundaries of Diablo class design, so Expansion 3 need not look to the past for answers.
As D4 roster grows, it becomes increasingly important for the new class in Expansion 3 to avoid overlapping with existing playstyles.
Whether the choice falls on a classic class like Amazon or a new concept like Blood Knight or Shaman, the key lies in delivering a combat experience that is genuinely missing from the current lineup. Only with a sufficiently distinct identity can the new class truly serve as a core selling point for the expansion.
