How does the new Hearthstone Death Knight class keyword, Corpse, work? cover image

How does the new Hearthstone Death Knight class keyword, Corpse, work?

The March of the Lich King expansion brings Death Knights to Hearthstone, and they come with their own exclusive Keyword: Corpse.

The March of the Lich King Hearthstone expansion introduces the new Death Knight class with 2 new signature mechanics: Corpse and Runes. The eleventh class in the game will come in the next expansion launch on December 6th. Stay ahead of the meta and learn everything about the Death Knight Corpse keyword coming in this next Hearthstone expansion.

Arthas hero art after 1,000 wins, according to Blizzard. Image via Blizzard Entertainment.
Arthas hero art after 1,000 wins, according to Blizzard. Image via Blizzard Entertainment.

Death Knights are coming to Hearthstone in the March of the Lich King expansion

Hearthstone finally heard the roar and revealed Death Knights as the new class in the latest March of the Lich King expansion. This is the second time the game sees a new class after the introduction of Demon Hunter in April 2020. Expectations and hype are as high as they could be. But how does this class work?

Similar to what happened with Demon Hunter class, Hearthstone is introducing the Death Knight class with its own signature mechanic: the Corpse keyword. This new mechanic is an enabler for many cards the new class has. Furthermore, the Ghoul Charge Death Knight hero power has perfect synergy with it. Follow me while I explain everything.

Ghoul Charge: Death Knight's hero power in Hearthstone - Image via Blizzard
Ghoul Charge: Death Knight's hero power in Hearthstone - Image via Blizzard

How does the Death Knight Corpse keyword work in Hearthstone?

This new Hearthstone Corpse keyword is an integral part of the Death Knight class identity. Swarm of minions that come back to life, or well, actually come back from death.

Hearthstone developers explain the Corpse keyword as "Every time a friendly minion dies, it’s counted as a Corpse". However, that explanation by itself doesn't make much sense, so let me elaborate on the concept.

Hearthstone Corpse Counter - March of the Lich King expansion - Image via Blizzard
Hearthstone Corpse Counter - March of the Lich King expansion - Image via Blizzard

The Corpse keyword works as a counter in Hearthstone that enables many Death Knight cards. For example, the new Battlefield Necromancer Hearthstone Death Knight card will raise a Corpse as a 1/2 minion with Taunt. That will happen as long as you have Corpses to raise.

Battlefield Necromancer and the new Hearthstone Corpse keyword for Death Knights. Image via Blizzard.
Battlefield Necromancer and the new Hearthstone Corpse keyword for Death Knights. Image via Blizzard.
Vampiric Blood. Image via Blizzard Entertainment.
Vampiric Blood. Image via Blizzard Entertainment.

Similarly, Vampiric Blood will give your Hero 5 Health, but if you spend 3 Corpses with it, you will gain 5 extra health points and draw a card. Therein lies the power of this Hearthstone new keyword. Every dead minion will count towards your army of undead. However, the "Risen minions" generated from Corpses will turn into dust when they die.

We will need to wait for more March of the Lich King card releases to see how powerful the new Hearthstone Death Knight class and its Corpses can be. Don't forget to check out our other articles about the March of the Lich King expansion explaining the new Manathirst Hearthstone keyword and Death Knight Runes, among other topics.

Make sure you stay tuned to Esports.gg for more March of the Lich King news and updates.