Overview of Hearthstone’s Year of the Raptor
- Three major expansions set for 2025, introducing new cards and innovative cosmetics like evolving game boards and collectible Pets.
- Esports are reviving, featuring two Seasonal Championships alongside a World Championship event.
- A comprehensive Arena overhaul, a dynamic in-game event, and a refreshed Core set are also anticipated this year.
Hearthstone has recently unveiled exciting plans for 2025, the Year of the Raptor, which will officially commence with the release of the Into the Emerald Dream card set. This launch introduces not only a fresh batch of cards but also innovative cosmetics that enhance the gameplay experience.
During the latest Warcraft Direct presentation, Blizzard shared significant updates, including the upcoming Heroes of StarCraft Mini-Set for The Great Dark Beyond. The three primary expansions slated for 2025 are Into the Emerald Dream, The Shrouded City, and The Heroes of Time. While the StarCraft Mini-Set has already launched, detailed information about the 2025 expansions had been sparse until now.
Key Highlights for Hearthstone in 2025
- Three Expansions:
- Into the Emerald Dream & Druids of the Flame Mini-Set
- The Shrouded City & Festival of the Devilsaur Mini-Set
- The Heroes of Time & The End of Time Mini-Set
- Core Set Refresh: Introducing three new cards:
- Falric (Legendary Death Knight minion)
- Poison Breath (Rare Death Knight spell)
- Babbling Bookcase (Rare Mage minion)
- Introduction of an evolving game board featuring distinct visuals and audio for each expansion.
- The Unleash the Raptor in-game event will lead up to the Into the Emerald Dream launch.
- A significant revamp of the Arena format is expected with the initial patch for Into the Emerald Dream.
- Collectible Pets are set to be released in the final patch of Into the Emerald Dream.
- Enhancements to the esports scene, including two Seasonal Championships and a World Championship.
In a notable shift in the cosmetics realm, Hearthstone will introduce evolving game boards instead of adding new boards with each expansion. This unique board will adapt based on the three card sets being launched in 2025, presenting players with distinct lighting, music, and design elements that evolve with each expansion. Additionally, the introduction of Pets, a new collectible cosmetic element, is expected with the final update of Into the Emerald Dream, aligning with the onset of card reveals for The Shrouded City.
After a period of reduced activity, Hearthstone is revitalizing its esports component with plans for two Seasonal Championships and a World Championship. Fans can look forward to forthcoming announcements regarding event dates, prize pools, and other details related to the competitive scene.
Players have much to anticipate in the Year of the Raptor, which includes a significant Arena overhaul aimed for release shortly after Into the Emerald Dream drops. The upcoming in-game event, Unleash the Raptor, will precede the Core set rotation, while additional Mini-Sets and events will unfold throughout the year. While specific release dates remain unannounced, updates regarding the launch of Into the Emerald Dream and the Core set refresh are expected during the card reveal season, which kicks off the week of February 18.
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