Diablo 4 players convinced Season 8 has cut expansion content

Diablo 4 players are wondering if Belial’s inclusion in Season 8 was originally intended to be a DLC or part of an expansion that was repurposed into seasonal content.

Belial being the main focus of Season 8 of Diablo 4 was a surprising move by Blizzard. Seasons often have a main villain, such as Varshan or Lord Zir, but these enemies are only usually minor threats when compared to various Lords of Hell that make up the Prime and Lesser Evils.

In Diablo 3, Belial was a major antagonist, so seeing him in what could be a reduced role is actually rather shocking. Many Diablo fans thought characters like Belial, Azmodan, and Baal might receive similar treatment to Mephisto, and have a DLC focused around them, or at least serve as a major story boss – like Andariel and Duriel.

Of course, Season 8 isn’t out yet, so this still could be the case, but as seasons tend to be light on story and quests, focusing more on live service elements, Belial’s inclusion has caused some concern. While Season 8 may have some quest content, seasonal stories rarely have any influence on the wider narrative.

This is compounded by the cancellation of 2025’s Diablo 4 expansion, suggesting that Blizzard is far more interested in seasonal content than it is in producing more quests and story updates. Or it could mean the company simply wants to take its time and get it right.

Now, Diablo players have put two and two together and are convinced that Belial is actually cut content from a potential expansion.

Belial is worrying some Diablo 4 players

Posting on Blizzard’s forum, one user said, “Anyone else wonder if Belial is axed expansion content? Like the non-campaign zones added to D3. Do you think that’s why he’s being so unceremoniously shoved into the game?”

Many players responded by saying that’s something they’ve suspected, too, with one posting, “I feel like it has to be that. You don’t introduce what was a major boss in D3 and be all like, “this is just something extra that we brought out of nowhere. enjoy it!” I mean I’ll take it and be cool with it, but it just shows how fractured and degenerate the story really is.

Some were unsure but leaned towards Belial most likely being cut expansion content, with one fan saying, ” I would say probably to your initial question though. Maybe Mephisto was one expansion and they decided to stretch him out over multiple, leaving no expansion for a Lesser Evil.”

Others posted that they don’t think he is cut expansion content, but that the Lord of Lies still deserves better. They said, “Doubt they are axing him. They just don’t give a dann about the lore or franchise. Let’s face it, Belial is known but not that important. It’s marketing, nothing more. He is just sacrificed for bucks.”

Of course, Belial could still represent a major story boss in Season 8 regardless of whether he’s cut expansion content or not. It all depends on how Blizzard wants to run seasons now that there will be fewer Diablo 4 expansions. However, this would mean also adding him to the Eternal Realm so that he’s not just a temporary seasonal feature.