Hearthstone
Solving the "???" Mysteries of the Phoenix Card Back Achievement in Hearthstone - Solve the Barrens Mysteries
We've got a big secret in Hearthstone and its going to take the whole community to help solve it.
The mystery has been solved!
Note: If you cannot join a game against the Innkeeper it is because the servers are full. Try again later!
On May 4th, Blizzard patched Hearthstone with Patch 20.2 that brought Quilboars into Battlegrounds, a shiny new Diamond Ragnaros, new Tier 2 Hero Skins, and so much more. The best addition though was by far the activation of a new achievement, "???" that rewards us with a new card back which was one of the runner-ups in a competition that was run over in China earlier this year.
The community is out in full force seeking answers. What could be the 4 different mysteries that we have to solve in order to obtain the card back?
What We Know So Far
Although Celestalon has stated that there will not be any hints, he has had a few words of wisdom for us all.
- We do not need World of Warcraft.
- It does not appear we need to have a full collection of Barrens cards to solve the mysteries.
- One specific part of the mysteries will be harder to do on mobile but remains possible.
- This is not the first part of the mystery.
- We can infer that this requires all the mysteries to be completed in a certain order.
- Mobile users should also be able to participate in the achievement without issue tells us anything desktop-specific to Hearthstone could be ignored.
Quote From Celestalon
And from the WoW Secret Finding Discord:
Quote From Celestalon You can all solve it.
I'll be up-front about one thing: There is one specific part of this whole mystery that is harder to do on Mobile (but still possible). However, you're nowhere even remotely close to it right now. It's safe to assume that mobile players can help just as much as desktop players right now. And no, nothing in this message is a clue.
Possible Hints
None of these are confirmed to be useful, but Celestalon has been sneaky so who knows!
Celestalons "?"
The night before the new patch hit, Celestalon teased everyone with a glowing, blue question mark.
Celestalon's New Profile Art
Celestalon tweeted his new profile art that he received which is surrounded in mystery shortly before the patch went live.
Click to open a larger version with more detail.
How to Solve Barrens Mystery #1
Initially solved by LynxZh on the WoW Secrets Discord.
We're going to be fighting The Innkeeper as Rogue with the following Rogue cards in our deck:
We're also going to include Efficient Octo-bot so we can reduce the cost of these cards. We'll need to play them all in a single turn.
To start your match against the Innkeeper, go to "Solo Adventures" followed by the "Practice" category where you can queue for a Normal game. You may play against any of the Innkeeper's heroes.
Now, you need to draw all five of these cards and play them in the same turn to progress to the next phase. As stated above, we'll use Efficient Octo-bot to make this happen. Once they have all been played, in any order, and you end your turn, a new spell will be added to your hand.
- Get all 5 cards in your hand.
- Reduce their costs so you can play them all in one turn.
- End your turn.
- A ??? Spell will be added to your hand.
- Play the ??? Spell.
Playing this card is going to reset the board to a new state with a full field on your opponent's side, that contains some magical cubes, and three rings of keys on yours. Your hero power will also be changed.
What you do in the next part is VERY important. This is a puzzle that is solved by setting the enemy minions to a certain attack. This is effectively a 7 digit lock.
You will only be attacking with your left-side minion to set this lock.
Only attack with your first, or left-most minion.
Perform the following actions to complete the mystery in order, from left to right on the opponent's board. Remember, only attack with your left-side minion.
- Attack your opponent's first minion once. (Far Left)
- Attack your opponent's second minion twice.
- Attack your opponent's third minion three times.
- Do not attack your opponent's fourth minion. (Middle)
- Do not attack your opponent's fifth minion.
- Attack your opponent's sixth minion three times.
- Attack your opponent's seventh minion twice. (Far Right)
These attacks will change the attack and health of the enemy minions. It is all over when the following board state is achieved, with all enemy minions having 4 attack:
After these attacks are carried out, press your hero power. The game will end and you will now have achieved 1/4 progress in the mystery.
How to Solve Barrens Mystery #2
Initially solved by MustBeSenpai the WoW Secrets Discord.
We're going to be fighting the Innkeeper as Warrior with the following cards in our deck:
Much like the Rogue puzzle, hold all these cards in your hand and get ready to play them all in a single turn. Once they have all been played, in any order, and you end your turn, a new spell will be added to your hand.
- Get all 5 cards in your hand.
- End your turn.
- A ??? Spell will be added to your hand.
