Hearthpwn

Ragers
 

Unanimously known as the worst card in the entirety of Hearthstone by the Hearthstone community, Magma Rager is the classic 3 mana 5/1 has been parodied multiple times in later sets in both collectible content and solo adventure content. Eventually, this formed a cycle dedicated to the most classic joke card in all of Hearthstone (or should I say Basic?).

Giants

Giants are 8/8 minions that suitably have the naming structure of "______ Giant". They tend to have an incredibly expensive cost with card text denoting a way to reduce its cost. You can find the Classic giants near your local Warlock.

Weapon Oozes

Weapon Oozes are small minions that in some way cause weapon durability reduction. Also, they have an icky animation >w>.

Annoy-o-Cards

This cycle comprises of cards that hearken back to the infamous Annoy-o-Tron. This is probably the closest a Hearthstone card has ever gotten from having its flavour and gameplay functionality connected. (I still hear its "Hello"s...).

Eggs

0-Attack cards that have the naming structure of "_____ Egg". They usually have a Deathrattle that spawns a minion larger than the Mana Cost would normally allow, but this effect can vary. Also part of a complete and nutritious breakfast.

 Battlecry Healers

1, 2, 3, 4! A healer for each mana Cost floor! 5, 6, 7, 8! Targets any character as a Battlecry, mate! 9, 10, 11, 12! I need healing.

Spell Damage Kobolds

Kobolds with Spell Damage! Like the name says! Ironically, none are found in Kobolds and Catacombs.

Druid of the...

Druid elves with a Choose One effect that allows them to transform into a Beast with different stats and effects. We don't talk about Druid of the Fang ever since he split off and started that oil rig...

Wisp Puns

Druid spells that can spawn a lot of Wisps and are named by a guy who refuses to be fired from Team 5. Clearly Druid's secret wisp-on.

Shadow Words

Cheap destruction spells that only destroy minions with a certain amount of Attack; noticeably, none of these cards affect 4-Attack minions or your moral compass.

Power Words

Buff cards! Priest edition.

Blessings

Buff cards! Paladin edition.

Mad Goblins

"Mad" goblins that give an effect split randomly between all other characters. Under much consideration, Flame Imp was not included in this cycle despite having a similar effect.

Elemental Shocks

Shaman spells that deal damage equal to its Cost (without Spell Power) and have an extra little effect. The Basic and Classic Shocks in particular are 1-Cost cards that deal 1 damage to a target and give a negative effect to it. Lava Shock shockingly breaks this pattern.

The Cutest Wittle 1/1 Race Minion

Who's an adorable cheap minion with a 1/1 statline with an intended use for Racial decks? You are! Yes you are!

The Chicken Cycle

1-Cost Chickens usually with a very bad but powerful effect if the stars align. Also Leeroy Jenkins's favourite cycle.

Hunter Traps

2 Mana Hunter Secrets with the word "Trap" in their name. Presumably catches a lot of fish aliens.

Hunter Shots

Damage dealing Hunter spells with the word "Shot" in their name. Rogue has a more affordable option in Witchwood.

Troll Berserkers

Trolls that gain +3 Attack attack when damaged or whenever they're damaged. Again, ironically none are found in Rastakhan's Rumble...

RNG 1-Cost Minions

The name says it all. To your opponent, a Pyroblast. To you, a Glacial Mysteries.

Banana Cards

Minions that give Bananas! And Potassium! And random appeeling comedic slips!

Injured Cards

Poor minions that damage themselves when played into the battlefield. Unfortunately, Priests only healed the Injured Blademaster in the meta due to his attention-seeking nature making everything all about HIMSELF. Hmph!

Ragnaros Cards

Cards that in some way refer to the iconic Ragnaros the Firelord, which used to be the most powerful Classic card. Cards in this cycle are defined by doing 8 of something to a random character, Ragnaroking, and rolling.

Ogre Cards

Miss them? Well, they'll miss you. These cards have a 100% chance to hit 50% of the time!

Yogg-Saron Cards

Legendary minions with an effect that often goes along the line of "Battlecry: Play a ______ for each ______ you've played this game (targets chosen randomly)". Also, they have a sparkly border during its effect! Shiiiiny!

Vanilla 2 Mana Beasts

I think you can see why I don't wanna post EVERY card pair...especially the mega-cycles...there's too many of em...

Dwarfs with Guns

No, this is not a euphemism >w>. These are dwarfs that have the simple Battlecry of "Deal X damage." Stop judging

Basic Shadow Words

The original cards that made every Priest scream whenever they see a Ysera. For real though, they're cheap Assassinate spells that only destroy minions with certain Attack.

Brewmasters

Pandaren Brewmasters that return a friendly minion to your hand. See, this is what The Caverns Below flavour text meant by The Taverns Below. "Say what's in this drink?~"

Shielders

2/3 minions that give adjacent minions Taunt. It's how you find your Classic Giants.

