Blizzard just posted patch notes for the 33.4 update! The patch should be dropping later today, I’ll update this post when it’s live.(Update: The patch is now live!) While the main new addition is the mini-set, we have some other things too. Here’s a summary of what’s coming in the update:
Day of Rebirth Mini-Set– Mini-set for The Lost City of Un’Goro is released together with the patch. As usual, the mini-set contains 38 cards in total (with 4 Legendaries among them) for 2000 Gold or $15. While its power level doesn’t appear to be particularly high, mini-sets are always a great buy as they give you the most value per unit of currency spent (no matter whether you’re buying it with real money or Gold).
Arena Updates – A new Arena season launches together with Patch 33.4, with an update to the drafting pool. As always, when the season changes, all of the current runs will be forcefully retired. If you have an ongoing run, you will get compensated with a Tavern Ticket (so it’s always wise to start a new run and play up to 2 loses to maximize the rewards you get). We also got some small changes – 2nd re-draft will no longer offer a 2nd Legendary and the rewards for 9 and 11 wins got slightly improved in The Underground. Although the improvements consist of adding a guaranteed card pack and not more Gold, so… that’s not exactly what players have asked for.
Battlegrounds Update – Small update for BG game mode, with two card changes – nerfs to Fearless Foodie and Carapace Raiser.
New In-Game Events – Two new in-game events have been announced. One starts right after the patch launches and gives players some card packs, Epic cards, as well as two new cosmetics (Rebirth Celebration Card Back and Rebirth Coin). Then starting on September 23, we’re getting a Halloween-themed event with card packs, random cards and a new Warlock skin as rewards.
Ladder-Ready Decks – Loaner Decks, the free decks given to new/returning players, will now be called “Ladder-Ready Decks”. Other than the name, there seems to be no changes. They should be updated with this patch – I’ll post the new lists once we learn what they are.
Shop Updates – We’ll be getting a bunch of Void-themed cosmetics in the shop, inspired by The War Within and Midnight (WoW expansions, the latter was just announced a couple of weeks ago to great reception). We’re also getting a second interactive pet after King Krush. And while it seems to be pretty cute, what’s not cute is the way it’s – the same as King Krush, through “Darkmoon Faire Treasures” system. We already talked about it extensively, but it’s basically gambling (the blog post literally says that it’s not available to players under the age of 18, but we all know how that works). Last time Blizzard asked us for our feedback regarding Darkmoon Treasures – and players hated it. But since they release it again, I guess it made them enough money. But why even ask for feedback in the first place if you’re going to completely ignore it?
Bug Fixes & QoL Changes – As always, the patch comes with a hefty list of bug fixes and smaller changes to game functions.
Check out the full patch notes below:
Day of Rebirth Hatches on September 2!
The Day of Rebirth is a vibrant Tortollan festival in Un’Goro Crater that marks the start of dinosaur-hatching season and celebrates the cycle of life. At its heart is the ancient Egg of Khelos, a mighty turtle-like beast incubating for generations and finally ready to hatch. The jungle comes alive with bonfires, parades, fireworks, and storytelling, ushering in the Day of Rebirth Mini-Set, launching September 2!
The Day of Rebirth Mini-Set includes 38 new cards. Get them in The Lost City of Un’Goro packs or as a complete 72-card* Mini-Set. Pick up the normal version for $14.99 or 2000 Gold, or go all-in with the all-Golden version for $69.99 or 10,000 Gold, which includes a bonus Diamond copy of the Beast Speaker Taka Legendary minion! You can see all of the new cards in the official Card Library.
* Includes 1 copy of each Legendary card and 2 copies of each Common, Rare, and Epic card in the Mini-Set.
Arena Updates
With Patch 33.4, all ongoing Arena runs will end and a new Arena season will begin.
The updated draft pool now consists of these sets:
The Lost City of Un’Goro + Day of Rebirth Mini-Set
Perils in Paradise
Festival of Legends
March of the Lich King
Murder at Castle Nathria
Core
Escape the Underfel has been removed from the draft pool.
For this season, the guaranteed Legendary pick during the second Redraft on Loss in Underground Arena has been replaced with a normal draft pick.
We’ve made a small improvement to Underground rewards at 9 and 11 wins:
9 Wins: Now includes a guaranteed Pack*.
11 Wins: Instead of granting a random reward of either Gold or 3 Packs, players now receive 1 guaranteed Pack plus a random reward of either Gold or 2 additional Packs.
