With Festival of Legends right around the corner, Hearthstone's Patch 26.0 is launching tomorrow with a host of the customary pre-rotation nerf reverts, as well as some Battlegrounds and Duels balance changes. Read on to see what's in store!

Quote From Blizzard

Patch 26.0, launching tomorrow, is the venue for Hearthstone’s latest expansion, Festival of Legends, launching April 11! The Patch also paves the way for the new Year of the Wolf, adjusts Battlegrounds, Duels, and Arena, and more.  

Festival of Legends is About to Begin! 

Hearthstone’s next expansion, Festival of Legends, starts the show on April 11! The new 145-card expansion features the new Finale keyword, Legendary musicians and songs, instrument weapons, Harmonic spells, Soloists, and more! See all the new cards in the official Card Library today. This is your last chance to get your Pre-Purchase bundle, only available until the expansion goes live next week!

With the launch of Festival of Legends comes a new Rewards Track, with tons of showstopping cosmetics, XP boosts, cards, card packs, and a huge infusion of Gold! Check out our upcoming Rewards Track Refresh blog for details.

Card Rotation and Core Set Changes

Quote From Blizzard

The launch of Festival of Legends kicks off the next Hearthstone year: the Year of the Wolf! With that, comes the Standard rotation. That means that Forged in the Barrens, United in Stormwind, and Fractured in Alterac Valley will be rotating out of Standard. Standard will then be comprised of Voyage to the Sunken City, Murder at Castle Nathria, March of the Lich King, Path of Arthas, Festival of Legends, and the free Core Set. 

The Core Set has a huge update for the Year of the Wolf! Over 70 cards are being swapped out for new ones in the free Core Set. On top of that, dozens of existing and new Core cards are getting adjustments for the new year. Finally, the Core Set is bringing back the Tradeable and Magnetic keywords, and introducing a new Priest keyword, Overheal. You can learn more about all the Core Set changes in our dedicated Year of the Wolf blog and video. 

The cards that are being adjusted in the Core Set will be adjusted on April 4, with Patch 26.0. The swap of cards entering and leaving the Core Set will take place when the new Hearthstone Year begins with the launch of Festival of Legends on April 11!

Special Event - Legends Take the Stage

Quote From Blizzard

On April 18, after you’ve hashed out your setlist and tuned up your instruments, an expansion celebration event will take place using the in-game Event system. From April 18 to May 2, complete Event Quests to earn Event XP on a special event rewards track! Complete the rewards track for four Signature cards (2 copies each of two non-Legendary cards), a Standard Pack, and a Festival of Legends Pack.

HS_26p0_Patch_Notes_InBlog_LegendsStage_Event_760x438_SW01.jpg

Signature Cards Update

Quote From Blizzard

Signature Cards have a totally new look for Festival of Legends! Festival of Legends’s Signature cards feature vibrant full-color art, Golden-style animations, and a new, thinner frame to show off more of the art. Additionally, their card text is moved off the card and shown via tooltip instead, so the art can take center stage. 

HS_26p0_Patch_Notes_InBlog_VoidVirtuoso_enUS_421x330_SW01.png

Starting with Patch 26.0, all Signature cards (even those from March of the Lich King) will also have duplicate protection and be able to be disenchanted* for the same value as if they were Golden cards. Signature Cards still can’t be crafted because we still want them to feel special. Due to these changes, we’ve removed the rule that if you are awarded a Signature card when you already have all Signature cards, you’d get a Golden Legendary card, instead—now you will just receive a duplicate Signature card that can be disenchanted. 

* As with all other cards, the exception is special card grants, like events and the Rewards Track. 

