Welcome to our little recap for February 2022 all across Hearthstone. Since we've actually missed our typical card back/event preview post at the start of that month - which might've also happened a few times in the past whenever things got too busy, but we just like to pretend otherwise - this gives us another opportunity to look back at everything that took place over these past four weeks. It might've been the shortest month of the year, but that doesn't mean it was uneventful. 

If you are a regular visitor who never skips a beat and keeps up with every piece of game news, perhaps the events of February are still sharp and fresh in your mind. But for most of us unfortunate mortals who occasionally manage to forget even what they've just had for breakfast, that's not necessarily the case. Let's see how much of the following still rings a bell:

The Lunar New Year

It all started with a card back - as it always does at the beginning of a monthly Hearthstone season. And it was a rather peculiar one. As parts of the world out there celebrated the arrival of Year of the Tiger, in here we got... a 'lucky' swine. Hopefully you all managed to win a few Constructed games and own "Fortune's Favor" by now: 


May it bring you the luck of the draw!

So um, what was it all about in the first place? Senior Game Producer Linus Flink actually told us what was behind that choice: 

Quote From Linus Flink
It’s based on a lunar new year mount that WoW made a few years ago: Hogrus, Swine of Good Fortune

Certainly one to remember. As always, if you want to look at (shiny) Hearthstone card backs, we've got an entire gallery dedicated to just that!

We also held regular Lunar festivities in the tavern:

Thanks to a fortunate bug, some players who didn't get to experience their Lunar New Year content in 2021, actually saw a second special quest chain from the past. There was also that outstanding free card back up for grabs: 

Why it can't be Lunar New Year every few months?

Onyxia's Lair Mini-Set

No bigger monthly news than the addition of 35 brand new cards to play with during our stay in Alterac Valley. We've observed a short reveal 'season' with its own schedule. And before that, our devoted seers had successfully divined the theme of this mini-set. 

A lot of content has since followed: be it card reviews, budget decks, achievements, compilations of decks and meta updates for various game modes, and all that in between. We have not seen the end of our lair exploration just yet. 

Valentine's Day & Twosday

Pretty noteworthy in their own right if you enjoy these types of smaller celebrations. That very spicy 'sensationalist' turn:

We admit, we still might've missed out on another special gossip opportunity there. 

Deserving of its own shout-out, all the Twosday content! Unless you plan on living very very long, February 22nd, 2022 (2/22/22) will forever remain etched as that very special date. 

Wandmaker Card Image Mad Scientist Card Image

The Big Patch

The release of Onyxia's Lair also meant a multitude of content coming out for various game modes as Patch 22.4 became reality. There was no shortage of things to try; or various bugs to hunt, many of which have been squashed by now:
We had plenty to talk about with regards to Ranked Standard and Wild: 

Kazakusan Card Image

When it comes to all other ways to play Hearthstone, you never have to look far to duel: 

We also talked about some relevant Duels balance changes.

Infinite Arcane Card Image

On the other side of limited formats, it was time for another Arena rotation: 

Beware of many discoverable Dragons abound.

For Battlegrounds, the new Buddy system was clearly in need of many balance changes, even as more new Heroes joined the ranks. And let's not forget all those flashy new cosmetics: 

Archdruid Hamuul Card Image

Finally for Mercenaries, we've learned all about the very first special time-limited event that's actually still underway. Not for the faint of heart:

Chi-Ji Card Image

It wasn't easy keeping up if you wished to try at least a little bit of everything.

Hearthstone Esports

We got a taste of our first Masters Tour event of the year, courtesy of Kazakusan of course. And for the final week of the month, Grandmasters began for the last time in this shape and form: 

And we learned even more details about competitive Battlegrounds, with ladder placements at the end of February mattering a great deal: 

Card Design & Fan Community Spotlight

Over in the world of custom fan creations, we saw various themes continue despite the snow, and even witnessed inventive Duels heroes: 

And this special animated wallpaper certainly deserves another moment of appreciation: 

Other

The Honor event still continued as the Alliance victory finally resulted in a tangible Diamond card version entering our collection. Hopefully you don't have a whole lot of ranks left to go through! 

Vanndar Stormpike Card Image

And the year-long story of a bunch of endearing Mercenaries greatly progressed during February (even with a special story Tavern Brawl in between). With Tavish and Bru'kan adventures behind us, only one single chapter remains. Still time to catch up on that narrative! 

Beaststalker Tavish Card Image Bru'kan of the Elements Card Image

How was your own Hearthstone journey over those four weeks of February? Do you believe there was anything else notable enough to warrant at least a mention?