31.2.2 Patch Notes
Patch 31.2.2 is live (12/17/2024). This update contains a targeted set of balance changes across Standard, Wild, Battlegrounds, Arena, and general bug fixes. The team kept this patch intentionally small ahead of the holiday break and the upcoming mini-set.
Hearthstone Updates
Dev note: This is a smaller, lower-risk patch focused on the biggest outliers in the current meta. The mini-set is coming soon and will also shift the environment.
Cards being weakened
Sonya Waterdancer (Nerfed)
Old: After you play a 1-Cost card, get a copy of it that costs (0).
New: After you play a 1-Cost minion, get a copy of it that costs (0).
Reason: Restricting the trigger to 1-Cost minions removes a lot of Sonya’s strongest combo potential while keeping the card’s intended interaction.
Zilliax Deluxe 3000 (Pylon Module) (Nerfed)
Old: Your other minions have +1/+1.
New: Your other minions have +1 Attack.
Reason: Keeps Pylon Module useful for aggressive boards while making it less snowbally against opponents who fall behind to an early Zilliax board.
Sigil of Skydiving (Nerfed)
Old: At the start of your next turn, summon three 1/1 Pirates with Charge.
New: At the start of your next turn, summon two 1/1 Pirates with Charge.
Reason: Reduces burst and early-board pressure from Shaman builds that use this card especially effectively.
Crystal Cluster (Nerfed)
Old: [6 Mana]
New: [7 Mana]
Reason: Slows Druid ramp that enables faster Travelmaster Dungar plays; this change aims to reduce the consistency of that acceleration.
Darkglare (Nerfed)
Old: After your hero takes damage, refresh a Mana Crystal.
New: Battlecry: If your hero took damage this turn, refresh 3 Mana Crystals.
The Demon Seed (Buffed)
Old: 10 damage per Questline stage.
New: 12 damage per Questline stage.
Reason: Targeted Wild adjustment. While Darkglare was reduced above, The Demon Seed’s damage per stage is increased to rebalance non-Darkglare Questline Warlock builds in Wild.
The cards listed above will be eligible for full disenchant dust refunds for two weeks after Patch 31.2.2.
Card being strengthened
Talgath (Buffed)
Old: [4 Mana] 4 Attack / 4 Health.
New: [3 Mana] 3 Attack / 3 Health.
Reason: Talgath has underperformed and receives a modest cost reduction to make it more viable.
Battlegrounds Updates
Dev note: This first balance patch of the season focuses on pulling back some early overperformers (notably Quillboar and Dragons) and buffing underperforming tribes like Naga, Undead, Murlocs, Demons, and Menagerie. Several underperforming heroes also receive targeted buffs.
Hero Changes
The Jailer – Runic Empowerment (Buffed)
Old: Give a minion +1/+1. Upgrades after seven friendly minions die.
New: Give a minion +1/+1. Upgrades after five friendly minions die.
Ini Stormcoil – MechGyver (Buffed)
Old: [Passive] After 10 friendly minions die, get a random mech.
New: [Passive] After 9 friendly minions die, get a random mech.
Millificent Manastorm – Tinker (Buffed)
Old: [Passive] Whenever you summon a Mech, give it +2 Attack.
New: [Passive] Whenever you summon a Mech, give it +3 Attack.
Sindragosa – Stay Frosty (Buffed)
Old: Freeze a card in the Tavern. Passive: At the end of your turn, Frozen minions get +2/+1.
New: Freeze a card in the Tavern. Passive: At the end of your turn, Frozen minions get +2/+2.
Ragnaros – DIE, INSECTS! (Buffed)
Old: [Passive] After you kill 20 enemy minions, get Sulfuras.
New: [Passive] After you kill 16 enemy minions, get Sulfuras.
Queen Azshara – Azshara's Ambition (Nerfed)
Old: [Passive] When your warband reaches 25 total Attack, begin your Naga Conquest.
New: [Passive] When your warband reaches 30 total Attack, begin your Naga Conquest.
Tavish Stormpike – Deadeye (Buffed)
Old: Start of Combat: Deal 2 damage to your target. (Doubles every 3 turns!)
New: Start of Combat: Deal 3 damage to your target. (Doubles every 3 turns!)
Sylvanas Windrunner – Reclaimed Souls (Buffed)
Old: Give +2/+1 to your minions that died last combat.