Card Balance Updates

Quote From Blizzard

The following cards are being adjusted with Patch 26.0. Most of these adjustments are reversions to prior changes, in preparation for these cards rotating into Wild: 

  • Final Showdown (the first phase of the Demon Hunter Questline) 
    • Old: Draw 6 cards in one turn. 
    • New: Draw 4 cards in one turn.​

​​DEMONHUNTER_SW_039_enUS_FinalShowdown-64375_NORMAL.png

  • Caria Felsoul
    • Old: [7 Mana] 7 Attack, 7 Health. Battlecry: Transform into a 7/7 copy of a Demon in your deck.
    • New: [6 Mana] 6 Attack, 6 Health. Battlecry: Transform into a 6/6 copy of a Demon in your deck.

​​DEMONHUNTER_AV_267_enUS_CariaFelsoul-68061_NORMAL.png

  • Razormane Battleguard
    • Old: 2 Attack, 2 Health
    • New: 2 Attack, 3 Health

​​DRUID_BAR_537_enUS_RazormaneBattleguard-63033_NORMAL.png

  • Kolkar Pack Runner
    • Old: [3 Mana] 3 Attack, 4 Health
    • New: [2 Mana] 2 Attack, 3 Health

​​HUNTER_BAR_035_enUS_KolkarPackRunner-63007_NORMAL.png

  • Dragonbane Shot
    • Old: [3 Mana]
    • New: [2 Mana]

​​HUNTER_ONY_010_enUS_DragonbaneShot-71233_NORMAL.png

  • Arcanist Dawngrasp (the final reward from Sorcerer’s Gambit, the Mage Questline)
    • Old: Battlecry: For the rest of the game, you have +2 Spell Damage.
    • New: Battlecry: For the rest of the game, you have +3 Spell Damage.

​​MAGE_SW_450t4_enUS_ArcanistDawngrasp-67550_NORMAL.png

  • ​Arcane Burst (Magister Dawngrasp’s hero power)
    • Old: Deal 2 damage. Honorable Kill: Gain +1 damage.
    • New: Deal 2 damage. Honorable Kill: Gain +2 damage.

​​MAGE_AV_200p2_enUS_ArcaneBurst-67047_NORMAL.png

  • ​Conviction
    • Old: [2 Mana]
    • New: [1 Mana]​

​​PALADIN_BAR_880_enUS_ConvictionRank1-62947_NORMAL.png

  • ​Level Up!
    • Old: [6 Mana]
    • New: [5 Mana]

​​PALADIN_LOOT_333_enUS_LevelUp-45877_NORMAL.png

  •  Cold Blood
    • Old: [2 Mana]
    • New: [1 Mana]​

​ROGUE_CS2_073_enUS_ColdBlood-268_NORMAL.png​

  • ​Garrote
    • Old: Deal 2 damage to the enemy hero. Shuffle 2 Bleeds into your deck that deal 2 more when drawn.
    • New: Deal 2 damage to the enemy hero. Shuffle 3 Bleeds into your deck that deal 2 more when drawn.

​​ROGUE_SW_311_enUS_Garrote-64014_NORMAL.png

  • ​EVIL Miscreant
    • Old: 1 Attack, 4 Health
    • New: 1 Attack, 5 Health

​​ROGUE_DAL_415_enUS_EVILMiscreant-52111_NORMAL.png

  • ​​Forsaken Lieutenant
    • Old: [3 Mana]
    • New: [2 Mana]

​​ROGUE_AV_601_enUS_ForsakenLieutenant-76041_NORMAL.png

  • ​​Tame the Flames (the final phase of Command the Elements, the Shaman Questline)
    • Old: Play 3 cards with Overload.
    • New: Play 2 cards with Overload.

​​SHAMAN_SW_031t2_enUS_TametheFlames-64324_NORMAL.png

  • Granite Forgeborn
    • Old: 4 Attack, 4 Health
    • New: 4 Attack, 5 Health

​​SHAMAN_SW_032_enUS_GraniteForgeborn-64320_NORMAL.png

  • ​​Dark Pact
    • Old: Destroy a friendly minion. Restore 4 Health to your hero.
    • New: Destroy a friendly minion. Restore 8 Health to your hero.

