Hearthstone Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Expansions are major card set additions to the game of Hearthstone. Expansions introduce the majority of collectible cards into the game, with each expansion introducing around 130-145 new cards. These cards, referred to as expansion cards, are used primarily to create and build decks to play in Casual or Ranked mode, in either the Standard, Wild, or Twist game format modes. These expansion cards are obtained chiefly through purchasing and opening card packs, through crafting, or through earning Arena rewards.

In early 2017, the developers announced their plans to release three expansions each year, with each expansion featuring around 130 new cards, abandoning their previous annual release cycle of expansion-adventure-expansion.[1] Starting with Knights of the Frozen Throne in August 2017, expansions also featured optional solo-player content in the form of Missions, effectively integrating an adventure into each expansion.[1]

Hearthstone's first expansion was Goblins vs Gnomes, released in December 2014.

List[]

The following is a table of all expansions, counting all collectible cards and Mini-set cards.

Card sets
FormatCard setRelease dateTypeYearCollectibleBy rarity
StandardTITANS - SVG logoTITANSAugust 1, 2023ExpansionWolf14553 Common/38 Rare/27 Epic/27 Legendary
StandardFestival of Legends - SVG logoFestival of LegendsApril 11, 2023ExpansionWolf18369 Common/55 Rare/28 Epic/31 Legendary
StandardMarch of the Lich King - SVG logoMarch of the Lich KingDecember 6, 2022ExpansionHydra18369 Common/55 Rare/28 Epic/31 Legendary
StandardMurder at Castle Nathria - SVG logoMurder at Castle NathriaAugust 2, 2022ExpansionHydra17066 Common/49 Rare/26 Epic/29 Legendary
StandardVoyage to the Sunken City - SVG logoVoyage to the Sunken CityApril 12, 2022ExpansionHydra17066 Common/49 Rare/26 Epic/29 Legendary
WildFractured in Alterac Valley - SVG logoFractured in Alterac ValleyDecember 7, 2021ExpansionGryphon17066 Common/49 Rare/26 Epic/29 Legendary
WildUnited in Stormwind - SVG logoUnited in StormwindAugust 3, 2021ExpansionGryphon17066 Common/49 Rare/26 Epic/29 Legendary
WildForged in the Barrens - SVG logoForged in the BarrensMarch 30, 2021ExpansionGryphon17066 Common/49 Rare/26 Epic/29 Legendary
WildMadness at the Darkmoon Faire - SVG logoMadness at the Darkmoon FaireNovember 17, 2020ExpansionPhoenix17070 Common/46 Rare/25 Epic/29 Legendary
WildScholomance Academy - SVG logoScholomance AcademyAugust 6, 2020ExpansionPhoenix13552 Common/35 Rare/23 Epic/25 Legendary
WildAshes of Outland - SVG logoAshes of OutlandApril 7, 2020ExpansionPhoenix13552 Common/35 Rare/23 Epic/25 Legendary
WildDescent of Dragons - SVG logoDescent of DragonsDecember 10, 2019ExpansionDragon14049 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/28 Legendary
WildSaviors of Uldum - SVG logoSaviors of UldumAugust 6, 2019ExpansionDragon13549 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/23 Legendary
WildRise of Shadows - SVG logoRise of ShadowsApril 9, 2019ExpansionDragon13649 Common/37 Rare/26 Epic/24 Legendary
WildRastakhan's Rumble - SVG logoRastakhan's RumbleDecember 4, 2018ExpansionRaven13549 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/23 Legendary
WildThe Boomsday Project - SVG logoThe Boomsday ProjectAugust 7, 2018ExpansionRaven13649 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/24 Legendary
WildThe Witchwood - SVG logoThe WitchwoodApril 12, 2018ExpansionRaven13549 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/23 Legendary
WildKobolds and Catacombs - SVG logoKobolds & CatacombsDecember 7, 2017ExpansionMammoth13549 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/23 Legendary
WildKnights of the Frozen Throne - SVG logoKnights of the Frozen ThroneAugust 10, 2017ExpansionMammoth13549 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/23 Legendary
WildJourney to Un'Goro - SVG logoJourney to Un'GoroApril 6, 2017ExpansionMammoth13549 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/23 Legendary
WildMean Streets of Gadgetzan - SVG logoMean Streets of GadgetzanDecember 1, 2016ExpansionKraken13249 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/20 Legendary
WildWhispers of the Old Gods - SVG logoWhispers of the Old GodsApril 26, 2016ExpansionKraken13450 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/21 Legendary
WildThe Grand Tournament - SVG logoThe Grand TournamentAugust 24, 2015Expansion13249 Common/36 Rare/27 Epic/20 Legendary
WildGoblins vs Gnomes - SVG logoGoblins vs GnomesDecember 8, 2014Expansion12340 Common/37 Rare/26 Epic/20 Legendary

