Rejoining Diablo 4 after a long break can feel overwhelming, especially with new expansions, system overhauls, and the introduction of the Paladin class in Season 11. Whether you last played at launch or stepped away before the Vessel of Hatred expansion, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started again, particularly if you're eager to jump back into Sanctuary as a Paladin.

From expansion requirements to major gameplay changes and gearing tips, consider this your complete refresher before diving back in.

Playing the Paladin in Diablo 4 Season 11

The Paladin is the newest class in Diablo 4, combining holy magic, shields, Auras, and Oaths to create one of the most durable and versatile playstyles in the game.

How Do I Play Paladin Right Away?

Players who pre-order the second expansion, Lord of Hatred (LoH), can play the Paladin immediately after downloading the expansion files. If you do not pre-order, you'll need to wait until Lord of Hatred officially launches on April 28, 2026.

If the Paladin does not appear in your class selection:

·Double-check that your pre-order went through

·Ensure your Diablo IV client is fully updated

Do I Need a Specific Edition?

No. Any version of Lord of Hatred, from Standard to Ultimate, grants access to the Paladin class when pre-ordered.

Do I Need the First Expansion?

Yes. The Paladin requires Vessel of Hatred (VoH) to function properly. Fortunately, VoH is included automatically when you purchase Lord of Hatred, so no separate purchase is needed.

Tips for Returning Players

If you haven't played Diablo 4 in severalseasons, or at all since before Vessel of Hatred, these tips will help you get up to speed quickly.

Do I Need to Play the Original Campaign?

No. Once Vessel of Hatred is installed, you can skip the original Diablo 4 campaign during the final step of character creation. You should only play it if you're completely new to the game.

I Skipped the Campaign and Don't Have a Mount

This is a common concern for returning players. If you don't see a mount button:

·Visit the Stable in any major city

·Speak with the Stable Keeper

Your mount will be restored automatically.

Do I Need to Play the VoH Campaign?

It depends:

·If you've completed the VoH campaign on another character, you can skip it

·If you're new to VoH, you must play it at least once

Completing the VoH campaign unlocks critical systems such as Mercenaries, Runes, and the Undercity.

Pro Tip: Running the VoH campaign is also one of the fastest ways to reach level 60, making it a popular seasonal leveling strategy.

Major Changes You Should Know About

Diablo 4 has undergone significant changes since launch, many of which dramatically improvethe quality of life.

Skill and Paragon Updates

·Respecing Skills and Paragon no longer costs Gold

·Glyphs are now leveled in the Pit of Artificers, not Nightmare Dungeons

·Nightmare Dungeons remain valuable for farming Obducite, used in Masterworking

·Paragon point progression is now account-wide

·You can use up to four class-specific Paragon boards plus the Start board

·Paragon Glyphs can be leveled up to 100, increasingthe  radius at levels 15 and 45

Gear and Itemization Changes

·Tempering allows you to add a chosen Affix to gear using manuals found while leveling

·Masterworking improves overall gear quality at the Blacksmith

·All Legendary Aspects can be permanently saved to the Codex of Power by salvaging items

·Unique items can be target-farmed from Lair Bosses like Lord Zir and Beast of Ice

These systems make farming and upgrading Diablo 4 Items far more flexible than in earlier seasons. Players looking to accelerate their progress often choose to buy Diablo 4 materials to speed up Tempering, Masterworking, and crafting during early and midgame.

Gameplay and World Changes

·Lair Bosses no longer require summoning materials

·Each player needs their own Lair Keys to open boss treasure chests

·A special "Baby Belial" can spawn when opening Lair Boss chests, dropping extra loot

·Baby Belial can drop Betrayer's Husk, required for summoning the highest-tier Belial

·Zone Renown power rewards have been replaced by the Season Rank system

·Altars of Lilith and Tenets of Akarat no longer grant permanent power

·Right-clicking a Waypoint sets it as your Town Portal return location.

Armory, Pets, and Customization Improvements

·The Armory lets you switch builds and gear sets easily.

·Accessible at the Tree of Whispers, Dark Citadel, and Training Areas

·Tree of Whisper rewards are significantly improved.

·Whispers can now be turned in at any major city.

·Pets automatically pick up gold and some items.

·You can acquire your first pet in Kyovash.

·Wardrobe, mounts, pets, portals, and cosmetics can now be managed directly from the Character (C) screen

Final Thoughts

Returning to Diablo 4 in Season 11 is easier and more rewarding than ever, especially with the arrival of the Paladin class and massive system improvements introduced through Vessel of Hatred. With streamlined leveling, flexible Paragon systems, and deeper gear customization, players have more control over their builds and progression than at any point in the game's history.