Diablo 4 Devs Explain Why the Necromancer Class Is Appearing Sooner Than Anyone Expected

ign.com:

Many Diablo fans wanted to see the Necromancer added to the latest entry in the series, but few expected the powerful sorcerer to make the initial cut. Nevertheless, the Necromancer will be part of the anticipated sequel's initial class lineup, joining the Barbarian, Sorceress, Rogue, and Druid.

Speaking with IGN in a new interview for Summer of Gaming 2022, Diablo 4 developers Joe Shely and Rod Fergusson discussed the decision to add the Necromancer — a class that topped fan polls but seemed unlikely to be added given that two caster classes had already been revealed.

In explaining the choice, Shely says the Necromancer "works so well in the Diablo gameplay," and that the Necromancer fits well with the theme of "returning to the darkness" of the original game and its sequel. In addition, Blizzard feels the Necromancer hits at other elements the team wants to include, such as "crunchy mechanics" and the "faster paced action combat of Diablo 3."

"We've made innovations across the board, but when we are looking at the classes, we wanted to make sure that we were hitting those classes that players have loved throughout the franchise and always want to experience. And necromancer is front center," Shely says.

Fergusson says that the Necromancer is his favorite class of the bunch.

"[I]t really speaks to that idea that return to darkness that Diablo 4 represents, that idea of the tone of [Diablo], as Joseph has talked about, that idea of working with the cult and dark magic and summoning the undead. And so, it really leans into that feeling of it."

The Necromancer was first introduced in Diablo 2 along with the Amazon, Barbarian, Sorceress, and Paladin (the Druid and Assassin were later added in the Lord of Destruction expansion).