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!
I wish it were the defias brotherhood because I'm doing their questline in WoW right now........... Spoiler
Edwin vanclif has a daughter who supports some dark side and fights against the alliance
Well written article, Hearthpwn team, thanks! Lots of "food for thought ".
Stop it with pirates and goblins pleeeeease!
Maybe to gain as much gold before expansion release and not buying pack NOW in the middle of expansion? I have not spent a single gold (neither $) on packs since first day of KoFT and I have all good enough. So far 4k for next expansion. Think about that.
Guys, i went to go daddy and Bootybay.com is taken...
Ironforge would bè awesome..probably the best exp Lore so far..but its gonna be pirates and goblins again
I don't see how mammoths and booty bay go together, however all I know about mammoths is they were from the Jurassic era(ungoro) they liked the cold (frozen throne) then they died (some sort of undead).
Someone mentioned Egypt, hmmm gold crypts undead. I did wonder if the scrounge would be unleashed but I can't see how the gold bag relates to that.
You are perfectly describing ''ULDUM'' dude.
Oh yes that would be a surprise. Deadlines is getting mentioned a lot I think that plays into my mammoth undead idea as well.
In fact the more I think of it uldum TITANS!! WOULD BE AWESOME.
Ben bride made a comment about some big finishers in a interview not long ago
I don't want to reveal my sources but the next expansion will be revolving around Stormwind stockade.
I predict another meta defining aggro card for sure. I mean people will need a new patches or something like that. I guess another tool to show overpowerness might also be enough. Not that I wish for it but we‘re talking about Bli$$ard here
Not sure that any of these are completely accurate. I honestly expect that its an onyxia expansion and the revenge of the stonemasons.
And what is that teaser with bag of coins mentioned in text? Can anyone refresh the link for me...
Have I missed something?
Deadmines you say?
No mention to Blingtron's Vault?? How weird
There was even a great youtube video speculation (and hearthpwn thread) that were removed. Looks like confirmation to me.
For those who don't know, in WoW there are those cute robots (Blingtrons) that give players free gifts, and some messages mentioning a secret war in their underground lair against some big menace. Also, the background teased image is from Blingtron 3000 card. Bam! We got a winner!
I hope it's Deadmines, or a pirate themed adventure like I always wanted. I know people are sick of Pirates, but I had the idea for control themed pirates to cancel out the cancer.
Cool ideas but shouldn't Bloodbeard's text say "Battlecry: Whenever you play..." instead of summon? Because I think it'd be too broken otherwise.
Also Buccaneer of Elune would be one of the most, if not the most OP card ever.