Core

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Core is the primary card set of Hearthstone. It was first made available on March 30, 2021, along with the Forged in the Barrens launch.

The purpose of the Core is to provide a modern collection of starting cards to players of all types and make Hearthstone even more approachable for newcomers. Some of the Core cards are returning from previous sets, some are reimagined favorites, some are completely new. Regardless, all Core cards can be obtained for free after finishing the Apprentice Track, while their golden cards can be obtained by winning in Ranked or Arena games.

Unlike Basic and Classic, which were the main card sets of Hearthstone, the Core set is refreshed each year. At the start of every Hearthstone year, a new Core Set will take the place of the previous, comprised of new and existing cards. When that happens, Core cards that are rotating will be swapped with new ones in the player's Collection automatically. The original versions of these cards can still be crafted and disenchanted, but the player will be unable to keep their Core versions.[1][2]

Core cards can be used at any time in Standard and Wild format, as well as Twist format provided the set is in the current available card sets, although you may still only have the normal number of copies of any given card in your deck (two for most rarities, one for legendaries).

Notes[edit | edit source]

  • All old cards in the Core set have two versions that exist in parallel: One from the original set, and one from the Core set.
    • The original version can be crafted or disenchanted for Arcane Dust, while the Core version is uncraftable.
    • The Core set version is temporary and can be removed depending on the announcement of the next year's Core set.
    • In Wild format, both the original and Core versions are associated; therefore you can only bring either 2 copies of either of them. For example, you can only play:
    • Both versions are treated as the same cards for the Highlander cards' conditions.
    • In Collection manager, when you filter cards by format (Standard Cards or Wild Cards), the collection manager will prioritize the Core version over the original one if you have any copies of the Core version to display.
    • The Core set version functions like how Wild Event did.

How to get[edit | edit source]

Core cards are free to obtain without using gold or real money to purchase them.

  • Regular Core cards can be obtained by completing or skipping the Apprentice Track.
  • Golden Core cards can be obtained through the Progression achievements, which involve in winning Ranked or Arena games.

Cards[edit | edit source]

Year of the Pegasus's Core set consists of 291 collectible but uncraftable cards. They can be recognized with the year's watermark behind the card text, not found on other cards.

Customize this list

Neutral

CORE ICC 023.png
CORE CS2 188.png
CORE ULD 191.png
CORE CS2 189.png
CORE UNG 809.png
CORE UNG 205.png
CORE ULD 723.png
CORE CS2 146.png
CORE EX1 011.png
CORE EX1 010.png
CORE GVG 085.png
CORE NEW1 018.png
CORE EX1 162.png
CORE NEW1 023.png
CORE ULD 271.png
CORE CS2 142.png
CORE EX1 096.png
CORE EX1 082.png
CORE EX1 506.png
CORE LOOT 413.png
CS3 038.png
CORE SCH 160.png
CORE EX1 049.png
CORE EX1 007.png
CORE BOT 021.png
CORE LOE 039.png
CORE GIL 534.png
CORE CS2 122.png
CORE SW 072.png
CORE UNG 928.png
CORE NEW1 022.png
CORE SW 066.png
CORE CS2 179.png
CORE TOY 101.png
CORE EX1 028.png
CORE BOT 563.png
CORE TOY 103.png
Core CS2 200.png
CORE DRG 079.png
CORE CS2 222.png
CORE LOOT 137.png
CORE YOP 032.png
CORE EX1 509.png
CORE TSC 827.png
CORE EX1 059.png
CORE SCH 713.png
CS3 022.png
CORE FP1 007.png
CORE NEW1 020.png
CORE EX1 103.png
Core UNG 072.png
CORE EX1 093.png
CORE TOY 102.png
CORE GIL 622.png
CORE BOT 312.png
CORE EX1 043.png
CORE EX1 085.png
CORE CFM 790.png
CORE NEW1 021.png
CORE REV 023.png
CORE EX1 507.png
CORE NEW1 027.png
CORE ULD 209.png
CORE EX1 005.png
CORE UNG 848.png
CORE EX1 586.png
CORE EX1 105.png
CORE EX1 620.png
CORE EX1 012.png
CORE LOOT 516.png
CORE AT 132.png
CORE EX1 116.png
CS3 025.png
CS3 024.png
CORE TOY 100.png
CORE EX1 016.png
CORE EX1 249.png
CS3 035.png
CORE ULD 178.png
CORE EX1 298.png
CORE VAN EX1 561.png
CS3 034.png
CS3 032.png
CORE VAN EX1 572.png
CS3 036.png

