Hearthstone will have new hero portraits available for real money

While many players are waiting for new cards since the Blackrock Mountain add-on, Blizzard's hyper-popular card game, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, will be getting an addition of a different sort.

Over on the official Hearthstone website, Blizzard has announced that it will be adding new heroes to the game. These will fit into the current class structure, but will include new portraits, voiceover and animations to enjoy and show off to your opponents.

The first new hero announced is Magni Bronzebeard, a well-known World of Warcraft character who players will be able to choose in place of Garrosh Hellscream as a warrior. Magni will have his own dwarf-appropriate lines, and using the warrior hero power will launch a unique animation. Players who purchase Magni will also receive a unique card back to go along with the hero.

Notably, Magni Bronzebeard will be the first in-game purchase for Hearthstone that is only available via real money. Previous adventure add-ons and new packs can be purchased with real money but can also be bought with an in-game currency earned by winning games and completing quests.

Blizzard confirmed to Polygon that there are "no plans for an in-game gold option at this time" for Magni Bronzebeard and other new heroes.

Presumably because of this controversial decision, Blizzard's post on the news is careful to clarify that new heroes will not come with new cards or change the hero powers in any way. Magni Bronzebeard will be available to Hearthstone players for $9.99 and is listed as "coming soon."