Update: The patch is now live on both PC and mobile! Enjoy!
Blizzard just posted patch notes for the 34.2.2 update launching today. It’s a big balance update with changes for Standard and Battlegrounds formats, as well as some bug fixes. The patch was already teased yesterday, but we now have a full list of changes.
In Standard, we’re getting 11 changes, all of them buffs:
Standard – Buffs
Cardboard Golem is now a 3 mana 3/3 (previously 4 mana 4/4).
Divine Augur is now a 4 mana 4/5 (previously 5 mana 5/5).
Timelooper Toki is now a 3 mana 3/3 and gives 3 spells (previously 4 mana 4/4 and gave 4 spells).
Tiny Rafaam now draws another Rafaam on both Battlecry and Deathrattle (previously only Deathrattle).
Green Rafaam now buffs all Rafaams in hand and on battlefield (previously only in hand). Note: The text should say “buff OTHER Rafaams”, Green Rafaam won’t buff himself. The text will be fixed in the future.
Warchief Rafaam now gives 5 extra Armor if you’re holding another Rafaam (previously if you control another Rafaam).
The patch also comes with a lot of Battlegrounds changes. It’s the first major balance update after the release of Season 12 (which added Timewarped Tavern). It’s a huge patch that adjusts many minion types. In short, Mechs, Murlocs and Elementals were nerfed (sometimes with small buffs for other cards to compensate), while Dragons, Undead, Quilboar and Pirates were buffed. Additionally, many underperforming Timewarped Cards got removed from the pool or redesigned. This should give players more options on Turns 6 and 9. I won’t list all of the changes here because it would be too much, but you can find them below.
And finally, the patch comes with some bug fixes, mostly for the Battlegrounds game mode. In Constructed, it fixes some card generation issues with Toki which sometimes generated cards that shouldn’t be generated (same issue happened with Final Frontier for example).
Check out the full patch notes below:
Patch 34.2.2, launching today, brings balance updates to Hearthstone and Battlegrounds along with some bug fixes.
Hearthstone Updates
Dev Comment: Well met! We’ve enjoyed seeing how you’ve been experimenting with new cards and archetypes since the last nerf patch shook up the meta. The Standard metagame feels like it’s in a good, stable spot right now, which is exactly where we want to be heading into the World Championships and winter break. Rather than toppling the top decks, we’re using this opportunity to give a few archetypes you’ve shown have potential some buffs.
Take Aura Paladin for example. It’s on the rise, so we’re giving Cardboard Golem a boost to help it shine. You’ve shown a lot of creativity with Timelooper Toki, and we think there’s more to explore, so we’re making it easier to use… and reuse… and reuse.
We’ve seen your discussions about a couple of strong decks making waves, namely Discover Hunter and Hagatha Shaman. While they’re popular at certain ranks, our metrics show their power and patterns aren’t at a level that calls for changes at this time. We’ll keep a close eye on the meta and watch how things evolve leading up to our next balance patch in the new year.
Thanks for playing, and we’ll see you in the Tavern!
Cardboard Golem
Old: [4 mana] 4/4.
New: [3 mana] 3/3.
Divine Augur
Old: [5 mana] 5/5.
New: [4 mana] 4/5.
Power Word: Barrier
Old: [2 mana]
New: [1 mana]
The Eternal Hold
Old: Get a Demon that costs (5) or more.
New: Discover any Demon that costs (5) or more.
Solitude
Old: [2 mana] Discover a minion.
New: [3 mana] Discover 2 minions.
Highborne Mentor
Old: [8 mana]
New: [7 mana]
Kaldorei Cultivator
Old: [3 mana] 3/4.
New: [2 mana] 2/3.
Timelooper Toki
Old: [4 mana] 4/4. Get 4 random spells from the past.
New: [3 mana] 3/3. Get 3 random spells from the past.
Tiny Rafaam (from Timethief Rafaam)
Old: Deathrattle: Draw a Rafaam.
New: Battlecry and Deathrattle: Draw a Rafaam.
Green Rafaam (from Timethief Rafaam)
Old: Give Rafaams in your hand +2/+2.
