(Live Now) Hearthstone 27.2 Patch Notes – Caverns of Time Wild Expansion, Battlegrounds Season 5, New Twist Season, Standard Balance Changes and more!

Update: Players are reporting that the patch is now live on mobile devices too. Check to yours to see if it downloads. Enjoy the update!

Blizzard just published patch notes for the upcoming 27.2 update (launching August 22) and they’re MASSIVE. I think they might be the longest patch notes we ever had. That’s why, if you want to save some time, I prepared a summary:

• Caverns of Time – CoT is the first ever straight-to-Wild set! It will include 147 cards in total – 113 buffed reprints and 34 brand-new cards. The expansion will get its own card pack, you can also craft the new cards. As for the reprints – don’t worry, if you own the original version of the buffed card, it will also get updated and you can just play it. Duplicate protection will also count for the originals. So if you’re a Wild player with a big collection, you will only need to get the 34 new cards (either get them from packs or craft them). CoT packs will also contain some special Signature versions of iconic Wild cards. We have a full list of buffed reprints in the patch notes – as for the brand-new cards, they will be revealed in a dedicated blog post on August 22. Caverns of Time set launches on August 31.
• Battlegrounds Season 5 – We already covered this in detail, but Battlegrounds is getting a new season with this patch. New season mechanic are “Anomalies”, which roll randomly at the start of the game and change the gameplay rules. Blizzard only teased 3 of them before, but we now know all 20 that will be available at launch and a few more that will be added over the next weeks. Whenever a new Anomaly is added, it has a higher chance for appearing for a week. One of the Anomalies (with 5x appear rate) is “Secrets of Norgannon”, adding Tier 7 minions. Another way to get them is with the new Thorim, Stormlord Hero. There are 16 of them and they look really powerful. On top of that, we have a lot of new minions, minion, and Hero balance changes etc.
• New Twist Season – After the test season in July, Twist mode will officially launch on September 1, alongside the ladder reset. Season 2 will be called “Wonders”, and it’s sort of a “Classic extended”. The format will include expansions all the way from Legacy (so old Basic and Classic) to Mean Streets of Gadgetzan. The mode will also include the new Caverns of Time set, together with card buffs. No Demon Hunters or Death Knight since those two classes weren’t out at the time. I assume that the buffed and new Caverns of Time cards will dominate the format, but we’ll see.
• Standard Balance Changes – We’re getting a pretty big Standard balance update in 27.2, with tons of buffs. Nerfs to Hollow Hound, Costumed Singer, Bioluminescence and Thaddius, Monstrosity. Buffs to Down with the Ship, Mythical Terror, Frost Lotus Seedling, Disciple of Amitus, Tyr, Astral Automaton, Felstring Harp, Bladestorm, Stoneskin Armorer, Craftsman's Hammer and Trial by Fire. Find more details in the patch notes.
• New In-Game Event – A new in-game event called “Battle of Ahn’Qiraj” launches on September 5 and once again focuses on Twist. Earn a total of 6x Card Pack (from older Wild expansions, including 2x Caverns of Time packs) and two Signature cards – Northshire Cleric and Deathlord.
• Heroic Tavern Brawl – Heroic Tavern Brawl returns on September 6, this time in Wild format. The usual reminder is that unless you’re one of the best players in Hearthstone, it’s not worth it to risk 1k Gold entrance fee. Maybe unless there’s a nice cosmetic reward for participating that you really want – but we don’t know anything about that yet.
• Duels Update – Duels mode is getting some card pool adjustments. Caverns of Time will also be added to card pool with Patch 27.2, and to deck building when it launches on August 31. Seasons won’t change, so ongoing runs will be preserved.
• Bug Fixes and Game Improvements – Just like always, those major patches come with a long list of bug fixes and small QoL changes.

As you can see, that was a lot. If you want to read more about any of the topics, be sure to check out full patch notes below:

Patch 27.2 is a massive patch, launching both Battlegrounds Season 5 and the first official Twist season, our first-ever direct-to-Wild expansion, and more!

Battlegrounds Season 5 is Here!

Competitors throughout Azeroth are gathering in the Tavern for a gladiatorial contest to earn the favor of the Titans and their keepers. With over 30 new minions, 7 opponents, and slew of new Anomalies to master, the competition has never been fiercer!

On August 22, Battlegrounds Season 4 will end and Season 5 will begin. That means rankings will reset, Battlegrounds Quests will be removed, minion pools will update, and the Battlegrounds Track will switch over. All rewards that were earned from the Season 4 Track, but not yet claimed, will automatically be claimed.

New Gameplay System—Anomalies

Battlegrounds Season 5 introduces a chaotic new seasonal system: Anomalies! Anomalies are game-changing effects that are randomly set at the start of each game. All players in the game get the same Anomaly for that game.

Anomaly appearance rates vary, with some more common than others. Some minions, minion types, and heroes won’t be offered if a particular Anomaly applies to your game. You’ll know your game’s Anomaly when you’re picking your hero.

