Hearthstone's next expansion has been revealed and the setting is Sholomance Academy, Warcraft's own school of magic with Headmaster Kel’Thuzad ready to usher in the next generation of Warriors, Mages, and Warlocks. The academia setting is the sort of fun and vibrant backdrop that makes perfect sense after the recent (and suitably dark) debut of the Demon Hunter. Plus, Degrassi: Warcraft High means a number of very cool new mechanics and cards coming.

But first, the cinematic reveal.



Onto the good stuff - for those bookworms out there. First up, the big one - Dual-Class cards. These make up 40 of the 135 new cards set to drop with Scholomance Academy. As per the naming these cards can be played by one of two classes, where the action might be the same but the outcome something else entirely.

Here's a trio of examples, from left to right: Mage/Rogue, Druid/Shaman, Druid/Hunter


With 10 class combinations coming (Druid/Hunter, Hunter/Demon Hunter, Demon Hunter/Warlock, Warlock/Priest, Priest/Paladin, Paladin/Warrior, Warrior/Rogue, Rogue/Mage, Mage/Shaman, and Shaman/Druid) no doubt Dual-Class cards will a play major role in the new set.

Also coming in Scholomance Academy is the new keyword Spellburst a one-time use effect that comes into play the moment you play a spell. With Spellburst minions coming, adding an extra layer of dormant goodness (or badness if you're on the receiving end) sounds very cool. Also playing into the school theme are Studies that act as Discovery, where that extra bit of book-learning will help decrease the overall Mana cost of the card discovered.

Scholomance Academy ushers in the second phase of the Year of the Phoenix, and with a brand-new solo mode, Battleground features, more expansions, and Solo Adventures on the, err, cards - Hearthstone is positioned to have quite the year. With some pretty good grades too.

Oh, and the design of the Frazzled Freshman minion is... perfect.