Diablo 2 Resurrected 5 years later getting a surprise class isn't even the best thing about its new update

Diablo 2: Resurrection It has received its most significant update since launch. The Reign of Warlock expansion introduces the Warlock, the first new playable class added Diablo 2 ecosystem over decades. Not only that, Warlock is also coming as a second class Diablo 4Lord of hate expansion, and it will be featured in it Diablo Immortal too At the same time, Blizzard released the game on Steam, marking a new era Diablo 2: Resurrection.

It doesn't seem like it at first glance, but this decision is very relevant because it makes sense to remove it Diablo 2: Resurrectionof pre-Battle.net specifications and making it fully compatible with Steam decks. While Warlock gets the most attention, the platform shift could ultimately have a wider long-term impact on the future of the game, if not the franchise as a whole.

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Diablo 2 was recently released on another platform 25 years after it first launched

After announcing a surprise content addition to Diablo 2, Blizzard confirms the Resurrection Edition is available on the highly requested platform.

Diablo 2: The Resurrected Warlock Class Compared to the Original Roster – And Why the Steam Release May Matter So Much

original Diablo 2 Class selection has long been defined by clear archetypes. The barbarian dominates melee combat, the mage specializes in elemental burst damage, the paladin balances aura with survivability, and the necromancer commands summons and curses. Later additions such as Assassin and Druid filled separate mechanical niches. Warlock doesn't fit neatly into one category, and instead, it divides the mechanics traditionally into several categories:

Demonic Bond: Warlocks can enslave specific enemy types and temporarily transform them into allies or consume them for stat boosts.
Eldritch Weapon Manipulation: The class can telekinetically wield heavy weapons in conjunction with off-hand objects, enabling unusual gear configurations.
Chaos Magic Skill Tree: Instead of focusing purely on elemental damage, Warlock leans into corruption-based abilities, area negation effects, and scaling debuffs.

Compared to the Necromancer, the Warlock's summons are more temporary and transactional. Compared to Sorcerer, its spellcasting is less about raw elemental burst and more about constant battlefield control. Melee viability exists, but it is tied to magic scaling rather than physical damage optimization. The result is a hybrid class that encourages experimentation. For a long time ladder Diablo 2: Resurrection Players, this opens up new theorycrafting opportunities in a meta that has been stagnant for years.

The first new Diablo 2 class in nearly 25 years

when Diablo 2 Launched in 2000, its class lineup was expanded in 2001 Lord of Destructionwhich introduced the Assassin class archetype and the Druid, which is also in D4. After that, no new classes were added to the game framework. Diablo 2: ResurrectionReleased in 2021, the visuals and infrastructure are modernized but the original class design is preserved. So far, it hasn't expanded the roster meaningfully.

Diablo 2 Resurrection Paladin Lightning Ability — A shot of the paladin from Diablo 2: Resurrection.

From a technical point of view, Warlock is the first new class Diablo 2: Resurrection In about five years. From a historical perspective, this is the first completely new category Diablo 2 system in about 25 years. That distinction is important. Warlock isn't a seasonal version or a temporary mode addition, but it does represent a structural change to a game that many players consider to be mechanically complete. The update also includes quality-of-life features such as expanded stash management, loot filter customization, and extensive interface refinements. However, the addition of classes fundamentally changes the gameplay variety.

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Why a Steam release can make a big impact

Despite the attention surrounding Warlock, the Steam launch may ultimately prove more important. From its 2021 release, Diablo 2: Resurrection Requires Steam Deck and Battle.net Launcher on PC. For some players, this was a minor inconvenience, but for others, especially Steam Deck users, it created unnecessary friction because of how difficult it was to implement the workflow to run Battle.net on Steam Deck. As of February 11, 2026, Diablo 2: Resurrection Officially available on Steam. The game is also certified for the Steam deck, and this shift changes a lot of things:

The game can now be installed and launched directly through Steam without workarounds.
Steam Deck compatibility makes portable play much more accessible.
Steam's ecosystem introduces native achievements, community features, and storefront visibility.
Discovery potential increases significantly among players who primarily use Steam as their PC platform.
Steam is logical for deck play.
Diablo 2: Resurrected Steam Machine is also expected to be supported at release.

Especially for handheld users, Diablo 2 Structurally well suited for portable sessions. Its segmented quest structure, repeatable farming loops, and offline-friendly pacing translate neatly into short play windows. With proper controller support and optimized performance on the Steam deck, the experience naturally aligns with handheld gaming habits.

A Battle.net account is still required, and unfortunately, the launcher dependency continues.

Warlock expands build variety and refreshes theorycrafting in a game that relies on long-established archetypes. For veterans, that alone could justify a return. However, the Steam release is reframed Diablo 2: Resurrection In a broader market context. In 2026, accessibility and platform flexibility will often influence longevity as much as content updates.

Adding the first new class in nearly 25 years is a notable milestone. A more strategically important decision might be to fully integrate the game into Steam's ecosystem and adapt it for Steam decks. for the Diablo 2: ResurrectionWarlock changes the way the game is played, but the Steam launch changes how the game is approached.