Cataclysm is the new Hearthstone expansion. It features Deathwing plus the Herald and Shatter keywords.
Blizzard Entertainment just revealed Cataclysm as the next Hearthstone expansion. The announcement arrived during the Hearthstone Spotlight event on Feb. 9.
Hearthstone Cataclysm release date
Hearthstone's Cataclysm expansion arrives on March 17. This update sees the return of Deathwing, however, not like the one from World of Warcraft's lore. Instead, this Deathwing is from a timeline where he never fell! How did this come about? According to Blizzard Entertainment, Murozond smashed the Hourglass of Time and opened a portal to this timeline.
Deathwing enters new Hearthstone expansion
To showcase Deathwing's might, the new Hearthstone expansion features the first-ever Deathwing hero card. Cataclysm also has new Colossal minions plus the Herald and Shatter keywords.
Hearthstone gets Herald keyword
Speaking of keywords, only six select classes have cards with them in the Cataclysm expansion. Since Deathwing is working with the Death Knight, Demon Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, and Warrior classes, they're the classes with Herald cards.
- Herald delivers instant value by summoning a Colossal Soldier and keeps scaling in strength throughout the game.
- Playing a Herald minion summons a Soldier that has the same ability as your class Colossal's appendages.
- Each Herald uses upgrades both the Soldier and your Colossal’s appendages. Herald twice to double their power, four times to double it a final time.
- Herald also empowers Deathwing, Worldbreaker, increasing the number of Cataclysms he unleashes when played. Herald twice to play two Cataclysms, four times to use all four.
Below is a demonstration of how the Herald keyword works in the game.
Hearthstone gets Shatter keyword
Meanwhile, the different dragonflights fighting against Deathwing are calling upon the Mage, Priest, Druid, Hunter, and Paladin classes for their help. Each of these classes get a legendary Dragon Aspect card. These classes also have cards with the new Shatter keyword.
- When you draw a card with Shatter, it breaks into two pieces that move to opposite ends of your hand.
- You can play the pieces separately, but if you manage to bring them back together by playing the cards in between, they recombine into a single card that’s doubly strong.
Below is a demonstration of how the Shatter keyword works in Hearthstone as well.
Hearthstone Cataclysm card reveals
Below is the schedule for the Cataclysm card reveals. The streams feature YouTube and Twitch Drops. Don't forget to participate in the theorycrafting and community events for more freebies, either. Players who log in to Hearthstone starting Feb. 9 can also claim the free Warmaster Blackthorn neutral legendary minion.
- Hunter Colossal Reveal: Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. PST
- Druid Colossal Reveal: Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. PST
- Mage Colossal Reveal: Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. PST
- Priest Colossal Reveal: Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. PST
- Death Knight and Demon Hunter: Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. PST
- Special Guest Reveals: Dark Lady Cosplay: Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. PST
- Special Guest Reveals: Hearthstone on Reddit (Neutral cards): Feb. 18 and Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. PST
- Druid and Rogue: Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. PST
- Special Guest Reveals: The Karazhan Library: Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. PST
- Mage and Hunter: Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. PST
- Special Guest Reveals: Hearthstone Discord: Feb. 24 and Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. PST
- Priest and Warlock: Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. PST
- HearthTOON: Feb. 26 at 12 p.m. PST
- Warrior, Paladin, and Shaman: Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. PST
- Final Card Reveal Live Stream: March 3 at 11 a.m. PST
- Theorycrafting (Theorycasting streams on Twitch):
- NA/LATAM/EMEA: March 5 from 9 a.m. PST to 9 p.m. PST
- APAC: March 6 from 2 a.m. PST to 8 a.m. PST
- Community Days: March 10 at 10 a.m. PST to March 14 at 10 a.m. PST
That's all for now. Stick around on esports.gg for more Hearthstone news and updates.
