Core Set 2022 Guide - How to Obtain It, How it Works, Full List of Cards
By Stonekeep -
Year of the Hydra is beginning shortly, with the launch of the new expansion (Voyage to the Sunken City), and it will come with the first Core Set rotation in history. 57 cards will rotate out, while 72 other cards will take their place (yes, it means that the Core Set will increase in size). If you want to only see what's going in and out, check out this post instead - here we will showcase the entire new Core Set.
Core Set 2022 contains 250 cards (170 Class + 80 Neutral). There are no new cards this time around - all 72 cards that got into the Core Set are cards from the older expansions. However, it's worth noting that 11 cards from Core Set 2022 got buffed, so even some of the old ones might have a significantly higher power level than they did back in the day.
According to the developers, around 30% of the Core Set will be rotating every year - and that's exactly what happened in 2022. It also means that in 2023, we might once again have a quite different set of cards, promoting other strategies. Core Set cards are playable both in Standard and Wild formats.
Core Set cards are free for every player. You simply need to hit level 10 with a specific Hero to unlock all of their Core cards (e.g. getting to Level 10 with Mage unlocks all Mage Core Cards). In order to unlock Neutrals, you need to hit level 60 combined across multiple classes - so e.g. level 20 on Druid, Hunter and Paladin will be enough to unlock all Neutrals. If you already are above Level 10 on every class (and you probably are), Core Set will be unlocked automatically after it releases and you won't have to do anything. Golden Core Set cards are obtained through achievements, based on your Ranked wins (with a given class for that class's golden cards, and grand total for neutrals).
An important thing to keep in mind is that Core Set cards are SEPARATE from their original versions and are only temporarily added to your collection (for as long as they remain in the Core Set - so at least a year, but it might be longer). So, for example, if you own Pyroblast already, Core Set won't just add extra copies of the old card to your collection - they will be added as a separate card that you can't disenchant. So you can, for example, disenchant the old version, but here's the catch - if Pyroblast rotates out of the Core Set and you don't own the original one, it will be gone from your collection - so you won't be able to play it in Wild and Classic. You can treat Core Set as "renting" cards, you get them temporarily, can't disenchant them (because you don't own them), and they're gone once you return them.
Cards that were created specifically for the Core Set (such as Pursuit of Justice) will become a part of the Legacy set after they rotate out. Legacy set contains all of the old Basic & Classic cards and it will now feature some old Core cards too. So if you want to play them in Wild, you need to craft them.
Core Set 2022 Card List
Demon Hunter
Druid
Hunter
Mage
Paladin
Priest
Rogue
Shaman
Warlock
Warrior
Neutral
Legendaries
Epics
Rares
Commons
99 Comments
Goldenpantss
Wasn't Shadowform also previously confirmed?
Stonekeep
Yes, you're right, I forgot about it! :)
mundane
Assassinate too.
Also, less official, but Tidal Surge (updated to have Lifesteal) and Grommash (by name, not image) were leaked in the in-game footage.
Stonekeep
You're right - for some reason Blizzard didn't put Assassinate in the press kit so I missed it too.
Can you direct me to that in-game footage so I can check it?
mundane
There was actually many I missed in the deep dive video... https://youtu.be/WdrUvB46b-w
Grommash at 13:14
At 17:30, Windfury, Tidal Surge (buffed to Lifesteal), Elven Archer, Raid Leader (buffed to 3 health), Dire Wolf Alpha, Fire Elemental, Murloc Tidecaller, Acidic Swamp Ooze.
18:30, Deadly Poison (now a nature spell), Sprint (6 Mana), Sinister Strike,
Abusive Sergeant, Senjin Shieldmasta (possibly buffed?)
18:46, Lightning Bolt, Rockbiter Weapon, Jungle Panther, Lone Champion.
I can't remember where but Kobold Geomancer was also shown.
Armorsmith is shown at 6:02 but this is not in the Core Set showcase. Of course, this could all be pre-release and not confirmed, but it seems worth including at least with an asterisk.
Stonekeep
Thanks for the info.
Good catches about Grommash or let's say Sprint / Tidal Surge. I'll surely add those.
But I'm not sure if them using Sen'jin or Elven Archer etc. in presentation necessarily means that those cards will be back in the Core Set.
killyridols
This question may have been answered previously. But I am far too lazy to find it. Does anyone know if there is a way to obtain core set cards beyond their year of standard play?
