Hearthstone Patch 35.0 Launches Tomorrow - Constructed Changes, Pre-Release Brawl, New Arena Season, Free Packs

Published 4 hours ago by Demonxz95

The Hearthstone Team have formally announced that Patch 35.0 is launching tomorrow. The patch kicks off the initial countdown for the launch of Cataclysm, which contains a huge heap of changes and features.

Additionally, you may have seen our recent announcement about our recommitment to Hearthstone. In that article, we mention that we're open for applications to write content for us. We've also updated our deckbuilder, so you can theorycraft with the new cards. Be on the lookout for more.

Several constructed cards have been changed:
- All locations from Elise the Navigator have gone to 2 Durability (down from 3). All of the effects of each option has been nerfed (read below), and it is no longer possible to get the Radiant Crystal option on the 1-Cost location.
- Blob of Tar now costs 5 mana (up from 4), but both tokens now have 2 Attack (up from 1).
- Creature of Madness now has 1 Health (down from 2).
- Prescient Slitherdrake now has 8 Health (down from 9).
- Stonecarver can no longer buff itself with its own effect, but it can still buff other copies of it.
- Unleash the Crocolisks now costs 2 mana (up from 1).
- Ursine Maul now conducts a normal draw instead of tutoring your highest-Cost card.
- Deja Vu no longer makes the card it Discovers cost (1) less.
- Remnant of Rage is now a 5/4 (down from 6/5).
- Chia Drake is now a 3/5 (up from 2/4).
- Wondrous Wand (from Marin the Manager) now sets the Cost of cards it draws to (1) instead of reducing it by (3).
- Murmur now applies its effect to every Battlecry minion you play instead of just the first one each turn, but also costs 9 mana (up from 7).
- Deputization Aura now gives minions +2 Attack (up from +1 Attack).
Additionally, 40 cards that were previously nerfed are now being buffed back to their original states. Any cards mentioned in the blog post that weren't mentioned in the list above are one of these cards.
"Dream City Trial Cards" - For the entirety of the Cataclysm expansion, all players will have Golden versions of every card from Into the Emerald Dream and The Lost City of Un'Goro.
Each class now has 3 updated deck recipes.
Pre-release Tavern Brawl, and achievements tied to it.
New Arena system which will contain every Cataclysm card except Vyranoth.
Multiple Tavern Brawls have been teased.
Two new in-game events
- March 17 to April 7: Cataclysm, win 6 Cataclysm packs, 6 Normal Across the Timeways Packs, 2 Golden Across the Timeways Packs, and a new Thrall hero skin.
- April 7 to April 14: In the Dragon's Fire, win 2 random Common, Rare, and Epic Cataclysm cards and 1 Cataclysm pack.
If you acquire a duplicate Signature Legendary, you can now reroll it for a different Golden Legendary in the same set.
3 Cataclysm packs (one Golden) for free in the shop between March 24 to March 31, March 31 to April 7, and April 7 to April 14.
New shop offers with Illidan and Azshara skins, and a Golden Across the Timeways bundle.
New Darkmoon Faire Treasures from March 20 to April 10. - Win Deathwing as a hero!
Several bug fixes and cosmetic updates.

Full post down below.

Quote From Blizzard Entertainment

Patch 35.0 launches on March 10 and starts the final countdown to the CATACLYSM expansion, kicks off a new Arena season, and more.

Explore more Hearthstone blogs:

CATACLYSM Community Events

CATACLYSM Expansion Details

All Free Rewards to Claim during CATACLYSM

Prepare for CATACLYSM on March 17

CATACLYSM, Hearthstone’s next expansion, launches on March 17! This 135‑card expansion brings the first‑ever Deathwing Hero Card to Hearthstone, alongside brand‑new Colossal minions empowered by the Herald keyword, cards for the Dragon Aspects, the new Shatter keyword, and more. See every new card in the Card Library today, and grab your Pre‑Purchase bundles before the Worldbreaker descends upon Azeroth!

With the launch of CATACLYSM comes a new Rewards Track, filled with all manner of rewards sure to help in the battle to come, like XP boosts, cards, Gold, card packs, and more!

Free Access to Dream City Trial Cards

Starting March 10, you’ll have full access to every card from Into the Emerald Dream and The Lost City of Un’Goro, including Golden versions. These Dream City Trial Cards* are free to use for the entirety of CATACLYSM. Use them to build your deck and jump right into the action!

If you already own most of these cards, don’t worry, we’ve still got something cool for you! Earning the “Only Missing A Few (Emerald Dream)” achievement grants you a Signature Legendary Ysera, Emerald Aspect, while completing “Only Missing A Few (Lost City)” awards a Signature Legendary Endbringer Umbra.

