Images credited to Blizzard
Hearthstone Wild is that one format that never forgets. Here, every card printed stays in play, leading to some of the most ridiculous OTK combos, absurd power swings and unexpected matchups you’ll ever see.
Some call it chaotic, others say it’s the true essence of Hearthstone. And ironically, both are right.
What Is Hearthstone Wild Format?
Hearthstone Wild is an alternative game mode that grants full access to every collectible card in the game’s history. Each time a new Hearthstone expansion is released, players can incorporate those fresh cards alongside every past expansion.
Sounds chaotic? Well, it is. A great example of the countless absurd card interactions and OTK strategies available in Wild is MarkMcKz’s YouTube channel with over 3,000 videos showcasing different Wild combos. Yup, that’s the “alright, deck intro time” guy.
For that reason, many Hearthstone players see Wild as a chance to experience the game at its most diverse. Which is actually true; unlike Standard, Wild rarely has a strictly defined metagame. So, if you’re looking for a game mode where the unexpected is the norm, you’ve found it.
How to Get Cards for Hearthstone Wild
Hearthstone’s in-game shop offers packs from all past expansions, along with adventures, which can be used in Wild. Beyond direct pack purchases, you can also craft any Wild card using Arcane Dust, following the same process used for Standard-legal cards.
Best of all, these cards aren’t purely restricted to Wild play. Modes like Twist and certain Tavern Brawls occasionally include older expansions, so having a varied collection in this aspect can give you an edge now and then.
But let’s be real — getting into Wild can be expensive. If you’re wondering how to build your collection without breaking the bank, check out my Hearthstone Economy Guide for smart ways to manage your dust and gold.
Hearthstone Caverns of Time: Wild-Exclusive Expansions
Caverns of Time is Blizzard‘s first-ever Wild-exclusive expansion, released in August 2023. This means none of its cards were ever available in Standard. The set includes a total of 147 cards, consisting of:
- 34 brand-new cards
- 113 reprints from expansions ranging from Legacy through Mean Streets of Gadgetzan
If you already own a reprinted card in its original version, it won’t appear in your Caverns of Time packs until you’ve collected every other card of that rarity. Additionally, both versions count as the same card, so you can’t include more than the usual two copies in a deck.
Is Hearthstone Wild Balanced?
Wild doesn’t receive balance patches as frequently as Standard, but it’s far from being a neglected game mode. When a strategy becomes truly oppressive, Blizzard often steps in with targeted nerfs or even card bans. Notable examples include:
- Naga Sea Witch (originally five mana), which allowed players to flood the board with giants early in the game (now eight mana)
- Celestial Alignment, which initially affected both players’ hands and decks, now impacts only the player who played the card
- Mechwarper, temporarily banned from Wild before being redesigned as a four-mana 4/4
However, in practice, “balance” is a relative term in Wild due to such a massive card pool. That spectrum of power means you’ll typically encounter matchups that feel one-sided — yet you’ll also see a gigantic variety of decks. Hearthstone developers maintain a considerable dose of tolerance for higher power levels here, considering Wild as the “everything allowed” format.
Want more digital gaming content? Check out our recent feature on the poorly handled open beta launch of The Bazaar.
