Fans know two forces eye control of Sanctuary in the Diablo franchise: the angels of the High Heavens, and the demons of the Burning Hells. Both forces seem equal in power, and almost always cancel each other out in the Eternal Conflict. Unfortunately, events in Diablo 2 and Diablo 3 prove how dangerous the Conflict has been getting for humankind. Thankfully, the arrival of the Nephalem within humanity gave humans a fighting chance to defend their homes.
The existence of the Nephalem and their victory over Diablo proves one thing: angels and demons aren't always at the top of the food chain. In fact, certain beings outside angels and demonkind may prove more powerful than these celestial beings. However, just which entities can go toe-to-toe against angels and demons? Moreover, would they play some role in Diablo 4?
Updated April 29, 2023 by Rhenn Taguiam: Players eager to face Lilith and Inarius in Diablo 4 will realize that their divine marital dispute goes way back to the height of the Eternal Conflict, with their unholy union resulting in the creation of not just the world of Sanctuary but the Nephalem - eventually humans - that populated them.
With players taking the role of humans who once again end up in the middle of conflict, lore enthusiasts may be interested in learning about beings and entities who were in the same position before them. Thanks to new information in Diablo Immortal, perhaps the leader of secret human organizations may also be contenders against demons and angels in terms of strength.
18 Kion
When Daedessa created the Eternal Crown, she wanted the device to be used to defend Sanctuary from the threat of the Burning Hells. To do so, warriors need to be constantly prepared to fight the Hells’ most powerful demons, and for that purpose, Daedessa appointed her son Kion as the first Immortal and handed him the Eternal Crown. However, as the leader of the Immortals, Daedessa wanted Kion to ensure that Sanctuary isn’t just protected from the Burning Hells, but even from potential threats such as Angels and otherworldly beings.
Despite being mere Nephalem, Kion was able to gather and train Immortals to fight the likes of Rakanoth, a servant of Lesser Evil Andariel. While not much is known about Kion’s own powerset, being able to contend with beings directly below Andariel at the prime of the Eternal Conflict means his powers aren’t to be trifled with. Such was the power of Kion and his line of Immortals that Diablo Immortal Shadows were created to ensure they never become complacent, beginning the Cycle of Strife.
17 Akeba
Aside from being Daedessa’s other child, she also tasked Akeba with the duty of constantly keeping Kion and the Immortals in check. With their group called Shadows, Akeba was tasked to gather individuals willing to constantly test the mettle of the Immortals and ensure they were in top condition to fight any threat to Sanctuary. Should the Immortals fail, the Shadows who defeated them must take their place, and new Shadows must arise to keep the Cycle of Strife from making humanity complacent about their abilities.
Whereas the Immortals cemented their prowess through brute and immediate displays of power, the Shadows undergo trials such as the Shadow Wars to ensure they are even worthy of trying to contend with their Immortal brethren. Akeba and her kin prevailed against the Immortals as they specialized in finding weaknesses present in them and exploiting them until the Immortals learned from their mistakes. In the battle against Rakanoth, Akeba was able to win against the horrific demon, proving her mere Nephalem build was enough to contend with a servant of a Lesser Evil.
16 Daedessa
Long before the Sin War had depowered the Nephalem and led to the rise of humanity, Sanctuary’s settlers found themselves scattered in pocket societies. Such was the case of master crafter Daedessa, who created the city of Corvus as a bastion for humanity. After tasking her companion Lidar into blanketing the city with a protective barrier against both angels and demons, Daedessa wanted to keep Sanctuary safe from divine incursions.
To that end, she created the Eternal Crown, which grants its wearer unimaginable power. Such was the power of the Eternal Crown that, in Diablo Immortal gameplay mode called the Rite of Exile, the reigning Immortal became constantly immersed with a surge of power as well as angel-like wings. Being able to create an in-game artifact powerful enough not to have a mechanical effect puts Daedessa above the leagues of Zoltun Kulle, whose artifacts still had a place within the game’s mechanics. Daedessa’s foresight into the Eternal Conflict’s machinations - and the need for both Immortals and Shadows to exist - also denote wisdom that isn’t always present in powerful Diablo characters.
15 Cassia
While Diablo 2 allowed players to embark on a solo experience to fight the Prime Evils, the lore soon revealed that a group of heroes of different backgrounds - pertaining to all the Classes - actually fought and banished the Prime Evils. Chief among them is Cassia, an Amazon with incredible training that transformed her into a famed mercenary. After helping Deckard Cain in the ruins of Tristam, Cassia joined the other heroes in their journey.
After the defeat of the Prime Evils, the group of heroes disbanded and Cassia returned to the Askari and began training the Amazons for an upcoming war with demons. It’s through this dedication that Cassia became the Warmatron, a legendary commander. Considering how Cassia actually managed to be a part of a group that killed perhaps some of the most powerful beings in the universe speaks to how she is beyond peak human condition. Furthermore, Cassia isn’t by all means a Nephalem - meaning she didn’t need any divinity in her blood to even fight powerful demons.
