Hearthstone's Scholomance Academy expansion brings Dual Class cards, Spellburst keyword, and more

After several leaks ahead of the official announcement, the second Hearthstone expansion of the year has been officially revealed today.

Leaks were true, the name of the expansion is Scholomance Academy, and we are going to hang around with Kel'Thuzad once again, but this time in his human form.

The theme of the expansion is heavily inspired by Harry Potter and the idea of a wacky and cheerful school of magic.

In World of Warcraft, Scholomance is a dark and dreadful place, but Hearthstone Team 5 made it into a friendly place, filled with all kind of magic and with students running around happy and cheerfully while having fun.

When it comes to gameplay and new mechanics, for now, we have three new things revealed: Dual Class cards, Spellburst Keyword, and Studies spells.

Scholomance Academy Dual Class Cards

Without a doubt, the biggest new thing is the introduction of Dual Class cards. 

Back in Mean Streets of Gadgetzan(2016), we had tri-class cards themed around three gangs of the expansion.

This time around, dual-class cards are themed around "double majors" across multiple mystical disciplines.

Almost one-third of new cards from this expansion, 40 of the 135 cards, will be Dual-Class cards.

They are designed in a way to use strengths and mechanics of both classes and they indeed seem quite powerful.

These are 10 class combinations:

• Druid/Hunter
• Hunter/Demon Hunter
• Demon Hunter/Warlock
• Warlock/Priest
• Priest/Paladin
• Paladin/Warrior
• Warrior/Rogue
• Rogue/Mage
• Mage/Shaman
• Shaman/Druid

Scholomance Academy New Keyword: Spellburst

The new keyword that is coming with this expansion is called Spellburst. It can be found on minions and weapons and it is a one-time-only effect when you cast a spell.

When minions and weapons with Spellburst are in play, their effect will activate when you cast a spell. 

Keep in mind that this only works once, the first time you cast a spell with Spellburst in play.

Scholomance Academy new spell type: Studies

Finally, there's a new type of spell called Studies.

Studies are new spells that allow you to Discover a card immediately and also reduce the mana cost of the next card you play of that type. 

Keep in mind that this mana reduction doesn't say "this turn" which means that you can bank your mana for future turns.

Scholomance Academy Pre-Purchase and Release Date

Scholomance Academy Mega Bundle includes 85 Scholomance Academy card packs, and 5 of those will be Golden Scholomance Academy packs — each filled with Golden cards. 

The Mega Bundle also includes one random Scholomance Academy Golden Legendary card, the Kel’Thuzad Mage Hero, the Kel'Thuzad card back, and a Tavern Pass, which includes 4 Arena tickets.

The exact release date is not yet announced but the expansion will be released sometime in August.

The release of the second expansion of the year also marks the beginning of Year of the Phoenix Phase 2, and here's what can we expect to see in this phase.