Stonekeep
I'm not sure what you mean, could you elaborate?
killyridols
Will there be a way to own the cards after they are no longer in the current standard core set? Can I use 2021 core set in wild in 2022 for example?
Stonekeep
Oh, that's a good question. Old cards (like I don't know, Menagerie Warden) will obviously still be accessible since they're from previous expansions. And when it comes to the new 29 cards created solely for Core Set, they will rotate out to Legacy Set in the Wild (the same set Basic & Classic cards are in) and you will be able to craft them. I hope that answers your question.
killyridols
will I be getting core set cards out of packs that I get for tavern brawl? Thanks for your help. I know that you are just a HS fan like myself.
Zombie69
The core set is free and disappears after one year, replaced by a new core set. You can't get those cards from packs, you can't craft them and you can't disenchant them either.
killyridols
so the new cards will rotate out of wild also? Will the new versions of old cards replace my old cards?
Zombie69
The core set, which is playable in both standard and wild, rotates every year. So yes, it rotates out of wild as well. The set is separate from the Classic set which is moving to wild. This means that to be able to play a card that's in the Classic set but not in the core set (and remember, what's in the core set rotates every year), you must own it in the Classic set.
Pandamonium
It would only make sense that the core cards are gone after the next year replaced with whatever next year is. Not copies of every core card for every year in wild.
killyridols
my question is really about the 29 new cards. Will they simply vanish when the new core set comes? Or, will there be a way to obtain permanent copies of them?
h0lysatan
core set is free for all. no need to buy it or craft it. Free and Uncraftable. Changes every year (unless devs decide to change it sooner)
Bell
Shaman can use these buffs.
Sidus
Priest in Wild could be interesting with the 500 ways to tutor spells from the deck now. Potentially run "8" copies of something with Shadow Visions, this new card, and Cleric of Scales.
Zermatt
Thrive in the shadows and cleric of scales don't work as you think, they draw the spell and don't create another one, the difference is the word copy, as in shadow visions
Irish Seadog
It still works as "8" for the purpose of consistency even though you don't actually get more copies. Realistically, it's probably closer to ~6 on average (NB this is an educated guess, I haven't bothered with calcs yet) since you probably run more than these + target spell.
Renoforfun
We can raisonably suppose that each legendary dragon is gonna be replaced. Cool thing for nozdormu, death wing and Onyxia which are never include.
Irish Seadog
Will the card pictures be updated to link to the individual pages for each card like you normally do?
Stonekeep
Yep, I'm just updating it now.
I finished all the work at like 5 am last night (or rather this morning) and I was too tired to handle all the details like that.
However, the "updated" cards (like buffed Assassinate) will still link to the current version. I'll update those once Core Set is out :)
Irish Seadog
Thanks! That makes sense tbh, I probably should've thought about that.
A person who reacts to this
Hmm so in wild we can now play the old MALYGOS with the new one and have a bunch of spells in hand and 5+ spell damage, sweet, will be nice in druid.
Samb
Guys do the extra cards from the classic set stay or you just get 2 copies of them? Should I DE my extra copies?
Stonekeep
Your old Classic cards stay exactly the way they are, they just become a part of Legacy Set in the Wild. Core Set cards are extra, SEPARATE cards. So you don't need to worry about disenchanting anything for now.
Irish Seadog
So, would that mean we could run e.g. 4 stonetusk boars in a Wild deck? (2 new version, 2 old version)
A person who reacts to this
Btw does anyone know what happens with the new cards in the core set once they leave again? Since they are only "borrowed" do they disappear forever or will you get to keep the new once in wild?
fareh
Thats a good question. I Guess they Will remove whatever was not previously owned
Stonekeep
I think that after new cards (like the new Legendary Dragons) are out of the Core Set, they rotate out to Wild AFAIK. But I'm not 100% sure.
A person who reacts to this
Okej thanks, then let's hope that they stay :D
Irish Seadog
The way they changed Nozdormu is interesting as now it makes Noz shenanigans strictly consensual. Overall, it's neat and I kinda like it, although it does mean it'll be a 7 mana 8/8 and nothing more most of the time.
A person who reacts to this
Yeah, can be fun if it gets used more commonly.
Thorn
Does anyone know why ‘blessing of kings’ and ‘mark of the wild’ are the only cards that have ‘(+x Attack/ +x Health)’ other card with the same(ish) effect don’t power infusion is an example of the same type of card but without the brackets.