Dragon Aspects

Legendary Dragons that depict the original five Dragon Aspects. Two of them are 9 mana 8/8 minions (one female, one male), and the two other dragons are 9 mana 4/12s (one female, one male); all 4 of these fellas have 16 stat points in total. The only exception is Deathwing. Cause he's Deathwing. (Must've been eating too many Death Wings).

Ancients

7 mana 5/5 Epic Druid minions that have a Choose One effect. They also rhyme and have bushy beards!

New 1-Cost RNG Spells

Introduced as some of the first new Classic cards, these cards are Common 1-Cost spells that give you a random card. And they will still always give you Glacial Mysteries. Even Call of the Void.

Self-Damage Demons

Demons that deal damage to your hero equal to their attack. Like my insecurity and anxiety!

Racial Reward Cards

Cards that used to be rewarded for collecting all cards of a certain race! They also used to come with a dental plan, as shown by their excellent mouth modelling.

Special Token Reward Cards

Legendary minions that generate a random special token. ALSO CONTAINS CAPS LOCK FOR SOME REASON.

Thaddius Spawners

Two of these spawn Thaddius when they both die. If Feugen was wearing a top hat and Stalagg was wearing a monocle, then you summon Chaddius.

Shredders

Mechs with an even cost that summon a random minion. This is one of Hearthstone's only verticle cycles...and it doesn't even complete the cycle. REALLY COOL FOR MY OCD BLIZZARD.

Troggs

Troggs that gain Attack whenever your opponent casts a spell! Also, the first series of cards that the pros rated 5 stars even though it saw no play whatsoever. I, a more intellectual creature, rated Hobgoblin as 5 stars.

Death Cost Reduction Cards

Cards that cost (1) less for every minion that died this turn. I too would sacrifice Silver Hand Recruits to listen to Nefarion's sexy voice.

Empty Hand Hunter Cards

A cycle that includes not only Hunter cards that have a bonus if you hand is empty but also the OG 4 mana 7/7.

The -Bane Sisters

3 mana 3/4 sisters that do something neat when you cast a spell on them! They also have this whole light-dark thing...their spiritual book is very helpful! Remember, the light and the dark is all about you.

Hunter TGT Legendaries

Alone, they're pretty bad 4/2 Beasts. But together, Dreadscale and his sidekick Acidmaw make a Twisted Team! Though, I hear Acidmaw is easily neutralized by Basic cards.

Non-Legendary Inspire Class Cards

Our first 9-class horizontal cycle (not including class legendaries)! This cycle is composed of inspiring non-Legendary cards from each class! In fact, each class only contains one Inspire card in TGT! Except for Priests. Because how else would Acidmaw see play?

Upgraded Hero Powers

Speaking of Inspire, an inspiring set of better versions of hero powers that could be obtained via Justicar Trueheart! You might be wondering why I only included this uncollectible cycle. The answer is rational and simple one: Because I said so.

Joust Cards

Cards that reveal a minion from each deck and if you get a higher cost minion, you get a prize! (I hope it's funnel cakes)

League of Explorers

These Legendary cards are the Explorer's League, and they are in need of explorers. They seek adventure across land and sea! Won't you come and join them?

Murloc Pop Songs

Murloc spells in the respective Murloc classes! They're also named after catchy Murloc songs, but we all know that I Am Murloc reigns supreme over these newfangled hippy songs! Why back in my day...

Old Gods

10 Mana Legendary Neutral Minions with effects beyond your mortal comprehension. They depict the Old Gods...although...I'm pretty sure if we just kindly called them "Elder Gods", they'd be much nicer!

C'thun Buff Cards

Cards that buff C'thun wherever it is! In your hand, deck, board, basement, demonic circle, and local library!

10-Attack C'thun Cards

Minions that grant a benefit if your C'thun has at least 10-Attack and also a free coffee on the 2147483648th Attack!

Forbidden Cards

The Forbidden cards. Powerful spells and minions that expend all your mana and do something based on how much mana you spent. No creature within the realm of sanity should-OMG LOOK AT THE CUTIE LITTLE SLIMES IN FORBBIDEN RITUAL'S ARTWORK AAAAA I WANNA CAST IT.

Karazhan Portals

These Portally good Portals of Portaliness perform an action with a specific number and summon a minion with a Cost of that same number. Now you're thinking with Portals!

Menagerie Cards

Minions that synergize with a Beast, Dragon, and Murloc! Midrange, Control, and Aggro...animals, all of them!

Rare Discover Tri-Class Cards

Nine tri-class cards were introduced in Mean Streets of Gadgetzan. Three of these allowed you to Discover with each option being from a different class within the Crime Family. So now you can Purify your Dreadsteed!

