Battlegrounds Updates

Dev Comment: In our last balance patch, we made broad changes across every minion type. This time, we're focusing on the types at the top and bottom of the meta.

For Beasts, our nerf to Tasty Lobster landed a bit too hard, so we're increasing its base buff to +2/+1 and moving Hoarding Hyena to Tavern Tier 4 to help the archetype compete.

Self-damage Demons have also been underperforming, so we're making several buffs across the board, alongside a more experimental redesign to Eredar Escapist (which we'll be keeping a close eye on).

Quilboars have been among the weakest minion types this season, so we're increasing Blood Gem scaling to help them keep pace.

Finally, we're giving Dragons a couple of modest buffs through Fire-forged Evoker and Mighty Dragonbreath to strengthen their late-game potential.

On the nerf side, our focus is primarily on Elementals and Naga. While both tribes have been highly popular, their overall power level hasn't been dramatically out of line. Unleashed Mana Surge stood out as one of the strongest Tier 6 minions in the game and the clearest Elemental outlier, making it our target for this round of adjustments.

For Naga, Cagey Conjurer and Fauna Whisperer were the main offenders. Conjurer's change is fairly straightforward, but Fauna presented a trickier challenge. Based on previous metas, changing it to affect only one minion would likely have been too severe, so instead we're toning down Natural Blessing to reduce Fauna's early tempo spikes.

While these nerfs are relatively light, our goal is that, combined with the buffs to Beasts, Demons, Quilboars, and Dragons, more minion types will feel both competitive and viable.

We don't expect to make any major balance changes before the mid-season update, which we'll be sharing more about soon.

We'll see you in the Tavern!

Armor Adjustments

Armor Decreases
  • Reno Jackson
    • Armor: 16 → 12
    • Duos Armor: 14 → 10
  • Inge, the Iron Hymn
    • Armor: 17 → 10
    • Duos Armor: 15 → 8
  • Cariel Roame
    • Armor: 14 → 10
    • Duos Armor: 14 → 8
  • Alexstrasza
    • Armor: 10 → 8
    • Duos Armor: 8 → 6
  • Zerek, Master Cloner
    • Armor: 18 → 12
    • Duos Armor: 16 → 10
  • Vanndar Stormpike
    • Armor: 12 → 10
    • Duos Armor: 10 → 8
  • Forest Lord Cenarius
    • Armor: 16 → 13
    • Duos Armor: 14 → 11
  • Sneed
    • Armor: 20 → 15
    • Duos Armor: 18 → 13
Armor Increases
  • Time Twister Chromie
    • Armor: 12 → 14
    • Duos Armor: 10 → 12
  • Dancin' Deryl
    • Armor: 16 → 18
    • Duos Armor: 14 → 16
  • Heistbaron Togwaggle
    • Armor: 14 → 16
    • Duos Armor: 12 → 14
  • The Rat King
    • Armor: 12 → 14
    • Duos Armor: 10 → 12
  • Patches the Pirate
    • Armor: 18 → 19
    • Duos Armor: 16 → 17
  • Silas Darkmoon
    • Armor: 14 → 16
    • Duos Armor: 12 → 14
  • E.T.C., Band Manager
    • Armor: 14 → 16
    • Duos Armor: 12 → 14
  • Loh, the Living Legend
    • Armor: 17 → 19
    • Duos Armor: 15 → 17
  • Tras'tath, Soul Parasite
    • Armor: 10 → 15
    • Duos Armor: 10 → 13
  • Cap'n Hoggarr
    • Armor: 12 → 14
    • Duos Armor: 10 → 12
  • Scabbs Cutterbutter
    • Armor: 15 → 18
    • Duos Armor: 13 → 16
  • Xyrella
    • Armor: 12 → 14
    • Duos Armor: 10 → 12
  • Snake Eyes
    • Armor: 5 → 8
    • Duos Armor: 2 → 6
  • Y'Shaarj
    • Armor: 18 → 20
    • Duos Armor: 16 → 18
  • Kurtrus Ashfallen
    • Armor: 14 → 16
    • Duos Armor: 12 → 14
  • Infinite Toki
    • Armor: 10 → 15
    • Duos Armor: 8 → 13
  • Kael'thas Sunstrider
    • Armor: 16 → 18
    • Duos Armor: 14 → 16
  • Sindragosa
    • Armor: 7 → 10
    • Duos Armor: 5 → 8
  • Maiev Shadowsong
    • Armor: 17 → 18
    • Duos Armor: 15 → 17