Related cards

DREAM 04.png
DREAM 05.png
ULD 209t.png
HERO 10bp2.png
UNG 809t1.png
BOT 312t.png
CORE EX1 506a.png
Ds1 whelptoken.png
EX1 116t.png
HERO 05bp2.png
HERO 06bp2.png
HERO 08bp2.png
HERO 11cbp2.png
HERO 09bp2.png
DREAM 01.png
HERO 03bp2.png
HERO 07bp2.png
HERO 01bp2.png
HERO 04bp2.png
HERO 02bp2.png
DREAM 02.png
DREAM 03.png
FP1 007t.png

Choice cards

ULD 209t.png
ULD 178a3.png
ULD 178a2.png
ULD 178a4.png
ULD 178a.png

Death Knight

CORE RLK 042.png
RLK 503.png
RLK 958.png
RLK 061.png
RLK 025.png
RLK 511.png
CORE RLK 116.png
CORE RLK 121.png
CORE RLK 087.png
RLK 708.png
CORE RLK 012.png
RLK 024.png
CORE RLK 062.png
RLK 709.png
RLK 060.png
RLK 720.png
RLK 079.png
RLK 039.png
CORE RLK 712.png
CORE RLK 066.png
CORE RLK 051.png
RLK 048.png
CORE RLK 504.png
CORE RLK 035.png
CORE RLK 505.png
RLK 707.png
CORE RLK 740.png
CORE RLK 063.png
CORE RLK 741.png
RLK 744.png
RLK 223.png
RLK 082.png
CORE RLK 086.png
CORE RLK 122.png

Related cards

RLK 039t.png
RLK 061t.png
RLK 506t.png
RLK 008t.png
RLK 070t.png
RLK 063t.png

Demon Hunter

CORE BT 351.png
CORE BT 480.png
CORE YOP 001.png
CORE BT 035.png
CORE BT 514.png
CORE BT 491.png
CORE BT 922.png
CORE BT 921.png
CORE BT 036.png
CS3 017.png
CORE BT 416.png
CS3 020.png
CORE TSC 217.png
CORE BT 801.png
CORE DMF 224.png
CORE BT 187.png
CORE BT 429.png

Related cards

BT 429p2.png
BT 429p.png
BT 922t.png
BT 036t.png

Druid

CORE AT 037.png
Core LOE 115.png
CORE GIL 663.png
CORE EX1 160.png
CORE EX1 154.png
CORE OG 047.png
CORE CS2 012.png
CORE LOOT 309.png
CORE BAR 535.png
CORE EX1 165.png
CORE EX1 169.png
CORE LOOT 051.png
CORE CS2 009.png
CORE SW 431.png
CORE NEW1 008.png
CORE DMF 734.png
CORE EX1 573.png

Related cards

LOOT 051t2.png
LOOT 051t1.png
AT 037t.png
EX1 573t.png
GIL 663t.png
EX1 160t.png
EX1 165t1.png
EX1 165t2.png
OG 044a.png

Choice cards

LOE 115b.png
LOE 115a.png
AT 037a.png
AT 037b.png
EX1 160b.png
EX1 154b.png
EX1 154a.png
EX1 160a.png
OG 047b.png
OG 047a.png
EX1 165b.png
EX1 165a.png
NEW1 008b.png
NEW1 008a.png
EX1 573a.png
EX1 573b.png

Hunter

CORE UNG 912.png
CORE EX1 610.png
CORE EX1 611.png
CORE BRM 013.png
CORE NEW1 031.png
CORE EX1 617.png
CORE DS1 185.png
CORE DS1 184.png
CORE AT 062.png
CORE EX1 539.png
CORE FB Champs LOOT 080.png
CORE EX1 534.png
CORE AV 226.png
CORE GIL 577.png
CORE TRL 339.png
CORE DRG 256.png
CORE BAR 551.png

Related cards

EX1 534t.png
NEW1 034.png
NEW1 033.png
NEW1 032.png
LOOT 077t.png
LOOT 080t2.png
LOOT 080t3.png
GIL 577t.png