Release calendar[]

The following is the card set release calendar for all expansions and adventures. The highlighted sets are in Standard format.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2014 Naxx* GvG
2015 BRM* TGT LoE*
2016 WOG Kara* MSG
2017 JUG KFT K&C
2018 TWW TBP RR
2019 RoS SoU DoD
2020 GA* AoO SA MDF
2021 DR# FitB WC# UiS DM# FAV
2022 OL# VSC ToT# MCN M&D# MLK
2023 RtN# FoL Aud# TTN

* Adventure

# Mini-set

Standard format expansions[]

Voyage to the Sunken City[]

Voyage to the Sunken City banner
Main article: Voyage to the Sunken City

Voyage to the Sunken City is Hearthstone's 20th expansion, featuring new 135 collectible cards released on April 12, 2022. The expansion depicts an underwater expedition down to the ancient city of Zin-Azshari led by Voyage to the Sunken CityAmbassador Faelin, who hired Sir Finley and Voyage to the Sunken CityIni Stormcoil to aid him to return to his former home for personal purposes.

Voyage to the Sunken City features 2 new keywords, Colossal and Dredge, a new permanent minion type Naga, as well as bunch of cards with deck manipulation mechanic to take advantage of the keyword Dredge.

Murder at Castle Nathria[]

Murder at Castle Nathria banner
Main article: Murder at Castle Nathria

Murder at Castle Nathria is Hearthstone's 21st expansion, featuring new 135 collectible cards released on August 2, 2022. The expansion depicts a dinner party in Castle Nathria hosted by Murder at Castle NathriaSire Denathrius, where he unexpectedly meets his end. Detective Murder at Castle NathriaMurloc Holmes has been called to solve the case and determine which of the ten suspects committed the crime.

Murder at Castle Nathria features a new keyword - Infuse - which allows cards to get more powerful as friendly minions die. The expansion also introduces a brand new card type - Location. Locations are played onto the battlefield for an initial cost, and then have an ability that can be activated for free on your turns, each time for a powerful effect.

March of the Lich King[]

March of the Lich King - banner
Main article: March of the Lich King

March of the Lich King is Hearthstone's 22nd expansion, featuring new 145 collectible cards released on December 6, 2022. The expansion depicts the return of Knights of the Frozen ThroneThe Lich King, as he leads his Undead army to an all-out assault on the elven city of Silvermoon. The Blood Elves won’t go down easily; they are as thirsty for combat as they are for the magic of the Sunwell that they draw power from.

March of the Lich King introduces Hearthstone's 11th total and second-ever new class, the Death Knight, a new minion type - Undead, dual minion types, a new keyword - Manathirst, and the return of the Reborn keyword.

Festival of Legends[]

Festival of Legends - banner
Main article: Festival of Legends

Festival of Legends is Hearthstone's 23rd expansion, featuring new 145 collectible cards released on April 11, 2023. The expansion takes place in the Thousand Needles, where Festival of LegendsE.T.C., Band Manager is gathering the greatest musicians from all over Azeroth to put on the biggest music festival in history.

