Hearthstone's Standard & Battlegrounds Changes Are Here! Full Details + Twist Returns in December

Update: We've got the full patch notes now!

We've got a balance patch coming this week to Hearthstone and with it comes a few changes to Standard and a boat loaf of Battlegrounds adjustments. Check out the teased changes below and take a guess in the comments at what the exact changes will be. We're expecting the patch to come on Thursday with patch notes appearing slightly before then - stay tuned!

Twist Returning in December

Quote From Blizzard

Twist is returning in December with Patch 31.2, the first major content patch after the next expansion launch. It will return for three consecutive seasons based on the Wonders format, so that anyone who missed it the first time will have another chance to experience the twists. More information about the specific rules of each individual season will be shared closer to launch.

Standard Card Balance Changes 30.4.3

Buffs

• Turbulus - Now Costs 3 Mana (Down from 4) but also has 3 Health (Down from 4)

Nerfs

• Portalmancer Skyla - Now Costs 6 Mana (Up from 5)
• Surfalopod - Is now 4/4 (Down from 5/6)

Quote From Blizzard

Dev Comments: This patch is focused on adjustments to the mini-set. We have another patch window in a few weeks, between expansion announcement and launch, where we plan to look at the meta more broadly.

The mini-set introduced a major outlier: Big Spell Mage. Although some players enjoy the play pattern, the deck causes frustration due to how prevalent it is and how early it can get its power spike. The goal of these changes is to push back the average Big Spell turn a bit and to shave a little power from the deck, while allowing it to keep its core functionality.

With one mini-set Tourist getting toned down, we wanted to give the other one some help so that players can try another fun vacation destination and make the most of what it has to offer.

Battlegrounds Balance Changes 30.4.3

Quote From Blizzard

Dev Comments: There are a lot of Battlegrounds adjustments this patch, so we wanted to share our 3 main goals with this patch: 1) make Trinkets cheaper so players have more decisions on their turns; 2) adjust the power of outlier minion types; and 3) increase the power of underperforming heroes.

For Trinkets, first we adjusted the cost and effects of many Trinkets to bring the average cost closer to about 3 Gold. Second, we increased the discount for “pivot” Trinkets from (1) to (2). The intent there is to make more Trinkets feel like viable options for players to choose from.

For minion types, we primarily wanted to bring down the power of Demons. We’re also nudging up the power of Dragons, Pirates, Murlocs, Elementals, and Naga, and adjusting a few individual cards that were over- or underperforming.

For heroes, we’re focusing primarily on heroes that underperform at all ratings. We’ll see how these changes play out and potentially adjust more in the future, as needed.

Finally, our (in)famous friend Leapfrogger. Leapfrogger is a very polarizing card that can be fun to play, but also frustrating to play against. We decided not to directly adjust it right now, but to instead swap out Manasaber for Kindly Grandmother to make the build more vulnerable. We’re planning on removing Leapfrogger in Patch 30.6 (and swap Manasaber back in), so get your hops in now while you can!

Hero Power Changes

C’Thun

• Old: At end of turn, give a friendly minion +1/+1. Repeat 0 times. (Upgrades each turn!)
• New: At end of turn, give a friendly minion +2/+1. Repeat 0 times. (Upgrades each turn!)

The Jailer

• Old: Give a minion +1/+1. Upgrades after nine friendly minions die.
• New: Give a minion +1/+1. Upgrades after seven friendly minions die.

Ragnaros, the Firelord

• Old: Passive. After you kill 25 enemy minions, get Sulfuras.
• New: Passive. After you kill 20 enemy minions, get Sulfuras.

Edwin VanCleef

• Old: Give a minion +1/+1. Upgrades after you buy 4 cards.
• New: Give a minion +1/+1. Upgrades after you buy 3 cards.

Overlord Saurfang

• Old: Give a minion in the Tavern +2/+1. (Doubles every 3 turns!)
• New: Give a minion in the Tavern +2/+2. (Doubles every 3 turns!)