Mage

CORE LOOT 231.png
CORE UNG 018.png
CORE BOT 453.png
CORE UNG 020.png
CORE CS2 024.png
CORE CS2 023.png
CORE EX1 289.png
CORE CS2 029.png
CORE KAR 076.png
CORE KAR 009.png
CORE EX1 287.png
CORE LOOT 101.png
CORE CS2 028.png
CORE UNG 941.png
CORE CS2 032.png
CORE BOT 103.png
CORE DAL 609.png

Related cards

UNG 809t1.png

Paladin

CORE ICC 038.png
CORE EX1 362.png
CORE TRL 307.png
CORE CFM 753.png
CORE BT 292.png
TTN 851.png
CORE DRG 229.png
CORE CS2 093.png
CORE CS2 094.png
CORE KAR 077.png
CORE AT 075.png
CORE OG 273.png
CORE EX1 619.png
CORE GVG 061.png
CORE UNG 952.png
TTN 908.png
CORE DMF 238.png
CORE BT 334.png
CORE EX1 383.png

Related cards

CS2 101t.png
EX1 383t.png
DMF 238t.png

Priest

CORE AT 055.png
CORE CS1 130.png
CORE EX1 193.png
CORE ICC 210.png
CORE CS2 234.png
CORE CS1 112.png
CORE SW 442.png
CORE CS3 014.png
CS3 028.png
CORE LOOT 507.png
CORE WON 065.png
CORE CFM 606.png
CORE EX1 197.png
CORE GVG 008.png
CORE ICC 214.png
CORE DAL 729.png
CORE DAL 721.png

Related cards

CFM 606t.png
LOOT 507t.png
LOOT 507t2.png

Rogue

CORE CS2 072.png
CORE EX1 144.png
CORE CS2 074.png
CORE KAR 069.png
CORE EX1 124.png
CORE EX1 129.png
CORE CS2 076.png
CORE DAL 416.png
CORE EX1 581.png
CORE TRL 124.png
CORE EX1 134.png
CORE LOOT 211.png
CORE EX1 145.png
CORE LOOT 026.png
CORE GIL 672.png
CORE DRG 037.png
CORE GIL 598.png

Related cards

LOOT 026t.png
LOOT 026e.png

Shaman

Core UNG 019.png
CORE EX1 238.png
CS3 007.png
CORE KAR 063.png
CORE AT 053.png
CORE EX1 565.png
CORE BOT 533.png
CORE EX1 246.png
CORE CS2 042.png
CORE REV 923.png
CORE EX1 248.png
CORE EX1 259.png
CORE OG 028.png
CORE SW 114.png
CORE CS2 053.png
Core UNG 211.png
CORE NEW1 010.png

Related cards

Hexfrog.png
UNG 211aa.png
EX1 tk11.png

Choice cards

UNG 211a.png
UNG 211d.png
UNG 211c.png
UNG 211b.png

Warlock

CORE SCH 158.png
CORE EX1 319.png
CORE EX1 302.png
CORE BOT 222.png
CORE CS2 065.png
CORE FIX SW 084.png
CORE ICC 055.png
CORE CS2 062.png
CORE ICC 041.png
CORE SW 085.png
CORE LOOT 043.png
CORE EX1 309.png
CORE EX1 310.png
CORE BT 304.png
CORE EX1 312.png
CORE DAL 422.png
CORE EX1 323.png

Related cards

SW 085t.png
EX1 tk33.png
EX1 323w.png
LOOT 043t2.png
LOOT 043t3.png
BT 304t.png
EX1 tk34.png

Warrior

CORE CS2 108.png
CORE EX1 391.png
CORE EX1 400.png
CORE AT 064.png
CORE CS2 106.png
CORE ULD 195.png
CORE EX1 606.png
CORE SW 094.png
CORE REV 990.png
CORE SW 030.png
CORE EX1 604.png
CORE EX1 410.png
CORE GIL 580.png
CORE BT 117.png
CORE EX1 407.png
CORE DRG 026.png
CORE EX1 414.png

Design[edit | edit source]

At the time of the Core set's introduction, the Classic set comprised 240 cards while the Basic set had another 143, for a total of 383 evergreen cards. With 148 less cards each year, the dev team can focus on making each set of evergreen cards more consistently impactful and relevant to the current meta.[3]

