Patch 32.0 Is Launching On March 18 – HUGE Balance Update Coming

Blizzard just “sneaked” some really, really important info in the blog post about the upcoming Community Events. They just shared a full list of balance changes coming in Patch 32.0 (March 18), and let me tell you – it’s a HUGE update.

The patch comes with over 20 Standard-focused changes, as well as over 40 nerf reverts for cards rotating out to Wild. It was already teased in the 31.6.2 patch notes, but we finally have more details. The goal of this patch is to address many of the current power outliers that might have been too strong in the coming expansion. Keep in mind that the power level is usually at the lowest right after rotation (since it’s a 4-expansion meta), so if those cards weren’t touched, there would be a high chance of having largely the same meta as right now.

Keep in mind that the patch launches a week before the expansion’s release and the rotation itself. It means that for this week, all of the Wild nerf reverts will also apply in Standard. As usual, we can expect a pretty crazy, albeit short meta during this period. It’s going to be such a massive shake-up that it’s honestly hard to predict anything. But if you aren’t a fan of the craziness, you can just wait until Into the Emerald Dream releases on March 25 for a (hopefully) way more grounded meta.

Anyway, here are all of the changes coming in Patch 32.0:

Standard Nerfs:

• Dreadhound Handler – Now 2/1 (previously 2/2).
• Infestor – Now 4/2, buffs Zergs by +1 Attack (previously 3/2, +1/+1).
• Hydration Station – Now 10 costs mana (previously 8 mana).
• Alien Encounters – Now summons two 2/4’s (previously 2/5’s).
• Painter's Virtue – Now has no Lifesteal.
• Holy Glowsticks – Now can only target minions.
• Timewinder Zarimi – Now requires playing 8 Dragons (previously summoning 8 Dragons).
• Raza the Resealed – The card has been remade because of its interaction with the new Priest’s Imbue package (which hasn’t been revealed yet at the time). It now shuffles copies of 5 random friendly minions that died this game into your deck and changes their cost to (0). (Previously it refreshed Hero Power whenever you played a card for the rest of the game.)
• Orbital Halo – Now gives +1/+1 (previously +2/+1).
• Domino Effect – Now costs 4 mana (previously 3 mana).
• Kerrigan, Queen of Blades – Now costs 8 mana (previously 7 mana).
• Zergling – Now summons a 1/1 Zergling (previously a copy of the first Zergling).
• Jim Raynor – Now costs 8 mana (previously 7 mana).
• Viking (Starport and Lift Off) – Now gives 5 Armor (previously 7 Armor).
• Liberator (^) – Now deals 2 damage to all enemy minions (previously all enemies).
• Raven (^) – Now gain 2 random Bonus Effects (previously 3).
• Banshee (^) – Now deals 3 damage to a random enemy (previously 5).
• The Ceaseless Expanse – Now 10/10 (previously 15/15).
• Incindius – Now costs 7 mana (previously 6 mana).
• Bob the Bartender – Recruit a Minion now copies the minion instead of stealing it.
• Virus Module (Zilliax Deluxe 3000) – Now 2/5, but lost Reborn (previously 1/4 with Reborn).
• Gorgonzormu – Now a 4 mana 4/4 (previously 3 mana 3/3).
• Arkonite Defense Crystal – Now gives 4 Armor (previously 6 Armor).

Wild Buffs (Reverts):

