Which Diablo 4 classes need which expansion

Which expansion does each class need?

Blizzard's own footnote on the current season page puts it in one sentence: "Vessel of Hatred required to play Spiritborn and Lord of Hatred required to play Paladin & Warlock." The same footnote applies to the class specific armor sets in the Season of Hell's Legacy Battle Pass, which need the class to be playable.

Which edition should I buy for the classes I want?

The important detail is that Lord of Hatred includes Vessel of Hatred: Blizzard's pre purchase post says the expansion "includes our first expansion, Vessel of Hatred", and its edition table lists Vessel of Hatred inside the Standard, Deluxe and Ultimate editions of Lord of Hatred. Both expansions require the base game.

Can I try Paladin or Warlock without buying Lord of Hatred?

Only when Blizzard runs a trial, and both trials so far have ended:

• Paladin, Season 12 (March 11 to April 27, 2026): Blizzard's Season of Slaughter post says players who had not pre purchased Lord of Hatred could play the Paladin for free up to level 25.
• Warlock, June 30 to July 7, 2026: the Season of Death Awakening post offered a free Warlock trial on Battle.net, Xbox and PlayStation for that week, starting at 10:00 a.m. PT on season launch.
• Paladin early access, from December 11, 2025: not a trial, but pre purchasing any Lord of Hatred edition unlocked the Paladin immediately, four and a half months before the expansion launched.

No trial is running in Season of Hell's Legacy as far as Blizzard's season post and patch notes state.

Does Season 15 itself need an expansion?

No expansion is needed to play the season, but not all of it is reachable without one. Blizzard's Season Rank note says approximately 15% of Seasonal Objectives require Lord of Hatred, including objectives needed to complete Rank VIII and earn every Season Rank reward. Several of the season's legacy Uniques are class restricted and some of those lists include expansion classes: Arioc's Needle is for Barbarian, Druid and Spiritborn, for example. The Season 15 guide has the full item table.

What are the expansion classes like?

Spiritborn (Vessel of Hatred)

Described by Blizzard as an entirely new class to the series, ranked among the apex predators of the Nahantu jungle, with mystical synergies awakened there. Revealed in June 2024 ahead of the October 8, 2024 launch.

Paladin (Lord of Hatred)

Reborn through the Wardens of Light, an order devoted to defending Sanctuary, the Paladin channels Holy Light and divine justice. Blizzard's expansion page describes them as once outcasts and sinners, reborn through that order and free from corruption and creed.

Warlock (Lord of Hatred)

Masters of forbidden knowledge who bind demons and the powers of Hell to their will. Blizzard's expansion page describes two styles: the Legion Warlock, who floods the battlefield with expendable hellspawn, and the Vanguard Warlock, who transforms into a hulking monstrosity and leads from the front.

Amazon (Class Pack, 2027)

From Skovos, female only, wielding the bow and the javelin, with Champion, Skirmisher, Ranger and Commander archetypes. The roadmap has the details Blizzard has shared so far.