Diablo V to have Diablo II runes & runewords, new Plague Knight revealed, early inventory shown

Diablo V's playable classes include the Monk and Demon Hunter, as well as a brand new game-specific class, the Plague Knight. Blizzard also shares a closer look at what the inventory could look like and confirms that the game will have Diablo II-style runes and runewords.

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Blizzard today announced Diablo V will release sometime in Spring 2029. Blizzard has shown off a first look at some of the classes that Diablo V will have, including the Plague Knight, a class that can poison and consume their enemies. One of the most noteworthy confirmations was that Diablo II's runes and itemization are returning, which could get the attention of D2R users.

"We're also going to be bringing new classes to the game. The Plague Knight is the first new class that will be joining Diablo V. This is a heavily armored class, walking death. You're going to be roaming the battlefields spreading disease and then consuming it for power," Diablo V senior game director Joe Shely said during the stream.

"We're going to have to get King Leoric's janitor in here, I think."

Shely continues:

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"The Demon Hunter, of course, incredible class...so agile, leaping through the air, pinning demons against the walls. How could we not bring the Demon Hunter back?"

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"The Monk will be returning. You'll be able to once again pulpify demons with your fists, and if there are any that are out of range, call down holy light to smite them."

Shely then confirms that Diablo V will have more classes overall than any other game in the series. There's already at least one more new class for the game that has yet to be announced.

"Diablo V will launch with more classes than ever before. And I don't just mean more classes than another Diablo game (when it shipped), I mean more classes total."

Blizzard also gave a brief look at Diablo V's inventory concepts, showing what looks to be a unification of Diablo IV and Diablo II inventory designs. It's not a final design, but Shely says that it shows the "pillars of Diablo itemization: depth, clarity, and identity."

The studio confirms Diablo II's highly-favored runeword system will return in the sequel:

"Gear-based sets are also returning for Diablo V. This will be a rich and deep crafting system, inspired by Lord of Hatred's approach, with Diablo II-style Runes and Runewords."

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Diablo V itemization/inventory details

• Item tiers confirmed, will start simple and grow, "sort of like they did in Diablo II"
• Multi-slot items
• Diablo II-style runes & runewords
• Team enjoys the larger item designs
• Built with controller solutions in mind
• Gear-based sets are coming back
• Experimenting with stat requirements on items - hasn't been finalized
• Diablo V itemization to focus on closer, player-oriented optimizations and customizations of builds

Frequently Asked Questions

Open a question for an answer from TweakTown's coverage of this news, or ask your own below.

Question #1

What abilities or playstyle does the new Plague Knight class bring to Diablo V?

The Plague Knight is described as a heavily armored "walking death" class that roams the battlefield spreading disease and then consuming it for power. Blizzard also says it can poison and consume enemies. That points to a durable, disease-focused playstyle built around infecting foes and using that corruption to fuel its abilities.

Question #2

How does Diablo V’s inventory concept differ from Diablo IV and Diablo II?

Diablo V's inventory concept is being shown as a blend of Diablo IV and Diablo II inventory designs, rather than a copy of either one. It is not final yet, but Blizzard says it is meant to reflect the "pillars of Diablo itemization: depth, clarity, and identity." The concept also ties into Diablo II-style runes and runewords returning in the game.

Question #3

Will Diablo V’s gear-based sets interact with runes and runewords like they did in Diablo II?

The story confirms that gear-based sets are coming back and that Diablo II-style runes and runewords will return, but it does not say how those systems will interact. It only describes them as part of a rich, deep crafting system.

Question #4

How are multi-slot items expected to affect inventory space and build crafting in Diablo V?

The story only confirms that multi-slot items are part of Diablo V's itemization plans, alongside an inventory concept that appears to blend Diablo IV and Diablo II designs. It also says itemization will focus on closer, player-oriented optimizations and customizations of builds, but it does not explain exactly how multi-slot items will change inventory space or build crafting.

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Diablo V is set to launch in Spring 2029 and gamers can sign up for more details here.