Year of the Gryphon
Year of the Gryphon was the Standard format year from March 30, 2021 to April 12, 2022.[1]
Card sets[edit | edit source]
These card sets are released as a part of Year of the Gryphon.
Core set[edit | edit source]
For the first time ever, Year of the Gryphon introduced a new special card set named Core to replace Basic and Classic card sets. Each year has a different Core set of cards.
List of Year of the Gryphon's Core set cards can be found here.
Roadmap[edit | edit source]
Patches[edit | edit source]
These patches were released during Year of the Gryphon.
Notable announcements[edit | edit source]
- The first hint at the year's new features began on January 8th, 2021 as Alec Dawson and Cora confirmed that Edwin VanCleef would be rotated to Wild but would not be entering the Hall of Fame[2][3][4]. Announcements for the sixth standard year begin on February 9th, 2021 with the announcement of the Core and Legacy sets, removal of the Basic, Classic, and Hall of Fame sets, and introduction of Classic format.[5] While the year was currently unnamed, these were the headline features planned with its release. The year was officially announced at Blizzconline on February 19th along with the reveal of Forged in the Barrens.
- The introduction of the Core set greatly changes Standard. In place of the largely static Basic and Classic sets, the Core set contains 235 cards of various rarities that change yearly and are obtained for free. It reintroduces many cards from Wild format expansions, as well as a handful of entirely new cards like Novice Zapper, Deathwing the Destroyer, and Thrive in the Shadows. Some cards have also been buffed to make them more competitively viable.
- The Year of the Gryphon introduced Spell schools into the game as an analog to Minion types - Arcane, Fel, Fire, Frost, Holy, Nature, and Shadow. This allows for a new dimension of spell synergy and deck building, permanently changing how some spells interact with your deck.
- Similar to the Year of the Dragon, the Year of the Gryphon roughly follows a linear plot, concerning mercenaries of the Horde and Alliance who will have their stories told throughout the year. A new set of Missions called the Book of Mercenaries expands upon their stories.
- The Year of the Gryphon also introduces Hearthstone's third new game mode, Mercenaries, which was released on October 12, 2021. The player commands a party of mercenaries through a randomly-generated set of as well as PvP battles, permanently gaining experience and stronger mercenaries as they play.
Timeline[edit | edit source]
- Main article: Hearthstone timeline
2021[edit | edit source]
February 19
- Forged in the Barrens, Hearthstone's 17th expansion is announced at BlizzConline 2021.[6]
- The roadmap for the Year of the Gryphon is announced.
- Mercenaries, Hearthstone's third new multiplayer game mode with RPG and roguelike elements is announced, planned for release in the first phase of the year.
March 2
- Book of Heroes: Valeera is released, the sixth part of the collection of missions.
March 22
- After player feedback regarding planned changes in the Core set that would remove the Charge keyword from Stonetusk Boar and Bluegill Warrior, it is revealed that those changes will not be made, and instead new cards Emerald Skytalon and Redgill Razorjaw will take their place.
March 25
- Shaman's hero power, Totemic Call, receives the first basic hero power rework, with the Strength Totem being added to replace the Wrath of Air Totem.
- Spell schools are introduced, with 7 new schools being added to all applicable spells in the game.
March 30
- Forged in the Barrens is released.
- The fifth Standard year (the Year of the Phoenix) ends, and the sixth Standard year (the Year of the Gryphon) begins.
- Diamond cards are introduced, featuring new 3D animated Legendary cards.
April 6
- Book of Mercenaries: Rokara is released, the first part of a new collection of missions.
May 4
- Quilboar are added to Battlegrounds, the fourth new minion type addition.
- For consistency, the Quilboar minion type is also added to constructed, though no added synergies are planned.
- Battle-Ready decks are introduced, featuring complete decks that are available to purchase in the Shop.
May 25
- Book of Heroes: Thrall is released, the seventh part of the collection of missions.
