Diablo 5 Classes: Demon Hunter, Monk and Plague Knight
Blizzard has revealed three Diablo 5 classes: the returning Demon Hunter and Monk and the all-new Plague Knight. What Blizzard said about each, their Diablo III history, and what is still unannounced as of November 2026.
Blizzard has revealed three Diablo 5 classes so far: the Demon Hunter and the Monk, both returning classes that were last playable in Diablo III, and the all-new Plague Knight, who spreads disease and consumes it for power. Blizzard calls them the first three, so more classes are coming, but combat, progression and builds are still to be detailed.
The official name is Diablo V, though Diablo 5 is what most players search for, so both names appear here. The classes were described in Blizzard's Diablo V: Forging the Next Era panel post from BlizzCon 2026. As of November 2026 the game is still early in development with a Spring 2029 window, and the Diablo 5 release date guide covers the rest of the announcement.
Which Classes Has Blizzard Announced for Diablo 5?
| Class | Status | What Blizzard said |
|---|
| Demon Hunter | Returning | Twin crossbows, strikes from the shadows, leaps across the battlefield |
| Monk | Returning | Fights with fists, calls down holy power |
| Plague Knight | All-new | Spreads disease and consumes it for power |
Those one-line descriptions are close to everything Blizzard has published. The written posts do not describe any of the three as playable, and skills, combat, progression and build details are all listed as still to come. No skill lists or numbers have been published for any class.
What Is the Diablo 5 Demon Hunter?
The Demon Hunter is a returning class. Blizzard's description is short: twin crossbows, attacks from the shadows, and leaps across the battlefield.
The class debuted in Diablo III, which launched in 2012 with five classes: the Barbarian, Demon Hunter, Monk, Witch Doctor and Wizard. In that game the Demon Hunter is a ranged class that fights with crossbows and bows, and it spends two resources, Hatred and Discipline. It is still playable there, and Season 40 of Diablo III includes a Haedrig's Gift set for the class, Gears of Dreadlands.
Blizzard has not said whether Diablo V keeps Hatred and Discipline, or how much else of the Diablo III version carries over. The twin crossbows and the leap are the only specifics so far.
What Is the Diablo 5 Monk?
The Monk also returns. Blizzard says it fights with fists and calls down holy power.
Like the Demon Hunter, the Monk was one of Diablo III's five launch classes. There it is a martial artist built for fast melee combat, and its resource is Spirit. Season 40 of Diablo III has a Monk set as well, Patterns of Justice. Whether Diablo V's Monk spends Spirit, or anything like it, has not been said.
What Is the Diablo 5 Plague Knight?
The Plague Knight is the one all-new class, with no earlier Diablo appearance. Blizzard's description is a theme rather than a kit: it spreads disease and consumes it for power.
Read literally, that wording suggests a cycle in which disease is created and then used up as fuel. Treat that as a reading of the sentence, since no design has been confirmed. Blizzard has not explained what the disease is applied to, how it is consumed, or what the power does, and weapons, armor and skills have not been described in the posts.
What We Don't Know Yet About Diablo 5 Classes
This section is about gaps, not predictions.
- How many classes Diablo V will have, and which ones come after these three. Blizzard says more are coming and has not named them.
- When the other classes will be revealed.
- How combat, skills, progression and builds work for any class. Blizzard lists these as details still to come.
- How much the Demon Hunter and Monk change from their Diablo III versions, including resources and skills.
- How the classes relate to the story's central figure, the Heir to Westmarch. The Diablo 5 story guide covers what is known about the premise.
- Whether any class will be playable in a test. Blizzard has not announced a beta, and the Diablo 5 beta and platforms guide tracks that.
Any list of extra classes circulating online is a guess, and it should be read as one. Blizzard plans regular development updates starting in 2027, which could be where class details appear, but Blizzard has not said so.
How Do Diablo 5 Classes Compare With Diablo 4?
Diablo IV has eight classes today: Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Paladin, Rogue, Sorcerer, Spiritborn and Warlock. Its first class pack, the Amazon, is due in the first half of 2027. Neither the Demon Hunter nor the Monk is among Diablo IV's classes, and the Plague Knight is new to the series. The full side-by-side is in Diablo 5 vs Diablo 4.
FAQ
Is the Necromancer, Barbarian, Sorcerer or Amazon in Diablo 5?
Not announced. Blizzard has named three classes (Demon Hunter, Monk and Plague Knight) and said more are coming without naming them. The Necromancer, Barbarian and Sorcerer are playable in Diablo IV, and the Amazon is Diablo IV's first class pack, due in the first half of 2027 (details here). Neither fact says anything about Diablo V, so any claim of a confirmed fourth class is unverified.
How many classes will Diablo 5 have?
Blizzard has not said. Three are revealed, and Blizzard calls them the first three. The final number and the rest of the list are unannounced.
Can I play the Demon Hunter or Monk today?
Yes, in Diablo III, where both are playable in Season 40, Light's Calling. That is the Diablo III version, and Blizzard has not described how the Diablo V versions play, so it is a reference for the fantasy and not a preview of the mechanics. What to play while you wait for Diablo 5 lays out the options.
What does the Plague Knight do in Diablo 5?
Blizzard says the Plague Knight spreads disease and consumes it for power. That single line is the whole description so far. No skills, weapons or builds have been described.
Pick a Class While the List Grows
Diablo V is years away, but class choice is the first decision of every Diablo II: Resurrected ladder season too. Season 16 starts Friday, November 13, 2026 at 5 PM PST (8 PM EST). Each team card on the teams page shows the comp that team wants, and How to Find a D2R Season 16 Team walks through joining one.