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Hands-On with Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred – Exploring the New Spiritborn Class

Blizzard is set to launch the first expansion for Diablo IV, Vessel of Hatred, which introduces players to a new region and an intriguing new class: the Spiritborn. I had the opportunity to visit Blizzard's campus and get a hands-on experience with the Spiritborn class. After a few hours of gameplay, I can confidently say that the Spiritborn is a game-changer and may well be my new favorite class in Diablo IV.

A Unique Class Concept

Unlike traditional classes in the Diablo series, the Spiritborn isn’t based on typical fantasy archetypes like the Rogue or Mage. Instead, it draws inspiration from martial arts and the dense jungle region of Nahantu. Described as the apex predator of this land, the Spiritborn undergoes a brutal ritual that forges them into formidable warriors.

“Only a few among my people can become Spiritborn. As children, the most promising face judgment in the nest. Our trial begins and ends with pain. Those who are not called are culled. For the weak, all paths end here. For the worthy, that path leads to power beyond compare and a sacred charge to wield it well.”

This ritual allows the Spiritborn to commune with the Spirit Realm and bond with four Spirit Guardians: the jaguar, eagle, gorilla, and centipede. Each Spirit Guardian represents a different aspect of human beliefs and strengths.

The Spirit Guardians

The Spiritborn class features four Spirit Guardians, each offering a unique playstyle and abilities:

• Jaguar: Emphasizes relentless fire-based offense and increasing attack speed.
• Eagle: Focuses on lightning and maneuverability, with abilities that allow rapid movement and electrifying targets.
• Gorilla: Provides defensive capabilities, enabling players to absorb and reduce damage while retaliating with powerful physical attacks.
• Centipede: Specializes in poison attacks, debuffs, and disrupting enemy formations.

Customization and Playstyle

The Spiritborn’s versatility is highlighted by the Spirit Hall, a menu tab where players can slot in Spirit Guardians to gain specific bonuses. Each slot can grant different themed mechanics and bonuses, allowing players to mix and match abilities or focus on a single Guardian for a more specialized build. Additionally, Incarnate Skills let players equip and gain passive traits based on their chosen Spirit Guardian.

The Spiritborn's combat style is inspired by various martial arts, including muay thai, taekwondo, karate, kung fu, and jiu-jitsu. This results in a hyper-agile class capable of fast-paced, hand-to-hand combat.

Hands-On Experience

During my time with the Spiritborn, I explored different builds and combinations of the Spirit Guardians. The jaguar build, with its fire-based attacks, was particularly thrilling, while combining gorilla and centipede skills turned me into a self-healing tank with potent poison attacks. The abilities of each Spirit Guardian are flashy and powerful, making the Spiritborn a visually impressive and highly effective class in combat.

Unleashing a Spirit Guardian’s ultimate attack is a spectacle, with giant ethereal beasts appearing to devastate enemies. Whether it's the eagle dive-bombing or the centipede emerging from the ground, these ultimates are both fun to watch and highly impactful in battle.

New Region: Nahantu

Vessel of Hatred takes players to Nahantu, a jungle region teeming with life and danger. The region's connection to the Eternal Conflict is deep, as it once housed Mephisto’s soulstone. The Spiritborns have remained isolated to avoid repeating the traumas of their past, but Lilith’s return forces them to join the fight once again.

Conclusion

The Spiritborn class in Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred offers a fresh and exciting experience. Its unique playstyle, deep customization, and the rich lore of Nahantu make it a standout addition to the game. Players won't have to wait long to dive into this new content, as Vessel of Hatred launches on October 8, with the Spiritborn available right from the start.

Key Features of Vessel of Hatred

• New Class: Spiritborn, with four unique Spirit Guardians.
• New Region: Nahantu, a jungle area rich in lore and challenges.
• Deep Customization: Spirit Hall and Incarnate Skills for versatile playstyles.
• Spectacular Abilities: Flashy, powerful attacks and ultimate abilities.

Get ready to embrace the power of the Spiritborn and explore the mysteries of Nahantu when Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred releases on October 8.