Anomalies at Launch

There will be an initial pool of Anomalies at the Season launch, and then new Anomalies will be added to the pool each week throughout Battlegrounds Season 5. The following Anomalies will be available from the beginning of Season 5:

Prudence of Amitus	Unspent Gold carries over to your next turn. If you saved at least 5, gain 1 extra.
Anti-Gravity Stadium	Minions in the Tavern have their Attack and Health swapped.
Might of Khaz-goroth	At the end of your turn, set your left and right-most minions’ Attack to the higher of the two.
Fortitude of Khaz-goroth	At the end of your turn, set your left and right-most minions’ Health to the higher of the two.
Money Match	Start at 10 Gold.
Denathrius’ Anima Reserves	All heroes are Sire Denathrius.
Uncompensated Upset	Start at 1 Gold. Minions cost (1) but sell for (0). Upgrading the Tavern costs (2) less.
Secrets of Norgannon	Tavern Tier 7 exists. Start with 10 extra Armor.
Transient Treasures	At the start of your turn, choose from 2 new Quest Rewards.
Nguyen’s Shifting Disks	All heroes are Master Nguyen.
Bring in the Buddies	Buddies are in the Tavern.
Oops, All _______!	This Anomaly has a version for Beasts, Pirates, Dragons, Elementals, Mechs, Murlocs, Naga, Quilboar, Undead, and Demons. What it means is that only that minion Type and Neutrals are in the Tavern for that game. When this Anomaly is active, the number of each minion in the pool is increased to fill out the Tavern: 5x the number of each minion of the selected Type and 2x the number of each Neutral minion. Oops, All Pirates! also has one extra adjustment: Cap’n Hoggarr is added to the minion pool. Yaharrr!
A Faire Reward	Instead of a minion, Triple Rewards Discover a Tier 1 Darkmoon Prize. (Upgrades in 3 turns!)
Finicky Hourglass	Start at Tavern Tier 2.
Packed Stands	The Tavern always has 7 minions
Double Header	The first time you buy a minion each turn, get an extra copy of it.
Echoes of Argus	Your Battlecries and Deathrattles trigger an extra time.
False Idols	You only need 2 copies of a minion to make it Golden. Instead of a Triple Reward, get a Gold Coin.
Grapnel of the Titans	The first minion you buy each turn is free.
The Golden Arena	ALL minions are Golden, but you do not get Triple Rewards. Dev Comment: This includes cards that are Discovered or generated by other cards.

Anomalies Coming Throughout Patch 27.2

Additional Anomalies will be added to the Anomaly pool each week throughout Patch 27.2. When Anomalies are newly added to the Anomaly pool, they’ll have an increased appearance rate for that week. The additional Anomalies coming throughout Patch 27.2 are:

Big League	Only Tavern Tiers 3, 4, 5, and 6 exist.
Little League	Only Tavern Tiers 1, 2, 3, and 4 exist.
Everything’s On Fire!	At the start of the game, take 30 damage. Whenever another hero dies, regain 5 Health. Dev Comment: This is fine.
Wisdom of Ulduar	At the end of every 3 turns, set your right-most minion’s stats to 15/15.
Overseer’s Orb	After you upgrade the Tavern, Refresh it with minions of your most common type.
Perfected Alchemy	Start with a “Goldenizer” that makes a friendly minion Golden.
Blood of Sargeras	At the start of your turn, set your hero’s Health to 12.
Mimiron’s Clockwork Stadium	You cannot upgrade the Tavern with Gold. It upgrades itself every 2 turns.
Path of the Treasure-Seeker	After you Refresh 5 times, find the Golden Monkey!

New Hero

Thorim, Stormlord

• Choose Your Champion
  • Passive. At the start of the game, Discover a Tier 7 minion to get after you spend 65 Gold.

Thorim, Stormlord will be offered in every game for the first two weeks after launch. 

27.2 Hero and Minion updates will be represented in the official Card Library with the launch of Patch 27.2. 

Hero Updates

Cariel Roame (Conviction)

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

Kurtrus Ashfallen (Glaive Ricochet)

• Old: Passive: Once per turn, after you buy 4 minions, Discover a plain copy of one of them.
• New: Passive: Once per turn, after you buy 3 minions, Discover a plain copy of one of them.

New Minions

Oozeling Gladiator [Tier 2]

• 1 Attack, 2 Health. Battlecry: Get two Slimy Shields that give +1/+1 and Taunt.

Iron Groundskeeper [Tier 3]

• 5 Attack, 6 Health. Battlecry: Give a minion Taunt. If it already has it, remove its Taunt.

Living Constellation [Tier 3]

• 4 Attack, 2 Health. Battlecry: Give a minion +1/+1 for each type you control.

Fairy Tale Caroler [Tier 4]

• 2 Attack, 4 Health. Battlecry: If you lost your last combat, give your other minions +2/+1.

Free-Flying Feathermane [Tier 3, Beast]

• 5 Attack, 5 Health. After a friendly Beast dies, summon this from your hand for this combat only.
• Dev Comment: This minion will be summoned once there is board space, after all Deathrattles and Reborns resolve.

Niuzao [Tier 6, Beast]

• 7 Attack, 6 Health. Whenever this attacks, deal damage equal to its Attack to another random enemy minion.

The Glad-iator [Tier 3, Naga]

• 1 Attack, 1 Health. Divine Shield. Whenever you cast a spell, gain +1 Attack.

Daggerspine Thrasher [Tier 3, Naga]

• 3 Attack, 5 Health. Whenever you cast a spell, gain Divine Shield, Windfury, or Venomous until next turn.

Briarback Bookie [Tier 2, Quilboar]

• 3 Attack, 4 Health. If you have any unspent Gold at the end of your turn, get 2 Blood Gems.

