Diablo 4 Prime Evils explained: Diablo, Baal & Mephisto
BlizzardDiablo 4 undoubtedly has a scary open world and the three Prime Evils – Diablo, Baal, and Mephisto definitely deserve credit for that. The events you see in Diablo 4 are more or less the result of their actions, and lore enthusiasts can check out this guide to know everything about the Prime Evils.
When Diablo 4 players return to Sanctuary, they’ll come across the most terrifying version of the place and the story will unsurprisingly introduce you to a number of demons. Historically, three vicious entities, known as the Prime Evils, have cast long and ominous shadows in the Diablo world.
These demonic overlords wage a perpetual war against the High Heavens, with humanity caught in the crossfire.
In this guide, we’ll delve deeper into each of the Prime Evils in Diablo 4: Mephisto, Baal, and of course, Diablo himself.
Mephisto: The Lord of Hatred
BlizzardMephisto, a formidable boss in Diablo 2, is perhaps the least known among the three Lords of Hell. He was primarily featured in Act 3 of Diablo 2 as a powerful demon before his Soulstone imprisonment. He graced Sanctuary with his hateful presence for a brief period before being neutralized by the game’s heroes.
While he was mentioned in Diablo 3, Mephisto wasn’t actually featured. Instead, his essence was absorbed by Diablo to form ‘The Prime Evil.’ Diablo’s defeat in Diablo 3, however, released Mephisto back to Hell. As Diablo 4’s main antagonist is the demon Lilith – Mephisto’s daughter – it’s expected that this devious Lord of Hatred will play a critical role in the game.
Despite being perceived as the weakest of the Prime Evils, Mephisto is notorious for his devious strategies. He commonly disguises himself as an injured wolf, using this deception to lure mortals into acts of hatred.
Baal: The Lord of Destruction
BlizzardBaal, the Lord of Destruction, was seen in Act V of Diablo 2. After his brothers were defeated and trapped in Soulstones, Diablo released Baal from his own Soulstone prison, trapping the angel Tyrael in his stead.
Once freed, Baal masqueraded as Tyrael for a while, deceiving and killing the angel’s allies. Upon discovering his brothers’ defeat, Baal rallied a demonic army against the Barbarian Highlands of Harrogoth in an attempt to seize the Worldstone. However, the heroes who had previously defeated Diablo also stopped Baal’s ambitions.
Like Mephisto, Baal’s essence was also absorbed by Diablo in Diablo 3 to create ‘The Prime Evil.’ His eventual release following Diablo’s defeat suggests that he was banished back to Hell.
Diablo: The Lord of Terror
BlizzardThe Diablo franchise’s ultimate antagonist, Diablo, yearns for dominion over both Heaven and humanity. He stands as the most potent and patient among the Prime Evils, always working behind the scenes and striking at the opportune moment.
In the first Diablo game, Diablo was initially trapped beneath Tristram’s Cathedral. He managed to possess the young prince Albrecht and initiated his corruption of Sanctuary. Diablo’s reign was cut short when Albrecht’s brother, Aiden, and his allies vanquished him and trapped him in a Soulstone.
By Diablo 2, the Lord of Terror had taken over Aiden’s body and released both of his brothers. In Diablo 3, Diablo used Leah, a human daughter he sired, as a host to launch an assault on the High Heavens. The Lord of Terror’s defeat released him and his brothers back into Hell, marking the end of ‘The Prime Evil.’
Considering that the Prime Evils have always played a pivotal role in Diablo games and lore, you shouldn’t be surprised upon their return in Diablo 4.
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