The return of Belial as the main antagonist in Diablo 4's Season 8 has caught many players off guard, raising the question of whether this was always part of the plan or if Belial's role was originally meant for a DLC or expansion. Season 8, while introducing a new villain, focuses on a character who was once one of the Prime Evils in Diablo 3. This unexpected inclusion has led to much speculation among the community Diablo 4 gold.

In Diablo 3, Belial was a major antagonist, and his role was significant in the overarching narrative. Many players anticipated that characters like Belial, Azmodan, and Baal would receive similar treatment to Mephisto, with an expansion or DLC dedicated to them, or at least play a major role as story bosses. However, his appearance in Season 8, as part of the seasonal content, seems like a drastic change of direction.

A frequent criticism from the community is that seasonal content in Diablo 4 tends to focus more on live-service elements rather than expanding the lore or offering substantial narrative progression. This raises concerns that Belial’s role might be a “cut” feature from a potential expansion. Players fear that he might have been relegated to a minor seasonal event rather than being a focal point in a major story arc.

While there’s still hope that Belial’s inclusion in the season could mean more meaningful content, the cancellation of Diablo 4’s planned 2025 expansion raises further doubts. It could indicate Blizzard’s focus on delivering seasonal updates rather than traditional story-driven expansions. Whether Belial is the result of cut content or a deliberate seasonal focus, players will have to wait for the full release to see if his role matches the grandeur expected of a Prime Evil boost diablo 4.