Murcules [Tier 2, Murloc]

• 5 Attack, 2 Health. Whenever this kills a minion, give a minion in your hand +2/+2.

Murky [Tier 6, Murloc]

• 6 Attack, 5 Health. Battlecry: Give a friendly Murloc +1/+1. (Improved by each Battlecry minion you played this game!)

Time Saver [Tier 3, Dragon]

• 3 Attack, 5 Health. If you have any unspent Gold at the end of your turn, this sells for 2 more Gold.

Hunter of Gatherers [Tier 5, Dragon]

• 3 Attack, 6 Health. After this gains Attack, give your minions +1 Health.

Warpwing [Tier 6, Dragon]

• 12 Attack, 4 Health. Immune while attacking.

Bejeweled Duelist [Tier 2, Elemental]

• 3 Attack, 4 Health. Taunt. Whenever you Refresh, gain +1 Health.

Spark-ling [Tier 3, Elemental]

• 5 Attack, 2 Health. Battlecry: Give all other minions +1/+1.

Emergent Flame [Tier 4, Elemental]

• 5 Attack, 3 Health. Battlecry: Give an Elemental +1/+1. (Improved by each Refresh this turn!)

Carbonic Copy [Tier 5, Elemental]

• 5 Attack, 6 Health. Start of Combat: Summon a copy of this minion.

Invent-o-Matic [Tier 2, Mech]

• 2 Attack, 3 Health. Whenever you Magnetize a minion, give it +1/+1.

Adaptable Barricade [Tier 5, Mech]

• 12 Attack, 1 Health. Taunt. Whenever this attacked, it shifts its stats to survive with 1 Health (if possible).
• Dev Comment: This respects Venomous/Poisonous. If it is going to take damage from a minion with one of those effects, it will not shift its stats.

Relentless Sentry [Tier 3, Undead]

• 5 Attack, 1 Health. Avenge (4): Gain Taunt and Reborn.

Sore Loser [Tier 3, Undead]

• 1 Attack, 4 Health. Your Undead have extra Attack equal to your Tier.

Champion of the Primus [Tier 5, Undead]

• 1 Attack, 8 Health. Avenge (2): Your Undead have +1 Attack for the rest of the game (wherever they are).

Surf n’ Surf [Tier 1, Naga/Beast]

• 1 Attack, 1 Health. Spellcraft: Give a minion “Deathrattle: Summon a 2/2 Crab” until next turn.

Seaborn Summoner [Tier 2, Naga/Elemental]

• 2 Attack, 4 Health. Spellcraft: Choose a minion. Add a minion of its type to the Tavern.

Withered Spearhide [Tier 3, Undead/Quilboar]

• 2 Attack, 2 Health. Reborn. Deathrattle: Get a Blood Gem.

Dreadbeard [Tier 3, Demon/Pirate]

• 4 Attack, 4 Health. At the end of your turn, deal 1 damage to your hero and get a Gold Coin.

Peckish Feldrake [Tier 4, Demon/Dragon]

• 0 Attack, 1 Health. Battlecry: Consume 3 minions in the Tavern to gain their stats.

Mannoroth [Tier 5, Undead/Demon]

• 1 Attack, 10 Health. Venomous. After this kills a minion and survives, gain its maximum stats. (Once per combat).

Mechanized Gift Horse [Tier 5, Mech/Beast]

• 4 Attack, 4 Health. Deathrattle: Summon two 2/2 Mechorses with “Deathrattle: Summon a 1/1 Mechapony.”

Transmuted Bramblewitch [Tier 5, Elemental/Quilboar]

• 4 Attack, 4 Health. When this attacks, set the defender’s stats to 3/3. (Once per combat).

Relentless Mur’ghoul [Tier 6, Undead/Murloc]

• 5 Attack, 4 Health. Venomous. Avenge (4): Gain Reborn.

Tier 7 Minions

Tier 7 Minions are only accessible through Thorim’s Hero Power or in games with the Secrets of Norgannon Anomaly. In games with the Secrets of Norgannon Anomaly active, Tier 7 can be accessed through any normal means (upgrading the Tavern, getting triples, Patient Scout, etc.). When Tier 7 is active, there are five copies of each Tier 7 minion that’s in that game’s minion pool.

Argent Braggart [Tier 7]

• 1 Attack, 1 Health. Battlecry: Set this minion’s Attack and Health to the highest in the battlefield.

King Varian [Tier 7]

• 9 Attack, 9 Health. When you sell this, Discover two tier 6 minions.

Moira Bronzebeard [Tier 7]

• 3 Attack, 9 Health. Your Battlecries and Deathrattles trigger twice.

Papa Bear [Tier 7, Beast]

• 12 Attack, 12 Health. Deathrattle: Summon 3 Mama Bears.

Champion of Sargeras [Tier 7, Demon]

• 10 Attack, 10 Health. Minions in the Tavern have +10/+10.

Recurring Nightmare [Tier 7, Undead]

• 5 Attack, 5 Health. Deathrattle: Give a different friendly Undead “Deathrattle: Summon a Recurring Nightmare.”

Captain Sanders [Tier 7, Pirate]

• 7 Attack, 7 Health. Battlecry: Make a friendly minion Golden.