New: Give +3/+1 to your minions that died last combat.
Edwin VanCleef – Sharpen Blades (Adjusted)
Old: Give a minion +1/+1. Upgrades after you buy 3 cards.
New: Give a minion +2/+2. Upgrades after you buy 5 cards.
Reason: Upgraded effect is stronger, but it takes longer to reach the upgrade.
Armor Adjustments
The following heroes receive reduced starting Armor (primarily at higher ranks):
- Forest Warden Omu: 6 at higher ranks, 6 at lower ranks, 5 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Galewing: 6 at higher ranks, 6 at lower ranks, 2 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Silas Darkmoon: 8 at higher ranks, 8 at lower ranks, 5 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- The Rat King: 8 at higher ranks, 8 at lower ranks, 5 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Elise Starseeker: 12 at higher ranks, 12 at lower ranks, 10 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Kurtrus Ashfallen: 10 at higher ranks, 10 at lower ranks, 7 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Galakrond: 14 at higher ranks, 14 at lower ranks, 11 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Guff Runetotem: 10 at higher ranks, 10 at lower ranks, 8 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Patches the Pirate: 14 at higher ranks, 5 at lower ranks, 11 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Heistbaron Togwaggle: 11 at higher ranks, 11 at lower ranks, 8 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Infinite Toki: 10 at higher ranks, 10 at lower ranks, 7 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Ambassador Faelin: 11 at higher ranks, 11 at lower ranks, 9 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Chenvaala: 10 at higher ranks, 7 at lower ranks, 7 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Captain Eudora: 10 at higher ranks, 10 at lower ranks, 7 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Rock Master Voone: 10 at higher ranks, 15 at lower ranks, 7 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Snake Eyes: 5 at higher ranks, 5 at lower ranks, 2 in Duos. (Nerfed)
- Marin the Manager: 7 at higher ranks, 7 at lower ranks, 5 in Duos. (Nerfed)
The following heroes receive increased starting Armor:
- Mutanus the Devourer: 18 at higher ranks, 18 at lower ranks, 15 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Scabbs Cutterbutter: 13 at higher ranks, 13 at lower ranks, 10 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Vanndar Stormpike: 18 at higher ranks, 18 at lower ranks, 15 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Pyramad: 17 at higher ranks, 17 at lower ranks, 14 in Duos. (Buffed)
- George the Fallen: 20 at higher ranks, 20 at lower ranks, 18 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Lady Vashj: 16 at higher ranks, 16 at lower ranks, 13 in Duos. (Buffed)
- C’Thun: 18 at higher ranks, 7 at lower ranks, 15 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Rokara: 17 at higher ranks, 17 at lower ranks, 15 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Ini Stormcoil: 15 at higher ranks, 6 at lower ranks, 13 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Lich Baz’hial: 18 at higher ranks, 18 at lower ranks, 15 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Millificent Manastorm: 19 at higher ranks, 5 at lower ranks, 15 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Drek’Thar: 15 at higher ranks, 15 at lower ranks, 12 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Enhance-o Mechano: 18 at higher ranks, 18 at lower ranks, 15 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Y’Shaarj: 18 at higher ranks, 18 at lower ranks, 16 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Sneed: 20 at higher ranks, 20 at lower ranks, 17 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Onyxia: 20 at higher ranks, 20 at lower ranks, 18 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Bru’kan: 17 at higher ranks, 17 at lower ranks, 14 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Edwin VanCleef: 18 at higher ranks, 18 at lower ranks, 15 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Illidan Stormrage: 17 at higher ranks, 17 at lower ranks, 15 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Death Speaker Blackthorn: 14 at higher ranks, 14 at lower ranks, 11 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Overlord Saurfang: 18 at higher ranks, 18 at lower ranks, 15 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Aranna Starseeker: 15 at higher ranks, 15 at lower ranks, 12 in Duos. (Buffed)
- E.T.C., Band Manager: 10 at higher ranks, 10 at lower ranks, 7 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Exarch Othaar: 15 at higher ranks, 15 at lower ranks, 12 in Duos. (Buffed)
- Zerek, Master Cloner: 17 at higher ranks, 17 at lower ranks, 14 in Duos. (Buffed)
Card Pool Changes
- Briarback Bookie, Menagerie Jug, Sore Loser, Dozy Whelp, Party Elemental, and Bazaar Dealer have been returned to the minion pool.