14 Isendra
Despite the sheer martial power of the group of heroes who defeated the Prime Evils, they didn’t stop Diablo’s kin without their fair share of magical prowess, and this is where Isendra comes in. While she lacks actual combat experience, her potential with the mystic arts as a Sorceress is considered peerless even by her companions in the Mage Clans.
After defeating the Prime Evils with the other heroes, Isendra began tutoring a new generation of spellcasters, this time Li-Ming, who served as a Nephalem Wizard who defeated Diablo in his return years later. Isendra is perhaps powerful not just in her sheer ability, but also her thirst for knowledge and trying to do the impossible. Her curiosity in trying forbidden magics already caught the eye of the Mage Clans, but it’s her arrogance in trying to stop a drought and instead brought death to settlers in a desert town where an assassin was sent to kill her.
13 Xul
While the world has a keen distrust of Necromancers due to their mastery over life and death, the Priests of Rathma simply wanted to maintain the Balance of both light and darkness. One such individual in pursuit of the Balance was Xul, who was chosen by the Priests to embark on a quest to pursue the Dark Wanderer and stop his plans. Accompanied by a group of heroes, Xul used his uncanny magic to aid his newfound allies in the fight to defeat the Prime Evils.
When the heroes disbanded, Xul returned to the Priests of Rathma as a Master Necromancer, with the skill to the point of being able to train apprentices of his own. Unlike his companions, Xul is perhaps much more dangerous given the fact that despite his status as a human, his understanding of the Balance and its intricacies allow him to manipulate both life and death as he sees fit. It’s only thanks to Xul’s focus and honest dedication to maintaining the balance that he’s become one of the world’s strongest defenses against the Burning Hells.
12 Rathma
Rathma, originally Linarian, served as a member of the first generation of Nephalem to ever dawn Sanctuary. Moreover, Rathma's parents were Sanctuary's creators themselves, Lilith and Inarius. However, unlike his parents, Rathma had no interest in letting the Burning Hells nor the High Heavens win. Instead, as Trag'Oul would teach him, Rathma would like to uphold the Great Balance. In turn, Rathma also taught the first Necromancers.
As a person, Rathma has a penchant for dry humor but remains brooding at most times. His powerset relies less on strength and more on qualities befitting a teacher. For instance, Rathma can teleport at any point within Sanctuary, and even pass through objects. He can also read the sensations behind thoughts in a form of telepathy. As his fate remains unknown, Rathma may even be immortal. To the Necromancers, Rathma is visualized as a large snake.
11 Uldyssian
Uldyssian ul-Diomed turned out to be an unfortunate pawn of Lilith when she tried to manipulate humanity to side with her during the Sin War. At first, Lilith faked all of Uldyssian's "abilities" to attract followers. However, Uldyssian's innate powers awakened at the reveal of Lilith's deception. Uldyssian became capable of "unlocking" the latent Nephalem powers in his powers, heralding the arrival of the Edyrem.
Unfortunately, no one knows the full extent of Uldyssian's abilities as a Nephalem. However, at the climax of the Sin War, Uldyssian realized that the Nephalem's powers can tear Sanctuary apart. In an act of sacrifice, Uldyssian withdrew all of his powers inside of him, negating his existence, and in turn, removed the innate Nephalem powers of the Edyrem and humans at the time. Only Archangel Inarius, with the Worldstone, managed to seal the Nephalem's abilities for the first time.
10 Kalan
Kalan, formerly Mendeln ul-Diomed, was brother to Uldyssian and accompanied him throughout his journey in the Sin War. Unlike his brother that awakened his Nephalem potential, Kalan found himself mysteriously attuned to the Great Balance. In turn, Trag'Oul and Rathma eventually crossed paths with Meldeln, who they indoctrinated into their studies. Eventually, Rathma himself would teach Mendeln his ways as his successor. And given his skill in Necromancy, Trag'Oul would give Mendeln the name of Kalan.
When Uldyssian performed his sacrifice, only Kalan became the Edyrem aware of the events that transpired. This was due to his connection with the Great Balance. Kalan spent the rest of his days teaching who would become the first Necromancers. As one of the few who first attuned themselves to the Balance, Kalan's knowledge in dealing with demons and angels makes Kalan leagues above even the strongest Necromancers.
9 Zoltun Kulle
Zoltune Kulle remains a notable figure in Sanctuary history, particularly for his status as Sanctuary's most powerful mage. Due to his skill and prowess, Zoltun also became one of the founders of the Horadrim. Despite being killed by his own Horadrim kin and his body parts scattered, Zoltun's soul remains attached in Sanctuary.
As an ever-curious individual, his fascination with magic led to Zoltun experimenting with various forms of magic. In turn, Zoltun became a master of material manipulation - transmutation, alteration, and alchemy. In fact, others speculate that Zoltun's immortality has come from his tapping into his innate Nephalem abilities. Regardless, Zoltun helps the Nephalem activate Kanai's Cube and serves as its guide.
