Skip to main content

Hearthstone ditches duplicate legendaries in overhaul of card pack openings

blizzard hearthstone pack opening legendary unique hearthstonepacks
Blizzard
Blizzard is making some big changes to the way card pack openings work in Hearthstone, as well as making it more likely that you’ll get unique legendary cards. Starting with the next expansion, you’ll no longer have a chance of finding duplicate legendary cards, and you’ll be guaranteed to get at least one in your first 10 packs.

If you aren’t familiar with Hearthstone, a major component of its gameplay is the collectible nature of the cards themselves. That means booster packs, which, when purchased with in-game or real money, offer the same sort of excitement as opening a pack of the unknown in the real world. Blizzard is looking to make it even better moving forward.

Announced in a video with game director Ben Brode, the biggest of the changes is in limiting the number of any one legendary card that players can find in packs. No longer will you double up on your C’Thun or Deathwing cards in subsequent packs. Once you have a legendary, your chances of getting a duplicate drop to zero.

This not only makes it easier for players to expand their legendary collection, but also makes crafting them a more worthwhile pursuit, because you know you aren’t going to unlock them later in a pack purchase.

Hearthstone Update: Upcoming Card Pack Changes

But what if you aren’t someone with mountains of time or money to invest in the game and therefore won’t get a chance to unlock a bunch of legendary cards? That’s the category most players fall into, and Blizzard wants to make it easier for them to still play around with some of the rarest and best cards in the game.

To that end, the next expansion will also introduce a guaranteed legendary card for all players sometime during the opening of their first 10 packs. That means you won’t need to spend too much to get hold of one, and once you do, you’ll be ready and waiting for the next unique card to come along, rather than fretting about getting another just like it.

These big changes are coming with the next card set that Hearthstone introduces later this year, though we don’t have an accurate release date or many details for it. However, when these changes are implemented they will apply to all previous expansions too.

To keep you buying cards in the meantime though, Blizzard is currently offering Un’Goro packs for free with bundle purchases. Buy at least seven and you’ll get a few free packs for your trouble.

For a helping hand in setting up your Un’Goro deck, check out our guide to the best deck archetypes.

Editors' Recommendations

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…
Hades 2 shows the Steam Deck’s biggest advantage over the Nintendo Switch
A Steam Deck sits next to a Switch OLED.

It's always an exciting week when the sequel to one of the greatest games of all time surprise releases on a Monday. That's what happened on May 6 when Hades 2 surprise launched into early access. Players are already diving into the surprisingly robust roguelike, testing their might in its new biomes. I've been enjoying it myself from the comfort of my couch -- and not on my Nintendo Switch, where I played the first Hades. Instead, I'm curled up with my Steam Deck.

The PC-only launch means that Hades 2 is a Steam Deck "exclusive" for the time being (or at least exclusive to portable PCs like it and the Asus ROG Ally). It'll likely come to Nintendo's system -- or its predecessor -- once it hits 1.0, but developer Supergiant doesn't expect its game to leave early access until at least the end of 2024. Until then, you'll need a device like the Steam Deck to play it on the go. That's a reminder that Valve has beaten the Switch at its own game, and Nintendo will have to get creative again with its next system to regain its throne.
Early access on the go
Based on my time with it so far, Hades 2 is a phenomenal match for the Steam Deck. It's already Verified for the platform, and for good reason. It looks fantastic (especially on an OLED screen) and runs smoothly. I've already taken it on the go and found that it's not a huge drain on the Steam Deck's battery. At this point, I don't imagine I'll need to play it any other way.

Read more
Before you play Homeworld 3, try this VR game as a primer
Two fleets fight in Homeworld: Vast Reaches.

Homeworld 3 launches next week, but there's a game Homeworld fans who own a Meta Quest 2 or 3 should check out right now. Homeworld: Vast Reaches, which came to Meta's VR headsets on May 2, is a prequel set between the events of the first two Homeworld games. This VR game offers up the core Homeworld experience in a novel niche of the video game medium.

It's not as deep or complex as Homeworld 3 looks, but it doesn't need to be. Vast Reaches immerses players in the franchise's universe once again and reacquaints them with the basics of its real-time strategy combat ahead of a highly anticipated new entry on PC. As such, checking out Vast Reaches should make this last week of waiting for Homeworld 3 a little less painful.
Homeworld, but in VR
Homeworld: Vast Reaches was developed by FarBridge, who has previously worked on VR games like Walkabout Mini Golf, Dragon Fight VR, and Jar Wars. Made with Gearbox Entertainment's support and blessing, it boils Homeworld down to its core elements and rebuilds it in VR. Players control a new Fleet Command connected to Karan S'jet's Mothership, which is the conceit behind how players view battles.

Read more
Wordle Today: Wordle answer and hints for May 7
Someone playing Wordle on a smartphone.

We have the solution to Wordle on May 7, as well as some helpful hints to help you figure out the answer yourself, right here. We've placed the answer at the bottom of the page, so we don't ruin the surprise before you've had a chance to work through the clues. So let's dive in, starting with a reminder of yesterday's answer.
Yesterday's Wordle answer
Let's start by first reminding ourselves of yesterday's Wordle answer for those new to the game or who don't play it daily, which was "DECAL." So we can say that the Wordle answer today definitely isn't that. Now, with that in mind, perhaps take another stab at it using one of these Wordle starting words and circle back if you have no luck.
Hints for today's Wordle
Still can't figure it out? We have today's Wordle answer right here, below. But first, one more thing: Let's take a look at three hints that could help you find the solution, without giving it away, so there's no need to feel guilty about keeping your streak alive -- you put in some work, after all! Or just keep scrolling for the answer.

Today’s Wordle starts with the letter M.
Today’s Wordle uses the letter S.
Today's Wordle describes something that has a stale, moldy, or damp smell or taste.

Read more