Tide Oracle Morgl [Tier 7, Murloc]

• 1 Attack, 10 Health. Poisonous. When this attacks and kills a minion, give its maximum stats to a minion in your hand.

Granite Guardian [Tier 7, Elemental]

• 1 Attack, 17 Health. Taunt. Whenever this is attacked, reduce the attacker’s Health to 1.

Sea Witch Zar’jira [Tier 7, Naga]

• 4 Attack, 5 Health. Spellcraft: Choose a different minion in the Tavern to get a copy of.

Obsidian Ravager [Tier 7, Dragon]

• 4 Attack, 4 Health. Whenever this attacks, deal damage equal to its Attack to the target and an adjacent minion.

The Boommobile [Tier 7, Mech]

• 12 Attack, 12 Health. Magnetic, Reborn, Divine Shield, Taunt, Windfury

Sanguine Champion [Tier 7, Quilboar]

• 9 Attack, 3 Health. Battlecry and Deathrattle: Your Blood Gems give an extra +1/+1 this game.

Amalgadon [Tier 7, All]

• 6 Attack, 6 Health. Battlecry: For each different minion type you control, randomly Adapt.
• Dev Comment: Note that this is a reversion to a prior version of this card, but now at Tier 7.

Minion Pool Updates

• The following 49 minions have been removed from the minion pool: Sparring Partner; Spawn of N’Zoth; Vigilant Stoneborn; Qiraji Harbinger; Tortollan Blue Shell; Champion of Y’Shaarj; Lightfang Enforcer; Rat Pack; Eventide Brute; Pufferquil; Prophet of the Boar; Gemsplitter; Upbeat Flutist; Plagued Tidewalker; Ring Matron; Tarecgosa; Sanctum Rester; Nadina the Red; Prized Promo-Drake; General Drakkisath; Molten Rock; Felemental; Upbeat Upstart; Magmaloc; Crackling Cyclone; Smogger; Annoy-o Troupe; Harvest Golem; Mecha Jaraxxus; Wargear; Grease Bot; Ghoul of the Feast; Xylo-bones; Radio Star; Mini-Myrmidon; Thorncaptain; Snail Cavalry; Thorncaller; Backstage Security; Briny Bootlegger; Annihilan Battlemaster; Colossus of the Sun; Scavenging Hyena; Cyborg Drake; Mantid Queen; Bonemare; Bristlemane Scrapsmith; Mistake; Tavern Tempest.
• The following 11 minions have returned to the minion pool: Reef Explorer; Treasure-Seeker Elise; Mythrax the Unraveler; Bannerboar; Captain Flat Tusk; Floating Watcher; Razorgore, the Untamed; Party Elemental; Mechano-Tank; Omega Buster; Nightmare Amalgam

Minion Updates

Eternal Summoner

• Old (Regular): 8 Attack, 1 Health.
• Old (Golden): 16 Attack, 2 Health. Reborn. Deathrattle: Summon 2 Eternal Knights.
• New (Regular): 6 Attack, 1 Health.
• New (Golden): 12 Attack, 2 Health. Reborn. Deathrattle: Summon a Golden Eternal Knight.

Saltscale Honcho

• Old: After you play a Murloc, give two other friendly Murlocs +1 Health.
• New: After you play a Murloc, give two friendly Murlocs +1 Health.

King Bagurgle

• Old: 6 Attack, 3 Health. Battlecry and Deathrattle: Give your other Murlocs +2/+2.
• New: 6 Attack, 4 Health. Battlecry: Give your other Murlocs +2/+3.

Young Murk Eye

• Old (Regular): 9 Attack, 6 Health. At the end of your turn, the minion to the left of this triggers its Battlecry.
• Old (Golden): 18 Attack, 12 Health. At the end of your turn, adjacent minions trigger their Battlecries.
• New (Regular): 8 Attack, 5 Health. At the end of your turn, adjacent minions trigger their Battlecries.
• New (Golden): 16 Attack, 10 Health. At the end of your turn, adjacent minions trigger their Battlecries twice.

Party Elemental

• Old (Regular): [Tier 2] 4 Attack, 2 Health. After you play an Elemental, give another random friendly Elemental +1/+1.
• Old (Golden): [Tier 2] 8 Attack, 4 Health. After you play an Elemental, give another random friendly Elemental +1/+1 twice.
• New (Regular): [Tier 3] 2 Attack, 5 Health. After you play an Elemental, give an Elemental other than it +1/+2.
• New (Golden): [Tier 3] 4 Attack, 10 Health. After you play an Elemental, give an Elemental other than it +2/+4.

Wildfire Elemental

• Old: After this attacks and kills a minion, deal excess damage to a random adjacent minion.
• New: After this attacks and kills a minion, deal excess damage to an adjacent minion.
• Dev Comment: This is a text-only change with no functional update.

Lava Lurker

• Old: The first Spellcraft spell cast on this each turn is permanent.
• New: The first Spellcraft enchantment on this each turn is permanent.
• Dev Comment: This change means that Lava Lurker’s effect won’t be consumed if it is targeted by Spellcraft spells that don’t leave enchantments, like Seaborn Summoner’s or Sea Witch Zar’jira’s.

