Video games have been increasingly popular in recent years, especially among students. They aren’t simply a source of entertainment for students now – but a useful medium for building skills, as well. One game that stands out in terms of developing cognitive skills, among others, is Hearthstone. The game is known for its competitive nature and strategic gameplay and as such, it has attracted millions of players in the world – many of which are students. 

Hearthstone’s popularity comes from its mechanics, which are rather engaging. However, what makes it even more important for students is its ability to boost their decision-making skills. Do you want to know how?

In this post, we’ll tell you how Hearthstone can be used as a tool to boost your decision-making, both in life and in school.

Why Is Decision-Making Important for Students?    

Decision-making is a key skill for students to have as it can impact their future careers, as well as their academic success. However, it is important to note that this depends on external factors as well, such as how stressed the student is – or how much they have on their plate. 

When students learn how to write an essay, for instance, they must know how to make a good decision about arguments, sources to use, and more, all to create the best quality paper. They also need a lot of time to do this – and do it well. If they don’t have time or are too stressed, they may seek help from professional writers at Edubirdie who can provide them not only with guidance, but also with online help when the deadlines loom or the tasks are too hard. In such cases, students can simply say ‘write my paper for me’ to professional writers, and they’ll get the assistance they need. This gives them a chance to achieve their academic goals and get more time to focus on their studies. 

Understanding Decision-Making in Hearthstone

Hearthstone is a digital collectible card game where players can build decks and fight their opponents in matches that are basically, turn-based. As such, this game includes making many strategic decisions. For instance, the player needs to choose which cards to play. They must also predict their opponent’s moves. 

This game, developed by Blizzard Entertainment, requires that you carefully manage your resources, including a limited mana pool (which tells how many cards a player can play each turn). For every decision you make, there are consequences. Should you pick a powerful card now or save it for later on? Should you attack directly or try and remove the opponent’s minions from the board first?

These decisions usually need to be made fast, not to mention under pressure. The game itself forces people to think fast, assess risks right away, and manage resources – all at the same time. It’s the perfect example of a game that enhances decision-making skills for its players. 

Application of Skills in Academic and Real-Life Scenarios

The skills that a player can develop while they play the game aren’t limited to the game itself. They can be used in real-life and academic, settings, as well. 

For a student, the ability to make quick, informed decisions is very important. This can lead to better performance in group projects and exams. For instance, when a student is faced with a difficult question on a test, they can apply the critical thinking skills they use in games like Hearthstone and analyze the problem in hand. 

Skills Developed Through Gameplay

There is a whole set of skills that are sharpened through playing the game regularly, including:

  • Critical thinking

In the game, you need to constantly evaluate the state of it, as well as anticipate the moves of your opponents. This requires critical thinking, as the players must analyze the information they have and use logic and reasoning to make their decisions. 

For instance, if the opponent has a strong board presence in Hearthstone, you must decide what to do – prioritize defense or mount an offensive attack?

  • Risk management

The thing that makes Hearthstone so fun is the element of risk included. As a player, you must carefully weigh the potential perks of each action you take – as well as the possible consequences.

Should you play a high-value card now? This will make you risk losing it to the opponent’s removal spell, and you can also hold onto it for a challenging moment in the near future?

This type of decisions teaches the students to make more calculated choices. 

  • Adaptability

At its core, Hearthstone is dynamic game with situations that change non-stop. You can have a strong lead one turn, and be outmaneuvered the next. To succeed, you need to know when to adjust your strategy and how to adapt. It’s a very useful skill for life, really. 

Conclusion

Hearthstone is an entertainment game, but it is much more than that. It is a platform for students to hone their skills in a fun, engaging way – especially their decision-making skills. By using such games into your daily routine, you can enhance your cognitive abilities – and prep yourself for success.