Only a few hours separate us from the Hearthstone's next expansion's reveal, which is currently planned for 10 AM PT/19:00 CET. However, it appears that (as usual) someone spilled the beans ahead of time, and this time we're talking about www.buffed.de.
The German gaming site just released an article containing information about the new expansion that indicates it will take place in Alterac Valley - here are some of the most relevant pieces of information:
- The next expansion's name is Divided in Alterac Valley (pending official English translation) and will go live on December 7th.
- The expansion revolves around Alliance versus Horde rivalry.
- Based on which side you'll pick, you can choose between two free golden legendaries - that is happening today!
- The Shaman Elder Drek'Thar of the Frostwolf Clan for the Horde.
- The Mountain King Vanndar Stormpike for the Alliance.
- A brand new Quest system will be introduced: gain Honor Points by playing and winning games!
- The faction that earned the most honor at the end of the event will be declared the winner in the next mini-set, and all players will receive a diamond version of the victorious faction's leader card.
- New Keyword: Honorable Victory - grants unique bonuses for dealing the exact amount of damage needed to kill an enemy, opposite to Overkill.
- Examples are reducing the cost of all spells or gaining stats.
- Hero Cards are back, and they will bring some game-changing effects!
- Hero Cards are going to be some of the Mercenary characters we have seen during this year.
- Example of "game-changing effect" is increasing player's maximum Mana to 20.
Elder Drek'Thar and Vanndar Stormpike (source: wowpedia)
Quote From Buffed A fight for honor. The time has come to take up arms! Starting today, players in Divided in Alterac Valley can choose a faction by choosing one of two free golden legendary cards: the Shaman Elder Drek'Thar of the Frostwolf Clan for the Horde or the Mountain King Vanndar Stormpike for the Alliance.From December 7th to January 11th, each faction will receive unique quests where players will earn Honor Points by playing and winning games. The faction that earned the most honor at the end of the event will be declared the winner in the next mini-set, and all players will receive a diamond version of the victorious faction's leader card.
New Keyword: Honorable Victory. It has never felt better to give a servant the fatal blow. The Honorable Victory keyword grants unique bonuses for dealing the exact amount of damage needed to an enemy, such as reducing the cost of all spells or + 1 / + 1 for each honorable victory.
Mercenary heroes. After a year of battles, the mercenary heroes on both sides are hardened for battle. They are now hero cards with game changing effects - such as increasing a player's maximum mana crystals to 20! With their powerful new battle cries and hero skills, these heroes can decide the outcome of the battle between the Horde and the Alliance.
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Are you excited about these news? Which side are you going to choose? Horde or Alliance? Tell us in the comments below!
Comments
I actually thought about this too, while writing the article.
I imagine that you may want to pick the "weakest" one so that you'll get the strongest one down the road, but that doesn't seem too smart of a choice, gameplay experience wise.
There's also the chance that you may pick a golden legendary now, and you'll get the regular copy of the other one at the beginning of the next expansion's Reward track (just like we received Mankrik and Lady Prestor).
But by picking the side, you align yourself with that side, so playing the game will earn points for your side = if everyone picks the "loosing side", they would either have to stop playing the game, or the side might win in the end, halting your plan :D I dont think it will be that easy.
Only way i could see this working is if you could delay the pick, and wait and join in later (if there is even going to be the progress for each side displayed in-game). But imho the pick will be mandatory on log-in, would be my guess.
Gallywix in Battlegrounds can go over 10 Coins, which is basically like going over 10 Mana, so the UI is technically already there.
it felt like that from the start, that BGs will be a space to test new mechanics, with how easy they can just enable and disable heroes
we got multiple targeting, now this, and there is probably even more stuff they have tested in the background that made it to constructed that we don't even know about
Yeah, it certainly did and im happy that they are using the game mode to test new mechanics. Much player friendly than to just dump it into that game. They can also get feedback on popularity of said mechanic or on its implementation.
Oh sweet! Haven't played with Gallywix yet in BGs, but good to know the UI tech is already in the game
Tying your allegiance decision to a free Legendary sounds cool, though I wonder if it will lead to people picking which card they think is better, rather than which side they'd actually want to be on. Especially if we can't get the other one until the release of the expansion! Hopefully only one doesn't become meta-defining, and you picked the other one.
I've always loved Hero cards. Whether I'm playing it or the opponent is playing, seeing the portrait change is always awesome. Admiteddly, as much as I like these Mercenary characters, it's probably not going to be as cool as seeing Death Knight versions of our original nine heroes.
Yes and no: being two cards that get released prior to the expansion they belong, they're bound to have generally viable effects (just like Flightmaster Dungar), so they should be on a rather similar power level.
Moreover, consider that we get to pick a free golden legendary, meaning that there's no way that we'll have to wait that long to get at least a regular version of the other one.
Excited! I loved KotFT and having multiple classes with Hero Cards made the game feel fun. Hopefully Alterac Valley will have a similar vibe. Looking forward to seeing the other "game-changing effects"!
Well I am actually excited.
I like the idea of Alliance vs Horde war.
New keyword loks interesting and might be OK, all depends on what actuall cards would be.
And I like hero cards much better than Quests as they do not start in your hand. You have to actually draw and play them. If they would allow to create new types of decks I am all for it.
Playing vs Quests is much more boring because lots of games look the same.
I just hope the Hero cards will not be extremely OP to cancel the quests and thus killing all other decks
Funfact: The website released the Article too early because they tought that yesterdays expansion Teaser was the actual Trailer/Announcement.
Lol