- Bristling Buffoon and Upbeat Frontdrake were removed from the minion pool.
Battlegrounds Card Changes
Implant Subject (Adjusted)
Old: 3 Attack / 2 Health. Stealth. Whenever a friendly minion loses a Bonus Keyword, gain +1/+1 permanently.
New: 4 Attack / 3 Health. Stealth. Whenever a friendly minion loses a Bonus Keyword in combat, gain +1/+1 permanently.
Reason: Primarily a bug fix. Implant Subject is unbanned from the pool with this change.
Hunter of Gatherers (Adjusted)
Old: [Tier 5] 4 Attack / 6 Health. Whenever this gains Attack, give your minions +2 Health.
New: [Tier 4] 3 Attack / 5 Health. Whenever this gains Attack, give your minions +1 Health.
Prized Promo Drake (Adjusted)
Old: [Tier 4] Start of Combat: Give your other Dragons +3/+3.
New: [Tier 5] Start of Combat: Give your other Dragons +5/+4.
Bountiful Bedrock (Adjusted)
Old: [Tier 2] 2 Attack / 2 Health.
New: [Tier 3] 3 Attack / 4 Health.
Felemental (Buffed)
Old: 3 Attack / 1 Health.
New: 3 Attack / 3 Health.
Gem Rat (Adjusted)
Old: [Tier 3] 3 Attack / 3 Health.
New: [Tier 4] 4 Attack / 4 Health.
Thaumaturgist (Nerfed)
Old: 3 Attack / 3 Health.
New: 2 Attack / 2 Health.
Critter Wrangler (Adjusted)
Old: 3 Attack / 6 Health. Whenever you cast a spell on a minion, give it +3/+3.
New: 4 Attack / 6 Health. Whenever you cast a spell on a minion, give it +2/+2.
Zesty Shaker (Adjusted)
Old: [Tier 4] 6 Attack / 6 Health.
New: [Tier 2] 3 Attack / 4 Health.
Arcane Cannoneer (Adjusted)
Old: 5 Attack / 6 Health. Whenever this attacks, deal 1 damage to the target. (Improved by every 4 spells you’ve cast this game!)
New: 2 Attack / 6 Health. Whenever this attacks, deal 2 damage to the target. (Improved by every 4 spells you’ve cast this game!)
Note: The damage-on-attack improvement now increases by 2 damage each upgrade step.
Sprightly Scarab (Adjusted)
Old: [Tier 3] 2 Attack / 1 Health. Choose One – Give a Beast +1/+1 and Reborn; or +3/+3 and Taunt.
New: [Tier 4] 3 Attack / 2 Health. Choose One – Give a Beast +2/+2 and Reborn; or +5/+5 and Taunt.
Sly Raptor (Adjusted)
Old: [Tier 4] 1 Attack / 3 Health. Deathrattle: Summon a random Beast. Set its stats to 7 Attack / 7 Health.
New: [Tier 3] 1 Attack / 2 Health. Deathrattle: Summon a random Beast. Set its stats to 5 Attack / 5 Health.
Karmic Chameleon (Nerfed)
Old: [Tier 4]
New: [Tier 5]
Goldrinn, the Great Wolf (Buffed)
Old: 3 Attack / 3 Health. Deathrattle: For the rest of this combat, your Beasts have +3/+3.
New: 4 Attack / 4 Health. Deathrattle: For the rest of this combat, your Beasts have +4/+4.
Ghoul-acabra (Adjusted)
Old: 4 Attack / 13 Health. After a friendly Deathrattle minion dies, give your minions +2/+1 permanently.
New: 4 Attack / 11 Health. After a friendly Deathrattle minion dies, give your minions +2/+2 permanently.
Champion of the Primus (Buffed)
Old: 2 Attack / 9 Health. Avenge (3): Your Undead have +1 Attack this game (wherever they are).
New: 3 Attack / 9 Health. Avenge (2): Your Undead have +1 Attack this game (wherever they are).
Holy Mecherel (Adjusted)
Old: [Tier 5] 6 Attack / 4 Health. After another friendly minion loses Divine Shield, gain Divine Shield.
New: [Tier 6] 8 Attack / 4 Health. Divine Shield. After another friendly minion loses Divine Shield, gain Divine Shield.