Common Crime Family Mechanic Cards

The other three of these cards represented the basic mechanics of the three Crime Families: handbuffing, Jade Golems, and Potions! Of course, the actual mechanics were Patched, the False Idols, and the deck that struck rich.

Legendary Crime Lords

The leaders of Crime Families that can make you an offer you can't refuse. Unless it's Don Han'Cho (sorry buddy :c).

The Kabal Legendaries

Not only are they the only Crime Family with a Legendary cycle, but they also have the most fabulous pink outfits too! Oh, and their battlecries only work if your deck has no duplicates but have you seen Solia's nail polish like oh my old gods.

Potions

Spells from the Kabal classes that can be generated by Kabal Chemist! But she always miscalculates Hess's Law and makes the potions freezing cold though. :/

Hog Motorcyclists

A gang of pigs that will only gain Charge under specific conditions. And yet again we have ANOTHER INCOMPLETE VERTICAL CYCLE BLIZZ WHY U DO DIS TO MEEE.

Conditional Self-Buffers

Understated minions that become much more powerful under certain circumstances. Just gotta give em some encouragement! Look at how sad they are! Look at that poor squid! Go squid go! :D

Quests

Our first non-minion class legendary cycle! These consist of 1-Cost Legendary spells that start in your hand and give you a 5 mana card as a reward once you complete their requirements. The exception is Sulfuras, whose lack of a 2 mana Cost is found within DIE, INSECT!. If the reward is a minion, the card is usually an 8/8 unless it's Galvadon, The Last Kaleidosaur who has Stealth and whole lot more.

Tar Elementals

Summoned with a wubbly bubbly animation, these minions have increased attack during your opponent's turn in case you're against aggro and you wanna give 'em a sticky situation.

Hatchlings

Adorable wittle dinos that shuffle in an overstated minion into your deck if you dare disturb the mother's child...BUT I WANNA PET IT.

Class Legendary Elementals

Elementals: My favourite Hearthstone race! They were featured in Mage, Shaman, and Priest, so naturally a Legendary Elemental was given to each class. It was just elementary.

Class Legendary Dinosaurs

RAWWWWWR RAWR RAWR RAAAAH. (They're big class legendary beasts. Belonging to dino classes. What more info do you need?)

Princes

Neutral Legendaries with a special Battlecry that would only activate if there were no minions in your deck that have the same cost as it. Yeesh. They're clearly spotlight-hogging divas. Nerf this!

Death Knight Card Generators

Neutral Legendaries that produce powerful token cards known as Death Knight cards, including the literal Death Metal that is Frostmourne and that one card that makes Combo decks concede: Death Grip. Best. Cards. Ever!

Death Knights

A formidable 9-class horizontal cycle. This cycle consists of a new card type called a "Hero Card" which supplies some Armor, has a useful Battlecry, and transforms your hero power into a more potent one. They also have edgy monologues as their flavour text. It's just a phase. Don't worry it'll pass in the next rotation.

Opponent's Turn Deathrattle Cards

Deathrattle-holding cards that only activate if it's your opponent's turn. Because there's nothing passive aggressive about wanting to die at the enemy hands but not yours because they trust the enemy more than you. Noooo...

Recursive Cards

Spells that recast itself if something happens.
Spells that recast itself if something happens.
See this is so recursive, this joke is probably done before.

Scarabs and Spiders Cards

This cycle includes cards that spawn Scarabs or Spiders, which was a theme for Druid this expansion. It's not a bug. Well, it is.

Legendary Weapons

The last non-minion 9-class legendary horizontal cycle of the Year of the Mammoth (that was a mouthful)! This cycle is composed of weapons for each class! Interestingly, the Kabal classes all received 0/3 weapons. However, despite being a non-weapon class, Druids get a 1-Attack weapon. Stick to the plan.

Spellstones

Rare Class Spells crafted by the Azari devil
Can be upgraded by three levels
Each named after precious stone
With flavour text in a poetic tone

Unidentified Cards

Unidentified objects which can transform into one of 4 unique tokens when drawn. Also makes you hold up the object in mid-air while a song goes "Na na na na na na...da da da daaaa!"

Rogue Secrets

2 Mana Secrets in Rogue that are all about timing, cunning, and hoping your opponent puts that Stubborn Gastropod Zombeast next to that Charged Devilsaur (you know you want to!).

Spell Hunter Cards

Cards that only work if your deck has no minions. Also, the decck archetype everyone made fun of when it was revealed. Well, who's laughing now? (not me and my odd mage ;w;)

Warlock Self-Damage Cards

Cheap cards with 2-Attack that deal 2 damage to your face! Instead of burning you with fire like Flame Imp does, they burn you mentally with insults and study-work overload. Yay.