Festival of Legends introduces 2 new keywords: Finale, which allows cards to have bonus effects if playing them spends the rest of your mana, and Overheal, a new class-specific evergreen keyword for priests that allows minions to trigger special effects if they're healed above their max health.

TITANS[]

TITANS - banner
Main article: TITANS

TITAN' is Hearthstone's 24th expansion, featuring new 145 collectible cards released on August 1, 2023. The expansion takes place in the distant past, just after the defeat of the Old Gods, before life inhabited Azeroth. The Titans are gathering in Ulduar to prepare the planet for the Age of Mortals.

TITANS introduces 2 new keywords: Forge and Titan. Forge cards can be dragged into the player's deck to pay 2 mana and upgrade it, then return the card to the player's hand. Minions with the Titan keyword have three unique abilities that they activate instead of attacking normally. TITANS also features the return of the keyword Magnetic, featuring new class cards with Magnetic for classes that previously didn't have access to it.

Wild format expansions[]

Goblins vs Gnomes[]

Goblins vs Gnomes banner
Main article: Goblins vs Gnomes

Goblins vs Gnomes (often abbreviated as GvG) was the first expansion for Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft. The second infusion of new cards to be added to the game, after Naxxramas , the expansion features 143 new cards (123 of which are collectible), with a strong mechanical theme, and introduced the Mech minion type, as well as debuting the long-awaited spectator mode. The expansion was debuted in an arena-only launch event on December 4th, 2014, with the full launch taking place on December 8th/9th/10th.

The Grand Tournament[]

The Grand Tournament banner
Main article: The Grand Tournament

The Grand Tournament is Hearthstone's second expansion, launched August 24th, 2015. With more than 130 new cards, the expansion features a strong theme of Hero Power-related effects, as well as seeing the introduction of the first full new keyword since the game's release - Inspire - allowing minions to grant special effects each time the player uses their Hero Power. It also introduced a new non-keyword mechanic, Joust.

Whispers of the Old Gods[]

Whispers of the Old Gods banner
Main article: Whispers of the Old Gods

Whispers of the Old Gods is Hearthstone's third expansion, launched April 26th, 2016. Featuring 134 new collectible cards, this sinister expansion revolves around the dark influence of the Old Gods, ancient and unspeakably evil creatures that have long lain hidden, imprisoned in the dark places of the world millennia ago. Despite their imprisonment, these shadowy beings' influence can be felt in every corner of Azeroth, twisting and corrupting any who hear their maddening whispers. With an army of followers performing forbidden empowerment rituals, the tentacles of these massive horrors are growing rapidly toward the light, eager to bring their own kind of excitement to the sunlit kingdoms and merry taverns of Azeroth.

Mean Streets of Gadgetzan[]

Mean Streets of Gadgetzan banner
Main article: Mean Streets of Gadgetzan

Released December 1, 2016, Hearthstone's fourth expansion, Mean Streets of Gadgetzan, features 132 new collectible cards. Set in the bustling, lawless port city of Gadgetzan, the expansion features characters from the city's three ruling crime families - the brutish Grimy Goons, the assassins of the Jade Lotus, and the shadowy spellcasters of the Kabal. With their own minions, spells and weapons, each family is formed from an allegiance of three different Hearthstone classes, resulting in multi-class cards, usable by heroes of any of those three classes.

Journey to Un'Goro[]

Journey to Un'Goro banner2
Main article: Journey to Un'Goro

Journey to Un'Goro is the fifth expansion to Hearthstone, featuring 135 collectible cards. The expansion was released on April 6, 2017 in the Americas region, and April 7, 2017 in the Europe and Asia regions. The expansion features the new Adapt mechanic, the new Quest card type, and adds the new Elemental minion type. Set in the primordial mists of Un'Goro Crater, the expansion sees Elise Starseeker leading an expedition to explore the strange wonders of the region. The denizens of the region include dinosaurs, raging elementals and unusually active plants, many of whom have learned to adapt to the needs of the situation with impressive new powers.