Noelle
They were some of the first cards you could ever get, and wanted to help introduce new players to the concept of the "+x/+x" abbreviation.
Noelle
n-no... no boulderfist oger?
sonriks6
I feel that Warlock is the looser, Priest so inconsistent many different archetypes, DH will be strong as always. I see also a Deathrattle rising maybe to slow down the games. In general I like the set, it's fresh we'll see a lot of new decks!
Goldenpantss
I think priest is by far the worst.
Mage got the best new legendary
PitLord
No moro neutral charger, only DH as charge
Goldenpantss
King krush ^^
PitLord
Right the King is still here :D
Goldenpantss
Hunter's set seems the strongest if you took it stand alone. You could build a pretty strong deck just using their basic set.
solaris29
a little disapointed, so many crap card, they keeped brawl (rng frustation+).
dbm14
Quick question - what is going to happen to Zephyrs? Will he offer core set cards now or will he still offer basic/classic cards?
nope
The devs have said Zeph will use the same set of cards as before. Hopefully it will still be retuned for the changes, so that Zeph doesn't insist on BGH at 5 mana for example.
EksSkellybur
At Long Last.
In loving memory, Silverback Patriarch can finally rest.
Good Night Sleep, Prince. We thank you for your memes.
Forgotten that you even existed, but never forgotten in our hearts.
A 3 Mana 1/4 with Taunt, that has the potential to make your opponent concede for how useless the card is.
I'll miss those moments.
"I'm Already Dead."
- Silverback's final words, responding to all other taunts minions that do a better job than him.
2014-2021
Tharid
That was beautiful :(
2asandab
This is great. You made my day.
Rickert von F
This all seems pretty good to me. Buffs for plenty of the returning cards, less unplayable junk in card pools.
The new mage spell pool will take some getting used to, though. No Frostbolt, no Arcane Missiles, no Polymorph. Maybe there will be some new cards in the expansions to fill those gaps.
mevyo10
how we optain the golden core set?it same as it used get 60 with class or?
h0lysatan
yes, the same like basic. If your hero has reach lv.60, you'll get it both golden and non.
h0lysatan
Some class get buffed, while some class getting hammered (especially Mage).
Well, Goodbye Freeze Mage. And no more discounted spell with Apprentice. Secrets getting hammered too. They now utilize infinite spell damage with no spells to burn, it all depends on cards from expansions now.
Warrior is decent now, Warlock got some pretty buffs, including Jaraxxus.
Nice to see Charge rework on some neutrals and left it only for DH and Legendary cards.
Lastly, goodbye Sap, which is awesome.
Now, I can't wait to see what FitB has to offer in return.
Njuns
Could we please have an article about all the cards leaving ? I can see that mage and hunter are losing quite a few but can't really realize how much we are losing in general
InFlames
Omfg! The game is gonna be funny again with this updates. Cant wait :)
LasseDas
Why would you run two copies of Shadowform without the old effect?
I liked the old version and spending 4 mana for the buffed heropower is still not cheap.
Phoesias
Will we get golden copies of the „new“ added class cards if we alrdy hit lvl60 ? like the new priest 3 mana 4/3 Minion for example ?
And what will happen to the Ysera for example, i got a golden copy so i will get the golden version of the „new“ redesigned Ysera?
Bell
Well, with 3 mana Equality and that 3/4 Warhorse trainer, Wild Odd Paladin gonna be such a pain.
Irish Seadog
I can't wait... although I still need Lothraxion.
benoitballs
I sort of expect Paladin to be Meta with this. It's not losing anything important to rotation/core set, and all signs point towards aggro weakening with the losses of Eviscerate, (S)Kill Command, and Sap. Whirlkick Master will rotate, which was one of Broom Paladin's weaker matchups. Yikes, we're in for a slow meta; hopefully Warlock is strong enough to contend.
INeedHealing123
Really disappointed with the Priest cards. I love the neutral Legendaries tho
h0lysatan
One thing I recently noticed is that DH is getting the same amount of Core Cards like the other. I think it's possible that future expansions don't print 'extra' DH cards anymore.
And DH losing a few OP cards like Twin Slice and Altruis combo is good enough for me, since it's been a pain in the ass all this time. I still remember how easy it is to play Bladed Lady on turn 4 using Twin Slice.
Stonekeep
That was the plan from the get-go - DH only got extra cards during Year of the Phoenix. Starting with Year of the Gryphon, they will get the same amount of cards as other classes.