​​WARLOCK_LOOT_017_enUS_DarkPact-43128_NORMAL.png

  • ​The Demon Seed (each phase of the Warlock Questline)
    • Old: Take 8 damage on your turns. (Each phase of the Questline) 
    • New: Take 10 damage on your turns. (Each phase of the Questline) 
    • The Demon Seed is no longer banned in Wild.

​​WARLOCK_SW_091_enUS_TheDemonSeed-64900_NORMAL.png

  • Stealer of Souls
    • Old: [6 Mana] 4 Attack, 6 Health. After you draw a card, change its Cost to Health instead of Mana.
    • New: [4 Mana] 2 Attack, 6 Health. The first card you draw each turn costs Health instead of Mana.
    • Stealer of Souls is no longer banned in Wild.

​​WARLOCK_WC_023_enUS_StealerofSouls-63370_NORMAL.png

  • ​Fiery War Axe
    • Old: [3 Mana]
    • New: [2 Mana]

​​WARRIOR_CS2_106_enUS_FieryWarAxe-401_NORMAL.png

  • ​​Warsong Commander
    • Old: After you summon another minion, give it Rush.
    • New: Whenever you summon a minion with 3 or less Attack, give it Charge.

​​WARRIOR_EX1_084_enUS_WarsongCommander-1009_NORMAL.png

  • ​Mor’shan Watch Post
    • Old: 3 Attack, 4 Health
    • New: 3 Attack, 5 Health

​​NEUTRAL_BAR_076_enUS_MorshanWatchPost-62585_NORMAL.png

  • ​Ice Revenant
    • Old: Whenever you cast a Frost spell, gain +1/+1.
    • New: Whenever you cast a Frost spell, gain +2/+2.

​NEUTRAL_AV_127_enUS_IceRevenant-70227_NORMAL.png

  • ​Faceless Corruptor
    • Old: 4 Attack, 4 Health
    • New: 5 Attack, 4 Health

​​NEUTRAL_DRG_076_enUS_FacelessCorruptor-55426_NORMAL.png

  • ​Goldshire Gnoll 
    • Old: [11 Mana]
    • New: [10 Mana]

​​NEUTRAL_SW_062_enUS_GoldshireGnoll-64710_NORMAL.png

Dev Comment: Pandaren Importer will also be reverted, in a patch after it has rotated to Wild. 

The Demon Seed and Soul Stealer will be eligible for full dust refunds for two weeks following Patch 26.0.

Battleground Updates

Quote From Blizzard

Minion Updates 

  • Replicating Menace 
    • Old: 3 Attack, 1 Health 
    • New: 3 Attack, 2 Health

NEUTRAL_BG_BOT_312_enUS_ReplicatingMenace-89724_NORMAL.png​​NEUTRAL_TB_BaconUps_032_enUS_ReplicatingMenace-58376_GOLDEN.png

  • Wargear
    • Old: 5 Attack, 5 Health
    • New: 6 Attack, 5 Health

​​NEUTRAL_BG_BOT_563_enUS_Wargear-92969_NORMAL.pngNEUTRAL_BG_BOT_563_G_enUS_Wargear-92970_GOLDEN.png

​

Minion Pool Updates  

  • Sire Denathrius has been returned to the hero pool.
  • Friend of a Friend has been returned to the minion pool.

NEUTRAL_BG22_404_enUS_FriendofaFriend-87689_NORMAL.png

Duels Updates

Quote From Blizzard

On April 4, the current Duels season will end, ratings will be reset, and ongoing runs will be concluded. At that time, Rastakhan’s Rumble and Festival of Legends will be added to card pool offerings; also on April 4, Rastakhan’s Rumble and E.T.C., Band Manager will be available for initial deck construction. The rest of the Festival of Legends set will be available for deck construction when Festival of Legends launches on April 11.  

Hero Power Updates 

  • Outlander (Demon Hunter) 
    • Old: After you play the left- or right-most card in your hand, gain +1 Attack this turn. 
    • New: If you played a card with Outcast this turn, add a random Fel spell to your hand.

