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Hearthstone Brings StarCraft and Major Updates in 2025

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Hearthstone is taking a bold step into the StarCraft universe with "Heroes of StarCraft: The Great Dark Beyond," a 49-card mini-set launching in January 2025.

Featuring iconic factions like Zerg, Protoss, and Terran, complete with legendary leaders Sarah Kerrigan, Artanis, Jim Raynor, this set blends StarCraft nostalgia with Hearthstone's gameplay.

Additionally, Arena Mode is getting a massive overhaul, introducing shorter Normal Arena runs and a high-stakes Underground Arena with a game matching "re-draft on loss" mechanic, giving you the option to re-draft cards, edit your deck, and keep your run alive, after you lose.

The year ahead promises 3 expansions, including the Emerald Dream's battle between Old Gods and Druids, a return to Un'Goro Crater, and a Chromie-led journey through alternate realities.

Blizzard Logo(Source)

Hearthstone: Heroes of StarCraft – The Great Dark Beyond Mini-Set  

Early next year, Hearthstone is going beyond Warcraft and into... Heroes of StarCraft! This special Mini-Set will have a whopping 49 new cards across three themed factions, which show what the StarCraft universe would look like in the Hearthstone Tavern. Each faction is made up of cards that can be used across multiple classes, including an iconic Hero card. 

 Zerg 
Death Knight, Demon Hunter, Hunter, and Warlock have joined the Zerg! Led by the formidable  Sarah Kerrigan, they will have aggressive cards that win the game by swarming the board. 

 Protoss 
Druid, Mage, Priest, and Rogue fight for the Protoss Empire. Led by the High Templar Artanis, they will have powerful, high-cost cards that are made cheaper throughout the game. 

 Terran 
Paladin, Shaman, and Warrior make up the Terran forces, led by the one and only Jim Raynor. They will command Battlecruisers—a special take on the Starship mechanic from The Great Dark Beyond. 

The Mini-Set will feature a slew of StarCraft units which are sure to invoke nostalgia, as well as the Terran-armored Murloc, Grunty, and new, thematic music. You can chart a course for the Heroes of StarCraft Mini-Set, launching in January 2025! More announcements, details, and card reveals are coming closer to launch. 

 Major Arena Updates 

Then, for the first time in 10 years, Arena Mode is getting a major overhaul. With that update, there will be two kinds of Arena to choose from. Normal Arena will be shorter form, allowing you to complete your runs more quickly. Competitive Arena players will be able to play in the higher-stakes Underground Arena, with longer runs and a new feature: Re-Draft on Loss. Re-Draft on Loss means that, after you lose, you’ll have the option to re-draft cards, edit your deck, and keep your run alive. 

Ratings will also be added to both Normal and Underground Arena. Normal, skill-based matchmaking will be used for Normal Arena. Underground Arena throws caution to the wind and lets you face off against opponents of all skill levels. 

This major Arena revamp is coming in the first half of next year. Look out for more details about this update closer to when it goes live. 

A Preview of the Year Ahead: The Year of the Raptor!

On top of those updates, Hearthstone has an exciting year of expansions ahead, with much-requested themes, locations, and familiar faces across Azeroth. 

In the first expansion of the year, enter the Emerald Dream and join the battle between the Old Gods and the Druids of the Emerald Dream for the fate of the World Tree. Things will heat up even more when the Druids of the Flame light up the Mini-Set (releasing earlier than normal this year, during the 32.2 Patch). 

The second expansion of the year will be Hearthstone’s first-ever sequel: the return to Un’Goro Crater! Join Elise on a hunt for a mythical, lost Tortollan city. When you find it, join the Tortollans in a festival to celebrate the mighty dinosaurs of the crater in the 33.4 Mini-Set. 

In the third expansion of the year, travel with Chromie through alternate realities to recruit Legendary Warcraft heroes like you’ve never seen them before. Leading to the 34.4 Mini-Set: an epic showdown against Murozond at the end of time! 

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