Minion Changes

Tasty Lobster

  • Old: 1/1. Deathrattle: Give a random friendly Beast +1/+1. Improve your future Tasty Lobsters.
  • New: 2/1. Deathrattle: Give a random friendly Beast +2/+1. Improve your future Tasty Lobsters.

HUNTER_BG36_202_enUS_TastyLobster-132796_NORMAL.pngHUNTER_BG36_202_G_enUS_TastyLobster-132797_GOLDEN.png

Hoarding Hyena

  • Old: [Tier 5] 5/6.
  • New: [Tier 4] 4/6.

HUNTER_BG36_210_enUS_HoardingHyena-133039_NORMAL.pngHUNTER_BG36_210_G_enUS_HoardingHyena-133040_GOLDEN.png

Goldrinn, the Great Wolf

  • Old: [Tier 6] 8/8. Deathrattle: Your Beasts have +8/+8 until next turn.
  • New: [Tier 5] 7/7. Deathrattle: Your Beasts have +7/+7 until next turn.

HUNTER_BGS_018_enUS_GoldrinntheGreatWolf-59955_NORMAL.pngHUNTER_TB_BaconUps_085_enUS_GoldrinntheGreatWolf-59956_GOLDEN.png

Lurking Leviathan

  • Old: 3/8. Whenever you summon a Beast, give it +2 Attack and improve this permanently.
  • New: 3/9. Whenever you summon a Beast, give it +3 Attack and improve this permanently.

HUNTER_BG35_602_enUS_LurkingLeviathan-130711_NORMAL.pngHUNTER_BG35_602_G_enUS_LurkingLeviathan-130712_GOLDEN.png

Eredar Escapist

  • Old: 6/6. After your hero takes 3 damage, cast Shiny Ring. (3 left!)
  • New: 6/8. After your hero takes 4 damage, get a copy of Corrupted Cupcakes. (4 left!)

WARLOCK_BG36_733_enUS_EredarEscapist-133028_NORMAL.pngWARLOCK_BG36_733_G_enUS_EredarEscapist-133029_GOLDEN.png

Soul Rewinder

  • Old: 4/1. After your hero takes damage, rewind it and give this +1 Health.
  • New: 4/2. After your hero takes damage, rewind it and give this +2 Health.

WARLOCK_BG26_174_enUS_SoulRewinder-100949_NORMAL.pngWARLOCK_BG26_174_G_enUS_SoulRewinder-100950_GOLDEN.png

Ashen Corruptor

  • Old: 5/6. After your hero takes damage, rewind it and give minions in the Tavern +1/+1 this turn.
  • New: 6/6. After your hero takes damage, rewind it and give minions in the Tavern +2/+2 this turn.

WARLOCK_BG32_873_enUS_AshenCorruptor-121687_NORMAL.pngWARLOCK_BG32_873_G_enUS_AshenCorruptor-121688_GOLDEN.png

Tichondrius

  • Old: 3/3. After your hero takes damage, give your Demons +3/+3.
  • New: 4/4. After your hero takes damage, give your Demons +4/+4.

WARLOCK_BG26_523_enUS_Tichondrius-99228_NORMAL.pngWARLOCK_BG26_523_G_enUS_Tichondrius-99229_GOLDEN.png

Malchezaar, Prince of Dance

  • Old: 2/1.
  • New: 4/3.

WARLOCK_BG26_524_enUS_MalchezaarPrinceofDance-99199_NORMAL.pngWARLOCK_BG26_524_G_enUS_MalchezaarPrinceofDance-99220_GOLDEN.png

Devout Hellcaller

  • Old: 2/2. After another friendly Demon deals damage, gain +1/+2 permanently.
  • New: 4/4. After another friendly Demon deals damage, gain +2/+2 permanently.

