When Belial returned with his iconic lies in Season 8, Diablo 4 players realized that the official might be playing a narrative chess game spanning twenty-five years. With Vessel of Hatred expansion revealing the full return of Mephisto, those classic characters of the past are also awakening.
Here are 10 characters I’ve compiled that are likely to make a comeback, and whose return could completely change the balance of power in Sanctuary. Beware, the following content contains spoilers.
1. Leah
As the most heartbreaking character in Diablo 3, Leah’s tragedy always lingers in the hearts of old players. As the daughter of Adria the Witch and Prince Aiden of Tristram, she is a victim of evil plans. But her mother Adria secretly planned to use her as a backup vessel needed by Diablo after he was defeated in Diablo 2. In Diablo 3, Leah is an important ally of Nephalem until she is eventually killed and possessed by Diablo.
This woman who served as the vessel for Diablo’s soul had a dark ending that was a hallmark of Diablo series, but such an important character may return in other forms. Before her death, Leah was the heir to the throne of Westmarch, which could allow her to return by some supernatural means, such as returning as a spirit.
2. Deckard Cain
The familiar voice of this wise man may come back to our ears again: Hello, my friend. Stay awhile and listen. We all know that Cain was killed in Diablo 3. Before that, Cain had always served as a mentor, and I can’t imagine a Diablo series without Cain. But in Diablo 4, this character is long dead and will only be mentioned.
However, characters in Diablo always come back from the dead, or resurrect as ghosts, so I guess that in the future DLC of D4, there may be a wise man who can provide players with ancient book decryption services, and players need to exchange Diablo 4 Gold for the interpretation of Horadric Scrolls. This shows that players can obtain some important information about how to defeat demons through the dual accumulation of knowledge and gold.
3. Tyrael
It would be no surprise if this angel returned. Tyrael was promoted to Aspect of Wisdom after the defeat of Malthael, the Angel of Death. High Heavens needed to be rebuilt after the ravages of Diablo. Despite this, the angel chose to stay in Sanctuary in human form to help Nephalem and his companions fight future evil threats.
Tyrael has a fateful entanglement with the fallen angel Inarius, who plays a key role in D4. Therefore, I suspect that this greatest ally of humanity will return again in future DLC to reveal the secrets of creation that have been hidden for thousands of years.
4. Mephisto & Baal
Mephisto, Baal and Diablo together formed The Prime Evils. They were defeated in Diablo 2, their souls were trapped in Soulstones, and destroyed in Hellforge. In Diablo 3, they were absorbed by Diablo and transformed into the ultimate Prime Evil.
But when Prime Evil begins to slaughter angels, he is struck down by the heroes, and the souls he devoured are free again. This means that Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, and Baal, the Lord of Destruction can return once again to pursue their evil plans.
After all, Prime Evils can never be truly killed. And as predicted, Mephisto returns in Vessel of Hatred and becomes the current villain of D4. His strong return is just the beginning, and I believe the return of his brother Baal will also reveal clues.
5. Imperius
As Archangel of Valor who resides in High Heavens, Imperius’s pride and recklessness often lead him to pay a heavy price. Not only was he deceived by Diablo, resulting in the murder of many of his angel friends, but he also made the mistake of believing that the key to defeating Prime Evils lies in humanity and Nephalem. Worse, he made the mistake of focusing on targeting and devaluing Tyrael instead of paying close attention to Malthael, the Angel of Death.
Therefore, we think that he will learn so much and may return in DLC to correct his mistakes. And with his return, there may be some innovations. We look forward to working with him to save and protect both realms.
6. Kormac, Eirena & Lyndon
This trio was a highlight of the game in D3, especially their interactions and banter with each other and the player character, which added a lot of humor to the game.
The relationship between these three people is very close, both friendship and love. It forms an incredible friendship, but also a love triangle, Kormac, a righteous Templar, and Lyndon, a self-confessed Scoundrel, have a special feeling for Eirena, a time-displaced Enchantress.
In Diablo IV, Lyndon appears as a crime boss and quest giver for Backwater. Especially when players talk to him and complete these tasks that will provide a certain amount of Diablo 4 Uniques and XP, veteran players will realize from his words that this is foreshadowing. The rogue thief is now reminiscing about his adventures and his two friends Kormac and Eirena. Obviously, this is a preparation for their reunion.
7. Adria The Witch
As Leah’s mother, her loyalty to Diablo is greater than her love for her daughter, because she actually used Leah as a vehicle for his return. However, her plan ultimately failed, which means that her murder of her daughter was completely meaningless. She was also punished for this and was seemingly killed by the heroes in D3. But if Adria survived this battle, she still has a lot to do.
Adria’s character positioning of both good and evil also makes her very charming, and her controversial points also make her very popular in the discussion of players. Whether she chooses to atone for her sins or continues to stand on Diablo’s side stubbornly, it will bring great fun to the game plot. She may really be dead, but I still think she has the necessary of returning. After all, before that, players could buy Diablo 4 Gold and then spend them to get overpriced spells from her. What will we do without her?
8. Azmodan
With Belial regaining control of the web of lies in Season 8, the return of his old partner Azmodan is also imminent. As the only Lesser Evil whose whereabouts are unknown, he once worked with Belial to fight Diablo together. His ambitions are much greater than some of his Lesser Evil companions.
So even though Andariel and Duriel are on Lilith’s side in Diablo 4, Azmodan may not have much loyalty to her. Instead, he should be more interested in conquering Sanctuary himself. Therefore, he is likely to play a major villain in future DLC.
9. Zoltun Kulle
Kulle was an ancient mage of Horadrim, but his madness in research and thirst for power eventually corrupted him, and the great mage turned to the dark side. He gained immortality by using dark magic and wreaked havoc to occupy Sanctuary.
As expected, he was defeated, his body torn apart, and his soul separated from his body. His head was not even discovered until Diablo 3.
Since Kulle knew a lot of useful information, Tyrael and Cain agreed to resurrect him in exchange for information. He helped the heroes, but after being resurrected, he still wanted to disrupt the peace, which led to him being killed again.
Kulle then returns to his spirit form, where he often taunts the player and feels bitter about his failures, but still helps the heroes and gives advice. This makes him very popular with players, and no one can resist a tough-mouthed but soft-hearted character. His brief return in Diablo 4 Season 3 also confirms what we have always known – he is not an all-out villain.
10. Diablo
Diablo is still absent, but his return has been foreshadowed long ago. Lilith’s entire mission is also to stop Diablo and his brothers from conquering Sanctuary, so even in his absence, he is still a big bad guy stirring up trouble behind the scenes.
Unlike other sympathetic villains, Diablo is completely evil. As the undisputed Prime Evil of this game series, it is because of his evil plans that Diablo series of games has been born.
And no matter how he fails, how many times he is killed, or how many times his soul is exiled, his return is inevitable. But it is worth noting who will be his carrier this time?
While new players are surprised by Belial’s return in Season 8, old players are also looking for their own game memories in every detail. This may be the secret of why Diablo series is still so popular after so many years – we are not only maintaining justice in the game, but also reuniting with our past.
