Everything You Need to Know About Hearthstone's Year of the Hydra & New 250 Card Core Set (72 Returning Cards)

Published 3 years, 7 months ago by

Blizzard has unveiled Hearthstone's new Core Set arriving for 2022 and we've also got details on the Year of the Hydra.


Year of the Hydra Recap

  • There will be no new game modes this year.
  • The focus is on improving existing systems which will include in-game reporting of players and random hero skins.
  • Client performance is also a priority this year.
  • There's a new feature in this patch that shows you your recently completed achievements.
  • Multiple favourite card backs is coming soon.


Core Set 2022 Recap

  • The new Core Set will have 250 cards, which is 15 more cards than in Year of the Gryphon.
  • 57 Cards are rotating out of the Core Set.
  • 72 Cards are rotating in to the Core Set.
  • The original League of Explorers cards are making a return in the Core Set.
  • None of the cards in the new Core Set are brand new - everything is old. 

Year of the Hydra Announce Video


Cards Being Removed From Hearthstone's Core Set

Quote From Blizzard

Demon Hunter: Ashtongue Battlelord, Warglaives of Azzinoth

Druid: Enchanted Raven, Landscaping, Menagerie Warden, Nordrassil Druid, Ancient of War

Hunter: Scavenging Hyena, Webspinner, Bearshark, Headhunter’s Hatchet, Lock and Load

Mage: Water Elemental, Mirror Entity, Fallen Hero, Coldarra Drake

Paladin: Holy Light, Pursuit of Justice, Guardian of Kings

Priest: Crimson Clergy, Shadowform, Lightspawn, Temple Enforcer, Natalie Seline

Rogue: Bladed Cultist, Patient Assassin

Shaman: Windfury, Unbound Elemental, Draenei Totemcarver, Earth Elemental

Warlock: Dread Infernal, Possessed Villager, Enslaved Fel Lord, Ritual of Doom

Warrior: Warsong Commander, War Cache, Warsong Outrider

Neutral: Arcane Anomaly, Argent Squire, Cogmaster, Young Priestess, Mini-Mage, River Crocolisk, Toxicologist, Brightwing, Earthen Ring Farseer, Flesheating Ghoul, Ice Rager, Injured Blademaster, King Mukla, Spider Tank, Stoneskin Basilisk, Baron Rivendare, Gurubashi Berserker, High Inquisitor Whitemane, Barrens Stablehand, Clockwork Giant

Any of the above cards that currently only exist as Core cards will enter the Legacy set when they rotate out of Core and will be craftable and playable in Wild.


Year of the Hydra Core Set Cards

Here are all 72 cards that have been added to the Core Set for Year of the Hydra, organized by class, in addition to the cards that are staying.


Demon Hunter

Metamorphosis Card ImageKor'vas Bloodthorn Card ImageFlamereaper Card ImageWrathscale Naga Card ImageEye Beam Card ImageIllidari Inquisitor Card ImageRaging Felscreamer Card ImageSightless Watcher Card ImageFeast of Souls Card ImageChaos Nova Card ImageAldrachi Warblades Card ImageGan'arg Glaivesmith Card ImageCoordinated Strike Card ImageSpectral Sight Card ImageChaos Strike Card ImageCrimson Sigil Runner Card ImageBattlefiend Card Image


Druid

Cenarius Card ImageFandral Staghelm Card ImageAncient of Lore Card ImageForce of Nature Card ImageNourish Card ImageMark of the Wild Card ImageEarthen Scales Card ImageInnervate Card ImageDruid of the Claw Card ImageSoul of the Forest Card ImageMounted Raptor Card ImageFeral Rage Card ImageWild Growth Card ImageWrath Card ImagePower of the Wild Card ImageLiving Roots Card ImagePounce Card Image


Hunter

King Krush Card ImageHoundmaster Shaw Card ImageSnake Trap Card ImageSavannah Highmane Card ImageSelective Breeder Card ImageArcane Shot Card ImageTracking Card ImageMarked Shot Card ImageDire Frenzy Card ImageAnimal Companion Card ImageCloaked Huntress Card ImageDeadly Shot Card ImageFreezing Trap Card ImageQuick Shot Card ImageExplosive Trap Card ImageCandleshot Card ImageSpringpaw Card Image


