BlizzConline day one is underway and Hearthstone fans just learned a ton about the game’s next expansion, Forged in the Barrens.
As with any new set, Forge in the Barrens will be introducing a new keyword to shake up the meta. Playing into the bloodlust of the Horde, the new keyword is Frenzy. Minions with Frenzy have their effect activate after the first time they take and survive damage.
Alongside Frenzy minions, Blizzard also revealed a new spell type coming with Forged in the Barrens: Ranked spells. Spells like Chain Lightning start out at rank one, then rank up when you hit five and 10 mana. Ranked spells appear to have a max level of three.
As an added bonus to the announcement, players can log in today to receive a free Shadow Hunter Vol’jin card. In addition to Vol’jin, players will also get the 30-year anniversary card back. Shadow Hunter Vol’jin is a five-cost 3/6 minion with a Battlecry. Vol’jin’s Battlecry allows you to choose a minion then swap it with a random one in its owner’s hand.
Forged in the Barrens will include 135 new cards and will be the first expansion of the Year of the Gryphon. You can purchase the Forged in the Barrens mega bundle right now for $79.99. The mega bundle will include 85 packs, five of which will be Golden packs, as well as two random Golden Legendary cards. You’ll also get the Hamuul Runetotem card back and alternate hero.
If the mega bundle is a bit out of your price range, you can snag the regular bundle for $49.99. The regular bundle will net you 60 packs, two random Legendary cards, and the Hamuul Runetotem card back.
You can start using Vol’jin as soon as patch 19.6 goes live, but you’ll have to wait until Forged in the Barrens releases to test out ranked spells or Frenzy.
This story will be updated with a release date for Forged in the Barrens as soon as one becomes available.