• Reska, the Pit Boss – Now costs 20 mana (previously 25 mana).
• Sickly Grimewalker – Now a 3 mana 2/4 (previously 4 mana 3/5).
• Blindeye Sharpshooter – Now a 3 mana 1/3 (previously 4 mana 3/3).
• Desert Nestmatron – Now 3/5 (previously 3/4).
• Splish-Splash Whelp – Now a 2 mana 2/1 (previously 3 mana 3/2).
• Cactus Construct – Now summons a 1/2 copy of the minion (previously 1/1).
• Doomkin – Now costs 6 mana (previously 7 mana).
• Shattered Reflections – Now also adds the minion to hand and can target Titans again.
• Starstrung Bow – Now 6/2 (previously 5/2).
• Saddle Up! – Now costs 3 mana (previously 4 mana).
• Awakening Tremors – Now gives 4/1 Worms (previously 3/1).
• Inquisitive Creation – Now costs 4 mana (previously 5 mana).
• Chaos Creation – Now deals 6 damage, summon 6-Cost minion and destroys 6 bottom cards (previously 5/5/5).
• Showdown! – Now costs 2 mana (previously 3 mana).
• Keeper's Strength – Now costs 4 mana (previously 5 mana).
• Prismatic Beam – Now costs 7 mana, deals damage to all enemies (previously 8 mana, only enemy minions).
• Thirsty Drifter – Now costs 6 mana (previously 7 mana).
• Injured Hauler – Now deals 2 damage on Overheal (previously 1 damage).
• Lab Constructor – Now costs 4 mana (previously 5 mana).
• Shattershambler – Now also reduces the cost of the next Deathrattle minion by (1).
• Coppertail Snoop – Now a 4/3 (previously 3/2).
• Flash of Lightning – Now costs 2 mana (previously 3 mana).
• Crash of Thunder – Now costs 5 mana (previously 6 mana).
• Staff of the Nine Frogs (Doctor Holli'dae) – Now a 2/9 (previously 1/9).
• Aftershocks – Now costs (2) less if you played a spell last turn (previously 1 less).
• Forge of Wills – Now costs 3 mana (previously 4 mana).
• Crescendo – Now costs 2 mana (previously 3 mana).
• Sludge on Wheels – Now a 2/5 (previously a 2/4).
• Waste Remover – Now a 7/7 (previously a 5/7).
• The Azerite Snake (Legendary Excavate Treasure) – Now steals 10 Health (previously 7 Health).
• Movement of Pride (Symphony of Sins) – Now draws the highest cost minion (previously a minion).
• Odyn, Prime Designate – Now costs 8 mana (previously 9 mana).
• Deepminer Brann – Now costs 6 mana (previously 8 mana).
• Battleworn Faceless – Now costs 2 mana (previously 3 mana).
• Sanitize – Now costs 4 mana, gains 3 Armor on Forge (previously 6 mana, 4 Armor on Forge).
• Craftsman's Hammer – Now gives 4 Armor per attack (previously 3 Armor).
• Yogg-Saron, Unleashed – Now costs 9 mana (previously 10 mana).
• Reno, Lone Ranger – Now costs 8 mana (previously 10 mana).
• Pozzik, Audio Engineer – Now a 5/4 (previously a 4/4).
• Molten Giant – Now costs 20 mana (previously 22 mana).
• Celestial Projectionist – Now costs 2 mana (previously 3 mana).
• Rowdy Fan – Now gives +4 Attack (previously +3 Attack).
• Snake Oil (Miracle Salesman) – Now costs 0 mana (previously 1 mana).

Ooof, that was a REALLY long list. Anyway, you can see the new versions of the cards in the blog post below:

A HUGE Balance Update Coming in Patch 32.0 (March 18)

Last, but certainly not least, several balance changes are coming soon, including our usual updates to cards soon rotating into Wild, as well as updates to cards that will be staying in Standard. These changes go live with Patch 32.0, on March 18. That means these changes will apply to the Theorycrafting event, the Pre-Release Tavern Brawl, the Esports Open Qualifiers, and, of course, the launch of Into the Emerald Dream. Take it all in, the fun starts tomorrow!

Standard-Focused Updates

Dreadhound Handler

• Old: 2/2
• New: 2/1

Infestor

• Old: 3/2. Deathrattle: Your Zerg minions have +1/+1 for the rest of the game.
• New: 4/2. Deathrattle: Your Zerg minions have +1 Attack for the rest of the game.

Hydration Station

• Old: [8 Mana]
• New: [10 Mana]

Alien Encounters

• Old: Summon two 2/5 Beasts with Taunt. Costs (1) less for each card you Discovered this game.
• New: Summon two 2/4 Beasts with Taunt. Costs (1) less for each card you Discovered this game.