Mage

Kalecgos Card ImageAegwynn, the Guardian Card ImagePyroblast Card ImageFlamestrike Card ImageBlizzard Card ImageCounterspell Card ImagePyromaniac Card ImageExplosive Runes Card ImageBabbling Book Card ImageEthereal Conjurer Card ImageFireball Card ImageIce Barrier Card ImageCone of Cold Card ImageArcane Intellect Card ImageArcanologist Card ImageSnap Freeze Card ImageShooting Star Card Image


Paladin

Tirion Fordring Card ImageRagnaros, Lightlord Card ImageReckoning Card ImageAldor Peacekeeper Card ImageEquality Card ImageAmber Watcher Card ImageStand Against Darkness Card ImageBlessing of Kings Card ImageTruesilver Champion Card ImageConsecration Card ImageWarhorse Trainer Card ImageBronze Explorer Card ImageFlash of Light Card ImageArgent Protector Card ImageNoble Sacrifice Card ImageAvenge Card ImageRighteous Protector Card Image


Priest

Murozond the Infinite Card ImageLyra the Sunshard Card ImageLightbomb Card ImageShadow Word: Ruin Card ImageDrakonid Operative Card ImageThrive in the Shadows Card ImageKul Tiran Chaplain Card ImageFocused Will Card ImagePower Infusion Card ImageHoly Nova Card ImageShadowed Spirit Card ImageRadiant Elemental Card ImageShadow Word: Death Card ImageHoly Smite Card ImageNorthshire Cleric Card ImagePsychic Conjurer Card ImageFlash Heal Card Image


Rogue

Tess Greymane Card ImageVanessa VanCleef Card ImagePreparation Card ImageSprint Card ImageAssassin's Blade Card ImageSI:7 Agent Card ImageSinister Strike Card ImageAssassinate Card ImageTomb Pillager Card ImageHench-Clan Burglar Card ImagePlague Scientist Card ImageCold Blood Card ImageBuccaneer Card ImageSwashburglar Card ImageDeadly Poison Card ImageBackstab Card ImageShadowstep Card Image


Shaman

Al'Akir the Windlord Card ImageKrag'wa, the Frog Card ImageDoomhammer Card ImageFar Sight Card ImageFeral Spirit Card ImageMana Tide Totem Card ImageLightning Storm Card ImageMaelstrom Portal Card ImageFire Elemental Card ImageBloodlust Card ImageHex Card ImageTidal Surge Card ImageMenacing Nimbus Card ImageFlametongue Totem Card ImageRockbiter Weapon Card ImageNovice Zapper Card ImageLightning Bolt Card Image


Warlock

Lord Jaraxxus Card ImageHigh Priestess Jeklik Card ImageTwisting Nether Card ImageFelsoul Jailer Card ImageSiphon Soul Card ImageVoid Terror Card ImageTiny Knight of Evil Card ImageDarkshire Librarian Card ImageAbyssal Enforcer Card ImageLakkari Felhound Card ImageHellfire Card ImageFiendish Circle Card ImageImp Gang Boss Card ImageDrain Soul Card ImageVoidwalker Card ImageMortal Coil Card ImageFlame Imp Card Image


Warrior

Grommash Hellscream Card ImageDarius Crowley Card ImageGorehowl Card ImageBrawl Card ImageShield Slam Card ImageShieldmaiden Card ImageFrothing Berserker Card ImageArmorsmith Card ImageBloodhoof Brave Card ImageShield Block Card ImageBash Card ImageFiery War Axe Card ImageCruel Taskmaster Card ImageSlam Card ImageExecute Card ImageWhirlwind Card ImageBloodsail Deckhand Card Image