Bannerboar

• Old: [Tier 3] 1 Attack, 3 Health
• New: [Tier 4] 3 Attack, 5 Health

Piloted Whirl-O-Tron (Sneed’s Buddy)

• Old: Battlecry: Copy a friendly minion’s Deathrattles.
• New: Battlecry: Copy a different friendly minion’s Deathrattles.
• Dev Comment: This change was made to avoid a bugged interaction. With this change, Sneed has been returned to the hero pool and Piloted Whirl-O-Tron has been returned to E.T.C.’s hero power pool.

Updated Armor Levels

All Armor Tiers at the launch of Patch 27.2 will be as follows:

Hero Name	Armor	Armor (At Higher Rating)*
A.F. Kay	18	–
Al’Akir	13	–
Alexstrasza	17	–
Ambassador Faelin	15	–
Aranna Starseeker	12	–
Arch-Villain Rafaam	10	–
Bru’kan	12	–
C’Thun	10	13
Cap’n Hoggarr	10	–
Captain Eudora	19	–
Captain Hooktusk	15	11
Cariel Roame	10	–
Chenvaala	12	15
Cookie the Cook	7	–
Dancin’ Deryl	7	–
Death Speaker Blackthorn	10	–
Deathwing	10	–
Dinotamer Brann	18	–
Drek’Thar	7	–
E.T.C., Band Manager	10	5
Edwin VanCleef	17	–
Elise Starseeker	13	–
Enhance-o Mechano	13	–
Forest Warden Omu	12	–
Fungalmancer Flurgl	8	12
Galakrond	17	–
Galewing	8	–
George the Fallen	15	–
Greybough	16	–
Guff Runetotem	16	–
Heistbaron Togwaggle	13	–
Illidan Stormrage	14	–
Infinite Toki	13	–
Inge, the Iron Hymn	6	10
Ini Stormcoil	6	8
Jandice Barov	16	–
Kael’thas Sunstrider	15	–
King Mukla	10	–
Kurtrus Ashfallen	12	–
Lady Vashj	13	–
Lich Baz’hial	7	–
Lord Barov	19	10
Lord Jaraxxus	10	19
Maiev Shadowsong	18	15
Malygos	14	–
Master Nguyen	8	–
Millhouse Manastorm	10	5
Millificent Manastorm	6	10
Mr. Bigglesworth	16	–
Murloc Holmes	10	–
Mutanus the Devourer	11	–
N’Zoth	12	–
Nozdormu	13	–
Onyxia	7	–
Overlord Saurfang	14	–
Ozumat	12	–
Patches the Pirate	5	10
Patchwerk	0	–
Professor Putricide	15	–
Pyramad	14	–
Queen Azshara	13	–
Queen Wagtoggle	7	13
Ragnaros the Firelord	13	16
Rakanishu	15	–
Reno Jackson	16	–
Rock Master Voone	15	10
Rokara	12	–
Scabbs Cutterbutter	10	–
Shudderwock	10	7
Silas Darkmoon	10	–
Sindragosa	16	–
Sir Finley Mrrgglton	12	–
Sire Denathrius	11	–
Skycap’n Kragg	15	–
Sneed	14	–
Sylvanas Windrunner	14	–
Tamsin Roame	10	–
Tavish Stormpike	15	–
Teron Gorefiend	10	12
Tess Greymane	17	–
The Curator	13	–
The Great Akazamzarak	10	–
The Jailer	17	–
The Lich King	10	–
The Rat King	9	–
Tickatus	12	–
Thorim, Stormlord	15	–
Trade Prince Gallywix	10	6
Vanndar Stormpike	10	–
Varden Dawngrasp	13	–
Vol’jin	15	11
Xyrella	15	10
Y’Shaarj	14	–
Yogg-Saron, Hope’s End	14	–
Ysera	5	12
Zephrys, the Great	17	–

Some Heroes have high winrate disparities between lower-MMR and higher-MMR players. To account for this, those Heroes are given an alternative Armor value, depending on the average internal rating of the lobby you’re in. Any Hero that only lists one Armor amount has the same Armor at all levels of play.

New Battlegrounds Track

The Season 5 Battlegrounds Track, with the Season Pass, features 40 levels of rewards, including 5 Legendary Hero Skins, 12 Epic Hero Skins, 6 Rare Hero Skins, 6 Epic Emotes, 8 Rare Emotes, and Epic Bartender and a Legendary Strike!

For more details about the Season 5 Battlegrounds Track, and the new Battlegrounds Season Pass, see our Season 5 Announcement Blog.

Hearthstone Updates

New Special Set: Caverns of Time!

The Infinite Dragonflight is trying to go back in time and change the way the Battle of Ahn’Qiraj went against the Old God C’Thun. The fate of the world—and the true timeline—hangs in the balance! It’s up to you to hold off their attack… or join them instead…

Caverns of Time is a new type of Hearthstone expansion, including card reprints, new cards, and some new card cosmetics! It’s also Hearthstone’s first-ever direct-to-Wild expansion, meaning that the cards in it will not be legal in Standard (and can be balanced towards Wild). Caverns of Time launches on August 31, and it includes 147 cards: 113 buffed reprints* and 34 brand new cards!

Caverns of Times packs can also include special Signature versions of other iconic Wild cards. Keep an eye out for a dedicated Caverns of Time blog, coming August 22, with more details about the 34 new cards, the special Signature variants, and more.

* Duplicate protection applies for these reprints. So, if you already have (or disenchanted) the original versions, you won’t open them again in Caverns of Time packs until you’ve opened all new cards from that rarity.

