World of Warcraft’s Cataclysm Expansion is Coming to Hearthstone

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Hearthstone is getting a new expansion inspired by the classic Cataclysm storyline from World of Warcraft. As the popular card game approaches its 12th anniversary, Blizzard is planning big things, starting with this major expansion. ‘Hearthstone: Cataclysm’ will introduce fresh gameplay features and mechanics, and to make it easier than ever to start playing, Blizzard is offering a free trial of two complete Hearthstone sets.

For over a decade, Hearthstone has been constantly updated with numerous expansions, significantly changing how the game is played. Just last year, 2025, players saw additions like the Heroes of Starcraft mini-set, Into the Emerald Dream, The Lost City of Un’Goro, and Across the Timeways. Now, in 2026, Hearthstone: Cataclysm is set to launch a fresh chapter for the game, promising big updates that will excite both long-time players and those new to Hearthstone.

Hearthstone: Cataclysm Brings the Game into a New Era on March 17

During the 2026 Hearthstone Spotlight event, Blizzard revealed details about the upcoming Cataclysm expansion, launching on March 17th. Inspired by the classic 2010 World of Warcraft expansion, Hearthstone: Cataclysm will introduce familiar characters with a unique spin. This time around, Murozond is bringing a version of Deathwing from an alternate timeline where the Hour of Twilight succeeded, bringing that catastrophic event into the Hearthstone universe.

Okay, so things are getting crazy in Hearthstone! This new threat is huge, and I, as Chromie, have to jump through time and gather all the best heroes from the game’s past to help me out. We’re teaming up with the Dragonflights, and together we – and that means you, the player – need to stop Deathwing from wrecking everything. We can do that by collecting new cards and jumping into these limited-time events. It’s gonna be epic!

Features Coming to Hearthstone: Cataclysm

  • Return of Colossals
  • New Keywords: Herald and Shatter
  • Triumphs and Last Stands Spell Cards
  • New visuals, music, and game boards
  • Free card trials for Into the Emerald Dream and The Lost City of Un’Goro

The new Hearthstone: Cataclysm expansion features the return of Colossal minions – cards that take up multiple spaces on the game board. These unique cards first appeared in the Voyage to the Sunken City expansion in 2022, and with the addition of Deathwing, it makes sense they’re back! Players can look forward to collecting new Colossals like Chromatus and Ragnaros.

Along with bringing back Colossal minions, the Hearthstone: Cataclysm expansion introduces two new gameplay features: Herald and Shatter. Herald appears on cards associated with Deathwing and strengthens both Deathwing and his Lieutenants each time a card with Herald is played. Shatter, found on Dragonflight-aligned cards, splits a card into two when drawn, letting players choose to play them individually or combine them for a stronger effect.

The upcoming Hearthstone: Cataclysm expansion will introduce new class-specific spell cards called Triumphs and Last Stands. These spells showcase each class’s Hero of Time, either celebrating a victory or bravely fighting against Deathwing’s forces.

Image via Blizzard

When the new Hearthstone expansion, Cataclysm, launches, new players will have free access to cards from two full sets—Into the Emerald Dream and The Lost City of Un’Goro—through a special Free Card Trials event. Combined with the updated Core Set and other in-game activities, players will be able to try out roughly two-thirds of all Standard cards without spending any money.

Players who have most of the cards from the “Into the Emerald Dream” or “Lost City of Un’Goro” expansions will get a free Legendary card: Ysera, Emerald Aspect (from Into the Emerald Dream) or Endbringer Umbra (from Lost City of Un’Goro).

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2026-02-09 21:11