Key release facts at a glance
Knights of the Frozen Throne has multiple platform-specific launches and ongoing updates. Below are the verified release milestones, platform availability, and post-launch support highlights covered in this guide.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Original Hearthstone expansion release | August 11, 2017 (global) | Blizzard official |
| Initial platform rollout | PC (Windows/macOS) and mobile simultaneous at launch | Blizzard patch notes |
| Region availability | Worldwide across Hearthstone-supported regions at launch | Localization docs |
| Standard vs Adventure release model | Adventure release with progressive wings; Standard rotation completed earlier | Blizzard developer posts |
| Ongoing updates after launch | Patches, balance updates, and minimal new cards through regular cycles | Seasonal patch notes |
What is Knights of the Frozen Throne
Knights of the Frozen Throne is a Hearthstone expansion that centers on the Lich King, new hero powers, and a large adventure featuring wings of single-player content and gradual Standard rotation. It was designed as a mid-sized expansion with a strong narrative theme rather than a full set replacement.
Original announced date versus actual release
Blizzard first announced Knights of the Frozen Throne at BlizzCon with a plan for an August launch. The expansion followed the typical adventure model of releasing wings over weeks, which allowed both casual and competitive players to engage at a sustainable pace.
Initial launch platforms
The expansion launched simultaneously on Windows and macOS clients, as well as iOS and Android, reflecting Blizzard’s cross-platform priorities for Hearthstone at the time. Browser versions were not directly supported for the adventure portion, but progress carried over to the client versions.
Key launch details
- Release date: August 11, 2017
- Supported clients: PC and mobile apps
- Languages: Broad localization for major regions
Global and regional availability
From day one, Knights of the Frozen Throne rolled out in all regions where Hearthstone was live, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. No staggered regional launches were required, which simplified the release operations for Blizzard.
Regions and supported languages
| Region | Primary language(s) | Launch status |
|---|---|---|
| North America | English | Launch |
| Europe | English, French, German | Launch |
| Asia-Pacific | English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese | Launch |
| Latin America | Spanish, Portuguese | Launch |
Release model: Adventure with wings
Instead of dropping all content at once, Knights of the Frozen Throne used a wing-based adventure structure. Each wing introduced new bosses, collectible cards, and a short story segment, which let Blizzard stagger difficulty and maintain player interest across multiple weeks.
Wing release cadence
Wings generally released weekly or biweekly during the adventure phase. This approach is common for Hearthstone adventures and helps balance development workloads with player pacing.
- Early access or pre-purchase: Available before the first wing
- Wing releases: Weekly to biweekly intervals
- Completion: Final wing concludes the adventure
Standard rotation timing
Knights of the Frozen Throne also triggered a Standard rotation, retiring older cards to maintain format health. The rotation occurred shortly after the adventure’s initial release, shaping the competitive meta for the following season.
Rotation facts
| Detail | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cards moved to Wild | Set-specific rotation rules applied | Patch notes |
| Impact on ranked play | Ranked seasons adjusted accordingly | Season announcements |
Post-launch updates and balance
After the initial release, Knights of the Frozen Throne received balance patches, bug fixes, and occasional card adjustments. These updates were part of Blizzard’s ongoing support cycle for Hearthstone and rarely changed the expansion’s core cards or narrative content.
Ongoing maintenance highlights
- Balance patches: Targeted power adjustments
- Bug fixes: Client and connectivity improvements
- Quality of life: UI and account features
Current status and legacy
Knights of the Frozen Throne remains part of Hearthstone’s legacy expansions, with many cards still legal in Wild format. Its story elements contributed to the broader Warcraft lore and continue to influence later expansions and in-game events.
Legacy takeaways
- Kept adventure format relevant for mid-expansions
- Introduced enduring card archetypes
- Strengthened cross-regional launch consistency
Conclusion
Knights of the Frozen Throne launched globally on August 11, 2017 across PC and mobile platforms. It used a wing-based adventure structure, rolled out in all supported regions without staggered dates, and included Standard rotation shortly after release. Ongoing patches and legacy impact keep it relevant in Hearthstone’s history.