Wild Card Updates

113 Wild cards are getting buffs with Patch 27.2! These are the cards that are being reprinted as part of the Caverns of Time set. If you already have the cards in your collection from their original release, they will be automatically updated with the patch. If you don’t already have the cards, you can still get them through all current means, or from Caverns of Time packs once the set goes live.

	Card Name	Change
Druid	Jade Behemoth	5 Mana
	Dark Arakkoa	Battlecry: Give your C’Thun +4/+4 (wherever it is).
	Knight of the Wild	Costs (1) less for each Beast you’ve summoned this game.
	Menagerie Warden	5 Attack, 4 Health
	Mire Keeper	3 Attack, 4 Health
	Virmen Sensei	[4 Mana] 4 Attack, 4 Health.  Battlecry: Give a friendly Beast +3/+3.
	Addled Grizzly	[2 Mana] 2 Attack, 3 Health. After you summon a Beast, give it +1/+1.
	Klaxxi Amber-Weaver	Taunt. Battlecry: If your C’Thun has at least 10 Attack, gain +5 Health.
	Malorne	Deathrattle: Go Dormant. Revive after 2 friendly Beasts die.
	Aviana	9 Mana
Hunter	Cobra Shot	4 Mana
	Snipe	Secret: When your opponent plays a minion, deal 6 damage to it.
	Smuggler’s Crate	0 Mana
	Shaky Zipgunner	4 Attack, 3 Health
	King of Beasts	[3 Mana] 1 Attack, 5 Health. Taunt. Has +1 Attack for each other Beast you control.
	Ball of Spiders	[3 Mana] Summon three 1/1 Webspinners with “Deathrattle: Get a random Beast.”
	Explorer’s Hat	1 Mana
	Lock and Load	0 Mana
	Acidmaw	[3 Mana] Whenever an enemy minion takes damage, destroy it.
	Dreadscale	At the end of your turn, deal 1 damage to all enemies.
Mage	Dalaran Aspirant	Spell Damage +1 Inspire: Gain Spell Damage +1.
	Flame Lance	Deal 25 damage to a minion.
	Mana Wyrm	1 Attack, 3 Health
	Spellslinger	Battlecry: Both players get a random spell. Yours costs (2) less.
	Soot Spewer	3 Attack, 4 Health. Spell Damage +1 Battlecry: If you control another Mech, get a random Fire spell.
	Kabal Crystal Runner	6 Attack, 5 Health
	Goblin Blastmage	Battlecry: If you control a Mech, deal 6 damage randomly split among all enemies.
	Servant of Yogg-Saron	Battlecry: Cast a random spell that costs (5) or MORE (targets chosen randomly).
	Cabalist’s Tome	4 Mana
	Flame Leviathan	Rush. When you draw this, deal 2 damage to all characters except Mechs.
Paladin	Silvermoon Portal	3 Mana
	A Light in the Darkness	Discover a Paladin minion. Give it +2/+2.
	Keeper of Uldaman	3 Mana
	Steward of Darkshire	4 Attack, 3 Health
	Ivory Knight	4 Mana
	Grimestreet Enforcer	4 Mana
	Lay on Hands	6 Mana
	Mysterious Challenger	[5 Mana] 5 Attack, 5 Health
	Enter the Coliseum	3 Mana
	Wickerflame Burnbristle	3 Attack, 3 Health
Priest	Hooded Acolyte	Taunt. Whenever a character is healed, give your C’Thun +1/+1 (wherever it is).
	Shrinkmeister	Battlecry: Give a minion -3 Attack this turn.
	Museum Curator	Battlecry: Discover a Deathrattle card. It costs (1) less.
	Darkshire Alchemist	5 Attack, 5 Health
	Onyx Bishop	4 Mana
	Spawn of Shadows	[5 Mana] 5 Attack, 5 Health. Battlecry and Inspire: Deal 4 damage to each hero.
	Convert	[3 Mana] Put a copy of an enemy minion into your hand. It costs (1).
	Shadowfiend	[2 Mana] 2 Attack, 3 Health
	Shadowbomber	3 Attack, 1 Health
	Confessor Paletress	Battlecry and Inspire: Summon a random Legendary minion.
Rogue	Jade Swarmer	1 Mana
	Shado-Pan Rider	Combo: Gain +4 Attack.
	Tomb Pillager	6 Attack, 4 Health
	Jade Shurikan	Deal 3 damage. Combo: Summon a Jade Golem.
	Burgle	Get 3 random cards (from your opponent’s class).
	Undercity Huckster	2 Attack, 3 Health
	Dark Iron Skulker	[4 Mana] 4 Attack, 3 Health
	Poisoned Blade	2 Mana
	Blade of C’Thun	6 Mana
	Anub’arak	[8 Mana] Deathrattle: Summon a 4/4 Nerubian with “Deathrattle: Summon Anub’arak.”
Shaman	Reincarnate	1 Mana
	Tuskarr Totemic	2 Mana
	Jade Lightning	[3 Mana] Deal 3 damage. Summon a Jade Golem.
	Wicked Witchdoctor	3 Mana
	Jade Chieftain	[6 Mana] 5 Attack, 5 Health
	Thunder Bluff Valiant	Battlecry and Inspire: Give your Totems +2 Attack.
	Call in the Finishers	3 Mana
	Healing Wave	Restore 8 Health. Reveal a minion in each deck. If yours costs more, restore 16 instead.
	Charged Hammer	[3 Mana] 2 Attack, 3 Durability
	Hallazeal the Ascended	Spell Damage +1 Your spells have Lifesteal.
Warlock	Demonfuse	Give a Demon +3/+3.
	Usher of Souls	[4 Mana] 3 Attack, 5 Health. Whenever a minion dies, give your C’Thun +1/+1 (wherever it is).
	Darkbomb	Deal 3 damage to a character. If it dies, draw a Shadow spell.
	Dark Peddler	2 Attack, 3 Health
	Spreading Madness	Deal 13 damage randomly split among ALL characters.
	Silverware Golem	4 Attack, 3 Health
	Tiny Knight of Evil	Whenever you discard a card, gain +2/+2.
	Dark Bargain	[3 Mana]
	Bane of Doom	Deal 3 damage to a character. If that kills it, summon a random Demon.
	Krul the Unshackled	9 Attack, 9 Health
Warrior	I Know a Guy	Discover a Taunt minion. Give it +1/+2.
	Ironforge Portal	4 Mana
	Grimy Gadgeteer	3 Mana
	Axe Flinger	2 Attack, 6 Health
	Stolen Goods	Draw a Taunt minion. Give it +2/+2.
	Ancient Shieldbearer	6 Mana
	Alley Armorsmith	3 Attack, 7 Health
	Bouncing Blade	2 Mana
	Brass Knuckles	3 Mana
	Iron Juggernaut	Battlecry and Deathrattle: Shuffle a Mine into your opponent’s deck. When drawn, it explodes for 10 damage.
Neutral	Jade Spirit	3 Attack, 3 Health
	Worgen Greaser	6 Attack, 5 Health
	Street Trickster	Spell Damage +2
	Mukla’s Champion	5 Attack, 3 Health
	Blackwing Corruptor	Battlecry: If you’re holding a Dragon, deal 5 damage.
	Cult Apothecary	4 Mana
	Twilight Geomancer	Taunt. Battlecry: Give your C’Thun +1/+1 and Taunt (wherever it is).
	C’Thun’s Chosen	Divine Shield. Battlecry: Give your C’Thun +3/+3 (wherever it is).
	Acolyte of Pain	1 Attack, 4 Health
	Grimestreet Informant	2 Attack, 2 Health
	Disciple of C’Thun	2 Attack, 2 Health
	Sludge Belcher	3 Attack, 6 Health
	Small-Time Buccaneer	1 Attack, 2 Health
	Kabal Courier	2 Mana
	Lotus Agents	[3 Mana] 3 Attack, 3 Health
	Crazed Worshipper	4 Mana
	Emperor Thaurissan	[5 Mana] 4 Attack, 4 Health
	Twin Emperor Vek’lor	6 Attack, 7 Health
	C’Thun	8 Mana
	Aya Blackpaw	6 Attack, 3 Health
	Don Han’Cho	[5 Mana] 5 Attack, 5 Health

