Cataclysm Comes to Hearthstone in March 2026

During the Hearthstone Spotlight 2026, which aired earlier today, Blizzard developers unveiled a bold new chapter for the game with the announcement of its next major expansion, Hearthstone: Cataclysm.

Set to launch on March 18, 2026, the expansion reimagines World of Warcraft’s iconic Cataclysm storyline from 2010, introducing a dramatic narrative twist that reshapes the fate of Azeroth. The reveal marks an ambitious step forward for Hearthstone as it enters its 12th year, signaling a renewed push to expand both its storytelling and gameplay depth.

A Dark New Timeline for Azeroth

Following the events of Hearthstone’s 31st expansion, Across the Timeways, the corrupted dragon Murozond has torn open the timeline, pulling an alternate version of Deathwing the Destroyer into the Hearthstone universe. In this timeline, Deathwing has already succeeded in reducing Azeroth to ashes.

In Hearthstone: Cataclysm, players are tasked with helping Chromie and the Dragonflights rally the Heroes of Time from across Hearthstone’s history to stand against the most powerful incarnation of Deathwing ever encountered.

New Cards, Mechanics, and Returning Favorites

Alongside its new story arc, Hearthstone: Cataclysm introduces a large collection of new cards, as well as both fresh and returning gameplay mechanics.

Colossals Make Their Return

First introduced in the 2022 expansion Voyage to the Sunken City, Colossal minions are massive cards that summon one or more additional minions when played. In Cataclysm, every class receives its own Colossal, with six of them serving as Deathwing’s Lieutenants. Players who align with these classes can experience the conflict from behind enemy lines.

New Keywords

• Herald: A new keyword exclusive to classes aligned with Deathwing’s Lieutenants.
• Shatter: Introduced for Dragonflight-aligned classes, this keyword splits a card into two halves when drawn. Each half can be played separately or recombined for increased power and value.

Triumphs and Last Stands

The expansion also adds Triumph and Last Stand class spells, each featuring a unique Hero of Time. These cards depict heroes either achieving victory or making a final, desperate stand against Deathwing and his forces.

Easy to Jump In

Hearthstone remains accessible to both newcomers and veterans alike. With extensive tutorials and a free-to-play model on PC and mobile, players can easily prepare for the upcoming Cataclysm expansion when it launches next month.

More details about the expansion and its features are expected to be revealed closer to release.