Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and the new class skills

Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, Blizzard's latest expansion for its popular action RPG, has divided the gaming community. Since its release on April 30, 2026, players have been busy exploring the new content, with a major focus on the brand-new class skills. This article looks at the changes and player reactions to this overhaul of the skill system.

Improvements to the skill system

One of the most notable changes in the expansion is the introduction of new skill trees for every class. Unlike previous versions, the new skills are focused on active abilities and completely lack passive skills. This decision has proven controversial, as passive skills previously played an important role in character power. The idea behind the change is to shift the focus toward optimizing active abilities and moving power into gear and the endgame paragon system.

This adjustment gives players the chance to invest much deeper into their skills. Previously, players could only invest up to five points in each skill; now that has been increased to fifteen. That means players have more flexibility when maxing out their favorite skills and builds. Despite these benefits, the community says the new approach is not without its drawbacks.

Player reactions

Opinions within the community are sharply divided. While many appreciate the new skill systems and feel they add a renewed sense of versatility, others are less enthusiastic. In various discussions on platforms like Reddit, players have voiced frustration over the absence of passive skills. Some see the change as a step backward; after level 25, the availability of upgrade points seems to drop, creating a sense of repetitive and less exciting progression. This lack of variety in the mid-game has led to frustration among players looking for more diversity in their build options.

Others do genuinely enjoy the new changes. One player describes the new skills as