Hearthstone has kicked off the Year of the Raptor with a myriad of new content

The Year of the Raptor has officially begun in Hearthstone, ushering in a new expansion cycle, an updated Core Set, and the return of the competitive esports scene. The excitement starts with the launch of the first expansion of the year, Into the Emerald Dream, accompanied by a special lead-up event. Players can also enjoy a new Year of the Raptor board, complete with updated visuals and audio to enhance your gaming experience.

The Core Set in Hearthstone is getting a significant refresh this year, featuring a blend of returning cards, balance adjustments, and exciting new additions. To ensure a smoother gameplay experience, cards known for their burst damage and other frustrating mechanics have been removed. Stay tuned for more detailed information as the release approaches.

The competitive scene is back with a vengeance, featuring two Seasonal Championships and a World Championship in 2025. In partnership with Netease Thunderfire, Hearthstone Esports will offer a prize pool of at least $600,000, aiming to attract more players to the competitive arena. Keep an eye out for upcoming announcements on the format and ruleset.

Looking forward, a major Arena update is slated for Patch 32.2, following the Into the Emerald Dream expansion. Though details are still scarce, this update promises to enhance the drafting process and bring a fresh twist to the mode. Patch 32.2 will also include a Battlegrounds Seasonal Update and the Into the Emerald Dream Mini-Set, which will be released earlier than usual.

This change in the patch schedule is designed to better synchronize development and content release cycles. The overall structure of the Into the Emerald Dream expansion will remain consistent with previous expansions, including all anticipated updates and events. Following Patch 32.4, the schedule will revert to the standard format starting with Patch 33.0.

Dive into the excitement of the Year of the Raptor by downloading Hearthstone for free today. For more details, visit the official Hearthstone website.