Guff Runetotem

• Old: Passive. After you buy 25 Tiers’ worth of cards, get a Triple Reward.
• New: Passive. After you buy 20 Tiers’ worth of cards, get a Triple Reward.

Captain Eudora

• Old: Dig for a Golden minion! (5 Digs left.)
• New: Dig for a Golden minion! (4 Digs left.)

Cariel Roame

• Old: Give 2 friendly minions +1/+1. (After you upgrade the Tavern, choose an improvement!)
• New: Give 3 friendly minions +1/+1. (After you upgrade the Tavern, choose an improvement!)

Pyramad 

• Old: Give a minion +1 Health. (Gains +1 Health each turn you don’t use this!)
• New: Give a minion +2 Health. (Gains +1 Health each turn you don’t use this!)

Ozumat

• Old: Passive. When you have space in combat, summon a 1/1 Tentacle with Taunt. (Gains +1/+1 after you sell a minion!)
• New: Passive. When you have space in combat, summon a 2/2 Tentacle with Taunt. (Gains +1/+1 after you sell a minion!)

 

Armor Changes

The following heroes now have less Armor:

• Pyramad: 13 Armor at high ranks, 13 Armor at lower ranks, and 10 Armor in Duos.
• C’Thun: 10 Armor at high ranks, 10 Armor at lower ranks, and 7 Armor in Duos.
• Guff Runetotem: 12 Armor at high ranks, 12 Armor at lower ranks, and 10 Armor in Duos.
• Cariel Roame: 12 Armor at high ranks, 10 Armor at lower ranks, and 10 Armor in Duos.
• The Jailer: 15 Armor at high ranks, 15 Armor at lower ranks, and 13 Armor in Duos.
• Ozumat: 15 Armor at high ranks, 7 Armor at lower ranks, and 12 Armor in Duos.
• Ragnaros the Firelord: 15 Armor at high ranks, 13 Armor at lower ranks, and 12 Armor in Duos.
• Edwin VanCleef: 15 Armor at high ranks, 15 Armor at lower ranks, and 12 Armor in Duos.
• Captain Eudora: 13 Armor at high ranks, 13 Armor at lower ranks, and 10 Armor in Duos.
• Overlord Saurfang: 15 Armor at high ranks, 15 Armor at lower ranks, and 12 Armor in Duos.

 

Trinket Pool Changes

• The discounted Trinkets that are not in your type (commonly called “Pivot Trinkets”) are now discounted by 2, instead of 1.
• Lesser Kodo Leather Pouch, Greater Kodo Leather Pouch, and Greater Dalaran Cheese Wheel have been returned to the Trinket pool (with changes).
• Greater Darnassus Pie and Greater Twin Sky Lanterns have been removed from the Trinket pool, their Lesser versions have been adjusted and moved into the Greater Pool.

Lesser Trinket Changes

Dalaran Cheese Wheel

• Old: Minions in the Tavern have +1/+1. Upgrades every 3 times you Refresh. 
• New: Minions in the Tavern have +1/+1. Upgrades every 5 times you Refresh.

Darnassus Pie

• Old: [Lesser Trinket, 1 Gold]
• New: [Greater Trinket, 0 Gold]

Twin Sky Lanterns

• Old: [Lesser Trinket]
• New: [Greater Trinket]

Quilligraphy Set 

• Old: [0 Gold] Avenge (5): Your Blood Gems give an extra +1 Health this game.
• New: [1 Gold] Avenge (4): Your Blood Gems give an extra +1 Health this game.

Nerglish Phrasebook 

• Old: After you play a minion, give the left-most minion in your hand +3/+3.
• New: After you play a minion, give the left-most minion in your hand +3/+2.

Belcher Portrait 

• Old: [5 Gold] Get an ‘Operatic Belcher’. Whenever a friendly minion loses Venomous, it gains +5/+5 permanently.
• New: [3 Gold] Get an ‘Operatic Belcher.’ Whenever a friendly minion loses Venomous, it gains +3/+3 permanently.

