Blizzard Entertainment Inc.

03/18/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/18/2026 10:57

Welcome Back to Hearthstone: A Returning Player’s Guide

It's great to see you back in the Tavern! Pull up a seat and make yourself at home as you explore this guide designed for players returning to Hearthstone. It covers everything you need to know to jump back in quickly, from free rewards to competitive decks, so you can be ready to play in no time.

In this returning player's guide, you will learn how to:

  • Claim free rewards for returning Hearthstone players
  • Try Ladder Ready Decks before choosing one to keep
  • Earn Catch-Up Packs to rebuild your collection faster
  • Use Trial Cards to play with two full expansions for free
  • Start playing Ranked Hearthstone with confidence

Step 1: Claim Free Rewards for Returning Hearthstone Players

When you come back to the Tavern, you'll find everything you need to get started again. If you're returning, and it's been at least 90 days since your last login, you're eligible for special rewards that help you easily get back into the game.

  • Claim a Ladder Ready Deck built to be competitive right away
    • Choose from several deck options and try them before selecting one to keep for free
    • You have seven days to try all of the Ladder Ready Decks, so take your time before making your choice
  • Complete The Grand Opening returning quest chain to earn Catch-Up Packs
    • Catch-Up Packs contain up to 50 cards from past expansions
    • The number of cards you receive from Catch-Up Packs is based on the size of your collection, so open Catch-Up Packs before any other packs to get the most value

Try the Dream City Trial Cards During CATACLYSM

Starting March 17, you'll have full access to Dream City Trial Cards*, allowing you to build decks using any cards from Into the Emerald Dream and The Lost City of Un'Goro (including Goldens).

That's a lot of cards! If you're not sure where to start, we've made it easy. A pre-built deck using Dream City Trial Cards is ready for every class. From the Hearthstone main menu, open My Collection, select New Deck under My Decks, choose your class, then pick the recommended deck. Now you can jump straight into a game!

*Log in starting March 10, 2026 (PDT) to temporarily use cards from Into the Emerald Dream and The Lost City of Un'Goro until Expansion 36.0 launches.

Step 2: Play a Standard Game of Hearthstone

If you want the most up-to-date Hearthstone experience, Standard is the best place to begin. It uses the most recent card sets, so the playing field is fresh and easier to learn. Start with relaxed games in Casual mode or hone your competitive edge on the Ranked ladder.

Tip: Easily import deck lists by copying a deck code. When you open your Collection, Hearthstone will automatically build the deck for you, with any unowned cards shown in grey-blue.

Step 3: Learn What's New in Hearthstone

Hearthstone is updated regularly with new features. A lot may be new, but you don't need to learn everything at once. Focus on:

  • New Keywords: Each year introduces a handful of new mechanics
    • Tooltips in-game explain everything
    • You can also visit the Hearthstone website and use the Cards tab to learn more about the keywords and mechanics of each expansion
  • New Features: Hearthstone receives regular updates and balance tuning to keep the game fair, fun, and evolving

Hearthstone's New Expansion

The latest Hearthstone expansion is CATACLYSM. It introduces two new Keywords, Herald and Shatter, along with new Colossal minions and the first-ever Deathwing Hero Card. Use the links below to get caught up on everything new:

Step 4: Earn Free Cards, Packs, and Rewards

It pays to play! You'll earn free cards, packs, and cosmetic items just by playing.

  • Complete daily and weekly quests
  • Participate in events and Tavern Brawls
  • Claim freebies from the Rewards Track and the in-game shop

Step 5: Join the Hearthstone Community

You don't have to figure everything out alone. The Tavern is full of friendly patrons ready to help you find your footing again. The Hearthstone community is a great place to discover new decks, keep up with updates, and see how other players are tackling the current meta.

Get involved by checking out:

That's everything you need to know to get started on your new Hearthstone journey. Shuffle up, draw your opening hand, and enjoy your time in the Tavern. Welcome back!

Blizzard Entertainment Inc. published this content on March 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 18, 2026 at 16:58 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]