New: Give Rafaams in your hand and battlefield +2/+2.
Known Issue: Green Rafaam’s text should say “Give other Rafaams in your hand and battlefield +2/+2,” as he does not target himself. This is a text issue only and the wording will be updated to match the functionality in a future patch.
Warchief Rafaam (from Timethief Rafaam)
Old: Gain 5 armor. If you control another Rafaam, gain 5 more.
New: Gain 5 armor. If you’re holding another Rafaam, gain 5 more.
Battlegrounds Updates
Dev Comment: Greetings! We hope you’re having a good time with the new Timewarped Tavern! This balance patch takes a broad approach with many adjustments, but we wanted to highlight a few key changes:
Mechs: Apexis Guardian was significantly overtuned, so we nerfed it earlier this week. After reviewing the data, we saw other Mechs were struggling, so we buffed several (like Junk Jouster and Metal Dispenser) while applying a small additional nerf to Apexis Guardian and Red and Blue Volumizers. These changes should help Mechs land in a healthier spot overall.
Murlocs: Dramaloc and Costume Enthusiast were too strong, but the rest of the minion types looked healthy. We also swapped Operatic Belcher for Bile Spitter to reduce the maximum Venomous potential when combined with cards like Bassgill and Titus Rivendare.
Elementals: They’re currently balanced, but we worried they might become dominant after Mech and Murloc adjustments. To prevent that, we preemptively nerfed Acid Rainfall.
Dragons, Undead, Quilboar, and Pirates: These minion types were underperforming, so we gave them a variety of buffs to bring them closer to the others.
Timewarped Cards: We improved underperforming cards and removed or redesigned some of the least-picked options. These changes should make visits to the Timewarped Tavern more exciting.
We don’t expect more balance changes until the new year, but we’ll keep listening and adjust as needed.
Have fun in the Tavern, and happy holidays! We’ll see you in the new year.
Minion and Spell Updates
Minion and Spell Pool Changes
The following cards have been returned to the pool:
Bile Spitter
Carapace Raiser
Malchezaar, Prince of Dance
Fauna Whisperer
Dastardly Drust
Haunted Carapace
The following cards have been removed from the pool:
Impulsive Trickster
Yorik Smite
Spellbound Soul
Operatic Belcher
Pool Minion Changes
Tardy Traveler
Old: [Tier 4] 3/6.
New: [Tier 3] 3/4.
Whelp Watcher
Old: 1/3.
New: 1/4.
Stuntdrake
Old: [Tier 6]
New: [Tier 5]
Fire-forged Evoker
Old: 9/6. Start of Combat: Give your Dragons +1/+1. After you cast a Tavern spell, improve this.
New: 8/5. Start of Combat: Give your Dragons +2/+1. After you cast a Tavern spell, improve this.
En-Djinn Blazer
Old: 5/5. Battlecry: After the Tavern is Refreshed this game, give its right-most minion +6/+6.
New: 4/4. Battlecry: After the Tavern is Refreshed this game, give its right-most minion +7/+7.
Acid Rainfall
Old: 4/4. After you Refresh 3 times, gain the stats of the right-most minion in the Tavern. (3 left!)
New: 6/6. After you Refresh 4 times, gain the stats of the right-most minion in the Tavern. (4 left!)
Ultraviolet Ascendant
Old: 5/2. Start of Combat: Give your other Elementals +2/+2. (Improves after you play an Elemental!)
New: 6/3. Start of Combat: Give your other Elementals +3/+2. (Improves after you play an Elemental!)
Red Volumizer
Old: 3/1. Magnetic. The first time this is played or Magnetized, your Volumizers have +3 Attack this game (wherever they are).
New: 4/1. Magnetic. The first time this is played or Magnetized, your Volumizers have +2 Attack this game (wherever they are).
Blue Volumizer
Old: 1/3. Magnetic. The first time this is played or Magnetized, your Volumizers have +3 Health this game (wherever they are).
New: 1/4. Magnetic. The first time this is played or Magnetized, your Volumizers have +2 Health this game (wherever they are).
