The Year of the Raptor has officially launched in Hearthstone, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter filled with fresh expansions, a revamped Core Set, and the return of competitive esports. The journey kicks off with the upcoming expansion, Into the Emerald Dream, which promises an immersive adventure into one of Azeroth’s most mystical realms. A special pre-launch event will set the stage, building anticipation for what’s to come. Alongside, players can enjoy a reimagined Year of the Raptor board, complete with updated visuals and enhanced audio for a more immersive experience.
This year’s Core Set overhaul brings a balanced mix of returning fan-favorite cards, strategic balance adjustments, and a handful of brand-new additions designed to keep gameplay dynamic and engaging. To improve the overall flow of matches, certain cards known for excessive burst damage and disruptive mechanics have been removed. Further insights into the updated card pool will be revealed as the release date approaches.
Esports is back in full force for 2025, with two Seasonal Championships and the prestigious World Championship headlining the competitive calendar. In partnership with Netease Thunderfire, the Hearthstone Esports program will distribute a prize pool of at least $600,000, encouraging broader participation and higher stakes. More information regarding tournament formats, qualification paths, and rules will be shared in the coming weeks.
A major update to the Arena mode is also on the horizon, arriving in Patch 32.2 following the launch of Into the Emerald Dream. While specifics remain under wraps, this long-awaited refresh aims to enhance the drafting experience and deliver a more rewarding and strategic approach to the beloved solo mode. Patch 32.2 will also introduce the Battlegrounds Seasonal Update and the Into the Emerald Dream Mini-Set—this time arriving one patch earlier than previous mini-sets to keep content fresh and timely.
This adjusted patch schedule reflects a broader effort to better synchronize development timelines and content releases. Despite the shift, the full Into the Emerald Dream expansion will maintain its expected structure, including all planned features, events, and rewards. The regular patch cadence will resume with Patch 33.0 after Patch 32.4.
Don’t miss out on the action—download Hearthstone today for free and dive into the new era. For more updates, visit the official website.
Before you go, check out this list of the top turn-based games to play on mobile!