May 27
- Wailing Caverns, Hearthstone's second mini-set is announced.[7]
June 3
- Wailing Caverns is released.
- Many previously released hero skins and card backs are now purchasable in the collection manager with gold.
- Book of Mercenaries: Xyrella is released, the second part of the collection of missions.
June 15
- Book of Mercenaries: Guff is released, the third part of the collection of missions.
June 16
- As the first ever card ban in constructed, Stealer of Souls is banned from the Wild format.
June 22
- Book of Heroes: Malfurion is released, the eigth part of the collection of missions.
June 28
- A Stormwind-style teaser is posted, and it is revealed that the next expansion will be revealed on July 1.[8]
- Mercenaries is announced to be delayed from the first phase of the year to later in the fall.
July 1
- United in Stormwind, Hearthstone's 18th expansion is announced.[9]
July 13
- Book of Mercenaries: Kurtrus is released, the fourth part of the collection of missions.
July 20
- Book of Heroes: Gul'dan is released, the ninth part of the collection of missions.
August 3
- United in Stormwind is released.
August 10
- Book of Heroes: Illidan is released, the 10th part of the collection of missions.
August 24
- It is announced that Mercenaries will be fully revealed on August 31.
August 31
- Mercenaries is fully revealed.[10]
- Battlegrounds receives a revamp, with a completely new keyword, Avenge, and a massive minion pool shakeup.
September 7
- Book of Mercenaries: Tamsin is released, the fifth part of the collection of missions.
October 12
- Mercenaries is released.
October 28
November 2
- Deadmines is released.
November 9
- Book of Mercenaries: Cariel is released, the sixth part of the collection of missions.
November 16
- Fractured in Alterac Valley, Hearthstone's 19th expansion is announced.[12]
- A new in-game faction event is announced, where players can choose to allign with the Alliance or Horde and receive a new legendary card before the expansion goes live. Players gain Honor for games played and the winning faction will receive a Diamond legendary card.
- Armor is added to Battlegrounds, the second new system additon.
- Book of Mercenaries: Scabbs is released, the seventh part of the collection of missions.
November 30
- Battlegrounds receives its first new type of cosmetic, Boards.
December 7
- Fractured in Alterac Valley is released.
- Duels receives its first new heroes, with 2 additional neutral heroes being released.
2022[edit | edit source]
January 25
- Buddies are added to Battlegrounds, the third new system additon.
- The Training Grounds, a new feature is added to Mercenaries.
February 1
- Book of Mercenaries: Tavish is released, the eigth part of the collection of missions.
February 10
- Onyxia's Lair, Hearthstone's fourth mini-set is announced.[13]
February 15
- Onyxia's Lair is released.
- Battlegrounds receives its first new type of cosmetic, Finishers.
- Book of Mercenaries: Bru'kan is released, the ninth part of the collection of missions.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Welcome to the Year of the Gryphon. (2021-03-19). Retrieved on 2022-04-09.
- ↑ Cora on Twitter (X). (2021-01-08).
- ↑ Alec Dawson on Twitter (X). (2021-01-08).
- ↑ Alec Dawson on Twitter. (2021-01-08)
- ↑ Blizzard Entertainment (2021-02-09). Introducing the Core Set and Classic Format.
- ↑ https://hearthstone.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23622608/announcing-forged-in-the-barrens-hearthstone-s-newest-expansion
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOwV2yzqEL4
- ↑ https://hearthstone.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23685043/expansion-reveal-stream-coming-july-1-and-a-note-on-mercenaries
- ↑ https://hearthstone.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23689677/announcing-united-in-stormwind-hearthstone-s-latest-expansion
- ↑ https://hearthstone.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23699737/prepare-for-mercenaries-coming-october-12
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zld2eXWcOM
- ↑ https://hearthstone.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23746635/announcing-fractured-in-alterac-valley-hearthstone-s-next-expansion
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc6ptCEMSCg