Five Predictions of Mammoth Proportions
As many savvy Hearthstone players know, back in February Blizzard teased the three expansions that would be released during the Year of the Mammoth. While many correctly guessed the themes for the first and second expansions, Journey to Un’Goro and Knights of the Frozen Throne, the third still remains a mystery.
It was recently revealed that we’ll be getting the official first look at the final expansion during BlizzCon on November 3rd. That’s still weeks away, so let’s make some educated guesses and wild speculations about what it could be!
1. Booty Bay - Yarrrrr Not More Pirates!
Booty Bay represents, by and large, the most common, and perhaps most dreaded, theory of the bunch. This theory is mainly held aloft by the teaser image Blizzard provided at the start of the Year of the Mammoth. The mysterious image for the third expansion appears to show piles of gold and gems, and it prominently features a bag of coins cut open (more on that in a bit).
What would a Booty Bay expansion entail? Odds are it would include more than just pirates, but pirates do feature quite extensively in Booty Bay, which is an area run by the Blackwater Raiders and frequently plagued by the Bloodsail Buccaneers.
The Blackwater Raiders, and Booty Bay, are run by a charming goblin by the name Baron Revilgaz (I smell a potential legendary here) and are traditionally associated with the Steamwheedle Cartel. This opens up the potential for some more goblin fun, and it ties into previous expansions, as the Steamwheedle Cartel are based in that great city whose mean streets we’ve already strolled, Gadgetzan.
2. The Isle of Kezan - South Seas
The Souths Seas is another area that comes up frequently among predictions and hopes for future expansions, but one particularly likely area is the Isle of Kezan. This island is the goblin homeland and a rich mercantile hub, which could possibly tie into the riches we see pictured in the teaser image.
Located beneath Kezan is the goblin city of Undermine, home to the famed Trade Princes. We’ve already been graced with the presence of one in the form of rogue legendary, Trade Prince Gallywix, but there at least four more that we could potentially see if Kezan is the theme of the next expansion.
3. Deadmines and the Defias Brotherhood
As mentioned above, the teaser image prominently features a money bag that is cut at the bottom and spilling out coins. This imagery has led many to the conclusion that thieves or cutpurses will be at the heart of the next expansion... enter the Defias Brotherhood and the Deadmines!
In addition to the hint from the image, we may also have received a clue from the BlizzCon schedule itself. In the summary for the “Hearthstone: What’s Next” event we get the following:
Greetings, travelers! Gather at the inn as the Hearthstone team gives you a look at what they’re serving up next and delve deep into how the Year of the Mammoth will come to a close!
This could be a stretch but it’s possible that “delve deep” is another hint, one that suggests our next expansion will be taking place underground! This doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the Deadmines, but it does lend credence to the theory.
The idea certainly holds some fun potential for the adventure portion of the expansion, as each wing could be a new part of the Deadmines, culminating in a final fight against Vanessa VanCleef herself. There’s a lot of material here for the developers to mine, but here’s hoping we see a new murloc legendary in the form of “Captain” Cookie!
4. Darkmoon Faire
As some have pointed out, it’s possible that the coins in the teaser image could be tokens to the Darkmoon Faire, the spectacle of bizarre hosted by Silas Darkmoon (another potential legendary). Although the idea isn’t as likely as some of the others, solely based on the clues, it still holds potential.
The main thing working in favor of the Darkmoon Faire is the sheer amount of humor and creativity that the developers could work with here. It has a wealth of opportunity for lighthearted fun in the vein of One Night at Karazhan and The Grand Tournament. After the much darker Knights of the Frozen Throne, this could be just the thing to bring that lighthearted spirit back to the game.
5. Deathwing the Destroyer
Is it possible that we’ll finally get an expansion based around everyone’s favorite evil dragon of doom? Deathwing seems like the perfect candidate for the big boss of the adventure this time around, especially after the last expansion’s epic battle with the Lich King.
You can just make out the faint image of what looks like a mountain behind the pile of gold in the teaser image, so it’s possible that the next expansion could be related to or take place in a mountain. Could it possibly be Deepholm, where Deathwing retreated after the events of Day of the Dragon? It would certainly fit in with the clues, as Deepholm is lined with tunnels and caves that are rich with gold and gems.
Another possibility, although unlikely, is Neltharion’s Lair which is where Deathwing lived before he became Deathwing. (Origin story, anyone?) Neltharion’s Lair is located in Highmountain, which ties into another theory that’s been making the rounds, Treasures of Highmountain. How cool would it be if the adventure was a treasure heist of some sort, maybe one where you have to face off against the Destroyer himself at the end?
Now that you’ve seen our predictions, what do you think?
Have any wild ideas or carefully crafted theories about what it could be? Let us know in the comments!
Good job captain.
I came to the same conclusion in a thread I made days ago but in different way: http://www.hearthpwn.com/forums/hearthstone-general/general-discussion/204691-guessing-next-expansion
In fact the mammoth year picture has a "treasure hunt map like" in the background and Blingtron vault has a secret treasure hunt mission too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t31xvSBVgkQ
And of course gold mountains are like bling o tron art.
In may be bling o tron vault based expansion and I'm glad lot of people came to the same conclusion even with different ways :)
I don't really mind the theme of the next expansion.
I am more interested in the next year first expansion because if I remember on the "clock" for the years change we could see the Kraken moving out, the Mammoth in and the next one was visible : the Dragon.
Really hope it will be Year of the Dragon
Hell Yeaaah!!! jajaja A Dragon Aspects theme expansion.... I already feel it jajaja
Darkmoon faire is by far my favorite :)
I only remember that old Darkmoon faire and im scared
The meaner streets of Gadgetzan, part 2: the Deadmine adventures (Darkmoon Faire edition)
Gentlemen. Deadmines.com is also taken. They are playing with us...
Pardon me. I don't give a damn...
"The idea certainly holds some fun potential for the adventure portion of the expansion, as each wing could be a new part of the Deadmines" "Deathwing seems like the perfect candidate for the big boss of the adventure this time around"
What the fuck are you talking about? There is only one adventure a year. Every year, first and third expansions are just packs, just as it always was, nothing has changed here. So next expansion isn't an adventure. How you dare to write an article here without a basic knowledge?
You are wrong. Blizzard announced that starting with KoFT it will always be expansions + bonus small free adventure.
Aren't you missing something, son? Is Knights of The Frozen Throne an adventure expansion? Or it is still an pack-based expansion? It was said, there will be no more adventure expansions - only pack based. But in return we will get some solo-player missions in each of those.
More informing yourself, less fapping to cartoons!
you yell at other people while being wrong. Amazing human specimen.
1. And 2. Can actually be tied together in the same expansion.
And honestly, i'd love it.
"Treasures of the South Seas", where mines and coves to 'delve in' are likely abundant.
Or just "Treasures of Undermine".
Also, more Pirates does not necessarily mean more Aggro. Just look at Captain Greenskin and its real presence in Aggro decks.
The last thing I'd want to see is more pirates. >_>
Haven't we had enough goblin themed expansions? Gvg, msog, surely it won't be another one
I would really dislike another pirate meta. Please no!
Darkmoon Faire sounds very cool though. I would enjoy something like that. Easygoing and dreamy.
You forgot to mention the leaked french voiceline. There was a video on reddit taken on a french dub session, the guy talks about the minion (digging, kobold) and we can even see the art for the card.
Look that one up, confirms deadmine