You step into Hearthstone’s next chapter with Cataclysm, a new expansion centered on Deathwing and a reshaped version of Azeroth. The set introduces the Herald and Shatter keywords, which change how you build decks and approach board control.
Blizzard revealed Cataclysm during the Hearthstone Spotlight event on February 9, confirming it as the game’s upcoming expansion. The announcement positions Deathwing at the core of the experience and sets the tone for a darker, more destructive theme.
Hearthstone Cataclysm release date
You can access Cataclysm on March 17 across supported platforms. The expansion centers on a version of Deathwing drawn from an altered timeline, triggered after a fractured time artifact reshaped events.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch day | March 17 |
| Narrative hook | Timeline disruption |
Deathwing arrives in Hearthstone’s latest expansion
You play with Deathwing as a hero card for the first time, reshaping matches through hero powers and deck strategy. The set also expands gameplay with:
- Colossal minions
- Herald and Shatter keywords
Hearthstone gets Herald keyword
You see the Herald keyword limited to six Cataclysm classes tied to Deathwing: Death Knight, Demon Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, and Warrior. These classes alone gain access to Herald cards, which provide immediate board presence and long-term scaling.
When you play a Herald minion, it summons a Colossal Soldier that mirrors the abilities of your class’s Colossal appendages. Each additional Herald use strengthens both the Soldier and those appendages, so value increases as the match continues.
| Herald uses | Resulting effect |
|---|---|
| 1 | Base Soldier and appendage power |
| 2 | Power doubles |
| 4 | Power doubles again |
Herald interactions also affect Deathwing, Worldbreaker. As you stack Herald triggers, you increase the number of Cataclysms he casts when played, reaching the full set after four activations.
If you play Warrior, your Herald effects sync with Ragnaros, the Great Fire, showing how class-specific Colossals shape each Herald payoff.
Hearthstone gets Shatter keyword
You interact with Shatter as a hand-management mechanic tied to Mage, Priest, Druid, Hunter, and Paladin cards aligned against Deathwing. When you draw a Shatter card, the game splits it into two linked fragments placed at opposite ends of your hand.
- You may cast each fragment on its own for a reduced effect.
- You can reunite them by clearing the cards between both pieces.
When the fragments meet, they fuse into a single card with increased impact.
| State | What happens |
|---|---|
| Split | Two playable halves sit apart in your hand |
| Rejoined | One combined card with doubled strength |
You control the timing, which rewards careful sequencing. Paladin spells highlight how precise hand positioning turns planning into direct power.
Hearthstone Cataclysm card reveals
You follow the Cataclysm reveal cycle through a steady series of class spotlights, creator showcases, and community-driven drops. Blizzard spreads the announcements across several weeks, which lets you track new cards while earning rewards through YouTube and Twitch Drops.
If you log in starting February 9, you can immediately claim Warmaster Blackthorn, a free neutral Legendary minion. That reward stays separate from streams, so you do not need to watch live to collect it.
Colossal reveals anchor the early schedule, with one class featured each day at 10 a.m. PST. These streams highlight large-format minions and their attached pieces, giving you a clear look at how Cataclysm reshapes board presence.
| Date | Focus | Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 10 | Hunter Colossal | 10 a.m. |
| Feb. 11 | Druid Colossal | 10 a.m. |
| Feb. 12 | Mage Colossal | 10 a.m. |
| Feb. 13 | Priest Colossal | 10 a.m. |
After the Colossal previews, reveals shift toward paired class drops and guest-hosted segments. These sessions often bundle multiple cards and mechanics together, which helps you evaluate synergies earlier.
- Death Knight and Demon Hunter appear on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. PST.
- Druid and Rogue follow on Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. PST.
- Mage and Hunter return on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. PST.
- Priest and Warlock arrive on Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. PST.
- Warrior, Paladin, and Shaman close class reveals on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. PST.
Community platforms also host neutral and mixed reveals, including Reddit, Discord, and themed creator channels. These sessions run mainly at 10 a.m. PST between February 18 and February 26.
You then move into hands-on evaluation through theorycrafting streams on March 5 and March 6, followed by Community Days from March 10 to March 14. The final live reveal lands on March 3 at 11 a.m. PST, completing the full Cataclysm card list.
