Get ready for the Year of the Raptor in Hearthstone—2025 is shaping up to be a year packed with surprises, exciting gameplay changes, and brand-new features! Expect the usual thrilling releases: three full expansions, Mini-Sets to keep things fresh, and a whole season of Battlegrounds action. The overwhelmingly positive response to the *Heroes of StarCraft* Mini-Set has clearly fueled Blizzard's enthusiasm, and they've even shared a roadmap giving us a sneak peek at what's to come.
What's New in the Year of the Raptor?
One of the most significant updates is a complete overhaul of the Arena mode. In development since last year, this refresh is designed to attract a new generation of players while retaining the charm that Arena veterans know and love.
Cosmetics are getting a major upgrade too! Prepare for new Mythic skins and Signature cards, along with a completely new addition: adorable in-game Pets. These charming companions will be integrated into a new cosmetic acquisition system, although Blizzard is keeping some details under wraps for now.
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 is already underway! Complete the Event Track to earn rewards like The Great Dark Beyond Epic cards, packs from the new expansion, and a special Raptor Herald card.
And don't miss the exciting cinematic trailer Blizzard has released:
More to Come!
The fun doesn't stop there! A new, evolving game board is launching alongside the expansion, and it'll stick around for the entire Year of the Raptor, receiving visual and audio updates with each new expansion.
Finally, the Core Set is getting a much-needed refresh. Expect the return of some classic cards (with a few exciting tweaks!), alongside a batch of brand-new cards to shake things up. With so much on the horizon, now's the perfect time to jump back into Hearthstone! Download it 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!