Be sure to catch The State of Wild podcast on August 17 for an exclusive developer interview with Matt London and Chadd Nervig to discuss these changes and more.

Kean-eye readers will note that two of the 113 cards aren’t listed here (wow, we can’t believe you counted all of them, that’s commitment). The two missing cards are more akin to “reworks” than “buffed reprints,” so they will be revealed in the August 22 full explainer blog.

Twist Official Launch

Twist is back! On September 1, at your local ladder reset time, we’ll be kicking off the first official season of Twist. This season will feature the Wonders format, a fun throwback format celebrating the early years of Hearthstone. It includes all expansions from Legacy (not Core or Classic) through Mean Streets of Gadgetzan, plus the new cards from the Caverns of Time set, launching on August 31. That means the legal sets will be:

• Legacy (not Core or Classic)
• Curse of Naxxramas
• Goblins vs Gnomes
• Blackrock Mountain
• The Grand Tournament
• The League of Explorers
• Whispers of the Old Gods
• One Night in Karazhan
• Mean Streets of Gadgetzan
• Caverns of Time

There will be no Demon Hunter or Death Knight classes in this season of Twist, as they didn’t exist during the Wonders era. There’s no special rules modifier for this first Wonders season—the Twist is that you get to use the buffed cards and the brand new cards from Caverns of Time! You can learn more about Caverns of Time and this new Twist format in our dedicated Caverns of Time blog, coming on August 22.

Standard Balance Changes

The following cards are being adjusted down in power:

Hollow Hound

• Old: 3 Attack, 6 Health
• New: 3 Attack, 4 Health

Costumed Singer

• Old: 2 Attack, 1 Health
• New: 1 Attack, 1 Health

Bioluminescence

• Old: 3 Mana
• New: 4 Mana

Thaddius, Monstrosity

• Old: Taunt. Your odd-Cost cards cost (1). (Swaps polarity each turn!)
• New: Taunt. Your odd-Cost cards cost (4) less. (Swaps polarity each turn!)

The above cards will be available for full dust refunds for two weeks following Patch 27.2.

The following card are being adjusted up in power:

Down with the Ship

• Old: Deal 3 damage to a minion. If it dies, shuffle two random Plagues into your opponent’s deck.
• New: Deal 3 damage. Shuffle two random Plagues into your opponent’s deck.