- Play the ??? Spell.
This is a challenging next part of the puzzle so pay close attention. Your new board that has been generated is filled with Orcs, Quilboar, and a Caravan.
- Any minions to the right of the Caravan will be sent over to the other side when you hit your hero power.
- You can drag and drop the minions on the board in any order, though they remain on the side they are on.
- We will be sending minions from one side to the other in a specific order.
There are some bad scenarios that mean you've messed up:
- If you send over only the Caravan, a centaur will spawn and kill it.
- If you send over the Caravan and three minions, Centaurs will spawn and kill them.
Here are the steps we need to take to solve this challenge. We've got the side of the board you want to be on for each of the moves.
- Yours - Move two Quilboar to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
- Enemy - Move one Quilboar to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
- Yours - Move two Quilboar to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
- Enemy - Move one Quilboar to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
- Yours - Move two Orcs to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
- Enemy - Move one Quilboar and one Orc to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
- Yours - Move two Orcs to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
- Enemy - Move one Quilboar to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
- Yours - Move two Quilboar to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
- Enemy - Move one Quilboar to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
- Yours - Move two Quilboar to the right side of the Caravan. [Hero Power]
Following these steps results in a victory and you will now have 2/4 completion.
How to Solve Barrens Mystery #3
Initially solved by the Korean Secrets Finding Team.
We're going to be fighting the Innkeeper as Druid with the following cards in our deck:
Much like the previous puzzles, hold all these cards in your hand and get ready to play them all in a single turn. Once they have all been played, in any order, and you end your turn, a new spell will be added to your hand.
- Get all 6 cards in your hand.
- End your turn.
- A ??? Spell will be added to your hand.
- Play the ??? Spell.
Now we're going to be going through a maze! Depending on which minion you attack decides how you move in the maze.
- Attacking the left minion turns you left.
- Attacking the right minion turns you right.
- Attacking the middle minion will advance you forward.
- When the immune shield is on the middle minion, that means there is a wall in front of you.
You will notice that there are a limited number of left turns due to the low health of the left-side minion. Luckily, we can turn ourselves right three times to effectively make a left turn.
The solution is to make it through the following path. Each letter is an attack that corresponds to the minion.
(L=Left, M=Middle, R=Right)
RRRMM RMMRM RRRMR
RRMMR MMRRR MMRMR
RRMMM MRRRM MMRMM
RMMRM RRRMM MMMRM
MMRMR RRMMR RRMMR
MMRMR RRMRM RRRMR
RRMRM MMMRR RMMMR
RRMRM RRRMR MMRRR
MRMRR RMRRR MRMRM
RRRMM
Thanks to ParaSightPlays, Alexander A, Van Fej, Sebliend, Remit, Kajox, ONDRA, GulioElTorch and Issc!
I am very thankful for not having to create this map.
How to Solve Barrens Mystery #4
Solved by Fiufa and the Chinese Secret Finding Community. Thanks to Miko on Discord for writing proper English instructions.
We're going to be fighting the Innkeeper as Hunter with the following cards in our deck:
Much like the previous puzzles, hold all these cards in your hand and get ready to play them all in a single turn. Once they have all been played, in any order, and you end your turn, a new spell will be added to your hand.
- Get all 5 cards in your hand.
- End your turn.
- A ??? Spell will be added to your hand.
- Play the ??? Spell.
Quote From Miko (Warcraft Secrets Discord) STAGE 1
- Three potions for 10 coins, a dagger, a bandage for the potion, a pendant for a bandage, and a pendant for 11 coins.
- 11 coins for three potions, two daggers, potions for bandages, and three bandages for 13 coins.
- 13 coins for four potions, potions for bandages, bandages for dolls, dolls for 18 coins, and three daggers for 6 coins.
- Buy 25 daggers for 25 coins for three whistles and 22 coins for three whistles.
- 22 daggers for 22 daggers, 26 daggers for 2 shields, and 2 shields for 25 daggers.
- 25 coins for 12 cheeses, 10 cheeses for 25 coins, 26 coins for all daggers.
- 28 daggers for 4 whistles, 4 whistles for 2 sapphire rods, 2 sapphire rods for 1 Gilneas dagger, Gilneas dagger for 70 coins.
- At this point the first stage is completed, you have 70 coins, 2 cheeses.
STAGE 2
- 70 coins to buy two scrolls, 20 coins to buy a Panpipe, four axes, a dagger, two scrolls for 70 coins.
