The Year of the Raptor has arrived in Hearthstone, ushering in a new expansion cycle, a refreshed Core Set, and the exciting return of esports. The first expansion of the year, "Into the Emerald Dream," is poised to launch soon, preceded by a special event to ramp up the excitement. Players can also look forward to a new Year of the Raptor board, complete with refreshed visuals and audio to enhance the gaming experience.
This year's Core Set update in Hearthstone brings back familiar cards, introduces balance changes, and adds a few brand-new cards to the mix. To improve gameplay, cards known for burst damage and other frustrating mechanics have been removed. More comprehensive details on the update will be revealed as we approach its release date.
The competitive scene is set to thrive with the return of two Seasonal Championships and a World Championship in 2025, all part of Hearthstone Esports. In partnership with Netease Thunderfire, the program will offer a minimum of $600,000 in prizes, designed to draw more players into the competitive arena. The format and ruleset will be announced in the near future.
Looking ahead, a major update to the Arena mode is on the horizon with Patch 32.2, following the release of Into the Emerald Dream. While specifics remain under wraps, this update aims to enhance the drafting experience and offer a fresh take on the mode. Alongside this, Patch 32.2 will introduce a Battlegrounds Seasonal Update and the Into the Emerald Dream Mini-Set, which will be released one patch earlier than usual.
This change in the patch schedule reflects a broader adjustment to better synchronize development and content cycles. The Into the Emerald Dream expansion will maintain its usual structure, with all anticipated updates and events. Following Patch 32.4, the schedule will revert to its standard format with Patch 33.0.
Embrace the excitement of the Year of the Raptor by downloading Hearthstone for free today. For more information, be sure to visit the official website.
