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Collection - Card Backs

The Collection's Card Backs tab

Card backs

Some of the game's card backs

Card backs are a feature which allows players to replace the standard design on the reverse of their cards with alternate designs.

Functionality[]

  • In order to be used, card backs must first be obtained. Some card backs are available for players to obtain on an ongoing basis, while others are only available for a limited period. Once acquired, all card backs can be used regardless of current availability.
  • Each card back has its own flavor text when viewed in the Collection; this is stated below the card back's requirements.
  • Players can select which card back to display through the Card Backs pane of the Collection, with the selected design displayed in-game, visible to both the player and their opponent. Numerous different card backs are available to collect, with each offering a distinct animated design.
  • Players can assign specific card backs to each deck, as well as choosing multiple "favorite" card backs to be used by default for any deck for which no specific card backs have not been assigned, as well as in all non-match appearances, such as when opening card packs and receiving leveling rewards.
  • Card backs are purely decorative and do not affect gameplay in any way.[1]
  • Card backs are 'deactivated' while the card is in the deck, with their full colours and animations only appearing when they enter the player's hand.[2] Limited versions of the designs' animations are shown outside of combat for some designs.

Card backs[]

Note: The images were retrieved from Firestone's database and the categories were named like the now-archived Library website indicated them.

This section lists all card backs in Hearthstone.

Other

These card backs are uncategorized by Team 5 developers.

Basic

These card backs are available for all players.

Fireside

These card backs can be obtained by participating in Fireside Gathering activities.

Achievements

These card backs can be obtained by completing Achievements or Solo Adventures, or reaching milestones in Rewards Tracks.

Heroes

These card backs are associated with hero skins and can be obtained either by buying the hero skin or expansion pre-order bundles.

Seasonal

These card backs can be obtained by winning Ranked games (sorted by newest season).

Legend

This card back can be obtained by reaching the Legend rank.

Esports

These card backs can be obtained by participating in Esports events.

Games

These card backs promote Blizzard's other games and can be obtained by either playing them or buying associated bundles.

Promotion

These card backs promote platforms that support Hearthstone and can be obtained by using their products.

Pre-Purchase

These card backs can be obtained by purchasing pre-order bundles.

Blizzard

These card backs can only be obtained by participating in BlizzCon events.

Golden

These card backs can only be obtained with a high level finish in official Esports events.

Events

These card backs can be obtained by playing special Tavern Brawls or participating in other unique events.


Removed[]

These card backs used to be available in-game and removed in later patches.

History[]

  • Previously, there was no way to acquire limited-availability card backs, such as Ranked Play season card backs, once the qualifying period had passed. However, Ben Brode originally stated that it would be "likely there will be some way to obtain them in the future."[3]
    • To date, there have been three limited-availability special event card backs that have been made available again: the "Winter Veil Wreath", "Winter Veil Treat", and "Ragnaros" card backs, which were part of special rewards for Tavern Brawls.
    • Starting in 2020, some Ranked Play card backs in the past became available again in the shop for purchase for 500 gold each, starting with the "Naxxramas" card back in July 2020, which was offered during the Scholomance Academy pre-order period. For a list of all card backs being made available again in the shop, see #Purchasable.
    • Starting in 2021, most card backs that are more than a year old can be purchased for gold, either 500 or 600 depending on their rarity.
  • Previously, almost all card backs from Ranked rewards could not be obtained again once they were rewarded to players. However, starting in 2020, otherwise unobtainable card backs started to be re-released in the Shop for everyone to purchase for 500 gold each. The first card back to be re-released was the "Naxxramas" card back, being shown for sale in the Shop in July 2020. Afterwards in Patch 20.4.0.84593, all Ranked card backs were made to be purchasable in the collection manager.

Trivia[]

  • Most card backs feature consistent designs. Most are symmetrical (or partially symmetrical) across the diagonal halves of the card - or in an alternative term, are mirrored across the middle. The top-right and bottom-left corners have a thicker border than the rest of the card, usually as part of a swooping design. Less common but still repeating is four or eight spikes pointing outward from the Hearthstone logo in the card's center, and on eight-spike designs, the cardinal spikes are more prominent. Finally, every card back features a variant of the Hearthstone logo.
    • The sole exception is the 30 Years of Blizzard card back, which has a totally unique design and does not feature the Hearthstone symbol anywhere.
  • While appearing flat, card backs are in fact fully 3D assets. However, they are almost entirely flattened, with only slight rises for the border and details. This can be seen briefly when first inspecting a card back in the collection manager, making the card back swivel for a moment. The form of each card back can be seen more fully in the video "A Closer look at Hearthstone card backs".
  • The Faerie Tail card back was created over three livestreams throughout May 2020.
  • The Mysteries of the Phoenix, Dancing Lion, and Unseen Gleams card backs were three of four winners in a card back competition hosted by PlayHearthstone of China. Mysteries of the Phoenix (originally titled Blood Elves) was designed by liguang, Dancing Lion was designed by 习洛, and Unseen Gleams (originally titled Serpents) was designed by 羞花.[4]

Patch changes[]

  • VSC LogoPatch 23.2.0.137922 (2022-05-10): Multiple card backs can now be favorited. The 'Random' card back has been removed, and its functionality is now on by default. Random can be toggled to choose between all card backs or only favorited ones. Decks can now be given a specific card back separate from your favorite.
  • Forged in the Barrens Mini-set logoPatch 20.4.0.84593 (2021-06-03): Ranked season card backs and other older card backs can now be purchased in the collection manager.
  • Ashes of Outland logoPatch 17.6.0.53261 (2020-07-14): When random card back is selected, you will now see a randomized card back every time you open a pack and every time you open the Crafting menu.
  • Rastakhan's Rumble logo Patch 13.4.0.29349 (2019-03-14): Random card back option added. Select the "Random" card back for a deck, and a random card back from your Collection will be chosen each time you play.
  • Whispers of the Old Gods logo Patch 5.0.0.12574 (2016-04-24): The "Galaxy Gifts" card back has been renamed "Samsung Galaxy".
  • The League of Explorers logo Patch 4.2.0.12051 (2016-03-14): Card backs now swivel when inspected in the collection manager, highlighting their three-dimensional design.
  • Blackrock Mountain logo Patch 2.7.0.9166 (2015-06-15):
    • Card backs are now selected through the Collection instead of the Options menu. Card backs therefore cannot be changed without entering the Collection, meaning they cannot be changed mid-match or while in any other screen.
    • A specific card back can now be assigned to each custom deck.
    • Flavor text has been added for each card back, viewable in the Collection.
  • Unknown patch: (Prior to October 2014) The 'Default' card back is now named 'Classic'.
  • Hearthstone logo Patch 1.0.0.4944 (Open beta, 2014-03-11): The card back system is added.

References[]

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