Kodo Leather Pouch

• Old: [0 Gold] After you buy a card, give a random friendly minion +2/+1.
• New: [2 Gold] After you buy a card, give two random friendly minions +2/+1.

Shaker Portrait

• Old: [Lesser, 7 Gold]
• New: [Greater, 4 Gold]

Lava Lamp

• Old: [6 Gold] After you sell 4 minions, get a random Elemental.
• New: [2 Gold] After you sell 5 minions, get a random Elemental.

Charging Staff

• Old: [4 Gold] At the end of each turn, give your minions with Divine Shield +4 Attack.
• New: [2 Gold] At the end of each turn, give your minions with Divine Shield +3 Attack.

Lorewalker’s Scroll 

• Old: [4 Gold] Whenever you cast a spell on a minion, give it +2/+2.
• New: [1 Gold] Whenever you cast a spell on a minion, give it +2/+1.

Blintron’s Sunglasses

• Old: [2 Gold]
• New: [1 Gold]

Holy Mallet

• Old: [3 Gold]
• New: [2 Gold]

Yogg-tastic Pastry

• Old: [6 Gold]
• New: [5 Gold]

Book of Medivh

• Old: [4 Gold]
• New: [3 Gold]

Token of the Old Gods

• Old: [0 Gold] Spellcraft: Transform a minion into one from a Tier higher.
• New: [2 Gold] Spellcraft: Choose a minion. Discover a minion from a Tier higher to transform it into.

 

Greater Trinket Changes

Dalaran Cheese Wheel

• Old: [6 Gold] Minions in the Tavern have +2/+2. Upgrades every 3 times you Refresh.
• New: [2 Gold] Minions in the Tavern have +2/+2. Upgrades every 5 times you Refresh.

Great Boar Sticker

• Old: [7 Gold] Your Blood Gems give an extra +4/+4.
• New: [3 Gold] Your Blood Gems give an extra +2/+2.

Quilligraphy Set

• Old: [7 Gold] Avenge (4): Your Blood Gems give an extra +2/+2 this game.
• New: [4 Gold] Avenge (4): Your Blood Gems give an extra +2/+1 this game.

Nerglish Phrasebook

• Old: [4 Gold] After you play a minion, give the left-most minion in your hand +6/+6.
• New: [3 Gold] After you play a minion, give the left-most minion in your hand +5/+5.

Belcher Portrait

• Old: [4 Gold] Get an ‘Operatic Belcher’. Whenever a friendly minion loses Venomous, it gains +15/+15 permanently.
• New: [3 Gold] Get an ‘Operatic Belcher’. Whenever a friendly minion loses Venomous, it gains +12/+12 permanently.

Blood Golem Sticker

• Old: [4 Gold]
• New: [3 Gold]

Fridge Magnet

• Old: [4 Gold]
• New: [3 Gold]

Kodo Leather Patch

• Old: [0 Gold] After you buy a card, give a random friendly minion +5/+5.
• New: [2 Gold] After you buy a card, give two random friendly minions +4/+4.

Conductor Portrait

• Old: [0 Gold] Get a ‘Snarling Conductor’. Whenever you discard a card, play a Blood Gem on 5 friendly minions.
• New: [2 Gold] Get a ‘Snarling Conductor’. Whenever you discard a card, play a Blood Gem on all your minions.

Balladist Portrait

• Old: [0 Gold] Get a ‘Lovesick Balladist’. At the start of each turn, get another.
• New: [3 Gold] Get a ‘Lovesick Balladist’. At the start of each turn, get another. Your Lovesick Balladists also give Attack.

Felbat Portrait

• Old: [9 Gold]
• New: [6 Gold]

Jar o’ Gems

• Old: [3 Gold]
• New: [4 Gold]

Exquisite Dishware

• Old: [5 Gold]
• New: [4 Gold]

Bob’s Tip Jar

• Old: Gain 3 Gold. Increase your max Gold by 3.
• New: Gain 4 Gold. Increase your max Gold by 4.

