Whispers of the Old Gods card review #1: C'Thun and his cultists

Hearthstone’s newest expansion, Whispers of the Old Gods, is coming to Hearthstone at the end of April or the beginning of May.

Prior to the American Winter Championships, Ben Brode and Yong Woo announced the expansion and revealed six of the cards it will bring. The expansion’s name was not considered a secret anymore, as the community had gathered evidence and created solid theories. Disguised Toast released a video in which he gathered all the hints Blizzard has released. Earlier this week someone recognized a mural painting, on which the name of the expansion was shown. To top off everything, website TYCsports leaked a huge part of the confidential information.

Now that all of that has been said and done, though, today we finally got a glimpse of what the expansion is actually going to bring. A very dark setting, the expansion partially aims to show how currently existing cards would behave like, if they had been influenced by one of the four Old Gods. Next to this there are cards that will interact directly with an Old God, of which two have been revealed today. Lastly of course the Old Gods themselves will be playable in the game, setting the total to 134 new cards.

Exciting news for all players might be that they will receive three packs for free when the expansion launches. Not only that, but it is also confirmed that the first pack will hold a C’Thun and two Beckoner of Evil’s, so that players can start building their Old God deck right away.

Enough of the talks, let’s take a look at the actual cards.

C’Thun

Why not start with the first of the revealed Old Gods himself. C’Thun is a typical example of what Blizzard likes to call “build-arounds”. The Old God sits in your hand or deck during the game, and slowly gains power by other minions that try to “summon” him back into the real world. Slowly but surely C’Thun grows, and when you are ready to play him he has an immediate effect. C’Thun encourages a slow deck, as that way he can grow into the biggest meanest version of himself, having a strong body and an Avenging Wrath in one. Even after C’Thun has been played, summoning minions that empower him will affect his stats on board.



Beckoner of Evil

Having a very simple interaction with C’Thun, Beckoner of Evil is the card every player acquires through their first Whispers of the Old Gods card pack. It has to be said, for having a fairly strong effect in its deck type, Beckoner of Evil provides a decent body on board too. A 2/3 minion for 2 mana is not bad at all, certainly if considering it empowers your game-finishing card.



Twilight Elder

Similar to Shade of Naxxramas, the Twilight Elder is a dangerous minion on board. Its stats aren’t horrifying per se, it’s just a standard 3-drop, but as time passes by it might backfire hard if you leave a Twilight Elder up for too long. To mind immediately jumps the Druid class, which through Wild Growth and Innervate can play this C’Thun fanboy earlier in the game than other classes can.

Polluted Hoarder

Poor Loot Hoarder. Once one of the happiest, most innocent minions in the game, he has now been corrupted by the Old Gods. It means nothing less than doubling its every stat, while still drawing one card upon death. In current decks Loot Hoarder only sees play in some Reno decks, or Freeze Mage variations. Polluted Hoarder might be a bit too expensive to fit in in those decks, but who knows what Standard will bring? Maybe in a few months everybody is hoarding those cards!



Corrupted Healbot

Some players were concerned when Standard was announced. The tribe of Mechs would almost vanish with the removal of GvG from competitive play, including Antique Healbot. The 5-drop might not have been the best card in the game, but many aggro-haters loved slamming down the healing robot. Those players should not fear: Healbot is still in the game! This time, however, his effect is not necessarily strong against aggro players. A 6/6 body for 5 mana is bound to have some drawback, and it does indeed. Healing your opponent for 8 health reminds of Zombie Chow and the synergy with Auchenai Soulpriest is undeniably a strong finisher.



Validated Doomsayer

When the Old Gods arrive, they bring death and despair; basically the end of the world. Now that the end is finally coming, Doomsayer could not be happier. Much like when he was still predicting, the now Validated Doomsayer is still a card with a dangerous effect. Notable is that cards such as Humility, Aldor Peacekeeper and Eadric the Pure do not limit the Blood Elf’s attack. When your turn starts, he ignores the rules and just has 7 attack. Only silencing or killing this minion will keep your board safe!

Don't forget to bookmark our "Whispers of the Old Gods" spoilers page to be constantly up to date about the new cards releases.