Diablo 4's first major expansion, Lord of Hatred, launches on April 28, 2026, introducing a new region, the Spirit Born class updates, and a complete overhaul of the endgame system. Whether you're a returning player or looking to jump in fresh, here's how to prepare your account for the best possible expansion experience.
What's Coming in Lord of Hatred
The expansion centers on Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred and one of the three Prime Evils from Diablo lore. The new region of Kurast provides a massive new area to explore, filled with tropical jungles and ancient temples corrupted by Mephisto's influence.
Gameplay additions include a raised level cap, new Paragon boards, new Legendary and Unique items, expanded endgame activities, and significant class rebalancing. The expansion also introduces a new endgame progression system that replaces parts of the current Pit and Helltide structure.
Account Preparation Checklist
Start by getting at least one character to the current maximum level with a strong Paragon board setup. While the expansion will likely adjust the meta, having a well-geared character ensures you can immediately tackle new content on higher difficulties rather than needing to gear up first.
Gold and crafting materials should be stockpiled. New expansion items will require massive amounts of crafting materials to optimize, and gold costs for enchanting and upgrading typically spike with new content. Having a reserve of 100+ million gold puts you in a strong position.
Complete your Codex of Power by running all dungeons at least once. New expansion Aspects will likely build on existing ones, and having a complete Codex means you can immediately experiment with new builds without needing to farm basic Aspects.
Seasonal vs Eternal Characters
With the expansion launch coinciding with a new season, players face the choice between starting fresh in Seasonal or continuing on Eternal realm. Historically, expansions introduce enough new content that even Eternal characters need significant regearing. However, the advantage of an established Eternal character is access to accumulated materials, completed challenges, and collection progress.
Build Preparation
While exact build meta will shift with expansion balance changes, investing in versatile characters is the safest bet. Classes that historically perform well at expansion launches include those with strong AoE clear and survivability. Having multiple characters at high Paragon levels gives you flexibility to pivot to whatever build emerges as strongest post-launch.
Mythic Uniques and Rare Items
Current Mythic Unique items may or may not carry forward as best-in-slot options. However, the rarity of obtaining them means they'll likely remain valuable even if new items surpass them. Accounts with multiple Mythic Uniques have a significant advantage going into any expansion, as some may receive buffs or find new synergies with expansion content.
Getting Expansion-Ready Fast
If you're not currently playing Diablo 4 but want to be ready for Lord of Hatred, starting from zero requires significant time investment. An established account with high Paragon levels, good gear, and completed content provides an immediate springboard into expansion content. Metammo offers Diablo 4 accounts specifically selected for expansion readiness — check our Diablo 4 page for availability as the launch date approaches.