Hearthstone: Ashes of Outland expansion and Demon Hunter class now live

If you checked out our Demon Hunter Prologue walkthrough then you’re finally prepared.

Now the time has finally come to journey beyond the Dark Portal and combat the forces of the Burning Legion with the all-new Demon Hunter class, Hearthstone‘s first new class since launch in the game’s latest expansion, Ashes of Outland — now live worldwide.

Besides the all-new Demon Hunter class, the expansion introduces 135 fel-infused new cards to the game as well as novel mechanics such as Primes, minions whose Deathrattles shuffle them back into a player’s deck in conveniently upgraded form and Imprisoned Demons, powerful minions who lay dormant (unable to attack or take damage) for two turns and then awaken to wreak havoc upon the board with devastating effects.

Per the official Blizzard press release:

ASHES OF OUTLAND IS NOW LIVE!

Outland has been razed by an unstoppable force for destruction known as the Rusted Legion! Now, the denizens scavenge to survive in the ashes of the war-torn realm. The Black Temple stands as the last bastion of civilization, where the self-proclaimed lord of Outland, Illidan Stormrage, and his army of Demon Hunters fight to take back their world.

Journey beyond the Dark Portal and enter the fray—Ashes of Outland is now live worldwide!

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New Class: Demon Hunter

The Year of the Phoenix introduces Hearthstone’s first new class since launch: the Demon Hunter! The fearsome Demon Hunter features an in-your-face playstyle—cutting down foes with weapons and claws, or crushing them with enormous Demon minions. Demon Claws, the class’s Hero Power, is a one mana-cost boost to the Demon Hunter’s Attack, designed around robust synergies with its class cards.

 

The Demon Hunter hero class is free and can be unlocked now by completing the Demon Hunter prologue campaign consisting of four story-focused single-player missions, which retell Illidan Stormrage’s origin story from his perspective in the Hearthstone universe.

Unlock the Demon Hunter upon completing the prologue and receive, for free, all 10 Demon Hunter Basic cards, a 20-card Demon Hunter Initiate set (belonging to the Year of the Dragon for rotation purposes), and a pre-built Demon Hunter starting deck list—so long as you have an open deck slot. Starting with Ashes of Outland, 15 new Demon Hunter cards will be released with each future expansion in the Year of the Phoenix.

New Mechanic: Outcast

The Demon Hunter also introduces a new class-specific keyword, Outcast. Outcast cards have impactful bonuses when played from the left or right-most position in your hand.

New Minions: Primes

 

 

These are Primes—a new kind of Legendary minion Ashes of Outland is introducing to Hearthstone. Primes start off as strong early- or mid-game Legendary minions that hit the board and do their duty, bravely falling in battle to fight for control of the board. When their Deathrattle is triggered, a vastly-upgraded version of themselves is shuffled into your deck. All nine original classes have a unique Prime.

New Minions: Imprisoned Demons

Ashes of Outland also introduces Imprisoned Demons, fel entities that come into play Dormant for two turns. Initially untouchable by either player, but visible to both, these powerful minions unleash wicked effects once they’re activated, with the potential to swing the outcome of a match.

Set Rotation and Launch Quest Chain

With the Year of the Dragon’s end at hand, the time has come for Rastakhan’s Rumble, The Boomsday Project, and The Witchwood to enter Wild and rotate out of Standard. To celebrate the Year of the Phoenix, we’re introducing a new quest chain where you can earn free card packs from Year of the Dragon expansions and Ashes of Outland! The quests will be initially available on the following dates:

• April 7, 10:00 a.m. PT: Play 25 cards in Play Mode to earn an Ashes of Outland and Descent of Dragons card pack.
• April 8, 10:00 a.m. PT: Play 3 games in Play Mode as Demon Hunter to earn an Ashes of Outland and Saviors of Uldum card pack.
• April 9, 10:00 a.m. PT: Play 20 spells in any mode to earn an Ashes of Outland and Rise of Shadows card pack.

Arena Rotation

Starting April 7, the Arena will include cards from the following sets:

• Basic
• Classic
• Rise of Shadows
• Saviors of Uldum
• Descent of Dragons
• Galakrond’s Awakening
• Ashes of Outland
• Demon Hunter Initiate

New Solo Adventure Coming Soon

Ashes of Outland is only the beginning. A new, totally free, solo adventure will arrive in the coming months! Illidan and the Demon Hunters will take the offensive against the Rusted Legion with the fate of Outland hanging in the balance. Don’t miss out!