As promised, Blizzard has announced the pricing plan for Curse of Naxxramas, the first add-on for its digital collectible card game Hearthstone.
Explaining the process in which you'll access the new content, Blizzard explained that Naxxramas will open its gates one wing at a time, with a new wing opening each week. They will open in this order: Arachnid Quarter, Plague Quarter, Military Quarter, Construct Quarter, and Frostwyrm Lair.
If you begin your adventures in Naxxramas during the launch event, which will last roughly one month or so, then you will gain free access to the Arachnid Quarter. This wing is home to the bosses Anub’Rekhan, Grand Widow Faerlina, and Maexxna which, if defeated, will add new cards to your collection.
After the Arachnid Quarter, you can choose to unlock the next four wings using in-game gold earned by completing various quests or with real-life cash. Each wing will cost 700 in-game gold or $6.99 to unlock. Alternatively, you can opt to purchase the Curse of the Naxxramas bundle which is priced accordingly:
- All five wings: $24.99
- Already own first wing (purchase remaining four): $19.99
- Already own first two wings (purchase remaining three): $14.99
- Already own first three wings (purchase remaining two): $9.99
Blizzard notes that purchasing the bundle does not open or grant access to locked wings faster than the one-wing-a-week schedule. It does, however, ensure that you are able to access each wing the moment it is unlocked.
Blizzard also revealed today Heroic Mode. Once you've defeated all of the bosses within any given wing for the first time, you'll unlock the Heroic Mode of that wing. Heroic bosses are much more difficult and, if defeated, will unlock a new card back for your collection.
Curse of Naxxramas doesn't yet have an exact release date yet, but Blizzard is hoping to get it out some time during July.