For even more free rewards, check out our Dragon's Hoard Guide to learn how to claim them.

* Login between 3/10/2026 PDT 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.

Deck Recipe Updates

Each class now has three updated Deck Recipes: a ready-to-play deck using Dream City Trial Cards, a deck featuring cards from Across the Timeways, and a deck featuring new cards from CATACLYSM.

Prepare for CATACLYSM with Pre-Release Tavern Brawl and Community Days

We’ve got some exciting updates for the Pre-Release Tavern Brawl. This is an event where you get to open your CATACLYSM packs early, build a deck, and compete to earn rewards. The Deathwing, Worldbringer Hero Card will be available for everyone to play in the Pre-Release Tavern Brawl, even if you don’t own it yet, so you can jump straight into CATACLYSM and the new Herald mechanic!

If you're looking for a challenge, we’ve got two achievements for you to take a crack at, including a brand‑new one that awards a cool new card back for going undefeated!

New Pre-Release Tavern Brawl Achievements

CATACLYSM Pre-Release Champion: Finish a Pre‑Release Tavern Brawl run with 6 wins for the CATACLYSM expansion.

Rewards: 2x Tavern Ticket, 1x CATACLYSM Pack

CATACLYSM Pre-Release Pro: Finish a Pre‑Release Tavern Brawl run without losing a game for the CATACLYSM expansion.

Rewards: Cataclysmic Brawler Card Back, 2x Tavern Ticket

Pre-Release Tavern Brawl Card Pool

CATACLYSM

Across the Timeways

Event Set (pre-rotation)

Core Set (pre-rotation)

Temporary access to Deathwing, Worldbreaker Trial Card

To keep the focus on new cards, the following have been removed from the format:

All Across the Timeways Legendary Cards

All Echoes of the Infinite Mini-Set Imbue Cards

Twilight Timehopper

Flux Revenant

Crusader Aura

Deja Vu

Bob the Bartender

How to Play in the CATACLYSM Pre-Release Tavern Brawl

All players will get one entry into the Pre-Release Tavern Brawl for free. After that, each entry will cost 2 Tavern Tickets, 300 Gold, or 400 Runestones. On each run, lock in a deck and play until you get either 6 wins or 3 losses and earn more new cards based on how well you do!

Check out our Pre-Release Tavern Brawl Disclosure Page for more on specific rules.

Community Days

See what earth-shaking decks your favorite creators are making and earn more packs to use in the Pre-Release Tavern Brawl during our Community Days event! See the dedicated Community Events blog for more information about the Pre-Release Tavern Brawl and Community Days.

Hearthstone Updates

Dev Comment: Well met! As noted in last week’s blog, our goal with this Standard balance update is to create space for new cards and strategies by reining in a few overperformers from past expansions. As usual, we’re also taking a pass on all of the cards entering the Wild format. These updates will go live with Patch 35.0 on March 10. We hope you enjoy experimenting in this refreshed Hearthstone landscape, and we can’t wait to see the new decks you create. We’ll see you in the Tavern!

Elise the Navigator

All locations' Durability: 3 → 2

Bursting Geyser (Deathrattle: Deal X damage to all enemies.)

10-Cost location (Fire Plume Ridge): 10 damage → 5 damage

5-Cost location (Terror Run): 5 damage → 3 damage

1-Cost location (Un'goro Jungle): 3 damage → 1 damage

Nesting Grounds (Summon X 2/1 Raptors with Rush.)

10-Cost location (Fire Plume Ridge): 6 Raptors → 4 Raptors

5-Cost location (Terror Run): 3 Raptors → 2 Raptors

Radiant Crystals (Summon a X/X copy of a friendly minion.)

10-Cost location (Fire Plume Ridge): 10/10 copy → 5/5 copy

5-Cost location (Terror Run): 5/5 copy → 3/3 copy

1-Cost location (Un'goro Jungle): 1/1 copy → Radiant Crystals can no longer be selected on the 1-Cost location

Blob of Tar

Old: [4 mana] 2/4. Deathrattle: Summon a 1/2 Blob with Poisonous and a 1/2 Blob with Taunt.

New: [5 mana] 4/4. Deathrattle: Summon a 2/2 Blob with Poisonous and a 2/2 Blob with Taunt.

Creature of Madness

Old: 1/2.

New: 1/1.

Prescient Slitherdrake

Old: 6/9.

New: 6/8.

Stonecarver

Old: At the end of your turn, give a random friendly damaged minion +2/+2.

New: At the end of your turn, give another friendly damaged minion +2/+2.

