Awaken the Ferocity of a New Class: Spiritborn

An adaptive apex predator hailing from the jungles of Nahantu will soon join the fight against darkness. The Spiritborn is an entirely new class in the Diablo® series, that calls upon the unique strengths of Jaguar, Gorilla, Eagle, and Centipede Spirit Guardians to overcome any nightmare the Burning Hells throws their way. The Spiritborn class will be arriving on October 8 as part of the Vessel of Hatred™ expansion.

Spiritborn are versatile warriors who fuse devastating three-hit-combo attacks and acrobatic fluidity into a potent display of their ferocity. They are masters of hand-to-hand combat, doling out lethality at close range through the ability to extend their wrath with the aid of spirit energy and their favored demon-slaying implement, the glaive. Their physical prowess allows them to block or dodge incoming strikes, absorbing this power for themselves or redirecting it back at their aggressors.

The Spiritborn’s origin, relationship with the Spirit Guardians, Class Mechanic, and more can be discovered below. Please note that this is an early look at the Spiritborn. Any details and images shared within this article are still a work in progress and subject to change.

Who are the Spiritborn?

Before this question can be answered, you must first understand the Spirit Realm and Akarat’s discovery of it.

An Uncorrupted Power–the Spirit Realm

In its simplest form, the Spirit Realm is a place where spirits go.

Upon creation of Sanctuary, when Inarius and Lilith altered the Worldstone, the magic between these two great powers released a clouded veil of magical energy, creating the Spirit Realm. More specifically, the Spirit Realm is a profoundly sacred plane shaped by human beliefs. A ghostly reflection of Sanctuary, where the spirits of the jungle have a purpose beyond life. Ancient Spirit Guardians protect the land, and the spirits from the influence of angels and demons. Many different forms of spirits inhabit the Spirit Realm: certain human spirits who are mysteriously pulled to the Realm, spirits of animals, insects, and plants who evolve over time, and Spirit Guardians who grew to be massive from magical energy concentrating within them.

Dawn of the First Spiritborn

Akarat was a prophet originally from Xiansai, but his mother hails from Nahantu, who spoke about the inner conflict between the angel and demon sides of humanity. He believed human existence was unique and humans had the power to overcome darkness using a special light within them. He traversed Sanctuary, sharing these core beliefs.

Akarat vowed to one day return to his mother’s homeland, and when he did, he discovered a veil between the Spirit Realm and Sanctuary uninfluenced by angels and demons. He knew such a place would need to be protected. Akarat and his most trusted acolyte Ysevete would spend many fortnights studying the Spirit Realm until Akarat became the first living body to cross the veil into the Spirit Realm.

Akarat’s acolytes would continue his studies of the jungle while he was abroad. Returning for his twilight years, Akarat spent them exploring the uncharted territories of the Spirit Realm. When it was time for Akarat to make his final crossing into the Spirit Realm, it would be under the watch of his devoted followers. Ysevete’s cries of sorrow would reach the Realm and were met with support from the spirits. Ysevete, also originally from Nahantu, would go on to form the basis for the Spiritborn culture that exists in present day using the tenets she and Akarat created.

Nurturers of Nahantu

At their core, the Spiritborn believe they must dedicate themselves to