⚔️ Discovering the Hearthstone Cataclysm expansion

on February 20, 2026

The new destructive era arrives on March 17, 2026

The inn is about to be shaken like never before. The Cataclysm expansion is inspired by an alternate version of the World of Warcraft universe, where Deathwing was never defeated and reigns supreme over Azeroth.

🌋 A dark plot: the threat of Deathwing

At the end of Beyond the Timeways, Chromie accidentally triggers a nightmarish timeline in which Deathwing triumphs and invades Azeroth with his six terrifying colossal lieutenants.

In Cataclysm:

The sky is glowing red. Azeroth must defend itself once again

  • The heroes and heroines must rally the Dragonflights
  • New cards and mechanics are here to tip the scales

💥 New Hero Card: Deathwing the Worldbreaker

One of the major new features of Cataclysm is the first playable Hero card, Deathwing, in Hearthstone:

  • By playing it, your hero transforms into Deathwing the Worldbreaker
  • His War Cry allows you to choose a Cataclysm
  • You can trigger different destructive actions depending on your choices and resources
  • The more you use the Summon keyword before playing it, the more Cataclysms you can trigger simultaneously

🧱 Key Mechanics of Cataclysm

🔹 Summons

This keyword is at the heart of the extension:

Playing a minion with Summon summons a colossus soldier onto the board The more you use Summon, the more powerful your colossal servant becomes.

  • Summoning also empowers Deathwing the Worldbreaker to trigger more Cataclysms

🔹 Return of the Colossal Servants

  • Giants that occupy several spaces on the board
  • They are accompanied by appendages (arms, heads) which have their own effects
  • A new colossal legendary is available for each class loyal to Deathwing (e.g., Ragnaros the Greatfire for warriors)

🔹 Split

This innovative keyword affects certain defense-type cards of the Dragonflights:

  • When you draw a Split card, it splits into two pieces
  • These pieces are placed at the ends of your hand
  • If you combine them by playing cards together, they recombine to trigger two effects for the price of one

🌀 Other innovative effects

Cataclysm also adds cards that allow you to:

  • Target specific cards in your hand
  • Manipulating the hand for tactical purposes
  • Strengthen your deck for more dynamic strategies

🛡️ Draconic Flights as reinforcements

To counter Deathwing's power:

🌟 The mage, priest, druid, hunter, paladin classes benefit from a new legendary dragon aspect. For example, the hunter obtains Black Dragonflight Ebyssian, capable of transforming into a powerful dragon.

🎁 Free rewards and events

Blizzard has planned a host of rewards to prepare you for your adventure:

🎉 Before the release:

  • Free packs to be won during Twitch streams
  • Temporary access to the maps for the expansions In the Heart of the Emerald Dream and The Lost City of Un'Goro from March 10th until the release of Cataclysm
  • Legendary card Blackhorn Warlord offered as a login bonus
  • Twitch Drops up to multiple free packs
  • Rewards for in-game events (quests, waves, achievements)

📅 During and after the launch:

  • Free colossal legendary card in the tavern reward track
  • Weekly rewards for logging in (packs, signature cards)
  • Rewards related to launch event quests
  • Special card back if you complete certain achievements in Tavern Brawl

👉 In short: lots of free content to collect without spending a penny if you play regularly.

📆 Important Calendar

🗓️ March 10-17: Pre-launch Tavern Brawl – try out the Deathwing card and earn rewards 🗓️ March 17, 2026: Launch of the Cataclysm expansion 📆 From March 10th until launch: Temporary access to cards from older expansions to test decks

💡 In summary: what's changing?

Cataclysm delivers an intense alternate history

  • Deathwing is playable and destructive
  • Powerful keywords: Convocation, Split
  • Return of the colossal servants
  • Lots of free rewards
  • More tactical and strategic gameplay

💬 My Darkwood review: This expansion promises a richer tactical experience, with decks that reward planning and hand management. It also offers numerous free opportunities for free-to-play players.

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