​​DEMONHUNTER_PVPDR_DMF_DemonHunterp1_enUS_Outlander-66729_NORMAL.png

  • Illidari Strike (Demon Hunter) 
    • Old: [1 Mana] 
    • New: [2 Mana]

​DEMONHUNTER_PVPDR_YOP_DemonHunterP1_enUS_IllidariStrike-67381_NORMAL.png

  • Starseeker (Druid)
    • Old: After you cast 3 spells in a turn, add a Moonfire to your hand.
    • New: After you cast 4 spells in a turn, add a Moonfire to your hand.

DRUID_PVPDR_Elise_HP3_enUS_Starseeker-85228_NORMAL.png

  • Well Equipped (Hunter)
    • Old: Equip a random weapon and set its Durability to 1.
    • New: Equip a random weapon from your class and set its Durability to 1.

​​WARRIOR_PVPDR_Brann_HP2_enUS_WellEquipped-85239_NORMAL.png

  • Power Up (Paladin)
    • Old: Give a minion Windfury and Divine Shield. Overload: (1).
    • New: Give a minion Windfury and Divine Shield. Overload: (2).

​​PALADIN_PVPDR_Finley_HP3_enUS_PowerUp-85218_NORMAL.png

  • Connections (Rogue)
    • Old: [1 Mana] Add a random 1-Cost minion to your hand.
    • New: [Passive] At the start of your turn, add a random 1-Cost minion to your hand.

​​ROGUE_PVPDR_DMF_Roguep1_enUS_Connections-66728_NORMAL.png

  • ​​Vile Concoction (Rogue)
    • Old: Give a minion Poisonous. Combo: And +1/+1 and Stealth for 1 turn.
    • New: Give a minion Poisonous. Combo: Add a Concoction to your hand. 

​​ROGUE_PVPDR_YOP_RogueP1_enUS_VileConcoction-67424_NORMAL.png

Treasure Updates 

  • ​​Moonbeast (Druid) 
    • Old: [4 Mana] 4 Attack, 6 Health.
    • New: [3 Mana] 3 Attack, 5 Health.

​​DRUID_PVPDR_DMF_Druidt1_enUS_Moonbeast-66805_NORMAL.png

  • Herding Horn (Druid)
    • Old: [3 Mana]
    • New: [2 Mana]

DRUID_PVPDR_SCH_Druidt6_enUS_HerdingHorn-64290_NORMAL.png

  • Gatling Wand (Mage)
    • Old: [5 Mana]
    • New: [3 Mana]

MAGE_PVPDR_Reno_T6_enUS_TheGatlingWand-85214_NORMAL.png

  • Humble Blessings (Paladin)
    • Old: [4 Mana]
    • New: [5 Mana]

​​PALADIN_PVPDR_YOP_PaladinT3_enUS_HumbleBlessings-67396_NORMAL.png

  • ​​Addarah (Priest)
    • Old: [7 Mana]
    • New: [8 Mana]

​​PRIEST_PVPDR_Elise_T3_enUS_Addarah-85233_NORMAL.png

  • Tempest’s Fury (Shaman)
    • Old: [4 Mana]
    • New: [5 Mana]

​​SHAMAN_PVPDR_DMF_Shamant1_enUS_TempestsFury-66763_NORMAL.png

  • Gift of the Old Gods (Warlock)
    • Old: Draw 2 Corrupt cards, then Corrupt them.
    • New: Discover 2 Corrupt cards, then Corrupt them.

​​WARLOCK_PVPDR_DMF_Warlockt3_enUS_GiftoftheOldGods-66820_NORMAL.png

  • ​​Collector’s Ire (Warrior)
    • Old: [4 Mana] Summon a Mech, Pirate, and Dragon from your hand.
    • New: [7 Mana] Summon a Mech, Pirate, and Dragon from your deck.