Armor-Limiting Taunt Minions

 These are minions found within the Armor classes that cannot attack unless you have a certain amount of Armor. Also, they're fist models.

Odd/Even Start of Game Cards

An odd way to even the match by providing an improved hero power throughout the game if your deck only contains odd or even cards.

Odd/Even Battlecry Cards

Some even stranger oddities that are beasts with better effects if your deck only contains odd or even cards.

Stat-swapping Worgens

Worgens that swap their Attack and Health each turn they are in your hand. They also change their art and opinion towards Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Death Dependent Hunter Cards

Hunter cards that have a benefit if a minion died this turn. Also features some Emerald Drakes in the artwork. What is it with Hunters and Emerald anyways? Is Rexxar a May baby? Maybe.

Self-Damage Dependent Warlock Cards

Warlock cards that have a benefit if your hero hurt itself this turn. Yeesh, what is it with these hurtful cards? Can't wee have a card that does something if we give the enemy a fuzzy wuzzy warm hug?

Random Shaman Spell Generators

In the Witchwood, which wood would witch woods? The witch would with Witchwood witchcraft.

The Monster Hunters

Characters present in the solo adventure, and Hagatha would've gotten away with her schemes if it wasn't for these meddling hunters...and rogues, mages, and warriors.

Legendary Scientists

Magic is merely phenomena undefined by science! And in this expansion, there is definitely some science goin on. Each class represents a certain field of science with a Legendary minion (and hero) acting as the head scientist of that field. (But no scientist will ever be Legendary as Stephen Hawking...)

Legendary Spells

The class identities within this expansion are further depicted by Legendary spells, each pertaining to their field of science and usually refers to the aforementioned head scientist. I for one can't wait til we get the Neil DeGreese Tyson Legendary spell.

Omega Cards

Cards that have a special effect if you have 10 Mana Crystals, empty or full. They also have an Omega symbol on their art. As Cogito_Ergo_Sum, I prefer Sigma Cards.

Projects

Common class spells that benefit both players. There is unfortunately no Poultryizer Project nor Funnel Cake Project to project.

Left/Right-Most Card Interactions

Cards that deal with left-most and right-most cards in your hand. To the left, to the left, that's right!

Class Loas

Each class represents a troll team supported by a troll god called a Loa (talk about team spirit). Thus, each class has a Legendary Beast representing that class's Loa except for Priest, which has Bwonsamdi. They have the naming structure of "Loa's name, Loa's species". Which Loa do you follow? (hint: it's the big friggin Dragonhawk! GO DRAGONHAWKS! I mean, ahem, your choice.)

Spirits

A bit of team spirit! There is also a 9-class horizontal cycle in which each class contains a 0/3 Rare Minion that has Stealth for 1 turn and a passive effect. This effect synergizes well with its respective Loa. That's the spirit!

Troll Champions

The other Legendary class minions (and a hero) each represent a Warcraft lore character (save for Rogue) that has some tie to the Loa. Also, they have one of the best accents in Warcraft lore (but Draenei accents are still da best for unbiased reasons).

4-related Tauren Spells

A card pair that heals for 4 and deals 4 damage respectively. It also features Tauren in similar art! The former's a lightweight, but the latter's on fire!

Schemes

With every villain scheming, their maniacal smiles beaming!
With every turn, their power grows,
Until cast as powerful blows
Their victory, at last, there and gleaming!

The E.V.I.L. Founders

They're evil villains from Hearthstone's history! One from each year! They also have the same Attack and Health as their previous reincarnations, with Lazul and Hagatha being an exception because they're a Hag (but still her Health and Armor are the same!). Some of them even bring back the mechanics of Legendaries from the sets the villains came from.

Callbacks

Ever get that feeling of deja vu? Well, considering that these villain cards call back to the mechanics of the sets these villains featured in, you should! Ever get that feeling of deja v-hold on I'm getting a call. Back to it I guess.

Lackey Generators

There's a single Lackey generator for each evil class (and neutral)! Cool right? Although I chose not to include uncollectible cycles, it's worth noting that each of the first 5 Lackeys correspond to one of the five villains in the set and usually are flavourfully themed to said villain (e.g. Rafaam's Ethereal Lackey uses Discover, which came from LoE)

Common Twinspells

Every class has a twin of twinspells, which are spells that add a copy of the spell to your hand without "Twinspell"! One of them is common, while the other is rare. And they all feature the Eye of the Kirin Tor as well! 

Rare Twinspells

Every class has a twin of twinspells, which are spells that add a copy of the spell to your hand without ""! One of them is common, while the other is rare. And they all feature the Eye of the Kirin Tor as well!

Portal Demons

Demons that shuffle Portals into a deck that summon a Demon when drawn! Where do they keep getting these demons...