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Blizzard Unveils Hearthstone’s Reign of the Black Empire Expansion and a New Monk Class

The BlizzCon reveal marks a push toward deeper lore and new systems that Blizzard says will change deck building, in-game narrative hubs and play modes.

After 13 years of waiting, Hearthstone finally adds the Monk class
© Blizzard

Overview

  • At BlizzCon on Saturday, Sept. 12, Blizzard announced Reign of the Black Empire, an Old Gods‑and‑Titans–themed expansion set in Warcraft’s distant past and due this October.
  • The expansion adds a new keyword called Assemble that merges the text boxes of two minions to create novel card combinations and combo lines.
  • Blizzard will launch The Journey, a free, expanded Journal hub for story vignettes, limited-time events and new modes that centralizes Hearthstone’s narrative content for all players.
  • Hearthstone will gain its next new class, the Monk, in March 2027 with Chen Stormstout as the hero, and Blizzard describes the class as “agile and adaptable” though core card mechanics are not yet revealed.
  • Reporting differs on some release and Battlegrounds details—outlets list October 10 or October 20 for the expansion and give alternate names for a new minion type—so Blizzard panel follow-ups are expected to confirm final dates and specifics.