WARLOCK_BG33_155_enUS_DevoutHellcaller-122586_NORMAL.pngWARLOCK_BG33_155_G_enUS_DevoutHellcaller-122587_GOLDEN.png

Bronze Timewalker

  • Old: 2/9.
  • New: 4/5.

WARRIOR_BG36_242_enUS_BronzeTimewalker-132955_NORMAL.pngWARRIOR_BG36_242_G_enUS_BronzeTimewalker-132956_GOLDEN.png

Fire-forged Evoker

  • Old: 8/5. Start of Combat: Give your Dragons +2/+1. Improves permanently after you cast a Tavern spell.
  • New: 8/6. Start of Combat: Give your Dragons +2/+2. Improves permanently after you cast a Tavern spell.

WARRIOR_BG32_822_enUS_Fire-forgedEvoker-120301_NORMAL.pngWARRIOR_BG32_822_G_enUS_Fire-forgedEvoker-120302_GOLDEN.png

Unleashed Mana Surge

  • Old: 6/5. After you play an Elemental, give your Elementals +4/+4.
  • New: 6/9. After you play an Elemental, give your Elementals +2/+3.

MAGE_BG32_846_enUS_UnleashedManaSurge-120674_NORMAL.pngMAGE_BG32_846_G_enUS_UnleashedManaSurge-120675_GOLDEN.png

Utility Drone

  • Old: 4/6. At the end of your turn, give your minions +4/+4 for each Magnetization they have.
  • New: 4/5. At the end of your turn, give your minions +4/+5 for each Magnetization they have.

PALADIN_BG26_152_enUS_UtilityDrone-98588_NORMAL.pngPALADIN_BG26_152_G_enUS_UtilityDrone-98591_GOLDEN.png

Sanguine Champion

  • Old: 9/3. Battlecry and Deathrattle: Your Blood Gems give an extra +1/+1 this game.
  • New: 9/4. Battlecry and Deathrattle: Your Blood Gems give an extra +2/+1 this game.

DRUID_BG23_017_enUS_SanguineChampion-80755_NORMAL.pngDRUID_BG23_017_G_enUS_SanguineChampion-80773_GOLDEN.png

Sanguine Refiner

  • Old: 2/8. Rally: Your Blood Gems give an extra +1/+1 this game.
  • New: 3/8. Rally: Your Blood Gems give an extra +1/+2 this game.

DRUID_BG33_885_enUS_SanguineRefiner-122566_NORMAL.pngDRUID_BG33_885_G_enUS_SanguineRefiner-122567_GOLDEN.png

Prodigious Tusker

  • Old: 1/3.
  • New: 2/5.

DRUID_BG33_430_enUS_ProdigiousTusker-122098_NORMAL.pngDRUID_BG33_430_G_enUS_ProdigiousTusker-122099_GOLDEN.png

Fearless Foodie

  • Old: [Tier 4]
  • New: [Tier 3]

DRUID_BG30_123_enUS_FearlessFoodie-113154_NORMAL.pngDRUID_BG30_123_G_enUS_FearlessFoodie-113155_GOLDEN.png

Jailbird Juggernaut

  • Old: Rally: Summon a Golem with stats equal to this minion's Blood Gems to attack the target first. (0/0)
  • New: Rally: Summon a Golem with this minion's stats to attack the target first.

DRUID_BG36_333_enUS_JailbirdJuggernaut-132636_NORMAL.pngDRUID_BG36_333_G_enUS_JailbirdJuggernaut-132637_GOLDEN.png

Private Investigator

  • Old: 2/4. Activate (1): Gain 3 Gold next turn.
  • New: 5/6. Activate (1): Gain 2 Gold next turn.

ROGUE_BG36_509_enUS_PrivateInvestigator-132318_NORMAL.pngROGUE_BG36_509_G_enUS_PrivateInvestigator-132319_GOLDEN.png

Cagey Conjurer

  • Old: [Tier 3]
  • New: [Tier 4]

DEMONHUNTER_BG36_508_enUS_CageyConjurer-132316_NORMAL.pngDEMONHUNTER_BG36_508_G_enUS_CageyConjurer-132317_GOLDEN.png

Forsaken Weaver

  • Old: 3/10. After you cast a Tavern spell, your Undead have +2 Attack this game (wherever they are).
  • New: 3/8. After you cast a Tavern spell, your Undead have +3 Attack this game (wherever they are).