Book of Medivh

• Old: [5 Gold]
• New: [4 Gold]

Windrunner Necklace

• Old: [4 Gold] Your left-most minion has +20 Attack in combat.
• New: [3 Gold] Your left-most minion has +15 Attack in combat.

Karazhan Chess Set

• Old: [9 Gold] Start of Combat: Summon a copy of your 2 left-most minions.
• New: [5 Gold] Start of Combat: Summon a copy of your left-most minion.

Spitescale Sushi Roll

• Old: [7 Gold]
• New: [5 Gold]

 

Minion Pool Changes

• Manasaber has been removed from the minion pool.
• Kindly Grandmother and Slitherspear, Lord of Gains have been added to the minion pool.

 

Minion Changes

Saltscale Honcho

• Old: 3/2
• New: 3/3

Murcules

• Old: 5/2
• New: 5/3

‘Loc Prince 

• Old: 2/2. Whenever this gains stats, add +2/+2 to that amount (wherever this is).
• New: 3/2. Whenever this gains stats, add +3/+2 to that amount (wherever this is).

Mrglin’ Burglar

• Old: 6/6. After you play a Murloc, give a friendly minion and a minion in your hand +6/+6.
• New: 8/8. After you play a Murloc, give a friendly minion and a minion in your hand +4/+4.

Crackling Cyclone

• Old: 4/1
• New: 5/1

Sleeping Sea Glass

• Old: 3/3
• New: 4/4

Living Azerite

• Old: 4/4
• New: 6/6

Pilgrimp

• Old: [Tier 4] 3/4
• New: [Tier 5] 3/5

Malchezaar, Prince of Dance

• Old: [Tier 3] 4/3
• New: [Tier 4] 5/4

Famished Felbat

• Old: 8/5. At the end of your turn, your Demons consume a minion in the Tavern to gain its stats.
• New: 9/6. At the end of your turn, your other Demons consume a minion in the Tavern to gain its stats.

Glim Guardian

• Old: 1/3
• New: 1/4

Amber Guardian

• Old: [Tier 5] 7/7. Start of Combat: Give another friendly Dragon +7/+7 and Divine Shield.
• New: [Tier 4] 5/5. Start of Combat: Give another friendly Dragon +5/+5 and Divine Shield.

Hunter of Gatherers

• Old: [Tier 4] 3/5. Whenever this gains Attack, give your minions +1 Health.
• New: [Tier 5] 4/6. Whenever this gains Attack, give your minions +2 Health.

Clunker Junker

• Old: [Tier 4] 3/4
• New: [Tier 5] 4/5

Grease Bot

• Old: 1/4. After a friendly minion loses Divine Shield, give it +1/+1 permanently.
• New: 2/5. After a friendly minion loses Divine Shield, give it +2/+1 permanently.

Ice Fisher

• Old: [Tier 5] 2/2
• New: [Tier 4] 3/3

Critter Wrangler

• Old: [Tier 5] 3/5
• New: [Tier 4] 2/5

Corrupted Myrmidon

• Old: 3/3
• New: 4/4

Tidemistress Athissa

• Old: [Tier 6] 6/8. Whenever you cast a spell, give four friendly Naga +1/+1.
• New: [Tier 5] 2/7. Whenever you cast a spell, give three friendly Naga +1/+1.

Thundering Abomination

• Old: 3/6. Whenever you summon a minion in combat, give it +3/+2. If there’s no space, gain +3/+2 permanently.
• New: 2/6. Whenever you summon a minion in combat, give it +3/+3. If there’s no space, gain +3/+3 permanently.

Lightfang Enforcer 

• Old: 8/6. At the end of your turn, give a friendly minion of each type +4/+3.
• New: 8/8. At the end of your turn, give a friendly minion of each type +4/+4.

 

Tavern Spell Changes

Portal in a Bottle

• Old: [Tier 5, 2 Gold]
• New: [Tier 4, 3 Gold]

Robust Evolution

• Old: [2 Gold]
• New: [1 Gold]

Channel the Devourer

• Old: [4 Gold]
• New: [3 Gold]