Stand Against the CATACLYSM
Deathwing is preparing to invade Azeroth with six Colossal Lieutenants at his side, and his minions herald the coming of the end. Azeroth’s heroes are rallying the dragonflights to stop the Worldbreaker and mend the shattered land. The battle ahead will decide the fate of the world. Will Azeroth survive the CATACLYSM?
Expansion Features
The earth shakes beneath their steps and their massive forms blot out the sun. Colossals are back! These towering creatures are so immense that they expand across multiple cards, joining together to form one colossal minion on the board. The six classes aligned with Deathwing are Rogue, Shaman, Death Knight, Warrior, Demon Hunter, and Warlock, and they possess a new Keyword tied to their master that makes them even more dangerous in battle: Herald.
The new Herald keyword sets the stage for the arrival of your class Colossal, and the more you use Herald, the stronger your Colossal becomes. Playing a minion with Herald summons a Soldier that carries the same effect as your Colossal’s appendages. Use Herald twice to double the power of your Colossal, its appendages, and its Soldiers. Use Herald two more times to double it again. Herald even empowers Deathwing himself in a unique way.
With the new Deathwing, Worldbreaker Hero Card, you become a force of destruction. Playing it transforms your hero into Deathwing and lets you unleash a Cataclysm: raze the battlefield with fire, topple the strongest enemy minion, summon a powerful dragon ally, or send fresh reinforcements into your deck. But why choose just one? The more you've used Herald before playing Deathwing, the more Cataclysms you can unleash!
The five dragonflights were instrumental in defeating the original Deathwing, so the heroes of Azeroth are calling on them once again. The classes aligned with Azeroth’s defenders are Mage, Hunter, Warrior, Paladin, and Priest, and each one receives a new Legendary Dragon Aspect. Hunters gain Ebyssian of the Black Dragonflight, who shifts from his visage form into a mighty draconic powerhouse.
Deathwing’s forces are tearing through Azeroth, so come to her aid by healing Shattered cards and earn mighty rewards. When you draw a card with Shatter, it breaks apart and its pieces fly to opposite ends of your hand. When you make those pieces touch again by playing the cards between them, they recombine and grant you two effects for the price of one.
FAQ
When will CATACLYSM launch?
March 17, 2026.
Who is Deathwing?
Once a noble guardian named Neltharion the Earth-Warder, Deathwing began as one of the five Dragon Aspects entrusted by the Titans to protect Azeroth. His dominion over the earth twisted into madness under the whispers of the Old Gods, driving him to betray the other Aspects during the War of the Ancients.
His explosive return from Deepholm unleashed the Cataclysm, a world‑shattering event that reshaped Azeroth and cemented his name as the Destroyer. Deathwing’s reign of terror ended only when Thrall, empowered by the Dragon Soul, delivered the final blow at the Maelstrom.
Now, a Deathwing from a timeline where he defeated the heroes and claimed the Dragon Soul for himself is invading Azeroth. Last time, Azeroth came within a hair’s breadth of total annihilation. This time, it’s even worse.
When does this expansion take place?
This expansion takes place after the events of Across the Timeways. Just when Chromie and the Heroes of Time believed they had finally defeated Murozond, the Lord of the Infinite made one last spiteful move: smashing the Hourglass of Time and ripping open a portal to a timeline where Deathwing reigns supreme.
What free rewards are there with CATACLYSM?
Deathwing’s attack is serious business, so we are pulling out all the stops to arm you for the coming battle. There are numerous free cards to claim and special events to earn rewards from.
Starting on March 10, all cards from Into the Emerald Dream and The Lost City of Un’Goro (including Goldens) will be free to play with for all players. Login between 3/10/2026 PST and 36.0 Expansion Launch to gain temporary access to cards from Into the Emerald Dream and The Lost City of Un’Goro until 36.0 Expansion Launch.
Simply log in to receive the Legendary Warmaster Blackthorn card for free.
Participate in the two CATACLYSM-themed in-game events to earn the Sands of Time and Dark Iron Harbinger Epic cards for free.
Get the Ebyssian Legendary card and two Signature copies of Envoy of the End for free when you help the Hearthstone community prepare for Deathwing’s invasion. Visit our CATACLYSM Rally Point page and work together to unlock all five dragonflights.
How will Catch-Up Packs work in CATACLYSM?
There will be new Catch-Up Packs with CATACLYSM. As always, those Catch-Up Packs will catch you up to the expansion by featuring the past sets that will still be in Standard when CATACLYSM launches: Into the Emerald Dream, The Lost City of Un’Goro, and Across the Timeways. These Catch-Up Packs will include 5-50 cards per pack, with 1-13 cards per set per pack. Previous Catch-Up Pack logic will remain unchanged no matter when you open them. In-game Catch-Up Pack grants will swap over to the new Catch-Up Packs with Patch 33.0. You can tell which Catch-Up Pack you are opening by looking at the set symbols on the pack. See the Disclosure Page for more details.
What’s the best CATACLYSM pre-purchase bundle?
We are offering three pre‑purchase bundles this expansion: the Pre‑Purchase Bundle and the Mega Bundle, plus the Sequence Bundle. When you buy both of the first two bundles, you will also receive two random Legendary CATACLYSM cards for free, and you unlock the option to purchase the Sequence Bundle.
The Sequence Bundle provides the best value for players who want the largest number of packs at launch, and it features the Victor Nefarius Diamond Legendary Card. For players choosing just one pre‑purchase bundle, the Mega Bundle offers the strongest overall value for Hearthstone Mode.
When can I open my pre-purchased packs?
Pre-purchase packs (as well as any other CATACLYSM Packs accumulated at that time) will initially be able to be opened during the Pre-Release Tavern Brawl, from March 10 at 10:00 a.m. PST until March 17 at 9:00 a.m. PST. Outside of that, CATACLYSM packs will be able to be opened when the expansion launches on March 17.
What is the Pre-Release Tavern Brawl?
The Pre-Release Tavern Brawl will return for CATACLYSM, running from the launch of Patch 35.0 on March 11 until the launch of the expansion on March 17. In the Pre-Release Tavern Brawl, you will be able to open your CATACLYSM packs, build decks, and play with them in a mini-competition. Prizing will match the prizing structure from last Pre-Release Tavern Brawl based on how well you do, but will award cards and packs from CATACLYSM, so you can take your winnings and go again! Everyone will get one free entry; each subsequent entry will cost 2 Tavern Tickets, 300 Gold, or 400 Runestones.
Where can I find card reveals?
Head over to the official Card Library to see all the cards that have already been revealed, as well as a schedule for future reveals!
Where can I plan my decks with the new cards?
The official Hearthstone Deck Builder is a great place to scope out CATACLYSM before the expansion goes live. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming theorycrafting streams featuring your favorite content creators’ explorations, too!