​​WARRIOR_PVPDR_DMF_Warriort1_enUS_CollectorsIre-66800_NORMAL.png

  • ​​Pact of the Lich (Drek'Thar)
    • Old: [4 Mana]
    • New: [6 Mana]​

​​WARLOCK_PVPDR_AV_Neutralt9_enUS_PactoftheLich-82045_NORMAL.png

  • Devout Blessings (Vanndar)
    • Old: [5 Mana]
    • New: [6 Mana]

​​PRIEST_PVPDR_AV_Neutralt5_enUS_DevoutBlessings-82035_NORMAL.png

  • ​​Rending Ambush (Vanndar)
    • Old: [6 Mana]
    • New: [5 Mana]

​​DEMONHUNTER_PVPDR_AV_Neutralt4_enUS_RendingAmbush-82034_NORMAL.png

  • Stalker’s Supplies (Vanndar)
    • Old: [3 Mana]
    • New: [2 Mana] 

​​HUNTER_PVPDR_AV_Neutralt3_enUS_StalkersSupplies-82033_NORMAL.png

Arena Updates

Quote From Blizzard

On April 11, when Festival of Legends launches, all current Arena runs will end and a new Arena season will begin. The eligible sets will rotate so that the following sets will make up the Arena card pool: 

  • Core 
  • Voyage to the Sunken City 
  • Murder at Castle Nathria 
  • March of the Lich King 
  • Path of Arthas 
  • Festival of Legends 

Bug Fixes and Game Improvements

Quote From Blizzard

  • [Hearthstone] Cards that cost Health (or Armor) instead of Mana no longer count as “dealing damage.” That means, for instance, the player will still pay that Health if they are Immune or have Divine Shield. This change does not apply to spending Health instead of Gold in Battlegrounds (e.g., Leeching Felhound).

  • [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where copying a deck code with E.T.C., Band Manager in it would not properly transfer over card quality. 

  • [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where copying a deck code with E.T.C., Band Manager in it would not override an existing Band in a deck. 
  • [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where the “Pick a Replacement” interface did not work with E.T.C.’s Band. 
  • [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Ring of Tides would get stuck on its first transformation.  
  • [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where, if Orion, Mansion Manager was summoned by a triggered Secret, his effect would then trigger based off that same Secret. 
  • [Hearthstone] Invincible’s card text was updated to match its current, intended function. 
  • [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Grand Magister Rommath’s Battlecry would replay the spells in the order they were played instead of in random order. 
  • [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Infused Sinfueled Golem’s stats could be Silenced. 
  • [Hearthstone] Fixed bugs with Build-A-Beast Zombeast effects. 
  • [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Inkmaster Solia’s effect would be “spent” even if the card played is Countered. 
  • [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where bots on ladder could sometimes start the game with 40 Health. 
  • [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where bots on ladder could have Infused versions of cards in their decks, pre-Infused. 
  • [Battlegrounds] Cosmetics can now be search by a Hero’s base name (e.g., “Scabbs Cutterbutter” or “Scabbs” or “Cutterbutter”), or by rarity.
  • [Duels] Fixed a bug where Stalker’s Supplies did not include Improved ZOMBEEEES!!! and Improved Motion Denied as intended. 
  • [Mercenaries] Fixed a bug in the Renown upgrade interface causing soft locks. 
  • [Mercenaries] Fixed a bug where the Dat Ashbringer Treasure did not apply its buff to all levels. 
  • [Progression] Fixed a bug where unlocking the Death Knight class automatically granted all Death Knight’s Golden Core set. 
  • [Progression] Fixed a bug where the “Wither? You killed her!” achievement could not progress. 
  • [Progression] Fixed a bug where players did not earn game-end Event XP after playing a bot.  
  • [Cosmetics] Fixed a visual bug with the Hedanis Priest Hero Skin’s Hero Power animation. 
  • [Cosmetics] Fixed a bug where the Inzah Shaman Hero Skin did not play its special Hero Power animation. 
  • Misc. other bug fixes and game improvements.