Painter’s Virtue

• Old: Lifesteal. After your hero attacks, give minions in your hand +1/+1.
• New: After your hero attacks, give minions in your hand +1/+1.

Holy Glowsticks

• Old: Lifesteal. Deal 4 damage. Costs (1) if you’ve cast a Holy spell this turn.
• New: Lifesteal. Deal 4 damage to a minion. Costs (1) if you’ve cast a Holy spell this turn.

Timewinder Zarimi

• Old: Battlecry: Once per game, if you’ve summoned 8 other Dragons, take an extra turn.
• New: Battlecry: Once per game, if you’ve played 8 other Dragons, take an extra turn.

Raza the Resealed

• Old: Battlecry: For the rest of the game, your Hero Power refreshes whenever you play a card.
• New (reworked): Battlecry: Shuffle copies of 5 random friendly minions that died this game into your deck. They cost (0).

Orbital Halo

• Old: Give a minion +2/+1 and Divine Shield. Costs (0) if you played an adjacent card this turn.
• New: Give a minion +1/+1 and Divine Shield. Costs (0) if you played an adjacent card this turn.

Domino Effect

• Old: [3 Mana]
• New: [4 Mana]

Kerrigan, Queen of Blades

• Old: [7 Mana]
• New: [8 Mana]

Zergling

• Old: Battlecry: Summon a copy of this.
• New: Battlecry: Summon a 1/1 Zergling.

Jim Raynor

• Old: [7 Mana]
• New: [8 Mana]

Viking (Lift Off and Starport Token)

• Old: Starship Piece. When this is launched, gain 7 Armor.
• New: Starship Piece. When this is launched, gain 5 Armor.

Liberator (Lift Off and Starport Token)

• Old: Starship Piece. When this is launched, deal 2 damage to all enemies.
• New: Starship Piece. When this is launched, deal 2 damage to all enemy minions.

Raven (Lift Off and Starport Token)

• Old: Starship Piece. When this is launched, gain 3 random Bonus Effects.
• New: Starship Piece. When this is launched, gain 2 random Bonus Effects.

Banshee (Lift Off and Starport Token)

• Old: Starship Piece. When this is launched, deal 5 damage to a random enemy.
• New: Starship Piece. When this is launched, deal 3 damage to a random enemy.

The Ceaseless Expanse

• Old: 15/15
• New: 10/10

Incindius

• Old: [6 Mana]
• New: [7 Mana]

Bob the Bartender (Recruit a Minion option)

• Old: Put an enemy minion into your hand. Your opponent gets 3 Coins.
• New: Put a copy of an enemy minion into your hand. Your opponent gets 3 Coins.

Zilliax Deluxe 3000 (Virus Module)

• Old: 1/4. Elusive, Poisonous, Reborn
• New: 2/5. Elusive, Poisonous

Gorgonzormu

• Old: [3 Mana] 3/3
• New: [4 Mana] 4/4

Arkonite Defense Crystal

• Old: Taunt. Deathrattle: Gain 6 Armor. Starship Piece.
• New: Taunt. Deathrattle: Gain 4 Armor. Starship Piece.

The disenchantable cards above, plus Lift Off and Starport, will be eligible for full dust refunds for two weeks following Patch 32.0.

Wild-Focused Updates

Reska, the Pit Boss

• Old: [25 Mana]
• New: [20 Mana]

Sickly Grimewalker

• Old: [4 Mana] 3/5
• New: [3 Mana] 2/4

Blindeye Sharpshooter

• Old: [4 Mana] 3/3
• New: [3 Mana] 1/3

Desert Nestmatron

• Old: 3/4
• New: 3/5

Splish-Splash Whelp

• Old: [3 Mana] 3/2
• New: [2 Mana] 2/1

Cactus Construct

• Old: Discover a 2-Cost minion. Summon a 1/1 copy of it.
• New: Discover a 2-Cost minion. Summon a 1/2 copy of it.

Doomkin

• Old: [7 Mana]
• New: [6 Mana]

Shattered Reflections

• Old: Choose a non-Titan minion. Add a copy of it to your deck and battlefield.
• New: Choose a minion. Add a copy of it to your hand, deck, and battlefield.

