Malthael

The former Archangel of Wisdom turned Angel of Death who seeks to extinguish humanity to save creation.

Malthael was a member and leader of the Angiris Council, formerly serving as the Archangel of Wisdom. He disappeared following the destruction of the Worldstone after it was corrupted by Baal twenty years earlier at the end of Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. By the time of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, he has returned calling himself the "Angel of Death." No longer acting with wisdom for creation, he believes humanity is a race of demons due to their descent from the Nephalem. His goal is to wipe out all humans to end the Eternal Conflict between Heaven and Hell.

Quick Facts

Affiliation: The High Heavens (Former), The Angel of Death
First appears: Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Expansion
Title: Angel of Death

Lore & Background

After the destruction of the Worldstone, Malthael vanished from the High Heavens. Two decades later, he reappeared in Sanctuary with a new purpose. He ambushed a group of six Horadrim and Tyrael as they attempted to seal the Black Soulstone deep in the tomb of Rakkis. In this assault, Malthael killed all but one of the Horadrim and incapacitated Tyrael before stealing the Black Soulstone, which contained the essence of all seven Great Evils. Now leading an army known as the Reapers—comprised of enslaved spirits and renegade angels—he launched a campaign against Westmarch City. Malthael's logic was absolute: since humanity descends from Nephalem (offspring of angels and demons), they are inherently demonic. He sought to consume all demonic essence in Sanctuary, including that within human bloodlines, to bring about their extinction and end the Eternal Conflict.

Reader's Guide

Malthael is the primary antagonist of the expansion, encountered after defeating Urzael and navigating through Westmarch to the Pandemonium Fortress. His final confrontation takes place at the heart of this fortress. To defeat him, players must first use an ancient battering ram, requiring four hits with siege runes held by trapped demons to breach the gates. Upon entering the fortress, the Nephalem encounters a figure from their past dependent on their class, who directs them to unlock a soul prison. The player must channel spirits from this prison to take on an aspect of death themselves before facing Malthael's guardians. During the boss fight, Malthael shatters the Black Soulstone and takes the power of the Seven Evils within himself. Players must survive this transformation to deliver the final blow. Victory results in Malthael's death, which frees the Seven Evils but fulfills the prophecy that humanity would be saved from extinction.