Fans know two forces eye control of Sanctuary in theDiablofranchise: 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 inDiablo 2andDiablo 3prove 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 inDiablo 4?
Updated July 29, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:Players eager to face Lilith and Inarius inDiablo 4will 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.
18Kion
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 sonKionas 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 ImmortalsthatDiablo ImmortalShadowswere created to ensure they never become complacent, beginning the Cycle of Strife.
17Akeba
Aside from being Daedessa’s other child, she also taskedAkebawith 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 undergotrials such as the Shadow Warsto 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.
16Daedessa
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 crafterDaedessa, 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.
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To that end, she created the Eternal Crown, which grants its wearer unimaginable power. Such was the power of the Eternal Crown that, inDiablo Immortalgameplay 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 powerfulDiablocharacters.
15Cassia
WhileDiablo 2allowed 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 isCassia, 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 andbegan 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.
14Isendra
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 whereIsendracomes in. While she lacks actual combat experience, herpotential with the mystic arts as a Sorceressis 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.
13Xul
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 Balanceof both light and darkness. One such individual in pursuit of the Balance wasXul, 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.
12Rathma
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 fateremains unknown, Rathma may even be immortal. To the Necromancers, Rathma is visualized as a large snake.
11Uldyssian
Uldyssian ul-Diomedturned 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.
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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.
10Kalan
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.
9Zoltun Kulle
Zoltune Kulleremains a notable figure in Sanctuary history, particularly for his status as Sanctuary’smost 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.