LuKeAA
I knew it; as soon as Totemic Might becomes playable, which means, 5 years after its release, it's gone. Shaman still feels all over the place to me; glad it changes every rotation, tho.
Hunter FINALLY no more Unleash the Hounds. F I N A L L Y.
Welcome back Warsong Commander. It's been so long and your path has been so dark.
Are we getting Dust for Cho, Nat Pagle and all the other Classics leaving?
Stonekeep
"Are we getting Dust for Cho, Nat Pagle and all the other Classics leaving?"
I'm afraid not, we're getting Core Set for free and that's the compensation.
I would like to get Dust, of course, but I'm sure that it would be too much for them to give out just like that.
goblinta
Stonekeep.
Great job of reporting. But then you always do a great job of reporting.
Can we get an article about what Classic or Basic cards are LEAVING the core set?
Those of us with "favorite" decks will have to start thinking about replacing what we are about to lose.
Not only would such a list be very helpful
But your analytical comments on what this means would be great too.
You are good at "reading a set".
Stonekeep
I'm currently writing a series of articles covering all the important cards that are leaving - including Basic/Classic and Year of the Dragon. By important I mean those who have seen some meta play. I won't have one for only Basic & Classic, but there was a great infographic on reddit showcasing those: https://www.reddit.com/r/hearthstone/comments/lsurm8/all_card_changes_buffsnerfs_cards_leaving_cards/
JoyDivision
@Stonekeep - I'm a little late to reply and maybe my questions are answered somewhere (so sorry for 're-asking' them) but it would be so kind of you to answer them (if you can).
I must say I'm pretty confused for how the Core Set works. Until lately, I thought it'll be Standard exclusive, which would make everything simple - no collection overlap between changed cards.
But as it seems, the Core Set WILL be available in Wild ... and that's where I'm starting to be confused. ;)
So, just 2 examples / cards to explain my confusion:
1. Flamestrike - gets buffed in the Core Set. What happens in my collection? Do I have 2 x 2 Flamestrikes, the 'old' one and the Core Set version? Or will the Basic one be permabuffed and I'll only see the buffed version (nongolden and golden)?
2. Coldarra Drake - let's say I own a normal and a golden copy of it. In my understanding of your statement 'old expansion versions of all the cards changed for Core Set will also get the same changes', those copies will get permabuffed. But what will my collection look like: Do I see 6 Coldarra Drakes (2 CS nongolden, 2 CS golden + my 2 copies)? Will my copies be 'integrated' in the CS copies but I'll keep them next year when CS Coldarra Drake rotates out?
I'm pretty sure there are many other strange constellations when it comes to changed CS cards ...
Hoping for an answer, with best regards
Stonekeep
Core Set cards will be separate. So if you already have 2x Coldarra Drake (or any other card), you will still own them, and you will get 2x Coldarra Drake from Core Set 2021.
You can now own up to 8 copies of the same card - 2x regular & 2x golden from the old versions and 2x regular + 2x golden from Core Set. And yes, all of those copies will get buffed.
Assuming that Coldarra Drake leaves Core Set next year, the Core Set version will disappear from your collection, but you will still own the old ones you did previously.
But yes, I can see how it can get pretty confusing. It will be much easier to understand once everything goes live.
JoyDivision
Thanks for that answer. So it is as I expected ... yeah, we will need to see this live. Very abstract by now.
x15d
I'm a little confused about some demon hunter cards, so the expansions rotating out are rise of shadows, uldum, descent of dragons (and the miniset for it), right? Ashes of outland doesn't rotate out right? Then why are crimson sigil runner, spectral sight, ashtongue battlelord and glaives of azzinoth are in the core set when they are already ashes of outland cards? It sounds really dumb to include them in the core set if ashes of outland rotates out and this core set changes at the same time (which is next year april). Isn't this just wasting card space in core set? I guess glaives are buffed 1 mana in core set but still I don't understand the underlying logic of this overlap, why not buff the original card in outland set then? Also I can't seem to spot any outland cards in the core set for other classes (but I haven't looked very thoroughly so I might have missed some), why is this a demon hunter thing?
Irish Seadog
It might be because DH was given extra cards over the past year
Stonekeep
I think that they used Ashes of Outland cards, because they didn't have anything else to add to the Demon Hunter's Core Set. Basic & Demon Hunter Initiate didn't have many cards to pick from. Other classes had hundreds of cards to pick from, so they didn't have to include any Year of the Phoenix cards.
peponger
I have a question. When the basic cards are going to wild, then can I disenchant them? For example Flamestrike is going to get epic. Then If I have the golden and non golden versions of it can I disenchant them?
