Hearthstone is set to introduce its first new class in four years, the Monk, alongside a narrative-focused expansion and a revamped in-game journal. This announcement was made during BlizzCon 2026's opening ceremony.
The Monk class will be the first addition since the Death Knight arrived in 2022, bringing the total number of playable classes to eleven, with Evoker being the only class not represented. The Monk is scheduled for release in March 2027, though specific gameplay details remain scarce following a brief teaser.
Hearthstone's next expansion, titled Reign of the Black Empire, will transport players approximately 10,000 years into the past to explore the Black Empire and the ancient conflict between the Old Gods and the Titans. This expansion is slated for release on October 20.
Complementing the expansion is an overhaul of the game's journal system, now rebranded as 'The Journey.' This new feature aims to provide a more cohesive narrative experience by tying together the lore and story elements across Hearthstone's expansions, game modes, and limited-time events. As players progress through Reign of the Black Empire and other content, The Journey will evolve, integrating quests, achievements, and other gameplay elements to deepen the player's connection to the game's unfolding narrative.
Several new gameplay mechanics and features were also revealed. A new keyword, 'Assemble,' will allow players to merge two minions into a single unit, reminiscent of the 'Magnetize' mechanic, enabling unique combo possibilities by combining specific text from their abilities. Additionally, a new minion type called 'Aberrations' will be introduced, primarily for the Battlegrounds mode, with their deaths contributing to the influence of the Old Gods. Battlegrounds will also receive a new 2v2 ranked mode.