Hearthstone is introducing its first new playable class since the Death Knight arrived in 2022. Announced at BlizzCon, the Monk class, inspired by Warcraft III's pandaren brewmaster, will be represented in the card game by Chen Stormstout. The class is slated for a full reveal in March 2027.
While not the most popular class in World of Warcraft, the Monk's often humorous nature aligns well with Hearthstone's distinct cartoonish aesthetic. With this addition, the Evoker will become the sole World of Warcraft class not yet represented in Hearthstone, excluding niche references like the Night Elf Mohawk.
Prior to the Monk's arrival, Hearthstone players will experience "Reign of the Black Empire," an expansion themed around the Old Gods. This upcoming content introduces a new keyword called "assemble," which allows players to combine cards for potentially complex and powerful combos, fitting Hearthstone's reputation for emergent strategies. The "Reign of the Black Empire" expansion is scheduled for release on October 10.