Knights of the Frozen Throne[]

Knights of the Frozen Throne banner
Main article: Knights of the Frozen Throne

Released August 10th, 2017, Knights of the Frozen Throne is the sixth expansion to Hearthstone, featuring 135 collectible cards. Set in the frozen wastes of Northrend, the expansions sees each of the nine classic heroes of Warcraft fall under the sway of the Lich King, becoming undead death knights in his service. The expansion features the introduction of a new card type in the form of the hero card, which replaces the player's hero portrait and Hero Power, as well as the Lifesteal keyword. Knights of the Frozen Throne is also the first expansion to feature a new type of free, optional single-player content in the form of Missions, which take the player through the halls of Icecrown and rewards card packs and a random Legendary hero card.

Kobolds & Catacombs[]

Kobolds and Catacombs banner
Main article: Kobolds & Catacombs

Kobolds & Catacombs is the seventh expansion to Hearthstone. It was released on December 7, 2017 and is the final expansion in the Year of the Mammoth. This set consists of 135 collectible cards, along with the new Recruit keyword, Legendary weapons for all classes, and offers the new Solo Adventures option of Dungeon Run. Hearkening back to the roots of classic fantasy and dungeon crawlers, the expansion sees players venturing deep into dark dungeons and winding catacombs in search of treasure and loot, encountering monsters, traps, rival adventurers, and — above all — slovenly, candle-obsessed kobolds along the way.

The Witchwood[]

The Witchwood banner
Main article: The Witchwood

The Witchwood is the eighth expansion to Hearthstone. It was released on April 12, 2018 and is the first expansion in the Year of the Raven. This set consists of 135 collectible cards, featuring three new keywords: Start of Game, Echo, and Rush. It also added a new game mode called Monster Hunt, a single-player mode akin to Dungeon Run that features four exclusive playable classes. The expansion also celebrated the release of Hero SkinsLunara, a new druid alternate hero. The release of The Witchwood ended the previous Standard year, the Year of the Mammoth. Set in the worgen kingdom of Gilneas, its citizens band together to fight the evil witch Hagatha who has corrupted the neighboring forest. The Witchwood expansion is the first one in which two minions, Baku the Mooneater and Genn Greymane, rotated out of standard after one year instead of two.

The Boomsday Project[]

The Boomsday Project banner
Main article: The Boomsday Project

The Boomsday Project is Hearthstone's ninth expansion, released on August 7, 2018. Featuring 136 new collectible cards, the Puzzle Lab single-player content, and the new warlock alternate hero Hero SkinsMecha-Jaraxxus, the expansion introduces the Magnetic keyword, Legendary spells for all nine classes, and themed "Project" and "Omega" cards. Set in the shattered, otherworldly region of the Netherstorm in Outland, the science-themed expansion is centered around the famous Goblins vs GnomesDr. Boom and his team of elite scientists at Boom Labs working on a mysterious top-secret project, unleashing all manner of strange experiments along the way.

Rastakhan's Rumble[]

Rastakhan's Rumble banner
Main article: Rastakhan's Rumble

Rastakhan's Rumble is Hearthstone's tenth expansion, released on December 4, 2018. Featuring 135 new collectible cards, the Rumble Run single-player content, and the new shaman alternate hero Hero SkinsKing Rastakhan. Set in the Gurubashi Arena, combatants fight for glory of the Loa spirits. The expansion introduces the Overkill keyword, and spirits and legendary Loa minions for all nine classes.

Rise of Shadows[]

Rise of Shadows banner
Main article: Rise of Shadows

Rise of Shadows is Hearthstone's eleventh expansion, released on April 9, 2019. Featuring 136 new collectible cards, the The Dalaran Heist single-player content, and the new priest alternate hero Rise of ShadowsMadame Lazul, the expansion introduces the Twinspell keyword. Five of the villains of Hearthstone's previous expansions band together to form the League of E.V.I.L., devising a scheme to take over the magical floating city of Dalaran.