Charging Czarina (Buffed)
Old: 5 Attack / 3 Health. Divine Shield. Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give your minions with Divine Shield +2 Attack.
New: 6 Attack / 3 Health. Divine Shield. Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give your minions with Divine Shield +3 Attack.
Holo Rover (Nerfed)
Old: 4 Attack / 8 Health.
New: 3 Attack / 5 Health.
Big Brother (Adjusted)
Old: [Tier 4] 5 Attack / 4 Health.
New: [Tier 3] 4 Attack / 3 Health.
Soul Rewinder (Buffed)
Old: 3 Attack / 1 Health.
New: 4 Attack / 1 Health.
Archimonde (Adjusted)
Old: [Tier 5] 6 Attack / 7 Health. After your hero takes damage, rewind it and reduce the Cost of your next Tavern spell by (1).
New: [Tier 4] 4 Attack / 5 Health. After your hero takes damage, rewind it and reduce the Cost of your next Tavern spell by (1) (but not less than 1).
Note: Other cost reductions can still reduce a spell to (0) while Archimonde is in play.
Nether Construct (Nerfed)
Old: 5 Attack / 5 Health. Choose One – Minions in the Tavern have +5/+5 this game; or Consume all minions in the Tavern to gain their stats.
New: 4 Attack / 4 Health. Choose One – Minions in the Tavern have +4/+4 this game; or Consume all minions in the Tavern to gain their stats.
Reckless Cliffdiver (Buffed)
Old: 3 Attack / 1 Health.
New: 4 Attack / 1 Health.
Mutated Lasher (Buffed)
Old: 7 Attack / 3 Health. Deathrattle: For the rest of this combat, your odd-Tier minions have +2/+3.
New: 9 Attack / 3 Health. Deathrattle: For the rest of this combat, your odd-Tier minions have +3/+3.
Saloon Dancer (Buffed)
Old: 4 Attack / 5 Health. Taunt. Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give two other friendly minions +4/+4.
New: 5 Attack / 5 Health. Taunt. Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give two other friendly minions +5/+5.
Young Murk Eye (Adjusted)
Old: 9 Attack / 6 Health. At the end of your turn, trigger the Battlecries of adjacent minions.
New: 10 Attack / 6 Health. At the end of your turn, trigger the Battlecry of the minion to the left of this.
Hackerfin (Buffed)
Old: 4 Attack / 2 Health. Battlecry: Give your other minions +2/+2 for each Bonus Keyword they have.
New: 5 Attack / 3 Health. Battlecry: Give your other minions +3/+2 for each Bonus Keyword they have.
King Bagurgle (Buffed)
Old: Battlecry: Give your other Murlocs +3/+3.
New: Battlecry: Give your other Murlocs +3/+4.
Nightbane Ignited (Buffed)
Old: 7 Attack / 6 Health. Taunt. Deathrattle: Give 2 random friendly minions this minion’s Attack.
New: 8 Attack / 6 Health. Taunt. Deathrattle: Give 2 different friendly minions this minion’s Attack.
Note: The Deathrattle can no longer give Attack to itself or duplicate onto the same minion twice. Otherwise the effect is unchanged.
Briarback Bookie (Nerfed)
Old: 3 Attack / 4 Health. If you have unspent Gold at the end of your turn, get 2 Blood Gems.
New: 3 Attack / 3 Health. At the end of your turn, get a Blood Gem.
Boundless Potential (Buffed)
Old: [4 Gold] Choose One – Discover a minion of your Tier; or a Tavern spell of a Tier higher.
New: [3 Gold] Choose One – Discover a minion of your Tier; or a Tavern spell of your Tier.
Fandral’s Fortune (Nerfed)
Old: [3 Gold]
New: [4 Gold]
Arena Updates
Two microadjustments to reduce Death Knight’s drafting power this season:
- Horizon’s Edge can no longer be drafted.
- Travel Security will appear significantly less often in draft offers.
Bug Fixes and Game Improvements
- [Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Implant Subject’s effect didn’t work with Spellcraft spells that gave bonus Keywords.
- [Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug with the Bob-blehead Trinket.
- [Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Exarch Othaar and Zerek, Master Cloner appeared as Bartenders in some places, instead of Heroes.
- [General] Miscellaneous cosmetic and text updates.
HSLeaderboard note: These changes should shake up a few dominant lists and open room for underrepresented strategies, especially in Battlegrounds.