IRVINE, Calif.—March 14, 2018—A new coalition of villains has risen to power, and Hearthstone® players around the world get to be the bad guys in Rise of Shadows™, the next expansion for Blizzard Entertainment’s smash-hit digital card game. Starting April 9, players will be able to join a league of miscreants as they embark on Hearthstone’s first-ever yearlong story line, with 135 dastardly new cards and some wickedly devious new mechanics.
After suffering defeat at the hands of the League of Explorers, Arch-Thief Rafaam realized that his designs on Azeroth would require more roguery than he alone could muster. In the years since, he has dwelled in the shadows, recruiting the greatest antagonists Hearthstone has ever seen to join the League of E.V.I.L.—a veritable supergroup of villains from previous Hearthstone sets, including King Togwaggle, Madam Lazul, the irrepressible Dr. Boom, and Hagatha the Witch. In Rise of Shadows, these ne’er-do-wells will once again act on their nefarious intentions, aided by Hearthstone players looking to get their hands dirty.
In addition to their promising player cohort, the League of E.V.I.L. also has Lackeys to boss around—1/1 minions with a variety of diabolical Battlecries. These low-level operatives will be crucial in unleashing the League’s sinister Schemes: new Spells that grow in power each turn they’re in a player’s hand. As if brains and brawn weren’t enough, their bag of tricks also includes callback cards that feature effects that pay homage to the Hearthstone sets that the League of E.V.I.L.’s masterminds hail from, giving players access to crafty new strategies.
“Hearthstone has a cast of fan-favorite villains, and it’s a thrill to see them take center stage in Rise of Shadows,” said J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment. “We can’t wait for players to get in on the mayhem in this expansion, with a bunch of sinister new cards at their disposal.”
Players looking to join the League of E.V.I.L. should watch their backs, as they’ll likely be targeted by a mysterious crime-fighting group known as the Defenders of Dalaran. These formidable guardians are rumored to wield Twinspells—potent magic Spells that, once cast, generate a copy of themselves that can be cast again on a later turn. More intel on the Defenders of Dalaran will be shared with operatives at a later date.
Coming April 9 to Windows® and Mac® PCs; Windows, iOS, and Android™ tablets; and mobile phones, Rise of Shadows card packs will be winnable in Hearthstone’s Arena mode, and players can purchase them with in-game gold or real money at the same prices as Hearthstone’s other card packs. Starting today and up until April 9 you can pre-purchase Rise of Shadows card packs in two different bundle options: the 50-pack pre-purchase bundle includes a random Legendary and the Jewel of Lazul card back, while the 80-pack Mega Bundle includes a random golden Legendary and Jewel of Lazul card back, as well as a new playable Priest Hero—the mysterious Madam Lazul. These bundles are available on any platform for $49.99 and $79.99, respectively—one of each can be purchased per account.
Join the ranks of the League of E.V.I.L. and learn more at RiseOfShadows.com.
With more than 100 million players worldwide, Hearthstone is Blizzard Entertainment’s internationally acclaimed, free-to-play digital card game designed for novice and veteran card-slingers alike. Players can choose from nine powerful hero classes and customize their decks with minions, spells, and weapons based on the unique fantasy of the Warcraft® universe. Featuring a variety of game modes ranging from epic head-to-head duels to story-driven solo adventures, Hearthstone offers a vibrant and rewarding experience stacked with strategy, personality, and fun. Hearthstone is available globally for Windows and Mac PCs; Windows, iOS, and Android tablets; and mobile phones.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone, Overwatch®, the Warcraft, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, and the multi-franchise Heroes of the Storm®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-two #1 games* and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online gaming service, Blizzard Battle.net®, is one of the largest online-gaming services in the world, with millions of active players.
*Sales and/or downloads, based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.