Blizzard is giving Diablo IV players a chance to test the upcoming Paladin class before committing to the next expansion.
Starting March 11 at 10 a.m. PT, players will be able to try the Paladin for free across Battle.net, Xbox, and PlayStation, with the trial running through March 18. Progress earned during the trial will carry over if players decide to purchase the Lord of Hatred expansion later.
The trial is designed as a preview of the class ahead of the expansion’s April 28, 2026 release, giving players a chance to experiment with builds and mechanics before the full launch.
How the Paladin free trial works
During the event window, players can:
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Create a Paladin character
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Level the class up to level 25
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Test early abilities and playstyles
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Carry that progress forward if they buy the expansion
That makes the trial a useful way for players to decide whether the Paladin fits their preferred Diablo IV playstyle.
Early Paladin builds are already getting attention
Even before the free trial begins, theorycrafting has already started.
Community guides and early previews highlight builds like the Auradin, which focuses on stacking aura damage and elemental effects while maintaining strong survivability.
If the trial works the way Blizzard hopes, the event could double as a preview week where players experiment with builds and share early impressions before the expansion arrives.
A preview of the Lord of Hatred expansion
The Paladin trial is clearly part of Blizzard’s broader push toward the Lord of Hatred expansion.
The expansion is expected to introduce several major changes to Diablo IV, including new systems, additional endgame activities, and expanded progression options.
Letting players test one of the headline classes ahead of time is a smart way to build momentum before the full expansion launch later this spring.
The takeaway
Free class trials are rare in Diablo’s history, and this one arrives at a perfect moment.
With Season of Slaughter launching March 11 and Lord of Hatred arriving April 28, the Paladin trial gives players a low-risk way to see if the next era of Diablo IV is worth diving into.