Stonekeep
I'm not 100% sure, but I would think so?Update: Apparently, Celestalon confirmed that the cards will stay Basic after rotating out. Only their Core Set versions will have changed rarity. So it looks like you won't be able to disenchant them after all.
peponger
OK tnx
Falanis
May I ask a question? I might not see everything clearly at the moment.
I have Baron Geddon now. He is getting a buff and stays in the core set from classic. After rotation I will have 2 Baron Geddons, one part of the legacy and one part of the core set. So the core set won't replace my existing Baron Geddon and I won't just lose 400 dust because I didn't disenchanted him before the core set is released. Is this correct?
Joris
Seems correct, yes
Man
Soorry for asking again, but I can't believe that the basics gonna rotate cant disenchantables like the basic, HoF cards like divine spirit (the golden basic one became golden common etc).
Is my dream that I'll have a thousands of dust because of the rotation won't come true?
Ginnel
Your dream won't come true.
Also you didn't pay for basic and got it free in the first place why would they give you dust for it? You can dust your own classic set if you fancy it and don't want to use it in wild.
h0lysatan
Hearthstone tends to have this formula where if you get the cards for free, you won't get anything out of it.
Except HoF in the past, but it seems they try to fix it, because they don't wanna stray from their original formula (obviously).
So, No. Free cards isn't dustable forever.
h0lysatan
*free cards cannot be dusted forever*.
vifzor
Hello,
I have some bug when I loggin. When I'm on homepage I get logged out and when I click on article, certain of them make me logged in again (and then I can comment) but certain I cannot comment (like the article about deckbuilder)
It's also an issue when trying to build a deck, I cannot create a deck when i'm logged in (the cards don't load and it shows me as logged out ) and when I'm logged out It ask me to log in to submit my deck...
Is there a way to fix this? Cookie?
h0lysatan
Just refresh the page (f5) once, that should fix it.
Only work if you have logged in at least once.
Joris
Note that you can use future Legacy (Basic/Classic) cards in Duels as well.
Z3ro
Hard to keep Track of everything thats going on this/next week
dont get why they have to dump everything at once
Irish Seadog
I expect it's just easier to do one big patch rather than lots of smaller ones
Z3ro
sounds reasonable
warragee
Hey, I got a bunch of golden cards from from the core set. Why can't i see them in my collection? Also when can we play with the core set ? cheers
Stonekeep
Because Core Set launches on March 30, with the expansion's release. You'll see your cards then and will be able to play with them.
Chi.Spurger
What time? :-)
JakeRed96
So... Core set does not seem "free".
To obtain Neutral Legendaries you need 5000 victories in Arena, Rankes or Duels
To obtain class legendaries you need 500 victories on Ranked...
1st: If I have Golden Jaina why I can not re-claim my legendary to obtain mage's one?
2nd: 5000 victories? Seems much... At least for me, that's free and for everyone...
JakeRed96
So... Core set does not seem "free".
To obtain Neutral Legendaries you need 5000 victories in Arena, Rankes or Duels
To obtain class legendaries you need 500 victories on Ranked...
1st: If I have Golden Jaina why I can not re-claim my legendary to obtain mage's one?
2nd: 5000 victories? Seems much... At least for me, that's not free and for everyone...
nephilim99
this is to obtain the golden version, the regular one you only need a total level of 60 across your class
Man
Hi there, may I have a question?
I want to open my packs earlier, and I already created a gathering like dekkster said, but when I jump into my gathering, it always olny offer me frienly brawls etc. But when I want to open my packs they are still locked.. am I hosted wrongly or the opening parties also have a starting date?
Another question: how can I invite my friend into the party who is using an "other wifi"?
Vociferous
Core cards don't appear in my Collection. I can only access them under New Deck / Core Deck. From there you can replace core cards with whatever you want.
Not terribly useful for strategizing since you can't search your collection for these cards. Also not a problem since it's a simple workaround.
Vociferous
*New Deck / Core Deck template
sonriks6
Is Reno good enough in 2022 to carry itself a hihglander deck?? I like a lot this new Core Set, but Priest is looking sooo scary, Radiant Ele + Lyra + Cleric are soo dangerous!
Comments are closed.