Hearthstone's Ashes Of Outland Expansion Now Live, Brings New Demon Hunter Class

The Ashes of Outland expansion for Hearthstone is now live, adding the demon hunter, the first new class for Blizzard's free-to-play online CCG, since its launch six years ago. The demon hunter is a fast-attacking class, with a lot of synergy with weapons and other attack bonuses, and it makes extensive use of the new Outcast keyword, which gives cards a bonus when they're in the leftmost or rightmost position in your hand. You can play the prologue that details Illidan Stormrage's adoption of the class for free, which will net you a demon hunter starter deck and a bundle of class cards.

Also new in this set are primes, a new type of legendary minion that has a basic form and an upgraded form that's shuffled into your deck when the original dies. Imprisoned demons also make their debut, coming into play dormant for a number of turns but providing powerful effects when they arrive on the scene.

With a new expansion, and new Hearthstone year -- the Year of the Phoenix -- comes set rotation, with Rastakhan's Rumble, The Boomsday Project, and The Witchwood removed from Standard and placed into the Wild format. Arena mode also rotates sets, consisting of the Basic and Classic sets, five expansions (including Ashes of Outland), and the demon hunter class and cards.

There's also a free new solo adventure still in the works, which will make its appearance in a few weeks. The adventure will feature Illidan and his demon hunters as they take on the Rusted Legion to determine the fate of Outland.