Saviors of Uldum[]

Saviors of Uldum banner
Main article: Saviors of Uldum

Saviors of Uldum is Hearthstone's twelfth expansion, released on August 6, 2019. Featuring 135 new collectible cards, the Tombs of Terror single-player content, and the new druid alternate hero Elise Starseeker, expansion introduces the Reborn keyword. The set also reintroduces quest cards again as we know it from Journey to Un'Goro. Following the events of Rise of Shadows, the League of E.V.I.L. successfully steals the city of Dalaran and takes it to Uldum, but the League of Explorers steps in to foil Rafaam's plan.

Descent of Dragons[]

Descent of Dragons banner
Main article: Descent of Dragons

Descent of Dragons is Hearthstone's thirteenth expansion, released on December 10, 2019. Featuring 140 new collectible cards, and the new warrior alternate hero Deathwing, expansion introduces the Invoke keyword and Sidequest cards. The League of E.V.I.L. travels to Dragonblight to fulfill their ultimate plan: reawaken Galakrond, the primeval dragon. The League of Explorers and the League of E.V.I.L. face off once again, with the fate of the world at stake.

Ashes of Outland[]

Ashes of Outland banner
Main article: Ashes of Outland

Ashes of Outland is Hearthstone's fourteenth expansion, featuring 135 new collectible cards and the alternate shaman hero Lady Vashj. The expansion was released on April 7, 2020. Like the previous expansions, this one also includes Trial by Felfire, a free single-player content, where Hero SkinsAranna Starseeker must stop the Rusted Legion.

Ashes of Outland also featured Hearthstone's first new class, the Demon Hunter. The expansion did not introduce any new keywords directly. However, the Demon Hunter class uses its own special keyword; Outcast, which has an effect if the card is played from the left or right-most spot in the hand. Meanwhile, one of the old abilities, Dormant, was keyworded.

Scholomance Academy[]

Scholomance Academy banner
Main article: Scholomance Academy

Scholomance Academy is Hearthstone's fifteenth expansion, featuring 135 new collectible cards. The expansion was released August 6, 2020.

Set in the magical school of Scholomance, run by headmaster Kel'Thuzad at a time before he became an evil lich, the expansion sees aspiring young champions of every class studying in this prestigious academy. However, beneath the halls of Scholomance lies a secret, evil cult. Scholomance Academy introduced the new Spellburst keyword, an effect that triggers the first time you cast a spell with the minion on board. It also added dual-class cards, double majors that can be used by either class and combine themes and mechanics from each other.

Madness at the Darkmoon Faire[]

Madness at the Darkmoon Faire banner
Main article: Madness at the Darkmoon Faire

Madness at the Darkmoon Faire is Hearthstone's sixteenth expansion, featuring 135 new collectible cards. The expansion was released on November 17th, 2020.

This expansion takes place on the mysterious Darkmoon Island, on the fairgrounds run by Madness at the Darkmoon FaireSilas Darkmoon and his carnies... with four sinister guests from the depths of the Void. This expansion adds the new Corrupt keyword, which powers up corruptible cards in your hand by playing a card that's more expensive than it. It also features the return of the Old Gods Yogg-Saron, C'Thun, Y'Shaarj and N'Zoth (the latter of which is also now a new Hero). This expansion is set to be the first in Hearthstone to follow a "mini-expansion" format, adding 35 additional cards to the set halfway through the expansion's life cycle with the Darkmoon Races.

Forged in the Barrens[]

Forged in the Barrens banner
Main article: Forged in the Barrens

Forged in the Barrens is Hearthstone's seventeenth expansion, featuring 135 new collectible cards. The expansion was released on March 30th, 2021.

