Diablo 2 Reign of the Warlock Guide: DLC Content, Warlock Class and Leveling

This guide covers Reign of the Warlock, the paid DLC for Diablo II: Resurrected that came out in February 2026. It explains what you get, how to buy it, how the new Warlock class works, and a simple way to level one through the five acts on Normal.

Part of our walkthrough: Diablo 2 walkthrough from Act 1

What is Reign of the Warlock?

Reign of the Warlock is the first paid add-on for Diablo II: Resurrected since the remaster launched. Its headline is the Warlock, the eighth playable class and the first new Diablo 2 class in more than 25 years. The story acts stay the same: you still go from the Rogue Encampment to Baal. The new class just gives you a fresh way to play them.

What's in the DLC

Blizzard sells the DLC with this content:

• The Warlock class, with three skill trees and 30 new skills.
• New items for the Warlock, including a normal set, Bane's Garments, and an elite set, Horazon's Splendor, plus new runewords.
• Endgame changes: updated Terror Zones and a new top-level boss fight, the Colossal Ancients.
• Quality-of-life features: a loot filter, The Chronicle (a tracker for the items you have collected), stacking for currency-type items, and improved stash tabs.
• Bonus items in other Blizzard games: a pet and a back trophy for Diablo IV, and a Horadric Cube housing item for World of Warcraft. You need those games to use them.

Most of these extras only matter after you finish the story. For a first run, the Warlock is the part you will notice.

Price and how to get it

• Already own Diablo II: Resurrected? Buy the DLC on its own. The launch price was $24.99 USD on Battle.net and PlayStation. Prices differ by region and sales.
• New player? The Infernal Edition bundles Diablo II: Resurrected (with Lord of Destruction) and Reign of the Warlock. It launched at $39.99 USD.
• Platforms: the DLC is listed on Battle.net, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch stores.
• Game Pass: the DLC is not part of Xbox Game Pass. You have to buy it.

Once it is installed, the Warlock shows up on the character creation screen next to the other seven classes.

Warlock class overview

The Warlock is a caster who bends demons and dark magic to their will. You start with Miasma Bolt on your mouse button and a dagger in your hand. The three skill trees are:

• Chaos: the main damage tree. It has magic skills like Miasma Bolt and Miasma Chain, and fire skills like Ring of Fire, Flame Wave and Apocalypse.
• Demon: the summoning tree. You can call demons such as the Goatman, the Tainted and the Defiler. Its best-known skill is Bind Demon, which turns a demon-type monster into your ally. It does not work on act bosses or the Prime Evils.
• Eldritch: a mix of weapon magic and utility. It holds Blade Warp, a mobility skill, and Levitation Mastery, a passive many guides tell you to pick up early.

The class also has Sigil skills, such as Sigil: Lethargy, that you place on the ground to weaken or slow monsters inside them.

A simple leveling plan through the acts

There are two common ways to level a Warlock in Normal: a magic route built on Miasma skills, and a fire route built on Ring of Fire and Flame Wave. Both work. The plan below keeps it general, so it holds up even if a patch moves numbers around.

Act 1: the first levels

1. Put your first points into Miasma Bolt. It is your starting skill and carries you through the early zones.
2. Some players take one point in Summon Goatman early as a meat shield. That is a fine choice if you want something between you and the Fallen.
3. Do Den of Evil first. It gives a free skill point and unlocks a free respec from Akara, so early mistakes are cheap.
4. Around level 6, decide on your route. Fire players start investing in Ring of Fire. Magic players keep pushing Miasma Bolt.
5. Hire a Rogue from Kashya once you finish Sisters' Burial Grounds. Ranged help is very useful for a caster.

Act 2: AoE and control

1. Magic players add Miasma Chain around levels 12 to 15. It hits groups instead of one target.
2. Pick up Sigil: Lethargy. Guides like to use the free point from Radament's Lair on it.
3. Against Duriel, keep Sigil: Lethargy on him so he stays slow, and use a thawing potion for his cold.
4. Switch to a desert mercenary from Greiz if you want one with an aura. Many casters use one for leveling.

Acts 3 to 5: your main skill

1. Fire players move points into Flame Wave, which is the main damage skill through the early mid game. Apocalypse comes later as a big late-game hitter.
2. Magic players keep raising Miasma Chain and its supporting skills.
3. Grab a point in Blade Warp when it opens. Moving fast through Kurast, the River of Flame and the Worldstone Keep saves a lot of time.
4. Remember that some monsters resist or ignore one damage type. This gets worse in Nightmare and Hell. Keep a second skill of another element, or let your merc and summons handle them.

Gear for leveling

• Use the classic caster runewords if you find the runes: Stealth and later Lore and Spirit.
• Skin of the Vipermagi is a strong unique armor for any caster while leveling.
• Give your mercenary an Insight polearm later on for mana regeneration.
• Put most stat points into Vitality. Add only enough Strength and Dexterity for your gear.

Tips for the Warlock

• Cap your resistances before Nightmare. Resistances drop each difficulty, and a squishy caster feels it.
• Use Bind Demon in Act 4. Act 4 is full of demons, so you always have a fresh ally nearby.
• Keep the loot filter simple at first. Hide junk, but don't hide runes, uniques or set items while you learn what matters.
• Respec at the end of Normal if you need to. The Den of Evil respec is one per difficulty, so use it once you know which route you like.

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For the full lore of the Prime Evils, The Book of Cain is a great read between runs.

My take

I was unsure about a new class in a game this old, but the Warlock feels like it belongs. Miasma Bolt is weak for a few levels, then the build clicks and the acts fly by. I still wish some of the quality-of-life features were in the base game. Which Warlock route are you trying first, fire or magic?

FAQ

When did Reign of the Warlock come out?

It launched in February 2026 on PC and consoles. Store listings give February 11 or 12 depending on your time zone.

How much does Reign of the Warlock cost?

The DLC launched at $24.99 USD. The Infernal Edition, which includes the base game, launched at $39.99 USD. Regional prices and sales vary.

Do I need the DLC to play the Warlock?

Yes. The Warlock is part of Reign of the Warlock, and it is not included with Xbox Game Pass. Without the DLC you can still play the other seven classes.

Is the Warlock good for a first character?

It is a decent pick. It plays from range, has summons to tank for you, and has a mobility skill. If you have never played Diablo 2, a Sorceress or Paladin is still a bit more forgiving.

Part of our walkthrough: Diablo 2 walkthrough from Act 1