It’s the Year of the Raptor for Hearthstone with Plenty of New Stuff Coming Up!

Hearthstone's Year of the Raptor—arriving in 2025—promises a year brimming with surprises, fresh gameplay mechanics, and exciting new features. Get ready for the usual triple treat of expansions, mini-sets, and Battlegrounds seasons, all launching soon! The overwhelmingly positive reception to the Heroes of StarCraft mini-set has clearly fueled Blizzard's enthusiasm, leading to a jam-packed roadmap for the year ahead.

What Does the Year of the Raptor Bring to Hearthstone?

One of the most significant updates is a complete overhaul of the Arena mode. In development since last year, this refresh aims to revitalize Arena and attract a new generation of players to this classic Hearthstone experience.

Cosmetics are also receiving a major upgrade. Expect new Mythic skins and Signature cards, along with a brand-new addition: Pets! These adorable companions will be integrated into a new cosmetic acquisition system, though the specifics are yet to be revealed by Blizzard.

The Year of the Raptor officially begins with the first expansion, Into the Emerald Dream. Card reveals start next week, but the in-game celebration has already begun! Complete the Event Track to earn rewards including The Great Dark Beyond Epic cards, packs from the new expansion, and a Raptor Herald card.

And don't miss this exciting cinematic trailer from Blizzard:

What Else Is Coming?

A new, evolving game board is launching alongside the expansion. The Year of the Raptor board will remain a staple throughout the year, receiving visual and audio updates with each subsequent expansion.

Finally, the Core Set is also getting a much-needed refresh. Expect the return of some beloved classic cards (with a few exciting tweaks!), alongside a selection of brand-new cards. With such an ambitious lineup, now might be the perfect time to jump back into the fray! Download Hearthstone from the Google Play Store if you haven't already.

Stay tuned for our next article covering the massive update to Crab War, featuring new Queen Crabs and exciting new features!