BLIZZCON 2019: HEARTHSTONE Soars in DESCENT OF DRAGONS

In spite of a month of controversy and criticism leveled at Blizzard Entertainment after the Irvine-based video game developer punished a professional Hearthstone player back in October, Blizzard has pushed forward with this year’s BlizzCon and new announcements about the fourth-most played video game in the world. Despite Hearthstone having labeled 2019 as the “Year of the Dragon”, only *three* new Dragon cards have actually been released thus far. As announced by Blizzard developer Alec Dawson, Hearthstone intends to rectify that with the upcoming dragonfire-fueled expansion: Descent of Dragons!

Last we left off in the world of Hearthstone, the adventurers known as the “League of Explorers” (Reno Jackson, Brann Bronzebeard, Sir Finley Mrrgglton, and Elise Starseeker) managed to save the land of Uldum with their whips, fedoras, and narcissism! However, the League of E.V.I.L.’s masterplan has been revealed: to resurrect the long-forgotten terror known as Galakrond. Galakrond is the progenitor of all dragonkind, and only the combined might of all five dragonflights can slay Galakrond and end his tyranny. In a cinematic trailer reminiscent of the 1980 film Flash Gordon, the two Leagues fight against each other while riding dragons, griffons, dirigibles, and more. The greatest aerial battle in the history of all Azeroth is set to take place in the skies above the Dragonblight! Will you rise to the challenge and help our heroes (and their dragon allies) overcome E.V.I.L. against all odds? Or will you help the League of E.V.I.L. torment the world?

A new mechanic for the Mage, Druid, Hunter, and Paladin classes are Sidequests. Like “Quests”, you can play Sidequests at any time and complete them for a reward. One such Sidequest is the upcoming “Learn Draconic” card: Spend 8 Mana on spell cards, and you are rewarded with a 6/6 Dragon to fight on your side!

Meanwhile, Priests, Rogues, Shamans, Warriors, and Warlocks in Descent of Dragons can attempt to resurrect Galakrond in the form of a new Hero card. The form that Galakrond takes depends on the class that summoned him. Galakrond can be empowered over the course of the game, using a new keyword called Invoke. In addition to making Galakrond more powerful, Invoke also has a special ability for each class. For Rogues, Invoke gives the player a random minion.

Some of the most iconic dragons in World of Warcraft (such as Nozdormu the Timeless, a Legendary 8/8 Dragon) are part of the new 135 cards to be added, as these dragons team up with the League of Explorers to stop Galakrond. Other notable new Dragon cards include Malygos, Aspect of Magic (a Legendary 2/8 Dragon, who’s Battlecry enhances even the most basic of your Mage’s spells) and a literal wax dragon known as Waxadred (a Legendary 7/5 Dragon). Each class also gets a new “Dragon Breath” card that gets more powerful while holding a Dragon card.

What do you think about Descent of Dragons? Are you excited to take to the skies and battle E.V.I.L. with new Dragon cards? Or will you raise Galakrond and praise the return of the mightiest dragon in Azeroth? Either way, let Geek Girl Authority know in the comments below, and share your thoughts about the next chapter in Hearthstone. And stayed tuned to Geek Girl Authority for more news from BlizzCon 2019!