Dev Comment: Stonecarver can no longer buff itself. Multiple copies can still buff one another.

Unleash the Crocolisks

Old: [1 mana]

New: [2 mana]

Ursine Maul

Old: After your hero attacks, draw your highest-cost card.

New: After your hero attacks, draw a card.

Deja Vu

Old: Discover a copy of a card in your opponent's hand. It costs (1) less.

New: Discover a copy of a card in your opponent's hand.

Remnant of Rage

Old: 6/5.

New: 5/4.

Wild-Focused Updates

As these cards move to Wild, most will revert to their original forms, while a handful will receive other balance changes.

Reverted Cards

Tigress Plushy

Jungle Gym

Concierge

Party Fiend

Everything Must Go

Malted Magma

Wave of Nostalgia

Ethereal Oracle

Dreadhound Handler

Hydration Station

Alien Encounters

Painter’s Virtue

Domino Effect

Kerrigan, Queen of Blades

Jim Raynor

Gorgonzormu

Spawning Pool

Lift Off

Chrono Boost

Artanis

Seaside Giant

King Plush

Cliff Dive

Cursed Campaign

Ball Hog

Brittlebone Buccaneer

Guiding Figure

Reserved Spot

Corpsicle

Ultralisk Cavern

R.C. Rampage

Possessed Lackey

Giggling Inventor

Blade Dance

Boogie Down

Cards with Other Balance Updates

Chia Drake

Old: 2/4.

New: 3/5.

Ceaseless Expanse

Old: [125 mana]

New: [100 mana]

Hydration Station

Old: [10 mana]

New: [8 mana]

Boogie Down

Old: [4 mana]

New: [3 mana]

Lamplighter

Old: 4/4. Battlecry: If you played an Elemental last turn, deal 4 damage.

New: 4/3. Battlecry: Deal 1 damage (Improved by each turn in a row you’ve played an Elemental).

Wondrous Wand

Old: Draw 3 cards. Reduce their Costs by (3).

New: Draw 3 cards. Set their Cost to (1).

Threads of Despair

Old: [3 mana]

New: [2 mana]

Arkonite Defense Crystal

Old: [5 mana] 4/5.

New: [4 mana] 3/4. Taunt.

Murmur

Old: [7 mana] Your first Battlecry minion each turn costs (1), but immediately dies after being played.

New: [9 mana] Your Battlecry minions cost (1), but immediately die after being played.

Food Fight

Old: [4 mana]

New: [3 mana]

Braingill

Old: [3 mana] 3/2.

New: [2 mana] 2/1.

Deputization Aura

Old: Your left-most minion has +1 Attack and Lifesteal.

New: Your left-most minion has +2 Attack and Lifesteal.

New Year Rotation and Core Set Update

When CATACLYSM launches on March 17, the Year of the Scarab will begin! At that time, cards from the Year of the Pegasus (Whizbang's Workshop, Perils in Paradise, and The Great Dark Beyond) will rotate out of Standard. Updates to the Core Set and the Event Set card pools will also happen at that time. Core Set card text changes will take place with the patch, on March 10. See the Welcome to the Year of the Scarab blog for more details on the Core Set updates.

Arena Updates

On March 10, with Patch 35.0, all ongoing Arena runs will end, and a new Arena season will begin. This season will use a fully curated card pool that includes all CATACLYSM cards, with the exception of Vyranoth, which will be banned. That's right, play with new cards early! Cards from CATACLYSM will be incorporated into the card pool on March 10, a week before the new expansion releases on March 17.

For this season, cards with the Herald mechanic will receive an occurrence bonus but be limited to a maximum of two copies in the initial draft.

Arena Rewards

With the new season comes a fresh reward for achieving 12 wins in Underground: the Dragonsworn Varden Hero Skin. Starting on March 10, it will replace the previous reward Hero Skin. After unlocking it, any subsequent 12-win runs will earn you an alternate prize of 2 Golden CATACLYSM packs.

When CATACLYSM releases on March 17, all Arena and Underground pack rewards will update from Across the Timeways packs to CATACLYSM packs.

New Arena Achievements

Five new Arena achievements have been added for CATACLYSM. For each achievement, Part 1 must first be completed to do Part 2.

Cataclysmic Combatant

Part 1: Open 5 CATACLYSM packs.

Part 2: Finish an Underground run with 6+ wins.

Reward: 2x Tavern Tickets

Cataclysmic Challenger

Part 1: Open 10 CATACLYSM packs.

Part 2: Finish an Underground run with 6+ wins.

