Who are the Prime Evils in Diablo?

The Prime Evils are the three dominant heads of Tathamet, the primordial dragon whose seven heads became the Evils. Mephisto (Hatred, the eldest), Diablo (Terror, the middle), and Baal (Destruction, the youngest).

Who are the Lesser Evils?

The four lesser heads of Tathamet became the Lesser Evils: Azmodan (Sin), Belial (Lies), Andariel (Anguish), and Duriel (Pain). They overthrew the Prime Evils in the Dark Exile and forced them onto Sanctuary.

Is Lilith a Prime Evil?

No. Lilith is the daughter of Mephisto, not an Evil herself. She co-created Sanctuary with the fallen angel Inarius and is the mother of the nephalem. She was the main antagonist of base Diablo IV and was defeated at the Throne of Hatred in Act VI.

Diablo IV

Complete guide to Diablo's Prime and Lesser Evils. Mephisto, Diablo, Baal, Azmodan, Belial, Andariel, Duriel, plus Lilith and Inarius — their lore and status in Diablo IV.

Lore 10 min read

The Prime & Lesser Evils

By the DiabloBytes team · Updated April 2026

The Burning Hells were spawned from the seven heads of Tathamet, the primordial dragon. Three heads — the Prime Evils — dominated. Four heads — the Lesser Evils — served. Through the Dark Exile, the Lesser Evils overthrew the Prime Evils and cast them onto Sanctuary, setting the stage for every Diablo game that followed.

Prime Evils

Mephisto Lord of Hatred

ACTIVE — central D4 antagonist

Eldest of Tathamet’s brood. Father of Lilith. The patient strategist of the Three. Slain in D2, bound to Worldstone fragments, essence persisted through the Black Soulstone in D3. In D4, Neyrelle traps him at campaign end. In Vessel of Hatred he possesses Akarat’s body. In Lord of Hatred he marches on Skovos.

Diablo Lord of Terror

Banished — absent from D4

Middle brother. Reborn as the Prime Evil (all seven essences in one body) at the end of D3, defeated in the High Heavens by the Nephalem. Soul banished to the Black Abyss.

Baal Lord of Destruction

Banished — absent from D4

Youngest brother. Killed at the end of Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. Essence absorbed into the Black Soulstone and then into Diablo. Banished to the Black Abyss after D3.

Lesser Evils

Azmodan Lord of Sin

Banished

Architect of the Dark Exile rebellion. Killed by the Nephalem at Bastion’s Keep in D3. Essence sealed into the Black Soulstone, cast to the Black Abyss.

Belial Lord of Lies

ACTIVE — Season 8 return

Co-leader of the Dark Exile. Posed as Emperor Hakan II in D3 and was slain in Caldeum. Per Blizzard’s Game Informer interview, Belial returns in D4 Season 8 (Lord of Lies), using Mephisto’s Sanctuary incursion as cover to slip back through.

Andariel Maiden of Anguish

ACTIVE — D4 Lair Boss

Held the gates of Hell against the Wanderer in D2 Act I. Helped overthrow the Three. Returns in D4 as a Greater Lair Boss, dropping Mythic Uniques — confirming the Lesser Evils are reorganizing.

Duriel Lord of Pain

ACTIVE — D4 Lair Boss

Andariel’s twin. D2 Act II ambush boss in the Tomb of Tal Rasha. Returns in D4 as the King of Maggots Lair Boss, summoned with Shards of Agony (from Varshan/Grigoire) and Mucus-Slick Eggs.

Related — Lilith & Inarius

Lilith Daughter of Hatred

Defeated — end of base D4

Daughter of Mephisto, not a Prime Evil herself. Co-created Sanctuary with Inarius. Mother of the nephalem. Base D4 antagonist — worshipped by cultists as "Mother of Sanctuary." Defeated at the Throne of Hatred in Act VI.

Inarius Fallen Angel

Killed by Lilith — Act VI

Renegade member of the Angiris Council. Founder of the Cathedral of Light. Lilith’s former lover. Wanted to abandon Sanctuary and return to Heaven by force. Lilith kills him at the Throne of Hatred before the Wanderer arrives.