Mythical Terror

• Old: 3 Attack, 10 Health
• New: 4 Attack, 10 Health

Frost Lotus Seedling (and Frost Lotus Blossom)

• Old (Seedling): Draw 1 card. Gain 4 Armor. (Blossoms in 3 turns.)
• Old (Blossom): Draw 2 cards. Gain 8 Armor.
• New (Seedling): Draw 1 card. Gain 5 Armor. (Blossoms in 3 turns.)
• New (Blossom): Draw 2 cards. Gain 10 Armor.

Disciple of Amitus

• Old: [6 Mana] 4 Attack, 6 Health
• New: [5 Mana] 4 Attack, 5 Health

Tyr

• Old: 7 Mana
• New: 6 Mana

Astral Automaton

• Old: 1 Attack, 1 Health
• New: 1 Attack, 2 Health

Felstring Harp

• Old: 2 Mana
• New: 1 Mana

Bladestorm

• Old: 3 Mana
• New: 2 Mana

Stoneskin Armorer

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

Craftsman’s Hammer

• Old: After your hero attacks and kills a minion, gain 4 Armor.
• New: Whenever your hero attacks, gain 4 Armor.
• Dev Comment: This change means that it now works to give you extra damage after you’ve played Odyn.

Trial by Fire

• Old: 7 Mana
• New: 6 Mana

New In-Game Event: Battle of Ahn’Qiraj

Starting on September 5, join the Battle of Ahn’Qiraj with this special in-game event, celebrating the launch of Twist! From September 5 to September 19, complete Event Quests to earn Event XP on the special event rewards track. Complete the rewards track to earn a total of 6 card packs (1 The Grand Tournament Pack, 1 Goblins vs Gnomes Pack, 1 Mean Streets of Gadgetzan Pack, 1 Whispers of the Old Gods Pack, and 2 Caverns of Time Packs), 2 Signature Northshire Cleric Common cards, and 2 Signature Deathlord Rare cards!

Heroic Tavern Brawl

Heroic Tavern Brawl is returning on September 6, and this time it’s taking a walk on the Wild side. See where the dust settles after the Wild updates with this week-long competition for top prizes! The competition will be fierce, but the victors will be greatly rewarded.

Duels Updates

With Patch 27.2, the following card pool adjustments will be made:

• Thundra Rhino, Anub’Rekhan, Seafloor Gateway, and Mister Mukla are banned from deckbuilding and all card pools.
• Symphony of Sins is banned from deckbuilding.
• Solid Alibi and Cloak of Shadows are removed from draft buckets.
• Caverns of Time cards will be added to all card pools.

Once Caverns of Time launches on August 31, it will be added to initial deckbuilding as well. There will not be a season change with any of these updates, so ongoing runs will continue and ratings will be preserved.

Bug Fixes and Game Improvements

• [Hearthstone] Updated Disciple of Eonar’s text to indicate it works with Choose One cards or hero powers. Fixed a bug where, if it buffed a Choose One hero power, the aura would not be spent after the hero power was used.
• [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where cards that reduce their own Cost were able to cost less than 2 when Razorscale was in play.
• [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Titanforged Traps didn’t cast off “cast a random spell” effects. It now offers Hunter Secrets to classes that don’t have Secrets.
• [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Chameleos and Disguised K’thir did not count as copies for Harvester of Envy.
• [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Fatespinner wouldn’t create a copy of a hero card if killed by that card’s Battlecry effect.
• [Hearthstone] Updated the Core Priest deck recipe to replace Crimson Clergy with Beaming Sidekick. This resolved a bug where that deck couldn’t be played in Practice or other adventures that use the Wild card pool (where Crimson Clergy is banned).
• [Battlegrounds] Your “Last 5 Warbands” stats page will now show your hero with your equipped Hero Skin, instead of always the default skin.
• [Battlegrounds] Zesty Shaker, Critter Wrangler, Tidemistress Athissa, and Kel’Thuzad’s Kitty (Hero Power) now use “When” or “Whenever” instead of “After” timing.
• [Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where giving a Divine Shield minion a temporary Divine Shield with Glowscale’s Spellcraft effect will then remove that minion’s original Divine Shield the next turn.
• [Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Dynamic Duo wouldn’t receive in-combat buffs from its effect.
• [Battlegrounds] Fixed a visual-only bug where Humming Bird plus another card that adds stats would display the wrong number.
• [Battlegrounds] Updated the Battlegrounds tutorial to better match modern Battlegrounds rules.
• [Duels] Fixed a bug where hero Health was not displaying on the pre-match loadout for Duels and Dungeon Run style solo content.
• [Duels] Fixed a bug with the Death Games Hero Power.
• [Solo Content] Fixed a bug where the new/returning player Loaner Decks were not useable in Solo Adventures.
• [Cosmetics] Fixed a bug where the Sargeras Hero Skin was missing its hero tray.
• [Cosmetics] Fixed a bug where the Legendary Rafaam Hero Skin’s hero power didn’t animate if you had fewer than 500 Warlock Ranked wins.
• [Cosmetics] Fixed a bug where using the hero power would cause visual issues with animated Hero Skins.
• [Achievements] Fixed a bug where the TITANS achievements were missing the TITANS icon.
• [Achievements] Fixed a bug where the Hats on Hats on Hats achievement couldn’t be progressed.
• [General] Added support for Android 13.
• Misc. other bug fixes and game improvements.

Source