Prehistoric Tinkerer
Old: 3/2. Divine Shield. After the Tavern is Refreshed, give its right-most minion Divine Shield.
New: 4/2. Divine Shield. After the Tavern is Refreshed, give its right-most minion +2/+2 and Divine Shield.
Metal Dispenser
Old: 1/8. Avenge (3): Get a random Magnetic Volumizer.
New: 2/7. Divine Shield. Avenge (3): Get a random Magnetic Volumizer.
Charging Czarina
Old: 5/3. Divine Shield. Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give your minions with Divine Shield +3 Attack.
New: 4/2. Divine Shield. Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give your minions with Divine Shield +4 Attack.
Junk Jouster
Old: 6/6. Whenever a minion is Magnetized to this, give your minions +3/+1.
New: 6/5. Whenever a minion is Magnetized to this, give your minions +3/+2.
Whirling Lass-o-Matic
Old: 7/4. Windfury. Rally: Get a random Tavern spell.
New: 6/3. Divine Shield, Windfury. Rally: Get a random Tavern spell.
Utility Drone
Old: 6/8. At the end of your turn, give your minions +2/+2 for each Magnetization they have.
New: 5/7. At the end of your turn, give your minions +3/+3 for each Magnetization they have.
Apexis Guardian
Old: 7/4. Deathrattle: Magnetize a 2/2 Green Volumizer to 2 other friendly Mechs.
New: 6/4. Deathrattle: Magnetize a random Volumizer to 2 other friendly Mechs.
Costume Enthusiast
Old: [Tier 4] 3/5. Start of Combat: Gain the stats of the highest-Attack minion in your hand.
New: [Tier 5] 4/5. Start of Combat: Gain the Attack of the highest-Attack minion in your hand.
Dramaloc
Old: 9/2. Deathrattle: Give two other friendly Murlocs the stats of the highest-Attack minion in your hand.
New: 10/2. Deathrattle: Give 2 other friendly Murlocs the Attack of the highest-Attack minion in your hand.
Underhanded Dealer
Old: 1/1.
New: 4/4.
Cannon Corsair
Old: [Tier 6] 3/8. After you gain gold, give your Pirates +1/+2.
New: [Tier 5] 3/7. After you gain gold, give your other Pirates +1/+1.
Briarback Drummer
Old: [Tier 4]
New: [Tier 3]
Razorfen Flapper
Old: [Tier 5]
New: [Tier 4]
Embalming Expert
Old: 4/2. After the Tavern is Refreshed, give its right-most minion Reborn.
New: 3/2. After the Tavern is Refreshed, give its right-most minion +2 Attack and Reborn.
Soulsplitter
Old: 5/2. Reborn. Start of Combat: Give a friendly Deathrattle minion Reborn.
New: 4/2. Reborn. Start of Combat: Give a friendly Undead Reborn.
Champion of the Primus
Old: 3/13. Avenge (3): Your Undead have +1 Attack this game (wherever they are).
New: 2/10. Avenge (2): Your Undead have +1 Attack this game (wherever they are).
Plankwalker
Old: 6/4. Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give three random friendly minions +2/+1.
New: 5/4. Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give three random friendly minions +2/+2.
Ghoul of the Feast
Old: 2/8. Avenge (1): Give a friendly minion of each type +2/+1 permanently.
New: 2/7. Avenge (1): Give a friendly minion of each type +2/+2 permanently.
Sepulchral Sergeant
Old: Deathrattle: Give your minions +2 Health. (Improves permanently after this gains Attack!)
New: Deathrattle: Give your other minions +2 Health. (Improves permanently after this gains Attack!)
Forsaken Weaver
Old: 4/8. After you cast a Tavern spell, your Undead have +1 Attack this game (wherever they are).
New: 3/8. After you cast a Tavern spell, your Undead have +2 Attack this game (wherever they are).
Budding Greenthumb
Old: 1/4. Avenge (3): Give adjacent minions +2/+1 permanently.
New: 1/5. Avenge (3): Give adjacent minions +2/+2 permanently.
Nalaa the Redeemer
Old: 5/8. Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give a friendly minion of each type +2/+2.
