Blizzard are following their pattern of releasing an adventure followed by an expansion by announcing the next expansion, Mean Streets of Gadgetzan, during their annual Blizzcon event in Anaheim, California.
Just like previous expansions such as Goblins vs Gnomes and Wrath of the Old Gods, there will be over 100 new cards obtainable by purchasing packs or crafting specific cards with dust. You can see all of the revealed cards over on the continuously updated Reddit thread.
Gadgetzan first appeared in World of Warcraft, which Hearthstone is based on, as a port town with a strong goblin population. In Hearthstone however, it’s grown into a bustling town… with a large crime syndicate and gangs roaming everywhere.
A new, potentially game changing mechanic is being introduced too. Tri-class cards are now a thing, as each class belongs to one of the three factions in Gadgetzan. Mage, Priest and Warlock belong to the Kabal faction, Hunter, Paladin and Warrior to the Grimy Goons and Rogue, Druid and Shaman to Jade Lotus. This means there’s now certain cards that can only be played by the classes belonging to that faction.
For those disheartened by Priest’s recent downfall, worry not. A lot of very powerful Priest cards have already been announced, such as Kabal Talonpriest, a 3 mana 3/4 which has the Battlecry “Give a friendly minion +3 health”. Another example is the Drakonid Operative; a 5 mana 5/6 which allows you to discover a card in your opponent’s deck if you’re holding a dragon.
Other announced cards include a 3 mana Paladin legendary called Wickerflame Burnbristle; 2/2 worth of stats but it has divine shield and taunt, and whenever it deals damage it restores that much health to your hero. Auctionmaster Beardo on the other hand, is a netural legendary for 3 mana; 3/4 stats and whenever you cast a spell, your hero power gets refreshed. A mechanic only previously possible through Justicar Trueheart.
Check out the full trailer for Mean Streets of Gadgetzan below. It releases early December.