History[edit | edit source]

  • Year of the Gryphon Core set
    • On February 9, 2021, Core set was first announced, giving the players a brief description of how the Core set and the rotation works.[4]
    • On February 19, 2021, along with announcement of Forged in the Barrens and Year of the Gryphon, some of the core cards had been revealed.[5]
    • On February 25, 2021, the full details of Year of the Gryphon's Core set had been revealed on PlayHearthstone Library website.
    • Between February 25 and early March 2021, Stonetusk Boar and Bluegill Warrior were originally part of the first Core set, but both were changed from Charge to Rush in exchange for 1 more attack. Due to player feedback, the two minions were left unchanged for the Legacy set, while the new minions  Emerald Skytalon and  Redgill Razorjaw took their place with the intended changes.[6]
    • On March 30, 2021, Year of the Gryphon's Core set was released.
  • Year of the Hydra Core set
  • Year of the Wolf Core set
    • On March 23, 2023, the full details of Year of the Wolf's Core set were revealed, with 70 cards both leaving and entering the Core set.[8]
    • On April 11, 2023, Year of the Wolf's Core set was released.
    • Year of the Wolf's Core set introduced Tradeable as a new evergreen keyword, as well as Magnetic returning for just this year. Priests also received a new class-exclusive keyword, Overheal, which was proactively added to older cards.
    • This year's Core set was designed to be "more flexible" than usual by allowing for both planned adjustments and unplanned balance changes. Cards could be rotated from Core early or new cards could be added in the middle of the year as needed.
    • In Patch 27.0.0.181554, two new cards were added to the Core set and used right away:  Resistance Aura and  Crusader Aura. From this onwards, Aura is considered to be one of Paladin's design spaces.[9]
  • Year of the Pegasus Core set
    • On February 12, 2024, the full details of Year of the Pegasus's Core set had been revealed, with 84 cards leaving the Core set and 88 cards entering, increasing the total number of cards of Core set from 286 to 288.[10]
    • On March 11, 2024, Year the Pegasus Core set was released.
    • The "Can't be targeted by spells or Hero Powers" ability was formally made into a keyword, Elusive.
    • This year's Core set saw notable experimentation from the developers to bring back cards from the previous Hall of Fame set back into Standard. Developers tried out almost every card from the Hall of Fame except  Ice Block.[11] Year of the Pegasus' Core set includes 8 cards that were previously sent to the Hall of Fame, the highest amount out of any Core set so far.
    • Many Rune requirements for death knight cards were reduced due to developers feeling the system was too restrictive.[12]
    •  Wrath of Air Totem was brought back to replace  Strength Totem. Developers felt that Wrath of Air Totem was a part of Hearthstone's history worth celebrating, with plans to rotate or keep it according to player sentiments.[13]

Patch changes[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

 
  1. ↑ Blizzard Entertainment (2021-02-09). Introducing the Core Set and Classic Format. 
  2. ↑ Celestalon on Twitter (X). (2021-02-09). 
  3. ↑ Celestalon on Twitter (X). (2021-02-09). 
  4. ↑ Introducing the Core Set and Classic Format. (2021-02-09). Retrieved on 2022-04-16.
  5. ↑ Welcome to the Year of the Gryphon. (2021-02-19). Retrieved on 2022-04-16.
  6. ↑ Patch 20.0.0.77662
  7. ↑ Blizzard Entertainment (2022-04-05). Welcome to the Year of the Hydra. PlayHearthstone. Retrieved on 2022-04-16.
  8. ↑ Blizzard Entertainment (2023-23-03). Year of the Wolf Core Set Update!. PlayHearthstone. Retrieved on 2023-04-11.
  9. ↑ Aleco Pors (2023-07-31). Developer Insight: Paladin and Core Set Changes. Blizzard Forums. Retrieved on 2023-08-12.
  10. ↑ Blizzard Entertainment (2024-12-02). Year of the Pegasus Core Set Update. PlayHearthstone. Retrieved on 2024-04-11.
  11. ↑ AlecoGereco on Twitter (X). (2024-02-14). 
  12. ↑ AlecoGereco on Twitter (X). (2024-02-12). 
  13. ↑ AlecoGereco on Twitter (X). (2024-02-12). 
Standard
Wild
Removed
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