Hearthstone received its first new class in four years during the BlizzCon 2026 opening ceremony. According to IGN, the Monk was announced as the third post-launch class for the card game, leaving only the Evoker as the sole World of Warcraft class not yet represented in card form.
The Monk will feature Chen Stormstout as its playable hero, a character whose origins trace back to Warcraft 3. Per PC Gamer, the class fits Hearthstone's cartoonish sensibilities well, being among the most creative in the Warcraft universe.
Beyond the new class, Hearthstone also received the Reign of the Black Empire expansion, which explores the Old Gods and takes place ten thousand years in the past. GameSpot reported the next expansion will focus on a conflict between the Old Gods and the Titans. The Monk will receive its full reveal next year.
Another change announced is the transformation of the Journal into The Journey, a more narrative-driven way to tie stories together across expansions and game modes.