- 70 coins for 6 panpipes and 50 coinsfor 4 Panpipes.
- 54 coins for 4 panpipes, 6 panpipes for 2 Ruby crowns, 10 coins for 3 potions, 1 dagger, and 72 coins for crown.
- 72 coins for 36 hand axes, 10 fishing gear, 2 fishing gear for 18 coins.
- 18 coins to buy 9 hand axes, hand axes for fishing gear, 10 fishing gear for 120 coins.
- At this point, the second stage is achieved. You have 120 coins, 2 cheeses, 1 hatchet, 3 potions, 1 Panpipe and 2 daggers.
STAGE 3
- 120 coins for 120 daggers, dagger for dwarf shield, 7 dwarf shield for 60 coins
- 60 coins for dagger, dagger for dwarf shield, dwarf shield for tiger amulet, 2 amulet for 114 coins
- 114 coins to buy 57 potions, potions for glasses, 7 glasses for 65 coins
- 65 coins for 21 potions, 1 potion, 20 potions for anger crystal, 1 anger crystal for 60 coins
- 60 coins for potion, potion for wine cup, wine cup for hammer, 5 hammer for 125 coins
- 125 coins to buy medicine, medicine for bandages, bandages for dolls, 9 Dolls for 166
- At this time, the third stage is achieved. You have 166 coins, 1 potion, 2 cheese, 2 daggers, 1 hatchet, 1 Panpipe
STAGE 4
- 166 coins to buy potion, potion for wine cup, wine cup for warhammer, warhammer for candle, candle for 180 coins
- 180 coins for potion, potion for bandage, bandage for doll, doll for angel drink Agent, Angel Drink sells 204 coins
- 204 coins to buy cheese, cheese for night potion, night potion sells 240 coins.
- At this time, the fourth stage is reached. You have 240 coins, 2 daggers, 1 hand axe, and 1 Pan flute
STAGE 5
- 240 coins potion, potion for wine glass, wine glass for Wisdom Ball, Wisdom Ball sells for 205 coins
- 205 coins to buy potions, potions for Shadow Gems, Shadow Gems sell for 166 coins
- 166 coins to buy potions, potions for angry crystals, 2 coins left to buy potions, angry crystals sell for 150 coins
- 150 coins to buy the reel, the reel sells for 138 coins
- Buy a dagger for 138 coins, exchange a dagger for a whistle, exchange a whistle for a sapphire wand, and a wand for 125 coins
- Buy a panpipe for 125 coins, exchange the panpipe for a ruby crown, the crown sells for 92 coins
- At this point, the fifth stage is reached, you have 96 coins, 1 hand axe, 1 potion
STAGE 6
- 96 Coins to buy potions, potions for wine glasses, wine glasses for warhammers, and warhammers for 70 Coins
- 70 Coins to buy panpipes, panpipes sell for 42 Coins
- 46 Coins for potions, potions for bandages, bandages for dolls, dolls for angel potions, potions for 30 Coins
- 31 Coins to buy potions, and 15 Coins for potions
- 16 Coins for a hand axe, and a hand axe for 10 Coins
- 10 Coins for a hand axe, a hand axe for a hat, and a hat for 14 Coins
- 14 Coins to buy potion, potion for 10 Coins
- DONE!
Special thanks to the Secret Finding Discord's Doc where everyone has been helping to figure out the mysteries. Discord ID tags withheld to prevent potential harassment.
About the Author
Robert "Fluxflashor" Veitch is the founder of Out of Games. With over a decade of experience in gaming content, and being done with the exhaustion of corporate nonsense, he wanted to do something different with a focus on the community in this online world that tries so hard to just make everyone just another number. Robert is currently playing whatever interesting game shows up next. He can be contacted via direct messages.
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Comments
I'll note that in phase 1 of Mystery #3 (Druid), if you have an empty deck when you cast all six spells, it will not award you the "???" card at end of turn.
Also, I am fairly sure that *generated* versions of the required cards will not count for triggering the "???" event. This happens to be especially relevant for Druid, as it is likely you're Discovering all manner of Nature spells. In particular, the Eclipses gifted by `Kiri, Chosen of Elune` do not count as real Eclipses for the purpose of "???".
For posterity sake - the achievement is under:
Gameplay --> Barrens expansion --> Neutral
Neutral is the last section so scroll passed all the classes and look for the achievement with the "???" in the name
The card back is nice and all, but this is probably the least fun I've had with puzzles...ever.
