With the Paladin now available through the Lord of Hatred pre-order, a lot of Diablo 4 players are asking the same question: is early access to the class actually worth it, or is it better to wait for the full expansion release?
The short answer is, as always, “Well, it depends on what you want.”
However, we will go over all the pros and cons to help you make the right decision. Many players have already shared their experiences with the Paladin, and overall, the sentiment is surprisingly positive for once. Here is a clear breakdown of what early Paladin access offers, who it is for, and when waiting might be the smarter move.
What You Actually Get by Pre-Ordering
Pre-ordering Lord of Hatred currently gives you immediate access to the Paladin class, ahead of the expansion’s full release. You are not getting the new region, story content, or all of the upcoming system changes yet, since this is purely about playing the class early.
You do get access to some cosmetics early, such as pre-order bonuses, but those are simply visual and do not bring anything to the game itself outside of making your new Paladin look very badass. If you are curious about all the different items you can get, our pre-order overview goes over everything here.
That means the value of the pre-order largely depends on one thing: how much you plan to play Paladin between now and launch.
Why Pre-Ordering Is Worth It
The Paladin Is Genuinely Fun to Play
For once everyone agrees that the Paladin is one of the most enjoyable classes Diablo 4 has had so far. Combat feels amazing, fast, and fun. The animations are actually really nice, without being too overwhelming, and the holy theme fits perfectly into the game’s current lore.
Several players even mentioned having more fun with Paladin in a single day than in entire previous seasons.
Strong, Accessible Power
The Paladin performs very well during leveling and even endgame. It feels strong without being game-breaking, especially compared to the release of the Spiritborn that launched with a ton of issues and overpower problems.
Popular builds like Hammerdin, Holy Bolt, and shield-based “Captain America” builds clear pretty much every type of content comfortably even in higher Torment tiers. Survivability can be an issue if you are not careful, but damage is really high.
Great Build Variety, Including Low-Input Options
One of the class’ biggest strengths is flexibility:
- Hammerdin remains a fast, reliable favorite.
- Brandish-based builds offer a ton of endgame and bossing potential.
- Arbiter-focused builds allow for a near-permanent Ultimate uptime when properly tempered.
- One-button playstyles are also possible, especially if you have issues with your hands/wrists.
The class actually has a ton of build variety compared to some other classes, allowing you to really mix and match skills and passives and come out with something great!
A “Breath of Fresh Air” for Diablo 4
Beyond raw performance, the Paladin’s release has also revived the interest people had in Diablo 4. The class feels nostalgic without being outdated, capturing everything the classic class had, and adding a touch of modernity to it.
For players already planning to buy the expansion anyway, early access often feels like a bonus rather than an extra cost. If you know you will anyway get it, and you have the means to do so now, you should definitely get access to the Paladin directly. There is no reason to wait if you will buy the expansion anyway.
Reasons You Might Want to Wait
You Are Only Interested in the Full Expansion
If you are mainly waiting for the new story, region, and major system updates, early Paladin access may not move the needle much for you. The current version of the Paladin uses a partial version of the upcoming skill tree rework, meaning the class is expected to be slightly adjusted again.
Waiting means experiencing the Paladin alongside its more complete systems.
You Are Not Actively Playing Right Now
If you are not currently invested in Diablo 4, pre-ordering early does not change much. If you buy now or closer to release, the core expansion content will be the same.
In that case, early access only has value if you actually plan to log in and play.
You also have to keep in mind that the Paladin feels amazing at first, but that may eventually drift back to once the hype settles. If you are unsure the class will hold your interest long-term, waiting could be the safer option.
Another Class Is Coming With the Expansion
Another important point is the fact that the expansion comes with a second class. We get the Paladin class early and another with the full expansion. It is unknown if this will become a standard approach going forward, but it does mean that if you buy the expansion only near the release, you will directly have access to two new classes.
This also has pros and cons:
- If you pre-order, you can test the Paladin until the other class releases, and then focus on the new class when the expansion is here.
- If you do not pre-order, you will have to pick between two new classes and play an alt to test the other one, or wait for the next season for it.
Essentially, if you never play more than one class per season, or if you have a fear of missing out, it might be wise to get the Paladin now, so you can enjoy the other class with Season 12 and the expansion release.
On the other side, if you anyway always play two classes, nothing forces you to buy the expansion directly, and you can enjoy both classes upon release.
So, Is It Worth Pre-Ordering Just for Paladin?
The overall answer is yes.
If you enjoy leveling new characters, like experimenting with builds, or simply want something new to play right now, the Paladin delivers enough quality and fun that many players feel they have already gotten their money’s worth.
On the other hand, if you are waiting for the full expansion experience, or are not currently playing much, holding off is perfectly reasonable.
With the holidays coming, do not forget to focus on yourself and your families before buying a game just for early access to a class. The season will last long, so if you want to hold off until after the holidays, keep in mind that you can pre-order at any given time before the expansion releases in April. There is no need to decide right now, the Paladin will still be there in January or even later on!
In short, early Paladin access is not mandatory, but it is a strong bonus for players already invested in Diablo.