Neutral

Deathwing the Destroyer Card ImageAlexstrasza the Life-Binder Card ImageOnyxia the Broodmother Card ImageMalygos the Spellweaver Card ImageYsera the Dreamer Card ImageBaron Geddon Card ImageNozdormu the Eternal Card ImageCairne Bloodhoof Card ImageReno Jackson Card ImageOverlord Runthak Card ImageTaelan Fordring Card ImageElise Starseeker Card ImageBrann Bronzebeard Card ImageZola the Gorgon Card ImageBloodmage Thalnos Card ImageSir Finley Mrrgglton Card ImageSea Giant Card ImagePrimordial Drake Card ImageMossy Horror Card ImageFaceless Manipulator Card ImageEscaped Manasaber Card ImageBig Game Hunter Card ImageMurloc Warleader Card ImageVulpera Scoundrel Card ImageSouthsea Captain Card ImageDoomsayer Card ImageArcane Devourer Card ImageGadgetzan Auctioneer Card ImageAzure Drake Card ImageSI:7 Infiltrator Card ImageTwilight Drake Card ImageViolet Teacher Card ImageLifedrinker Card ImageDefender of Argus Card ImageLone Champion Card ImageHumongous Razorleaf Card ImageColdlight Seer Card ImageCrazed Alchemist Card ImageAcidic Swamp Ooze Card ImageFogsail Freebooter Card ImageWild Pyromancer Card ImageNerubian Egg Card ImageMurloc Tidecaller Card ImageSleepy Dragon Card ImageStormwatcher Card ImageStormwind Champion Card ImageCobalt Scalebane Card ImageStranglethorn Tiger Card ImageChillwind Yeti Card ImageSen'jin Shieldmasta Card ImageGrim Necromancer Card ImageDark Iron Dwarf Card ImageAcolyte of Pain Card ImageIronbeak Owl Card ImageJungle Panther Card ImageRaid Leader Card ImageTar Creeper Card ImageGorillabot A-3 Card ImageAnnoy-o-Tron Card ImageExplosive Sheep Card ImageBloodsail Raider Card ImageDire Wolf Alpha Card ImageMad Bomber Card ImageLoot Hoarder Card ImageMurloc Tidehunter Card ImageRedgill Razorjaw Card ImageInjured Tol'vir Card ImageKobold Geomancer Card ImagePlated Beetle Card ImageYouthful Brewmaster Card ImageFaerie Dragon Card ImageSunreaver Spy Card ImageWorgen Infiltrator Card ImageAbusive Sergeant Card ImageMistress of Mixtures Card ImageBeaming Sidekick Card ImageEmerald Skytalon Card ImageElven Archer Card ImageVoodoo Doctor Card ImageMurloc Tinyfin Card Image


More From Year of the Hydra

Blizzard has plenty of new information to share about Year of the Hydra including the remaining cards for Voyage to the Sunken City.

Similar Content

Comments

  • No chugga chugga? Unacceptable!

    ...really there's no Mech cards for the Mage, like Goblin Blastmage or the aforementioned Snowchugger. Kind of bummed. At least there's Gorillabot A-3, so...yay? Maybe they determined the new Standard Mech Mage doesn't need much help *shrugs*

    Edit: I find it hilarious that Cogmaster is on his way *out* as the Mechs are coming back lol

    • Yeah, Im a bit baffled too by the lack of mechs in core. I mean, are we really going to build mech mage without Snowchugger and its cute entrance cry?

      Fortunately sunken city has a few good mechs too, but a bit disappointed all the same.

  • Control is back boys!! Tar Creeper, Mistress of Mixtures and THE Reno Jackson!!!

    • Control wasn`t gone.

      (Control Warrior even saw a lot of tournament play.)

  • I am still pretty new to HS so don’t know how some of the rotation works for dust refunds. Sorry if this is posted somewhere else but I couldn’t find anything. 

    If a person has wild cards that now are changing to the core do you get a dust refund? And if not does it make sense to disenchant some of those since they will be in the core set anyways?

    Also, is there other dust tricks (what to craft or disenchant) before a rotation that would be good to know in order to maximize dust? Thanks :)

    • There is no refund for cards that are joining the Core set. You get the cards for free for the year, but next year they will be gone again, so in the end you do not lose or gain anything.