Set in the dusty savannah territory of the Barrens, a literal crossroads where tauren, troll, and orc adventurers gather to prove their worth. Mercenaries of old and newcomers alike train for an upcoming conflict with the Alliance. This set introduced the new keyword, Frenzy, which causes a minion to do something the first time it takes damage as long as it survived the attack. Additionally, it added seven Spell schools to the game; Arcane, Fel, Fire, Frost, Holy, Nature, and Shadow. This applies to new spells but also old ones, opening up many new synergies. It also added Ranked Spells that become more powerful as you gain mana, and Mercenaries that will have their stories told throughout the year.

United in Stormwind[]

United in Stormwind banner
Main article: United in Stormwind

United in Stormwind is Hearthstone's 18th expansion, featuring 135 collectible cards released on August 3, 2021.

Set in the majestic capital city Stormwind, a testament to all the Alliance stands for, United in Stormwind features the Alliance's mercenaries coming to rest, preparing for the next step in their journey, and filled with bustling trade, shiny equipment, epic mounts, and new Questlines.

United in Stormwind introduced two new keywords: Tradeable and Questline. Tradable cards can be dragged into your deck to spend 1 mana and draw a new card from your deck, while Questline cards, similar to Quest ones, are legendary spells that start in your hand, have a condition and along with the reward for meeting the condition. However, unlike Quest, each Questline card consists of three conditions and three rewards, with the first rewards functioning similarly to Sidequest, and the final reward which is added to your hand for completing all three conditions.

Fractured in Alterac Valley[]

Fractured in Alterac Valley banner
Main article: Fractured in Alterac Valley

Fractured in Alterac Valley is Hearthstone's 19th expansion, featuring new 135 collectible cards released on December 7, 2021. Set in Alterac Valley, the expansion depicts the epic battle between the Alliance and the Horde and concludes the story of 10 mercenaries, who decided to join the battle for honor and shards of a fallen naaru.

Fractured in Alterac Valley features again 10 mercenaries, this time max leveled as hero cards, a new keyword Honorable Kill which triggers its bonus effect when the card deals exact lethal damage to the target on their owner's turn, and Objective spells which have an ongoing effect lasting for 3 turns.

Fractured in Alterac Valley also featured a faction event that lasted from December 7 to January 11, which the player fights for honor points to claim the diamond version of the faction leader card they have chosen.

Expansion cards[]

Expansion cards are cards added to the game through expansions, or the game's original release, rather than through adventures or other means.

How to get[]

All Standard format expansion cards are obtainable through card packs, through crafting, or as Arena rewards. Standard expansion cards may also be found in the Highest Rank Bonus chest at the end of each Ranked season.

Wild format expansion cards are obtainable through crafting or card packs.

Twist format cards can be obtained depending on whether the current available sets are part of Standard or Wild.

Expansion cards are added to the game in large batches with each new expansion from patch updates. They are different from adventure cards in the way they are obtained. Adventure cards are obtained in small batches, as each wing of the corresponding adventure is released. The introduction of new expansion cards thus tends to have a larger impact on the game's meta than that of adventure cards. The old adventures can still be bought either in-game or in the online Blizzard Shop.

Standard format[]

Main article: Standard format

When the first new expansion is released each year, all card sets that weren't released in the same year or the year prior are removed from Standard format. Cards from these removed sets are termed Wild cards and can only be used in Wild format matches, or Twist format matches, should the current rotation allow it. For details on how the Standard format year works, see The Standard year.

Expansions and adventures[]

Starting in 2014, only a few months after the game's release, Hearthstone presented two different forms of content: adventures and expansions. The former featured a small number of cards and a substantial solo experience, with special bosses and challenges; while expansions brought far larger amounts of cards, but without solo content of any kind. Additionally, while adventures' cards were earned through defeating bosses, expansions' cards were earned through regular means such as crafting and card packs.

