These novels are all considered canon, though ''Demonsbane'' and ''Legacy of Blood'' tell smaller, self-contained stories that do not have much to do with or further the larger game plot. The Sin War trilogy develops much of the world lore and backstory of the creation of Sanctuary, plus the eternal struggle between the Burning Hells and High Heavens, and is considered the lore and canon that leads directly into the plot of Diablo III, with some small [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/bashiok-on-act-3-and/ retcon adjustments] here and there.

The Sin War novels developed the early lore and story of the Diablo universe and were written to tie into the ongoing story, as it will be developed in Diablo III. They were a collaboration between [[Chris Metzen]] and their author, [[Richard Knaak]].[http://www.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/diablo_the_sin_war_trilogy___public_qa_with_richard_a_knaak]