    • Here's a few dust tips (keep in mind that this advice is coming from a player who's been F2P/budget since Whispers of the Old Gods... so if you're willing to average more than $5ish spent on each expansion, probably not all of this will apply):

      • In general, if you play wild (and even if you play mostly standard), it's a good idea to totally avoid crafting and disenchanting before the end of a rotation. There are a couple reasons for this:
        • New metas for a whole month - Prior to the expansion, you don't know exactly how the new expansion will affect the meta, and it usually takes a couple weeks for a meta to fully take shape--cards that are awful before the expansion may become playable, and cards that are playable now may become horrible. Since it usually takes about two weeks for the initial meta to shape up, and since the dev team usually announces a round of balance changes after the initial meta takes shape (creating another new meta that takes another couple weeks to shape up), you probably won't have a clear picture of what cards are good/bad and what cards you want to keep until at least a month after the expansion launches.
        • Capitalizing on dust refunds - The point at which the dev team announces nerfs two-ish weeks into the expansion is the point at which you should definitely disenchant any and all nerfed commons/rares to get the full dust refund, since duplicate protection means you're pretty much guaranteed to get them back at some point over the next month or so. You should also disenchant any nerfed epics and legendaries that you'd like to trade in for a different epic/legendary.

      A couple other general tips for maximizing dust (not necessarily restricted to expansion launch):

      • NEVER craft commons or rares (except perhaps when trying to get specific wild cards). Duplicate protection's got your back for the rares and commons from the standard expansions, as long as you can wait the few weeks it'll take to collect them all.
      • If you want to try a new netdeck, don't craft any legendaries or epics right away. Instead, substitute cards and tweak the decklist in light of your collection and playstyle (it not only saves you dust but also hones your deck-building and meta-reading skills). Check out stats on websites like HSReplay to see what role the expensive cards are supposed to perform and how well they actually do their job. After a couple dozen games with your version of the deck, you'll have a pretty good idea of whether it's actually necessary to craft those epics/legendaries or whether they're simply a luxury (or simply in the decklist just because they fit the original deck creator's personal playstyle).
      • The best rule of thumb is "when in doubt, wait it out." If you're not certain whether you should craft something or disenchant something, don't do it--this prevents you from making dust-inefficient choices you may regret later. Only disenchant something when you're sure that you really want the card you want to craft more than the card(s) you'll need to disenchant.
      • Buy the mini-sets (great dust-to-gold value!), but don't buy anything else between the launch of a mini-set and the launch of the next expansion. This lets you stockpile gold, which you can then sink into packs on launch day. Those packs then get turned into potential dust as you quickly begin to gather extra commons/rares right away on launch day (or within a couple weeks of it)!
      • Awesome, thanks for the advice! That is super helpful!

    • The cards in the core set are kind of like rentals. We get them for the year and then they rotate. So the current cards in there go back to wild next year (if they move at all). So disenchanting your wild cards isn't recommended if you want those cards to stick around imo. So the cards you have in wild, will also appear as a core version, so you kinda have 2 sets of them. One for standard (the rental core ones) and the ones in wild (classic kinda does this too since those are unerfed versions). That may not be exactly how it works but hopefully you understand what I'm saying.

      The refunds we used to get were for Hall of Famed cards. Cards that went to wild before they were supposed to if at all. That was before all this core rotation stuff came to be so I don't expect any refunds this time. Unless they nerf something then you can get full disenchant value.

      As for disenchant tricks, I'm the wrong person to answer that. I keep everything! I'm crazy I know. I am sure someone else can answer that better. From my perspective, do you play wild at all? Just kinda keep what you think you'll want to use in the future. Otherwise if you are standard only wild cards my have a higher value as dust for you.

      • Ah that makes sense and answers my questions! I play mostly wild and only recently some standard. So I won’t disenchant anything unless something gets nerfed. Thanks

  • If I’m not forgetting anything, the Core exclusives that would need to be crafted to keep them are Nordrassil Druid, Pursuit of Justice, Crimson Clergy, Enslaved Fel Lord, Ritual of Doom, War Cache, and Warsong Outrider.

    Out of these 7 cards, Ritual might be the only one I’ve ever played without generating it.

    • Also Natalie Seline and those cards added to the ex classic set 2 years ago

      Damn i will miss Brightwing, I've not it and having it in core has let me play it also in wild

      • Are those not in packs either?  Are Legacy packs just the original Classic set cards?

        • No, probably they are in that cards packs, and classic set version is unlocked when you have the same card in your legacy collection (since there is not a classic packs in shop)

          Anyway finding a legendary from packs is still an high pity timer...

  • Very happy to see some classic fun cards back in action, such as the Explorers and Zola. Did not expect to see the likes of Kragwa in a Core set, but not complaining!

Leave a Comment

You must be signed in to leave a comment. Sign in here.