If the original poster’s understanding of the Diablo lore is accurate, then the Barbarians, who I assume are more plentiful and in every place, could/would receive the teachings of the few remaining Paladins/Crusaders (P/C). Since P/C are just a husk of what they used to be, obviously the Barbarians who are taught wouldn’t be like D3 Crusaders or D2 Paladins since their teachers lost or have fragments of wisdom, skill, technique, knowledge, history, understanding, etc. But these Barbarians apply what they’ve been taught, continuing the way of the Holy Warriors (P/C).
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I would like a mounted armored holy knight cavalier with a huge lance that can be morphed into a cross bow as next class, but I have a feeling, that my wish won’t be fulfilled. 
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Whatever it is will be very, very poorly implemented and all the sader/paladin/whatever fans will go absolutely crazy. So far they have a 100% WTF rate.
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I like seeing how many different “flavors” of the archetype people are into — from classic Diablo II Paladin, to Crusader tank-fantasy, to full Vader-energy corrupted knight builds. Maybe that’s actually the core of the problem and opportunity: the holy warrior archetype in Diablo has grown into more than one identity, and players are attached to different eras of it.
If Blizzard ever brings it back, I kinda hope they lean into that instead of choosing a single version. Something like:
• Class identity = holy warrior, but path choice determines how
— traditional oathbound Paladin
— zealous armored Crusader
— broken / fallen / shadow-touched anti-hero
— relic hunter / myth keeper Templar-style role
Almost like how Necromancers in D4 can be bone, blood, or shadow — but all still feel like necros.
That way the class could honor its history instead of erasing or replacing one chapter with another.
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Having something like subclasses or different skill paths to follow would be definitely interesting. However, it would also be a lot more work for the developers, so I am afraid that they will just pick one archetype, holy or dark, and stick with it and its relevant skills.
Now, considering how many people miss the Paladin/Crusader class from previous games (me included), I personally think we’ll see the return of a holy class, whatever the name will be. Quite frankly, I suspect it will be exactly “Paladin”, based on some leaks we have seen and also on the fact that crusaders have recently lost the source of their power, Akarat.
As someone pointed out, even if paladins had almost disappeared, some must have survived. On top of that Blizzard can make new lore to make anything work.
That being said, I hope it will NOT be a copy-paste of the D2 paladin, since I found that class a bit boring to play. The crusader from D3 was a lot more fun, so I hope the new class will be more similar to it, but with most skills reimagined if not brand-new.
Regarding old skills, it may be interesting to bring holy auras back, they may be difficult to balance but perhaps not more difficult than the necromancer’s army of minions was. Either way, holy auras are not a deal-breaker for me if it’s too hard to make them work.
In terms of weapons, I hope we get at least sword & board and a TH sword. But if we can choose any one-handed to go with the shield and any two-handed, that would be a huge plus.
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Maybe we get to play as deckard cain resurrected
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whether he had treasure that Philp coveted or not, it is a matter of record that Philip had massive debts to the Templars which were conveniently erased with the dissolution of the order 
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Kill enemies with storyteller hero? Stay awhile and listen until you die from it??? 
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Stay a while and listen!
You hear andariel long winded death throes….
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They should do a priest. Diablo has never had a holy caster.
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@Helios
Yeah, I can see the concern about development scope — subclasses or branching paths are definitely more work than locking a single fantasy in place. I just really hope they don’t narrow it too much, because holy warriors in Diablo kinda evolved in three different directions based on the era, not just one.
And I’m with you: I don’t really want a 1:1 Paladin remake or a D3 Crusader copy either. If anything, taking Crusader-style combat flow but building a new thematic twist (or even an internal “faith crisis” tone) could be a nice middle ground.
Holy auras returning in some form would be hype, but yeah… Blizzard has shown they’re not scared to redesign staples if needed.
As for weapons, totally agree — sword & board feels iconic, but giving access to multiple weapon identities would open way more build creativity than “knight only.”
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NO
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YES
Barbarian is the continuation of Paladin/Crusader (Holy Warrior).
Imbued and exploding with Holy Fire/Light.
#blessed #hallowed #sanctified #perfected
It is finished.
bless/Thee
Wrath of the Father Son Ghost
Advent bb 
O Come, O Come
Skillet did a good one <3
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They could also just release a Knight, that can either devote himself to the Light, to his Armorsmith, or to the Darkness. That means they can release one class as “Knight”, and whether you become a Crusader, an extra-armored Juggernaut, or a Dark Knight depends on your build. Thoughts?
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The Holiest of D4 Xmas Carols [FUN!] 
- PC General Discussion - Diablo IV Forums
I made a post just to link it here! Bored at work!
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2nd expansion 
Diablo IV: Path of Holy Warrior
narrow is the way; this is the way. amen
who is the Way?
seek, and you will find.
where there is a will, there is a way.
strait is the gate
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