Who is the Angel of Death in Diablo 3?

The Angel of Death in Diablo 3 is Malthael, formerly the Archangel of Wisdom. He is the main antagonist of the Reaper of Souls expansion, seeking to end the Eternal Conflict by eradicating all beings with demonic heritage – which, unfortunately for Sanctuary, includes humanity. He abandons his role as the Archangel of Wisdom after the destruction of the Worldstone and, upon his return, claims the Black Soulstone containing the essence of the Great Evils, transforming into the Angel of Death.

The Transformation of Wisdom into Death

From Archangel of Wisdom

Before his descent into darkness, Malthael was a revered figure in the High Heavens. As the Archangel of Wisdom, he was deeply respected for his intellect, knowledge, and unbiased judgment. He was considered a critical voice within the Angiris Council, offering insight and guidance during times of crisis. His departure after the destruction of the Worldstone by Tyrael left a void in the Council and a simmering resentment toward humanity, which he held partly responsible for the event. Malthael believed the constant conflict between demons and angels was foolish and that the Worldstone’s destruction had merely postponed the inevitable escalation. He foresaw a grim future for the High Heavens if the Eternal Conflict were allowed to continue.

The Black Soulstone and the Reaper of Souls

Malthael’s return as the Angel of Death is directly tied to the existence and power of the Black Soulstone. This artifact, created by Horadric Mages under the guidance of the angel Itherael, was designed to contain the essence of the Great Evils, the most powerful demons in existence. Malthael’s plan was simple, albeit horrifying: to claim the Black Soulstone, absorb its demonic essence, and use that power to wipe out all beings with demonic heritage, thereby ending the Eternal Conflict once and for all.

However, this plan went drastically awry. Malthael saw humanity as tainted, their very existence a continuation of the demonic influence that plagued creation. As the Angel of Death, he led an army of Reapers, corrupted angels under his control, to Westmarch. There, he began harvesting souls, believing this was the only way to truly cleanse the world and bring about a lasting peace, albeit one built on death and annihilation. His actions plunged Sanctuary into chaos and brought him into direct conflict with the Nephalem, the player character in Diablo 3.

Malthael’s Goals and Motivations

Malthael’s motivations are complex. He is not simply evil; he believes he is acting in the best interests of the universe, albeit through extreme and destructive means. His isolation and contemplation after leaving the High Heavens likely warped his perspective, leading him to conclude that only through the eradication of demonic influence could the Eternal Conflict be truly resolved. He sees humanity as a flawed experiment, a breeding ground for chaos, and a threat to the established order of the High Heavens and the Burning Hells. The Reaper of Souls represents his attempt to rewrite the rules of existence, forging a new reality free from the taint of the demonic.

His actions, while monstrous, are driven by a desire for order and an end to the endless suffering caused by the Eternal Conflict. He truly believes his path is the only way, making him a tragic figure rather than a purely malevolent one. However, the immense power he wields as the Angel of Death and his willingness to sacrifice countless innocent lives to achieve his goal ultimately define him as a powerful and terrifying antagonist. His defeat at the hands of the Nephalem prevents the complete annihilation of humanity and safeguards the fragile balance between the High Heavens, the Burning Hells, and Sanctuary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Malthael

Here are 15 frequently asked questions providing more information about Malthael and his role in Diablo 3:

1. Was Malthael always evil? No, Malthael was initially the Archangel of Wisdom, a respected member of the Angiris Council. His transformation into the Angel of Death occurred after the destruction of the Worldstone.

2. What caused Malthael to become the Angel of Death? The destruction of the Worldstone and his subsequent contemplation of the Eternal Conflict are the primary causes. He came to believe that the only way to end the conflict was to eradicate all demonic influence, including beings with demonic heritage like humans.

3. What is the Black Soulstone? The Black Soulstone is a powerful artifact created to contain the essence of the Great Evils, the most powerful demons in existence. Malthael sought to claim it to absorb its power and eliminate all beings with demonic heritage.

4. Why did Malthael attack Westmarch? Westmarch was the first major city targeted by Malthael because he believed the souls there were tainted by demonic influence. He sought to harvest these souls to fuel his power and cleanse the world.

5. What are Reapers? Reapers are corrupted angels under Malthael’s control. They serve as his army, tasked with harvesting souls and carrying out his will.

6. How does Malthael harvest souls? Malthael possesses the power to drain the souls of living beings. His touch can instantly kill and collect the essence of a person’s soul.

7. Why does Malthael see humans as a threat? Malthael views humans as tainted by demonic heritage, a product of the union between angels and demons. He believes their existence perpetuates the Eternal Conflict.

8. How powerful is Malthael as the Angel of Death? Malthael is incredibly powerful as the Angel of Death. He can manipulate souls, command an army of Reapers, and possesses abilities far beyond those of ordinary angels. He is even capable of damaging the Crystal Arch.

9. Can Malthael be defeated? Yes, Malthael is eventually defeated by the Nephalem, the player character in Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls.

10. What happens after Malthael’s defeat? After Malthael’s defeat, the Black Soulstone is shattered, releasing the essence of the Great Evils back into the world. This sets the stage for future conflicts and challenges in the Diablo universe.

11. Is Malthael truly evil, or does he have a point? Malthael’s motivations are complex. While his methods are undeniably evil, his desire to end the Eternal Conflict resonates with a sense of desperation and a warped sense of justice. He is more of a tragic figure driven to extreme measures.

12. What is Malthael’s relationship with Tyrael? Malthael and Tyrael were once colleagues and members of the Angiris Council. However, their paths diverged after the destruction of the Worldstone, leading to a conflict when Tyrael attempted to stop Malthael’s plans.

13. Where can I learn more about Malthael’s backstory? Information about Malthael’s backstory can be found in various Diablo lore sources, including in-game dialogues, books, and the Diablo wiki. The Book of Tyrael provides insights into his thoughts and motivations.

14. How does Malthael’s transformation affect the Angiris Council? Malthael’s departure and subsequent transformation significantly weakens the Angiris Council, creating internal divisions and leaving a void in their leadership.

15. Did Malthael know what would happen when he shattered the Black Soulstone? It’s implied that Malthael understood the risks involved with shattering the Black Soulstone. He likely believed that even the release of the Great Evils was preferable to the continued existence of demonic influence within Sanctuary and the perpetuation of the Eternal Conflict. His calculations about control failed.