Highlights
The main focus of Diablo 4 centers on players' quest to reach the Cathedral of Hatred with the purpose of thwarting Lilith's scheme to kill her father, Mephisto, and seize his immense power.Furthermore, the conclusion of the game leaves a tantalizing cliffhanger pertaining to Mephisto's fate, potentially hinting at his significant role in the upcoming primary expansion of Diablo 4.
The potential expansion may transport players to the city of Kurast and the Torajan Jungles, which were featured in Diablo 2's Act 3 where Mephisto, the main antagonist, resided.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Diablo 4. Proceed at your own risk. In addition to Lilith being the primary antagonist in Diablo 4, her father, Mephisto, also plays a significant role in the game's storyline. Players embark on a quest to prevent Lilith from killing Mephisto and absorbing his power, with the plot centering around their efforts to reach the Cathedral of Hatred in the depths of Hell before Lilith can achieve her objectives. However, the game's ending leaves a major cliffhanger regarding the status of Mephisto, potentially setting him up for a pivotal role in the first major expansion of Diablo 4.
Mephisto, Lord of Hatred, has been a recurring antagonist in the Diablo series, notably appearing as the formidable boss of Act 3 in Diablo 2. Together with Diablo, Lord of Terror, and Baal, Lord of Destruction, he is one of the three Prime Evils in the Diablo universe, reigning over the Burning Hells and embodying the most powerful demons in existence. While Mephisto assumes a subordinate role to his daughter Lilith in Diablo 4, where players are not required to engage in combat with him directly, his influence pervades the game, hinting at his potential as a future adversary in an upcoming content expansion.
Signs Point Towards Mephisto Playing a Key Role in Future Diablo 4 Content
While no official announcement has been made, there are clues within Diablo 4 indicating the direction of its first major expansion. The game's map layout hints at a journey south of Kehjistan, leading players to the city of Kurast and the Torajan Jungles in the southwest. This alignment strongly suggests a potential plot involving Mephisto, the infamous villain from Diablo 2's Act 3. This location serves as the core of his sinister machinations and ultimately leads to him becoming the final boss.
Diablo 4 is clearly paying tribute to Diablo 2 with its title, hinting that it may draw inspiration from one of Diablo 2's iconic Acts for its future expansion. Given the implications of Diablo 4's ending, it is likely that the first major expansion will follow this story structure. Instead of imprisoning Lilith as originally planned, Neyrelle and the player trap Mephisto in the Soulstone to prevent Lilith from accessing his power. Neyrelle then departs with Mephisto's Soulstone, leaving her intentions and destination unknown, setting the stage for a potential cliffhanger and the plot of Diablo 4's first major expansion. It is highly possible that Mephisto could escape from the Soulstone, resulting in a showdown between the player and the Prime Evil as the final boss of this expansion, bringing Diablo 4's story full circle.
Mephisto has a history of escaping imprisonment from Soulstones, as demonstrated in Diablo 2 when he frees himself from the Soulstone guarded by the priests of Zakarum in the Zakarum Temple beneath the city of Kurast. This escape resulted in the corruption of both Zakarum and the neighboring Torajan Jungle, which could potentially serve as the inspiration for the plot of Diablo 4's first expansion. It is possible that Neyrelle, seeking to rid herself of the Soulstone, would journey to the temple where Mephisto was previously confined in order to rectify past mistakes and permanently seal the Lord of Hatred away.
Diablo 4 is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.