Hearthstone Battlegrounds gets a revamp with new keyword and minions
Hearthstone Battlegrounds is getting a revamp with a new keyword, minions and more. The update is scheduled to go live on Aug. 31.
New keyword and minions
The update introduces players to a new keyword specific to the Battlegrounds game mode. According to the announcement, a card with the Avenge keyword: “Does something after (x) friendly minions die.”
New minions like Bird Buddy and Palescale Crocolisk are examples of using Avenge. While Bird Buddy is a card that gives beast minions +1/+1, Palescale Crocolisk gives another friendly beast minion +6/+6.
Other new cards with the Avenge keyword include Impatient Doomsayer, Mechano-Tank, SI:Sefin, Tony Two-Tusk, Dazzling Lightspawn, Budding Greenthumb and Witchwing Nestmatron.
In total, the update brings 37 new minions into the game mode while replacing 37 old ones.
Meanwhile, Arm of the Empire Old is a 4/4 instead of a 4/5.
Fundamental changes
The Hearthstone Battlegrounds update also includes some fundamental changes. There is a damage cap of 15 until the first player loses. This damage cap does not check for deaths until the beginning of the Recruit Phase. If a player loses during this phase, then the 15 damage cap is still applicable for that combat.
Additionally, there are now longer turns, which gives players more time to become familiar with the new update. Turns three to nine are five seconds longer.
“We may further adjust the length of turns sometime in the future,” Blizzard said in the announcement.
The update also makes way for the new season by resetting players’ Hearthstone Battlegrounds ratings alongside Patch 21.2.
New heroes and more updates
New heroes include Master Nguyen and Cariel Roame. Hearthstone players who have Battlegrounds Perks get early access to them before they are formally released to everyone on Sept. 14.
Master Nguyen’s passive is Power of the Storm, which lets players choose from two new hero powers at the start of every turn. Meanwhile, Cariel Roame has three ranks of Conviction, which involves minion buffs.
Additionally, Darkmoon Prizes are disabled in the new update while players can get their hands on some new in-game cosmetics.
About the Author
Amy Chen is an esports journalist and enthusiast who specializes in in-depth interviews and breaking news. A University of Toronto and Humber College graduate, she is passionate about building up the Canadian esports industry. Her current favorite games are Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm, and she has always had a soft spot for World of Warcraft!