DEATHKNIGHT_BG34_692_enUS_ForsakenWeaver-126733_NORMAL.pngDEATHKNIGHT_BG34_692_G_enUS_ForsakenWeaver-126734_GOLDEN.png

Drustfallen Butcher

  • Old: 2/9. Avenge (4): Get a Butchering.
  • New: 2/7. Avenge (3): Get a Butchering.

DEATHKNIGHT_BG32_324_enUS_DrustfallenButcher-120104_NORMAL.pngDEATHKNIGHT_BG32_324_G_enUS_DrustfallenButcher-120105_GOLDEN.png

Tyrael

  • Old: Activate (2): Set another minion's stats to 50/50.
  • New: Activate (1): Set another minion's stats to 50/50.

NEUTRAL_BG36_356_enUS_Tyrael-133438_NORMAL.pngNEUTRAL_BG36_356_G_enUS_Tyrael-133439_GOLDEN.png

Tavern Spell Pool Changes

Sanctify has been removed from the Tavern Spell Pool.

Tavern Spell Changes

Mighty Dragonbreath

  • Old: Give your minions +2/+1. Repeat for your Dragons. Repeat for your minions with Divine Shield.
  • New: Give your minions +3/+2. Repeat for your Dragons. Repeat for your minions with Divine Shield.

NEUTRAL_BG36_246_enUS_MightyDragonbreath-132995_NORMAL.png

Natural Blessing

  • Old: [Cost 4] Choose a minion. Give all minions that share a type with it +3/+3.
  • New: [Cost 2] Choose a minion. Give all minions that share a type with it +2/+1.

NEUTRAL_BG28_845_enUS_NaturalBlessing-104472_NORMAL.png

Trinket Pool Changes

Lesser Trinket Pool Changes

The following have been removed from the Lesser Trinket pool:

  • Blessing Portrait
  • Copper Coil
  • Cowrie Necklace
  • Deathwhisper Sticker
Greater Trinket Pool Changes

Coral Spear has been removed from the Greater Trinket pool.

Lesser Trinket Cost-Only Changes

Cost Increases
  • Warcry Totem: 2 → 3
  • Splinter of Aurum: 2 → 3
  • Demonic Bloodletter: 2 → 3
  • Ominous Stone: 0 → 2
  • Herding Horn: 1 → 2
  • Wand of Divination: 0 → 1
  • Floating Candle Set: 3 → 4
  • Sellemental Portrait: 5 → 6
  • War Drum: 2 → 3
  • Chromatic Tear: 2 → 3
Cost Decreases
  • Bleeding Heart: 3 → 2
  • Kaleidoscope: 1 → 0
  • Jailer Sticker: 4 → 3
  • Glowing Gauntlet: 1 → 0
  • Ophidian Staff: 5 → 3
  • Spell-powered Wrench: 2 → 0
  • Minion Bait: 1 → 0
  • Pilgrimp Sticker: 2 → 1
  • Scraper Sticker: 4 → 2
  • Lucky Tabby: 1 → 0
  • Putricide Sticker: 2 → 1
  • Fish Portrait: 2 → 1
  • Emergency Gearblade: 2 → 0
  • Comfy Coffin: 3 → 1
  • Holy Mallet: 1 → 0
  • Dragon Skull: 3 → 2
  • Automaton Portrait: 1 → 0

Lesser Trinket Text Changes

Archaic Scroll

  • Old: After you cast 7 spells, get a random Naga. (7 left!)
  • New: After you cast 8 spells, get a random Naga. (8 left!)

Bubble Crown

  • Old: Once you cast 12 spells, your Tavern spells give an extra +4/+4. (12 left!)
  • New: Once you cast 14 spells, your Tavern spells give an extra +4/+4. (14 left!)

