Deceptively simple in design but epically engaging, Hearthstone will be instantly accessible to players regardless of their familiarity with Warcraft or collectible card games. Whether players prefer to wield magic or arms in battle, strike from the shadows or head on—or have never given any of that much thought—they’ll be able to jump right in, create a deck, and get in on the card-slinging action.

In addition to honing their skills in practice matches against the computer and taking on their buddies via their Battle.net friends list, players can challenge each other in two competitive game modes. “Play Mode” features traditional head-to-head battles, with players facing off for a chance to increase their medal ranking and earn card packs along the way. And for a different type of challenge, players can enter “The Forge,” where they start each match by building a deck from a new set of cards, and then use that deck to duel other Forge participants. Aside from winning new cards, players will be able to round out their collections by purchasing new card packs or disenchanting some of their existing cards to craft the ones they’re missing.

With hundreds of cards to choose from, featuring a wide range of colorful Warcraft spells, weapons, and characters, players will have limitless possibilities for developing and fine-tuning their deck-building strategies.

Pull up a seat in the Tavern – there’s a new major update for Hearthstone coming on January 25, featuring Battlegrounds Buddies, updates for Mercenaries, the Lunar New Year event, and more!

BATTLEGROUNDS BUDDIES (Jan 25)

Every battle’s better with a buddy! In this patch, we’ll be introducing a new Battlegrounds Buddy System! A Battlegrounds Buddy is a special minion that’s unique to each Hero, designed to synergize with that Hero’s gameplan.

• New combat system: The “Buddy Meter” fills up during combat!
• Buddies are unique per Hero, 75 heroes and their own unique Buddies will be available.
• Each Buddy copy earned acts like a minion while in-hand and on the board

MERCENARIES VILLAGE UPDATE (Jan 25)

The Training Grounds have come to Mercenaries! The Training Grounds is a new space for the Village that allows player’s Mercenaries to passively gain experience as they do Bounties with other Mercs, play other game Modes, or even when they’re sleeping!

• New addition to the village – Training Grounds –Mercenaries can be sent to gain passive XP
• New Mercenaries: Balinda Stonehearth, Captain Galvangar, Lokholar, Wrathion, Sinestra
• New Bounties and Feature Updates, including Oval-Art of Portraits & Mercenaries Card Back

BOOK OF MERCENARIES: TAVISH STORMPIKE (Feb 1)

• The hunter Tavish Stormpike must overcome the Frostwolves, Horde mercenaries, angry Troggs, his own family, and food poisoning! Can he stomach it?
• Defeating all 8 bosses in this linear adventure will reward 1 Hunter pack, containing only Hunter cards from Standard.
• Special Tavern Brawl – Tavish vs. Rokara (January 26)
• Play as Tavish or Rokara, and select one of your mercenary companions to represent your Hero Power
• Unique dialogue interactions available for each combination of characters
• First time win will reward one Standard pack, containing cards from all of Standard

LUNAR NEW YEAR (Feb 2-16)

• All players will receive the FREE Dancing Lion Card Back from January 25 to February 8!
• Lunar Blessing Tavern Brawl (Feb 2-9)
• Quests (Feb 2-16)