Starstrung Bow

• Old: 5/2
• New: 6/2

Saddle Up

• Old: [4 Mana]
• New: [3 Mana]

Awakening Tremors

• Old: Get three 3/1 Worms. They cost (1).
• New: Get three 4/1 Worms. They cost (1).

Inquisitive Creation

• Old: [5 Mana]
• New: [4 Mana]

Chaos Creation

• Old: Deal 5 damage. Summon a random 5-Cost minion. Destroy the bottom 5 cards of your deck.
• New: Deal 6 damage. Summon a random 6-Cost minion. Destroy the bottom 6 cards of your deck.

Showdown

• Old: [3 Mana]
• New: [2 Mana]

Keeper’s Strength

• Old: [5 Mana]
• New: [4 Mana]

Prismatic Beam

• Old: [8 Mana] Deal 3 damage to all enemy minions. Costs (1) less for each enemy minion.
• New: [7 Mana] Deal 3 damage to all enemies. Costs (1) less for each enemy minion.

Thirsty Drifter

• Old: [7 Mana]
• New: [6 Mana]

Injured Hauler

• Old: Overheal: Deal 1 damage to all enemy minions.
• New: Overheal: Deal 2 damage to all enemy minions.

Lab Constructor

• Old: [5 Mana]
• New: [4 Mana]

Shattershambler

• Old: The next Deathrattle minion you play immediately dies.
• New: The next Deathrattle minion you play costs (1) less and immediately dies.

Coppertail Snoop

• Old: 3/2
• New: 4/3

Flash of Lightning

• Old: [3 Mana]
• New: [2 Mana]

Crash of Thunder

• Old: [6 Mana]
• New: [5 Mana]

Staff of the Nine Frogs (generated by Doctor Holli’dae)

• Old: 1/9
• New: 2/9

Aftershocks

• Old: Deal 1 damage to all minions, three times. Costs (1) less if you cast a spell last turn.
• New: Deal 1 damage to all minions, three times. Costs (2) less if you cast a spell last turn.

Forge of Wills

• Old: [4 Mana]
• New: [3 Mana]

Crescendo

• Old: [3 Mana]
• New: [2 Mana]

Sludge on Wheels

• Old: 2/4
• New: 2/5

Waste Remover

• Old: 5/7
• New: 7/7

Azerite Snake

• Old: Battlecry: Your hero steals 7 Health from the enemy hero.
• New: Battlecry: Your hero steals 10 Health from the enemy hero.

Movement of Pride (generated by Symphony of Sins)

• Old: Draw a minion. Reduce its Cost by (6).
• New: Draw your highest Cost minion. Reduce its Cost by (6).

Odyn, Prime Designate

• Old: [9 Mana]
• New: [8 Mana]

Deepminer Brann

• Old: [8 Mana]
• New: [6 Mana]

Battleworn Faceless

• Old: [3 Mana]
• New: [2 Mana]

Sanitize

• Old: [6 Mana] Deal damage equal to your Armor to all minions. Forge: Gain 4 Armor first.
• New: [4 Mana] Deal damage equal to your Armor to all minions. Forge: Gain 3 Armor first.

Craftsman’s Hammer

• Old: Whenever your hero attacks, gain 3 Armor.
• New: Whenever your hero attacks, gain 4 Armor.

Yogg-Saron, Unleashed

• Old: [10 Mana]
• New: [9 Mana]

Reno, Lone Ranger

• Old: [10 Mana]
• New: [8 Mana]

Pozzik, Audio Engineer

• Old: 4/4
• New: 5/4

Molten Giant

• Old: [22 Mana]
• New: [20 Mana]

Celestial Projectionist

• Old: [3 Mana] 3/3
• New: [2 Mana] 3/2

Rowdy Fan

• Old: Battlecry: Choose a minion. It has +3 Attack while this is alive.
• New: Battlecry: Choose a minion. It has +4 Attack while this is alive.

Snake Oil (generated by Miracle Salesman and Snake Oil Seller)

• Old: [1 Mana]
• New: [0 Mana]

Source