Gold Mallet

  • Old: At the end of your turn, give your minions +2/+1. (Improved by Golden minions you've played this game!)
  • New: At the end of your turn, give your minions +1/+1. (Improved by Golden minions you've played this game!)

Rune of Transmutation

  • Old: After you cast 15 spells, replace this with a random Greater Naga Trinket. (15 left!)
  • New: After you cast 18 spells, replace this with a random Greater Naga Trinket. (18 left!)

Stormcoil Sticker

  • Old: [Cost 0] After 8 friendly minions die, get a random Mech. (8 left!)
  • New: [Cost 1] After 6 friendly minions die, get a random Mech. (6 left!)

Lionfish Portrait

  • Old: Get a Lurking Lionfish. Whenever a friendly Beast attacks, give it +2/+2.
  • New: Get a Lurking Lionfish. Whenever a friendly Beast attacks, give it +4/+2.

Nomi Sticker

  • Old: After you play an Elemental, give Elementals in the Tavern +2/+2 this game.
  • New: After you play an Elemental, give Elementals in the Tavern +3/+2 this game.

Greater Trinket Cost-Only Changes

Cost Increases
  • Dramaloc Sticker: 5 → 6
  • Myrmidon Sticker: 1 → 3
  • Groundbreaker Portrait: 5 → 6
  • Multilayered Shield: 2 → 4
  • Honeycomb Ring: 1 → 4
  • Bassgill Portrait: 1 → 2
  • Ghastly Sticker: 3 → 4
  • Recycling Sticker: 3 → 5
  • Escapee Portrait: 6 → 7
Cost Decreases
  • Pocket Cyclone: 1 → 0
  • Pagle's Fishing Rod: 4 → 3
  • Privateer Portrait: 5 → 4
  • Fancy Spellbook: 3 → 0
  • Dalaran Cheese Wheel: 1 → 0
  • Fridge Magnet: 4 → 1
  • Lightfeather Sticker: 1 → 0
  • Insurrectionist's Blade: 3 → 2
  • Booty Bay Brew: 2 → 0
  • Wolfhead Flail: 5 → 4
  • Jailer Sticker: 4 → 3
  • Herald Sticker: 3 → 2
  • Ironforge Anvil: 4 → 1
  • Quilligraphy Set: 2 → 1
  • Reinforced Shield: 3 → 1

Greater Trinket Text Changes

Lava Lamp

  • Old: After you sell 6 minions, get a random Elemental. (6 left!)
  • New: After you sell 7 minions, get a random Elemental. (7 left!)

Nazjatar Postcard

  • Old: [Cost 7] After you play a Naga, get a random Spellcraft spell.
  • New: [Cost 2] After you play 2 Naga, get a random Spellcraft spell. (2 left!)

Baller Portrait

  • Old: [Cost 6] Get a Temperature Shift. After you play 10 Elementals, repeat this. (10 left!)
  • New: [Cost 5] Get a Temperature Shift. After you play 11 Elementals, repeat this. (11 left!)

All-Purpose Kibble

  • Old: [Cost 0] Whenever a friendly Beast attacks, give it +2 Attack and permanently improve this.
  • New: [Cost 2] Whenever a friendly Beast attacks, give it +3 Attack and permanently improve this.

Inductive Gyroblade

  • Old: At the end of your turn, get a 8/8 Magnetic Satellite. (Improved by each Tavern spell you've cast this turn!)
  • New: At the end of your turn, get a 12/12 Magnetic Satellite. (Improved by each Tavern spell you've cast this turn!)

Miniature Ship

  • Old: After you cast a Tavern spell, give your Pirates +2/+2.
  • New: After you cast a Tavern spell, give your Pirates +3/+3.

Trusty Crowbar

  • Old: Whenever you get a Pirate, give your left-most minion +12/+12.
  • New: Whenever you get a Pirate, give your left-most minion +16/+16.

Thaumaturgist Portrait

  • Old: Get a Thaumaturgists. Your Thaumaturgists' Spellcrafts are permanent.
  • New: Get 2 Thaumaturgists. Your Thaumaturgists' Spellcrafts are permanent.

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