I was not a fan of this. Without this guide, there was no chance in hell I would have figured out any of it. I love solving puzzles, but this? Playing 5 specific cards, then navigating these bizarre scenarios without any explanation? And they were so tedious and repetitive! I feel like this could have been a really neat and fun experience, but it was just annoying and confusing.
It wasnt designed to be solved by any one person. It achieved exactly what it set out to do, which is cool. Not everyone's cup of tea, myself included, but i guess a cool community experiment
Why hearthstone devs thinks this is fun?
First of all: no hints (unlocking the student from scholomance in the past was easy, but this is weird!)
The only way to understand what to do is looking outside from the game
A 7 digit lock? Really? I'd like to solve puzzles on my own but this is non human calculator level
I hope that devs in the future spend more time on playtesting rather than those weird s**t
And maybe a way to prevent ppl to unbox standard epics when golden version is already on the rewards track!!!
Yay I did the rogue one!!!!!! (I know the world solved it ages ago)
Rather than try to tackle the linear algebra I wrote a program to iterate through the combinations with repetitions looking for a resulting code that had all the same digits.
I wanted to see if possible to use all the boxes, and this sequence works!
1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 7 7
Code snippet below that is probably horribly inefficient* with external pow() calls etc. Don't care but would matter if needed to do billions of iterations. function should be type void etc etc....
Numbers show what box to attack.
Yes - I have time on my hands :P :P
*actually if I just set it to try 11 moves, it checks all 12376 possible moves and completes in 0.371 seconds or 30 moves (1947792 possible) takes 150 seconds on my low powered media server box. 100 moves? Write better code and use better PC :) Better yet do it with maths instead.
And for completeness, reran again with a maximum of 9 attacks per box (given the mod 10 nature of the box attack limit), and there are 10 unique solutions. There is no other possible result other than 4444444 where all the box attack numbers can be the same.
1230032
1235037
3854212
3859217
5473497
5478492
7092672
7097677
9611857
9616852
Clear pattern of +0005005 and +2624280 there showing that they are net neutral.
So for the first mystery, how do you win without your opponent automatically killing you? The keys don't have windfury or anything so you can only attack once per turn with the first minion then end your turn, the board state resets and the minions stats increase and automatically go face and then you dead. How are you meant to attack 9 times, unless I'm missing the plot here.
Edit: ok so after watching Regis' vid, seems like it was bug where my left most minion would only attack once 😒 it's attack should've reset but didn't, yay.
Thanks for solving this puzzle, it would be a real shame to miss out on a card-back like this. Real treasure ;-)
I need help. Just started with the Rogue puzzle. Did it 3 times exactly following the guide. Nothing happens.
After you get everything and discount them, play them all in a single turn. Play only those five cards and nothing else! Just make sure that there’s a minion you can Coerce, because you can’t play it on an empty board and make sure you’ll have hand space after Potion of Illusion. When you end your turn, you should get a card that starts a puzzle. Make sure not to hit the hero power after playing Yoink! also.
I had problems the first time round, habit of hitting the HP borked it for me. More info for the puzzles here.
THIS THIS so much. Thanks very much, this is not clarified in the guide. I lost a lot of time setting up and the ??? card didn't show up because I played other stuff in the same turn (or hit the HP, don't remember
Well then.
Props to everyone who figured this out! Those who have the patience and dedication to hunt secrets are awesome. It's nice that we get a cool card back for it, too.
This was really fun... not.
THANKS Cowtastrophe!! You're the best!
This guide should be on the article (instead of the current one) because is the clearest of all for resolving the Mystery #4 without getting a headache
Or just watch Regis' video as he does it step by step 😁 I didn't even need to hover over each minion to read what they buy and sell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8MIpXf1nkg
This is the better guide, the original article is too confusing.
I somehow lost the hand axe along the way ... 20 minutes wasted. how is that even possible?!
Edit: Second try went smooth until i mixed up the enchanter and the alchemist.. my head ..
I’ve spent some time actually analyzing the Hunter puzzle; the main conclusion was that the space of available trades was actually rather limited, as to pass the puzzle you need to trade without losing even a single gold’s worth of value. In particular, every item can only be obtained through one specific trading chain. To then solve the puzzle, the main remaining complication is making sure you have exactly enough ‘free resources’ at all times to make sure you don’t buy too many items.