Blizzard is revamping the levelling experience in Diablo 4 with the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion, launching on April 28th. The headline change? Early character levels will take longer to achieve, but reaching the new max level cap of 70 won’t extend the overall grind time. The aim is to curb the early-game speedrun and create a smoother, more balanced progression.
Game director Colin Finer explained the update: “We’ve increased the level cap [from 60 to 70 in Lord of Hatred] but the time it takes to get max-level is the same.” Instead of rushing through levels 1 to 25 quickly and then dragging through the rest, the early grind will slow down while later levels speed up. “The first 20 levels are going to take a little bit longer but the back half is going to be much faster.”
Why This Matters for Diablo 4 Players
This change gives players more breathing room to learn their class and skills before the late-game grind kicks in. No more unlocking a dozen abilities in half an hour without really understanding your build. The slower early curve should help both new and returning players settle in, especially with the two new classes-warlock and paladin-debuting in the expansion. You’ll earn your power steadily, without getting stuck in a late-game XP slog.
For those who love experimenting, the expansion also brings a reworked and expanded skill tree. Expect greater build variety and a less overwhelming drip-feed of new systems. This update is part of Blizzard’s broader effort to tackle core player concerns, including loot and progression pacing.
What Else Is Coming in Lord of Hatred?
Alongside the levelling overhaul, Lord of Hatred introduces a new region, storyline, and questlines. The new classes-warlock and paladin-will be available for free trial next week, letting players sample them before the full release. The skill tree revamp and loot changes show Blizzard is ready to make bold moves to keep Diablo 4 fresh, even three years after launch.
For players who gave up on the early grind or found the build system too shallow, this expansion offers a chance at redemption. The goal is to make every level feel meaningful-not just a hurdle on the way to endgame.
The bottom line
- Early levels take longer, but maxing out remains just as fast overall.
- Players get more time to master new classes and builds.
- Skill tree and loot changes address key player feedback.
- Lord of Hatred launches April 28th, with free class trials next week.