Diablo lore is filled with powerful beings from both the earthly and spiritual realms. The game is set in the Kingdom of Khanduras, where the mortals dwell. In each game, players venture through various dungeons beneath the town of Tristram and face formidable demons and bosses, and sometimes even fight Diablo, the Lord of Terror, himself.
In the Diablo franchise, as is in popular mythology from which the game derives its characters, there are many powerful women. Some of these strong female NPCs appear as bosses, assistants in battle, or are simply part of the game's lore. Either way, in terms of their willpower to oppose the good (or evil) side, and their influence in the world of Diablo, these are the women that stand out.
10 Blood Raven
Moreina, the first captain of a group of Rogues called the Sisterhood of the Sightless Eye, became Blood Raven after encountering and defeating Diablo and a few other Demons in Tristram. After her fall to Hell, she teams up with the Lesser Evil, Andariel, and takes over Eastgate Keep while also turning on her fellow Rogues.
Blood Raven inherits Moreina's exceptional skills in ranged combat and her ability to disarm traps. Players will encounter Blood Raven as a foe in the Burial Grounds in Act 1 of Diablo 2.
9 Isendra
Isendra is a Sorceress who was a member of the party that defeated the Prime Evils. This Sorceress is unparalleled in her magical ability but is killed by a Viz-Jaq'taar Assassin after causing the deaths of many when a spell goes awry.
Isendra's spirit ends up in the Pandemonium Fortress, where players who are playing as a Wizard in Reaper of Souls, will encounter her. She does not accompany the player, but the NPC can be interacted with and asked questions about her death and so forth.
8 Maghda
Maghda is a human witch who appears as a boss in Diablo 3. In Diablo lore, Maghda becomes the leader of the Coven, which is a cult of witches that practice torture and summons Demons. At some point, under Maghda's leadership, the Coven manages to summon Belial, the Lord of Lies.
Although she is not as powerful as her partner-in-crime, Adria, she is very malicious and ruthless in her devotion to the Coven. Maghda also has powers like being able to summon an apparition of herself, and in the boss fight, spits and summons swarms of flies.
7 The Countess
Loosely based on the story of Elizabeth Bathory, The Countess in Diablo ruled Khanduras from her castle in Black Marsh but was buried alive partly because of her questionable sacrificial practices. She is resurrected by a group of cultists called the Bloodsworn six years later, and she possesses the Worldstone for some time.
The Countess became more and more powerful as the Bloodsworn gathered and channeled blood to her from the townspeople via the roots of the Blood Rose, but is eventually slain in her Forgotten Tower. Players will encounter her as an enemy in Diablo 2 in "The Forgotten Tower" quest.
6 Cassia
A formidable warrior and sought-after mercenary, Cassia is the Amazon Warmatron who freed Deckard Cain and defeated the Prime Evils. After witnessing the power of the Prime Evils and knowing that they will someday return, Cassia devoted all her time to training the Amazons, known as Askari, after returning to Skovos.
She climbs the ranks to become their most legendary commander, receiving the warmatron title and armor from Queen Xaera herself. Players will encounter Cassia in Diablo 2 as the ideal representation of the Amazon class.
5 Leah
Leah is the biological daughter of the powerful witch, Adria and Diablo (who inhabited Aidan at the time of her conception), and was raised to become a host for Diablo. At some point, the power of all seven Evils is transferred into Leah, which shatters her mind and after being inhabited by Diablo, her body also disappears.
Leah is competent with a bow, and she has magical abilities that include prophecy and foresight. With her magical powers, she is able to destroy the gates of Caldeum, resurrect Zoltun Kulle's spirit, and contain the Evils within the Black Soulstone in Diablo 3.
4 Adria
A Servant of Diablo and Maghda's ally, Adria is a formidable witch, who eventually also becomes a Blood Demon. Adria plays a significant role in Diablo 3 and its expansion, Reaper of Souls. She will accompany the player as an aid in the Wretched Pit battle and during the final assault on the Imperial Palace but re-appears as a boss for The Witch quest in the Diablo 3 expansion.
As the one who imprisoned six demon lords in the Black Soulstone and is partly responsible for setting Diablo loose on the world again, Adria is a truly wicked witch and more powerful than her contemporary, Maghda.
3 Esu
Being one of the Nephelem, a powerful race in the Diablo franchise, as well as an Ancient, Esu is a mighty force. Although she is only mentioned in Diablo lore and does not actually appear in any of the Diablo games as an NPC or a boss, Esu's mastery over the powers of storm, earth, fire, and water positions her as an influential character.
Esu becomes the leader of her own clan called the Zann Esu Clan, who are Sorcerers that continually seek to do "perfect magic."
2 Andariel
Andariel, also called Maiden of Anguish, the Demon Queen, is the only female of the Lesser Evils. This Demon Queen controlled the Realm of Anguish in Hell and was an assistant to Diablo himself. Andariel is terrifying with four stingers on her back that pierce her foes, and she is said to enjoy causing others emotional agony.
She is referenced in most Diablo games, but is especially important for Diablo 2, as Andariel is the final boss of the first act. Andariel has also appeared in concept art for Diablo 4, indicating that she might have a role to play in the latest Diablo game as well.
1 Lilith
Lilith is undeniably the most powerful female character in the Diablo franchise, being the daughter of Mephisto, Lord of Hatred, and sister of Lucion. Lilith is also known as the Queen of the Succubi, and she gave birth to the first Nephelem - a powerful race in Diablo lore.
This manipulative and seductive character appears as an enemy in Diablo 2, and a few references are made to her in other Diablo games. In Diablo 4, however, Lilith plays a much bigger part, being the main antagonist of the game.
Diablo 4 will be available June 6th for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.