8 Prince Aidan
Prince Aidan of Khanduras answered the call to aid Tristram and investigate its abandoned monastery. Unlike others who sought gold and fame, Aidan ventured inside the monastery to rid Khanduras of the corruption that changed his father and made his brother disappear. Unfortunately, the fact that his father King Leroic became a skeleton king and his brother Albrecht became Diablo's vessel broke Aidan's spirit. However, Aidan still managed to defeat the Prime Evil - something even the Angiris Council struggled to do.
Prince Aidan also plunged the soulstone into his forehead, believing he can contain Diablo's essence. Despite failing the endeavor, the fact that Aidan endured Diablo's mental torture proves his capacity as a mortal.
7 Bul-Kathos
Immortal King of the Barbarian tribes, it was Bul-Kathos of the Ancients who first organized the scattered Barbarian clans and convinced them to protect Mount Arreat. As self-appointed protectors of the Worldstone's lair, Bul-Kathos enforced a strict code of martial discipline on his followers. Alongside their brothers Vasily and the Druids, Bul-Kathos remained protectors of the mountain to this day.
Despite his decayed body, Bul-Kathos remained in spirit form to protect Mount Arreat. Bul-Kathos possessed enough power as a spirit to change his appearance depending on who he was speaking to, and even fight against demons without a tangible body.
6 Esu
Like other Ancients, Esu would eventually come to form her own organization, that being the Zann Esu Clan of mages. They would eventually become Sorceress, always striving to seek "perfect" magic. It would be Esu's teachings that would form the core of Zann Esu's philosophy: that the elements could be enough to form any magic mages would desire. In turn, other forms of magic could just as easily be obsolete.
This point of view towards magic was the brainchild of Esu's genius and ambition. In fact, her fellow Ancients thought she shouldn't get access to the Worldstone due to her volatile nature. Rumors that she may still be alive today could be a testament to her abilities.
5 Trag'Oul
According to Linarian, Trag'Oul appeared to him during his meditation. Trag'Oul, who took the form of a dragon-like creature, guards Sanctuary and maintains the Great Balance between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells. As per Trag'Oul, Light and Dark will find themselves in perpetual conflict. His student Linarian, who will take the name Rathma, became acquainted with how the Great Balance relates to the cycle of life and death.
Interestingly, there's not much information regarding the true nature of Trag'Oul and his origins. However, it seems Trag'Oul willed a material form after Inarius and Lilith purged the powers out of the Nephalem. While the true scale of his powerset remains unclear, Trag'Oul may have remarkable celestial power, rivaling or even greater than Archangels and Great Evils.
4 Tyrael
Formerly the Archangel of Justice, Tyrael chose to remove his wings and walk among humans. The former Archangel did this as he refused to stand by ancient law that kept angels from interfering with the greater good against terrifying demons.
However, as a mortal, Tyrael kept a certain degree of his angelic abilities. He has great raw strength, although a bit lower compared to the Prime Evils. Tyrael still wields El'druin, his signature sword that can cut through anything except goodness. As the current Aspect of Wisdom, Tyrael has access to the infinite wisdom of the Chalad'ar, giving him enhanced senses.
3 The Nephalem
The Nephalem perhaps became the most powerful beings short of an angel or demon to exist in Sanctuary. However, unlike Rathma and the Ancients, the players' Nephalem characters may have been humans first before tapping into their Nephalem heritages.
Unlike the Nephalem of the past, the modern Nephalem managed to tap into enough power to kill the Black Soulstone-empowered Diablo, now a singular Prime Evil and one of the last bosses in Diablo 3. This feat meant players killed Diablo enhanced by the souls of the other Great Evils combined. As it turns out, even the Angiris Council couldn't manage such a feat.
2 Tathamet
In ancient texts such as those of the Horadrim, Tathamet is considered the second being to ever exist in Creation. Originally a part of Anu, Tathamet’s innate corruption had become the natural representation of Evil itself. When Anu and Tathamet died, Tathamet’s burning corpse itself became the Burning Hells, with the Great Evils rising from its seven heads.
While technically the source of all Evil in the lore, Tathamet isn’t by all means a “demon,” but rather Evil in its purest state. It’s only through a being like Anu that Tathamet was defeated, and it’s extremely possible for both the Prime Evils and the Lesser Evils to discard their differences and unite once more to recreate Tathamet in modern times. It’s this possibility, and the terror Tathamet would hold as Evil Itself, that make it one of the most powerful in the universe.
1 Anu
Not much is known about Anu, except for the fact that he is the first being in Creation. Being the only being in Creation at the time, Anu himself embodied all things in their dualities. In order to pursue a “pure” form, Anu cast all darkness away from himself, resulting in Tathamet. Since then, both Anu and Tathamet began fighting endlessly, with the war never-ending due to their equal powers. It’s only through their deaths that Sanctuary sprung, and through Anu’s spine came the Crystal Arch and, through its song, the High Heavens and the angels.
In myth, it’s said that Anu himself transcended into a place beyond the universe, which in itself may be the lore’s version of a “true paradise.” However, aside from the High Heavens, perhaps the best thing left of Anu’s existence was the Worldstone, in itself the foundation of all possibilities. While the Worldstone itself may have been destroyed, it may not be impossible for faithful-enough individuals to possibly call for Anu for assistance.