* Card Packs for 9 and 11 wins will be from the latest Hearthstone expansion.
Battlegrounds Updates
The following minions have been changed.
Fearless Foodie
Old: Tier 4
New: Tier 5
Carapace Raiser
Old: Tier 4
New: Tier 5
Day of Rebirth Event
Join City Chief Esho for the in-game Day of Rebirth celebration event! Complete event quests to earn 4 The Lost City of Un’Goro Packs, a Golden The Lost City of Un’Goro Pack, the Rebirth Celebration Card Back, and the Rebirth Coin. This event runs from September 2 to 23.
Hallow’s End Special Event
Hallow’s End returns to Hearthstone with a chilling celebration of tricks and treats! Complete the event quests (if you’re not too afraid) to earn 2 The Lost City of Un’Goro Packs, 2 Random The Lost City of Un’Goro Common cards, 2 Random The Lost City of Un’Goro Rare cards, 2 Random The Lost City of Un’Goro Epic cards, a Random The Lost City of Un’Goro Legendary card, and the Nightmare Zail Hearthstone Hero Skin. This event runs from September 23 to October 14.
Ladder Ready Deck Updates
“Ladder Ready Decks” is the new name for “Loaner Decks.” Ladder Ready Decks for new and returning players* are getting updated with the launch of Patch 33.4. These new decks are tuned to let you immediately jump onto the ladder and include cards as new as The Lost City of Un’Goro main set!
* Returning players who have been away for 90 or more days are eligible for a free deck just for logging in. Returning players can claim these returning decks each time they are eligible. New players are eligible for their free deck after completing the tutorial and Apprentice Track.
New Arrivals: Void-Touched Cosmetics Now in the Shop
From September 2 to 30, the shop will feature new items inspired by The War Within and Midnight. These include the Alleria Epic Bartender Skin and Xal’atath Epic Bartender Skin, each bringing a touch of the Void to Battlegrounds. The War Within Legendary Strike delivers a Void-infused finishing blow, while the Xal’atath Diamond Skin offers a dark and shimmering aesthetic. Additionally, the Darkmoon Faire Treasures will include the new Pet Rabbit’ath from September 2 to 23, adding a shadowy companion to your collection (more on her below).
Rabbit’ath Hops Into Darkmoon Faire Treasures
Hearthstone’s newest interactive Pet, Rabbit’ath, is a mischievous, Void-touched bunny that reacts to your gameplay, emotes, and more with sassy animations and sounds. Pet her, feed her Void-berries, or play with her Xal’atath dagger toy to see her burrow under the gameboard! Available from September 2 to 23, Rabbit’ath is one of 10 prizes in the returning Darkmoon Faire Treasures, a random pull system that also rewards Signature cards, Hero Skins, and more. Read more details on Darkmoon Faire Treasures pulls and odds.
Darkmoon Faire Treasures is not available to players under the age of 18. Battle.net Account required to access.
Bug Fixes and Game Improvements
[Hearthstone] Improved Spirit of the Mountain’s display of played minion types.
[Hearthstone] Fixed a visual bug where Volcanic Thrasher’s VFX didn’t appear correctly from the opponent’s view.
[Hearthstone] Fixed a visual bug where upgrading Ritual of the New Moon was visible to the opponent.
[Hearthstone] Fixed a visual bug where minions summoned by Cycle of Hatred showed mana cost on board.
[Hearthstone] Fixed a visual bug where Axe of the Forefathers VFX and SFX played on the enemy Hero.
[Hearthstone] Fixed a visual bug where Twilight Mender’s card creation had a delayed VFX while Baron Rivendare was on the board.
[Hearthstone] Fixed a visual bug where Everbloom’s come-into-play VFX didn’t display.
[Hearthstone] Fixed a visual bug where playing a Hero Card while using the Arachnid Kerrigan Hero Skin caused the Hero Power asset to appear darker.
[Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Rapid Reanimation summoned minions in the wrong place.
[Pets] Fixed several bugs related to Pets: added in the missing XP bar shadow; made it so disconnections don’t revert XP progress if Pet leveled up during the game; and corrected issue where Pet clipped into the Battlegrounds Murloc Hideaway Board.
A Hearthstone player and writer from Poland, Stonekeep has been in a love-hate relationship with Hearthstone since Closed Beta. Over that time, he has achieved many high Legend climbs and infinite Arena runs. He's the current admin of Hearthstone Top Decks.