New: 5/7. Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give a friendly minion of each type +3/+2.
Tavern Spell Changes
Perfect Vision
Dev Comment: This card can no longer be randomly generated or cast by random spell effects.
Tier 7 Minion Changes
The Last One Standing
Old: 7/7. Rally: Give a friendly minion of each type +7/+7 permanently.
New: 9/9. Rally: Give a friendly minion of each type +9/+9 permanently.
Highkeeper Ra
Old: 7/7. Deathrattle and Rally: Get a random Tier 6 minion.
New: 6/6. Battlecry, Deathrattle and Rally: Get a random Tier 6 minion.
Stalwart Kodo
Old: 6/12. After you summon a minion in combat, give it this minion’s stats. (3 times per combat.)
New: 8/16. After you summon a minion in combat, give it this minion’s maximum stats. (3 times per combat.)
Stone Age Slab
Old: 5/9. Once per turn, double the stats of the next minion you buy.
New: 5/10. After you buy a minion, give it +10/+10 and double its stats. (Once per turn.)
Gameplay Updates
Turn timers have been extended by 10 seconds on later turns.
Iridescent Skyblazer and Hardy Orca have had their VFX turned off during Recruit phase.
VFX on Air Revenant and Chef’s Choice have been adjusted to be faster.
Timewarped Tony cannot add a card to your hand if your hand is 9 Eyes of the Earth Mother.
The following heroes have had their Armor increased:
Captain Hooktusk has 14 Armor, 12 in Duos, and 15 in Quads
Dinotamer Brann has 18 Armor and 16 in Duos
Doctor Holli’dae has 14 Armor and 12 in Duos
Elise Starseeker has 15 Armor and 13 in Duos
Farseer Nobundo has 15 Armor and 13 in Duos
Forest Lord Cenarius has 16 Armor and 14 in Duos
Guff Runetotem has 10 Armor and 8 in Duos
Heistbaron Togwaggle has 14 Armor and 12 in Duos
King Mukla has 16 Armor and 14 in Duos
Kurtrus Ashfallen has 17 Armor and 15 in Duos
Loh, the Living Legend has 20 Armor and 18 in Duos
Maiev Shadowsong has 17 Armor and 15 in Duos
Malygos has 17 Armor and 15 in Duos
Murloc Holmes has 14 Armor and 12 in Duos
Reno Jackson has 16 Armor and 14 in Duos
Rock Master Voone has 12 Armor and 10 in Duos
Skycap’n Kragg has 14 Armor and 12 in Duos
Tae’thelan Bloodwatcher has 18 Armor and 16 in Duos
Tickatus has 17 Armor and 15 in Duos
Zerek, Master Cloner has 18 Armor and 16 in Duos
The following heroes have had their Armor decreased:
Drek’Thar has 12 Armor and 10 in Duos
Lord Jaraxxus has 10 Armor and 8 in Duos
Marin the Manager has 14 Armor and 12 in Duos
Onyxia has 12 Armor and 10 in Duos
Scabbs Cutterbutter has 12 Armor and 10 in Duos
The Jailer has 12 Armor and 10 in Duos
Vanndar Stormpike has 12 Armor and 10 in Duos
Yogg-Saron, Hope’s End has 10 Armor and 7 in Duos
Timewarp Changes
Timewarp Pool Changes
The following cards have been removed from Minor Timewarp:
Timewarped Spirit of Air
Power of Rakanishu
Timewarped Arm
The following cards have been removed from Major Timewarp:
Timewarped Viper
Timewarped Expeditioner
Timewarp Card Changes
Minor Timewarp
Timewarped Copter
Old: Avenge (3): Get a random Mech.
New: Divine Shield Avenge (3): Get a random Mech.
Timewarped Elise
Old: After you Refresh 5 times, make the highest-Tier minion in the Tavern Golden. (5 left!)
New: After you Refresh 4 times, make the highest-Tier minion in the Tavern Golden. (4 left!)
Timewarped Guard
Old: Rally: Give a different friendly minion Divine Shield permanently.
New: Divine Shield. Rally: Give a different friendly minion Divine Shield permanently.