Despite these differences, in more general parlance, adventures can be considered equivalent to expansions in other games, with substantial changes to the game's basic play experience that far exceed the impact of a regular patch. For example, Curse of Naxxramas, the game's first adventure, is commonly considered its first 'expansion'.

Between the release of the game in March 2014 and the start of the Year of the Mammoth in spring 2017, Hearthstone saw an alternating pattern of adventures and expansions. However, in early 2017 the developers announced plans to integrate future adventure content into expansions. Starting with the second expansion of 2017, each release will feature optional single-player missions, themed around the expansion and serving to illustrate its story, setting and characters. These missions will be free of charge, but may not award cards in the same way or numbers in which adventures have until now. Further details will be announced later in the year.

Notes[]

  • By the time an expansion is released, Team 5 are "already working a lot on future expansions",[2] including "not only the next [expansion] but the one after that as well".[2] Former Game Director Ben Brode states that the team always have "3-ish expansions in development",[3] although it is likely this also includes adventures. According to Senior Producer Yong Woo, the developers are always "trying to get ahead of the curve".[2] In April 2018, shortly after the release of The Witchwood, Ben Brode stated that the next set had passed through final design, the stage in development during which Team 5 focuses on refining the balance and clarity of the set's new cards. The set after that was currently in the final design process, and the set after was in the initial design phase, during which Team 5 comes up with the ideas for the set's general theme and for the cards and their mechanics. All in all, there are usually at least three sets that Team 5 know about but which players don't yet know about.[4] Later in 2018, the expansion development process was described as a full year cycle with different people working on it for about 16 weeks per team. First, the initial design team spend about 16 weeks nailing down the mechanics, art, and voice overs for the set before passing it onto final design, who refine and tweak the set's mechanics to "make an awesome set that's fair and fun, has cool themes, and all that stuff". At the same time, artists work on creating the card art and golden card animations. When final design starts finishing up, the team records all of the voice lines for the cards while the sound department engineer the various sound effects and the effects artists create the in-game visual effects and animations. At this point, when final design is done and animation is in progress, the engineering team spend time "cleaning up [...] whatever horrible things we've done in design" to ensure that cards function on a technical level and don't cause server or client crashes. The set then heads towards the very end of the cycle, at which point the PR team starts working on how best to market the set and reveal all of the various cards before it is finally released and becomes available to players.[5]

Speculation[]

  • Future expansions may bring increased level caps for heroes, although this has not yet been the case.
  • World of Warcraft already has eight expansions, with the latest being Dragonflight. However, only two of the Hearthstone expansions so far have matched with one of these (Wrath of the Lich King, the Burning Crusade), with a preference for original themes that stem off of smaller pieces of Warcraft lore.

Trivia[]

The Lich King vs Battle Pets

"Only YOU can decide who will be the victor in this epic conflict."

  • Eric Dodds has jokingly referred to a potential The Lich King vs Battle Pets expansion.
"There was another idea out there... well actually it wasn't really an idea out there, but I was kinda wishing it would have been [...] because it's one that I think would be super awesome, is the idea that maybe we could do something like, you know, "THE LICH KING... VS... BATTLE PETS" [...] of course I've only put that up there to have a little fun with it, but on the other hand as I've been looking at it and thinking about it, it... it's starting to grow on me, actually..."[6]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Year of Mammoth Proportions!. (2016-02-16). 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Yong Woo, live on stream. (2014-12-13). 
  3. Ben Brode on Twitter. (2016-09-7). 
  4. Ars Technica (2018-04-18). Blizzard's Ben Brode Answers Unsolved Hearthstone Mysteries. YouTube. Retrieved on 2018-04-20.
  5. Skiffington (2018-11-07). Interview With Hearthstone Game Designers Liv Breeden & Peter Whalen At BlizzCon: Discussing Rastakhan's Rumble!. Hearthstone Top Decks. Retrieved on 2018-11-12.
  6. The Grand Tournament announcement. (2015-07-22). 
Advertisement