Reward: 2x Tavern Tickets

Cataclysmic Rival

Part 1: Open 20 CATACLYSM packs.

Part 2: Finish an Underground run with 6+ wins.

Reward: 2x Tavern Tickets

Cataclysmic Duelist

Part 1: Open 35 CATACLYSM packs.

Part 2: Finish an Underground run with 6+ wins.

Reward: 2x Tavern Tickets

Cataclysmic Gladiator

Part 1: Open 50 CATACLYSM packs.

Part 2: Finish an Underground run with 6+ wins.

Reward: 2x Tavern Tickets

Tavern Brawl

Deck Recipe Brawl

From March 17 - 25, sample our new CATACLYSM deck recipes by choosing a class’s premade deck and facing off against an opponent.

A Totally Normal Game of Hearthstone?

From April 1 - 8, play a totally normal game of Hearthstone! After you play a card, who knows what will happen…

Splendiferous Showdown

From April 8 - 15, Whizbang the Splendiferous will be offering the chance for you and an opponent to pick one of his custom concoction decks and battle it.

Events

CATACLYSM

From March 17 - April 7, Thrall needs your help defending the Tavern from Deathwing’s assault on Azeroth! Thrall played a key role in the defeat of the original Deathwing, so it’s no surprise that this ultimate incarnation is setting the Tavern ablaze to draw him out. To claim your rewards, do what you can to aid Thrall, if it’s not too late!

6x CATACLYSM Card Packs

6x Across the Timeways Card Packs

2x Golden Across the Timeways Card Packs

Dragonscarred Thrall Hero Skin

In the Dragon’s Fire!

From April 7 - 14, things heat up as Deathwing turns Azeroth into a raging bonfire! Grab your weapon (and maybe a bucket of water) to help mount a defense against the inferno.

2x Random CATACLYSM Common Cards

2x Random CATACLYSM Rare Cards

2x Random CATACLYSM Epic Cards

1x CATACLYSM Card Pack

Expanding the Card Duplicate Re-roll System

We’ve updated our card reroll system to accommodate duplicate Legendary Signatures. If you acquire a duplicate Legendary Signature card, you’ll now have the option to reroll it into a Golden Legendary from the same set.

Free Packs and Special Deals in the Battle.net Shop!

Visit the Battle.net Shop to claim one free pack each week for three weeks, starting March 24. You’ll also find bundle deals featuring Diamond Hero Skins and Across the Timeways.

Free Pack Claim Schedule

Week 1 (March 24 - 31): 1x Golden CATACLYSM Pack

Week 2 (March 31 - April 7): 1x CATACLYSM Pack

Week 3 (April 7 - 14): 1x CATACLYSM Pack

Battle.net Shop Special Offers

Diamond Duality Azshara Bundle

Includes: Diamond Duality Azshara Hero Skin, 3x Mage Packs, 2x Golden Standard Packs

Availability:

Battle.net Shop: March 24 - April 21

In-game shop: March 31 - April 21

Diamond Metamorphosis Illidan Bundle

Includes: Diamond Metamorphosis Illidan Hero Skin, 3x Demon Hunter Packs, 2x Golden Standard Packs

Availability:

Battle.net Shop: March 24 - April 21

PC: March 31 - April 21

Diamond Duality Azshara + Diamond Metamorphosis Illidan Mega Bundle

Includes: Diamond Duality Azshara Hero Skin, Diamond Metamorphosis Illidan Hero Skin, 3x Mage Packs, 3x Demon Hunter Packs, 4x Golden Standard Packs

Availability:

Battle.net Shop: March 24 - April 21

PC: March 31 - April 21

Golden Legends of the Timeways Bundle

Includes: 1x Random Golden Legendary from Across the Timeways, 10x Golden Across the Timeways Packs

Availability:

Battle.net Shop and PC: March 24 - April 21

Deathwing Descends upon Darkmoon Faire Treasures

Deathwing is heating up Darkmoon Faire Treasures! Running from March 20 - April 10, the top prize delivers a devastating two‑for‑one: the Deathwing Mythic Hero Skin and the Deathwing Signature Legendary card. With this Warrior and Shaman Mythic Hero Skin, your hero becomes the Worldbreaker himself. Deathwing makes his presence known with interactive board corners and a full suite of fiery, destructive custom animations for intros, attacks, summons, and victory or defeat.

Executing an attack sees Deathwing rises up to take a fearsome bite out of his target, complete with the thunderous snap of his armored jaws.

Win a game and watch him unleash an inferno that melts away your opponent’s Hero Portrait and sets the board ablaze.

Even in defeat, Deathwing goes out in style, reduced to nothing but smoldering ash.