Timewarped Lubber
Old: The Tavern always offers 1 extra Tavern spell.
New: The Tavern always offers 1 extra Tavern spell. Your Tavern spells give an extra +1/+1.
Timewarped Ragnaros
Old: [1 Chronum] Start of Combat: Deal 8 damage to a random enemy minion.
New: [2 Chronum] Start of Combat: Deal this minion’s Attack to the highest-Health enemy minion.
Timewarped Relaxer
Old: When you sell this, it plays 1 Blood Gem on all your minions. (Improves each turn!)
New: After you sell a Quilboar, this plays 2 Blood Gems on a random friendly minion.
Timewarped Saurolisk
Old: After you trigger a Deathrattle, gain +3/+3 permanently.
New: After you trigger a Deathrattle, gain +3/+2 permanently.
Timewarped Sellemental
Old: At the end of your turn, get a 3/3 Elemental.
New: At the end of your turn, get a Sellemental.
Timewarped Sensei
Old: 4/4. At the end of your turn, give adjacent Mechs +3/+2.
New: 6/6. At the end of your turn, give adjacent Mechs +3/+3.
Timewarped Sporebat
Old: Taunt. Deathrattle: Get a random Tavern spell.
New: Taunt. Deathrattle: Get a random Tavern spell that costs (2) or more.
Timewarped Tender
Old: [1 Chronum, Tier 5]
New: [2 Chronum, Tier 3]
Moved from Major to Minor Timewarp
Timewarped Greenskeeper
Old: [1 Chronum, Tier 5] 7/11.
New: [2 Chronum, Tier 3] 5/9.
Moved from Major to Minor Timewarp
Timewarped Low-Flier
Old: 7/7.
New: 10/10.
Timewarped Pashmar
Old: 6/7.
New: 9/10.
Timewarped New Recruit
Old: Give minions in the Tavern +1/+2 this game. The Tavern always has 7 cards this game.
New: Give minions in the Tavern +2/+2 this game. The Tavern always has 7 cards this game.
Major Timewarp
Timewarped Caretaker
Old: 6/6. Deathrattle: Summon six 1/1 Skeletons. Any that don’t fit give your Undead +1 Attack this game (wherever they are).
New: 4/4. Deathrattle: Summon four 1/1 Skeletons. Any that don’t fit give your Undead +1 Attack this game (wherever they are).
Timewarped Centurion
Old: After you cast a Tavern spell, get a new copy of it. (2 times per turn.)
New: After you cast a Tavern spell, get an extra copies of it. (3 times per turn.)
Timewarped Duskmaw
Old: Avenge (1): Give your Dragons +3/+3.
New: Avenge (1): Give your Dragons +4/+3.
Timewarped Geist
Old: Deathrattle: Your Tavern spells give an extra +1/+1 this game.
New: Deathrattle: Your Tavern spells give an extra +2/+1 this game.
Timewarped Goldrinn
Old: 4/4. Deathrattle: Your Beasts have +2/+2 this game (wherever they are).
New: 6/4. Deathrattle: Your Beasts have +3/+2 this game (wherever they are).
Timewarped Hooktail
Old: Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give your minions +2/+1.
New: Whenever you cast a Tavern spell, give your minions +2/+2.
Timewarped Imp-filtrator
Old: After you spend 10 Gold, give minions in the Tavern +3/+3 this game. (10 Gold left!)
New: After you spend 8 Gold, give minions in the Tavern +3/+3 this game. (8 Gold left!)
Timewarped Interpreter
Old: Whenever you play or Magnetize a Mech, give your Mechs +3/+1.
New: Whenever you play or Magnetize a Mech, give your Mechs +3/+2.
Timewarped Electron
Old: After you cast 2 Tavern spells, Magnetize a 3/3 Satelite to all your other Mechs. (2 left!)
New: After you cast 2 Tavern spells, Magnetize a 4/4 Satelite to all your other Mechs. (2 left!)
Timewarped Jungle King
Old: After you summon a Beast, give it +2/+1. Improves after you cast a spell.