The Signature Legendary Deathwing Hero Card takes things even further. It features a terrifying depiction of the Worldbreaker, framed in metal veins coursing with molten lava. Play the Signature Legendary Deathwing Hero Card while using the Mythic Hero Skin to trigger an explosive assault that blasts your opponent’s side of the board, leaving their board corners as smoldering ruins. As a final touch, the card transforms your Deathwing Hero Skin into a unique, fiery red incarnation of Deathwing. And you thought he looked fearsome before!

Darkmoon Faire Treasures is our random pull system that rewards Pets, Mythic Skins, Signature cards, Hero Skins, and more. The first pull is free, and subsequent pulls require Runestones to purchase. Every pull guarantees a prize. As the prize collections in the Treasures booth rotate, prices adjust to match the value of the current items. Read more about the current value of Darkmoon Faire Treasures, as well as pull rates and odds.

Bug Fixes and Game Improvements

Hearthstone

Fixed an issue where Chronochiller awakening from Dormant could cause Rogue’s Imbue skill to malfunction.

Fixed an issue where the reward from Battle at the End Time could be destroyed when completed with a full hand.

Fixed an issue where Amalgam of the Deep’s Discovery pool was limited to neutral minions.

Fixed an issue where Illusory Greenwing’s Illusion could disappear after being copied by Elise’s Location, Radiant Crystals.

Fixed an issue where the Divine Shield visual effect could persist after Sparkbots were fused with a bot that had a damaged Shield.

Fixed an issue where the cost of The Ceaseless Expanse could increase when an opponent used Rewind from the Blessing of the Bronze Hero Power.

Fixed an issue where the class XP progress bar did not appear on the Victory screen when using a Diamond Hero Skin.

Fixed an issue where minions could become invisible when Ursol’s Aura interacted with certain triggers.

Fixed an issue where playing Shudderblock or Neptulon could cause the screen to remain dark.

Fixed an issue where Magtheridon, Unreleased could play its “I am released” voice line twice.

[iPad] Fixed an issue where hovering over a Signature card did not show its description when Signature Card Appearance was set to Favor Text.

Fixed an issue where the achievements Identity Theft Is Not a Joke, Everybody Shufflin’, and Night at the Conservatory were not progressing correctly.

Card Text Updates

Updated several cards for consistency. Effects that previously read “If that kills it” now read “If it dies.”

Cards updated: Heart Strike, Frost Strike, Plague Strike, Spirit Bond, Holy Water, Initiation, Wanted!, Mortal Coil, Bane of Doom, Dirge of Despair

Cosmetics

When acquiring a Mythic Skin, you can now choose to quick‑equip it to either class.

Arena

Fixed an issue where Golden Medivh the Hallowed (Fabled)–related cards appeared as non‑golden.

Battlegrounds

Fixed a bug where Amalgams could fail to retain buffs from Wrathscale Rogue when positioned next to Persistent Poet.

Fixed a bug where minions with “Play Blood Gems on your minions” effects did not apply Blood Gems to minions summoned by Pack Tactics.

Fixed a bug where Magicfin Apprentice was not copied correctly by Scabbs Cutterbutter’s Hero Power.

Fixed a bug where Quest Rewards could not be pinged in Duos.

Fixed a bug where Persistent Poet could fail to retain Obsidian Ravager enchantments.

Fixed a bug where Eyes of the Earth Mother did not work correctly with Magicfin Apprentice if the original spell had already been played.

Fixed a bug where Ichoron the Protector could grant permanent Divine Shield to Elementals magnetized with Technical Element.

Fixed a bug where Silky Shimmermoth only triggered once after playing a Beast while multiple Rabid Panthers were on board.

Fixed a bug where Evolving Scrolls granted by the Continuing Education Anomaly did not update their card art after evolving.

Fixed a bug where Mechs with Magnetize could lose keywords after being repeatedly tripled to hand and re‑magnetized.

Fixed a bug where Golden Dastardly Drust granted incorrect stats to Golden minions.

Fixed a bug where Warbands retained Haunted Carapace buffs after the player became a Ghost.

Fixed a visual bug preventing several Hero Skins from being set as Favorites, including Space Pirate Eudora, Infinite Rat King, and Time Travel Baz’hial.

Fixed a visual bug where Runic Empowerment’s Hero Power text and counter did not update correctly on the leaderboard from a teammate or opponent’s perspective.

Fixed a visual bug where Lucky Roll did not notify players of its next‑turn unlock when rolling a 1.

Fixed text issues for several cards, including Tavern‑Keeper Nozdormu, Zin‑Azshari Faelin, and Princess Tess.