New: Stealth. After you summon a Beast, give it +3/+2. Improves after you cast a spell.
Timewarped Overfiend
Old: After you buy a card, give your Demons +2/+2.
New: After you buy a card, give your Demons +3/+3.
Timewarped Painter
Old: At the end of your turn, give adjacent minions +2/+2. (Improved by cards from Tier 3 or below played this turn!)
New: At the end of your turn, give adjacent minions +2/+1. After you play a card from Tier 3 or below improve this.
Timewarped Prismscale
Old: Avenge (3): Get a random Tavern spell that gives stats.
New: Avenge (3): Get an Azerite Empowerment.
Timewarped Promo-Drake
Old: Start of Combat: Give your minions +2/+2. Improves after you spend 8 Gold. (8 left!)
New: Start of Combat: Give your minions +2/+2. Improves after you spend 5 Gold. (5 left!)
Timewarped Shivarra
Old: Divine Shield. Whenever a minion is consumed, this gains its stats.
New: Whenever a minion is consumed, this gains its stats.
Timewarped Siren
Old: After you play a Naga, give all your Naga +2/+4.
New: After you play a Naga, give all your Naga +3/+5.
Timewarped Steamer
Old: At the end of your turn, get 2 random Magnetic Volumizers.
New: At the end of your turn, get one of each Magnetic Volumizer.
Timewarped Sylvar
Old: At the end of your turn, give adjacent minions +4/+4. Repeat for each friendly Golden minion.
New: At the end of your turn, give adjacent minions +8/+8. Repeat for each friendly Golden minion.
Timewarped Tide Razor
Old: Deathrattle: Summon and get 3 random Pirates.
New: Deathrattle: Summon and get 4 random Pirates.
Timewarped Twirler
Old: After 2 Blood Gems are played on this, cast Blood Gem Barrage. (2 left!)
New: After you play a Blood Gem on this, cast Blood Gem Barrage.
Dev Comment: This effect will not be triggered by Blood Gems played by your minions, such as Charlga. It will only be triggered by Blood Gems played from your hand.
Timewarped Calligrapher
Old: 6/7.
New: 12/14.
Timewarped Evolution
Old: Choose a minion. Discover a Tier 6 minion to transform it into. It keeps its stats.
New: Choose a minion. Discover a Tier 6 minion to transform it into. Set its stats to 30/30.
Timewarped B.A.N.A.N.A.S.
Old: Fill your hand with Tavern Dish Bananas. Your Tavern spells give an extra +2/+2 this game.
New: Fill your hand with Tavern Dish Bananas. Your Tavern spells give an extra +3/+3 this game.
Timewarped On the House
Old: Discover 2 minions from your Tier.
New: Discover 3 minions from your Tier.
Timewarped Ritual
Old: Discover a Tier 7 minion. Get a random Tier 7 spell.
New: Discover two Tier 7 minions.
Timewarped Strike Oil
Old: Increase your maximum Gold by 3. Gain 3 Gold.
New: Increase your maximum Gold by 4. Gain 4 Gold.
Timewarp Cost Changes
The following cards have had their cost reduced from 2 Chronum to 1 Chronum:
Minor Timewarp
Timewarped Acolyte
Timewarped Rewinder
Major Timewarp
Timewarped Anub’arak
Timewarped Bandit
Timewarped Chef’s Choice
Timewarped Lab Rat
Timewarped Nine Frogs
Timewarped Plunderer
Timewarped Summoner
Bug Fixes
[Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Timelooper Toki could give you cards that normally aren’t allowed to be randomly generated.
[Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Feisty Freshwater’s Deathrattle did not trigger for your teammate in Duos.
[Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Storm Splitter could copy Timewarped Spells.
[Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Plunder Pal did not grant an extra Gold.
[Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where the Golden version of Apexis Guardian’s Deathrattle could pick two separate sets of targets.
[Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Stalwart Kodo’s enchantment could be overwritten by Timewarped Tamuzo.
[Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Sunken Advocate and Bluesy Siren could cause desync issues.
[Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where the first instance of Blood Gem Barrage did not update based on your current Blood Gem value.
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.
