Blizzard just posted patch notes for the 34.6.2 update, which is releasing later today. The patch was already teaser yesterday, so we knew what cards are getting changed, but now we also know how!
In Standard, we’re getting a single card change – Warmaster Blackhorn now only destroys cards in decks, not hand. It still fits its disruption role, but it no longer gets rid of opponent’s whole hand/combo in some scenarios. It’s rare to see a free expansion Legendary getting nerfed before the set is even out, but Blackhorn was quite controversial when it launched a couple weeks ago so it’s understandable.
In Wild, they are hitting some decks that are too strong right now or offer unfun gameplay patterns. So… mostly Warlock. Both the Discard/Burn and Egg builds are the main nerf targets. Soul Barrage now deals 5 and costs 4. The cost reduction might seem like a buff, but in reality it’s also a nerf since it will be harder to hit with “discard your highest cost cards” effects. And Spiritsinger Umbra now costs 5 mana, which might not seem like a big nerf, but it also means that she can no longer be pulled from the deck by Sacrificial Summoner when targeting Egg. And finally, Ysiel Windsinger‘s effect is now a Battlecry, so technically you can still use her in some late game combos, but she will no longer work when cheated out (e.g. by Barnes).
And, of course, the patch’s big focus is the Battlegrounds. The game mode had a big shake-up update in Patch 34.6, and this is the first balance patch after it. As usual, we’re getting a lot of changes, this times mostly buffs to individual underperforming cards. We also have some minion pool changes and updates to Heroes/Timewarped Cards/Anomalies.
You can read the full patch notes below:
Patch 34.6.2 launches today with balance changes to Standard, Wild, and Battlegrounds.
Hearthstone Updates
Dev Comment: Well met! We’ve loved seeing the excitement around the Hearthstone Spotlight and what’s ahead with CATACLYSM. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the free goodies in the Dragon’s Hoard and claim your login reward, Warmaster Blackhorn, who has already begun making waves in the meta.
Warmaster Blackhorn offers an early taste of CATACLYSM‘s devastation, and he may have brought a little too much of it. We’ve seen some players love his power, while others have found facing him frustrating. We enjoy cards that spark strong reactions and see plenty of play, but Blackhorn has proven to be a bit too impactful. To address this, we are adjusting him to only destroy cards in decks, preserving his destructive identity while allowing for more back-and-forth gameplay.
In Wild, these changes target a handful of decks that have become too common or that create especially sharp play patterns. Updates to Discard Warlock keep the archetype intact while lowering its power and consistency. Changes to Egg Warlock slow its strongest turns, and an adjustment to the Ysiel Druid combo strategy reduces games ending in a single explosive turn.
Looking ahead, a much larger balance update is planned for Patch 35.0, alongside rotation and Core Set updates. We look forward to sharing more details soon!
Standard
Warmaster Blackhorn
Old: Battlecry: Destroy all cards that cost (2) or less in both player’s hands and decks.
New: Battlecry: Destroy all cards that cost (2) or less in both players’ decks.
Wild
Soul Barrage
Old: [5 mana] When you play or discard this, deal 6 damage randomly split among all enemies.
New: [4 mana] When you play or discard this, deal 5 damage randomly split among all enemies.
Spiritsinger Umbra
Old: [4 mana]
New: [5 mana]
Ysiel Windsinger
Old: Your spells cost (1)
New: Battlecry: Your spells cost (1) this turn.
Battlegrounds Updates
Dev Comment: Most of the Battlegounds balance changes in this patch focus on individual cards that were either over- or underperforming, but we wanted to highlight a few key updates.
First up is Silky Shimmermoth. This card was a significant power outlier and was temporarily removed some time ago. It’s now returning with a redesign that should feel much less oppressive. To account for its return, we’ve also made adjustments to Turquoise Skitterer and Forest Rover.
Next, let’s talk about Mechs. Volumizers have been somewhat underperforming since the return of Apexis Guardian, but that card is tricky to adjust without pushing the archetype too far. Instead, we’ve chosen to buff the Volumizers and bring back Metal Dispenser, which has also received a buff compared to its previous iteration.
Lastly, we’ve removed the Eleventh Hour anomaly so we can keep the anomaly pool more curated and exciting.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on how the meta develops and will make further adjustments as needed. Thank you for all your feedback, and we’ll see you in the Tavern!
Minion and Spell Pool Changes
Returning Minions
Thieving Rascal
Metal Dispenser
Silky Shimmermoth
Removed Minions
Groundbreaker
Prehistoric Tinkerer
Quilled Cabbie
Minion Updates
Moon-Bacon Jazzer
Old: 2/3.
New: 1/3.
Turquoise Skitterer
Old: 2/4. Deathrattle: Your Beetles have +5/+5 this game.
New: 4/4. Deathrattle: Your Beetles have +4/+4 this game.
Forest Rover
Old: 3/2.
New: 1/1.
Unleashed Mana Surge
Old: 5/3. After you play an Elemental, give your Elementals +1/+1.
New: 5/4. After you play an Elemental, give your Elementals +2/+2.
Mrglin’ Burglar
Old: After you play a Murloc, give a friendly minion and a minion in your hand +4/+3.
New: After you play a Murloc, give a friendly minion and a minion in your hand +4/+4.
Iridescent Skyblazer
Old: 3/7. Whenever a friendly Beast takes damage, give a friendly Beast other than it +2/+1 permanently.
New: 3/8. Whenever a friendly Beast takes damage, give a friendly Beast other than it +3/+1 permanently.
Eternal Knight
Old: 3/1. Has +3/+1 for each friendly Eternal Knight that died this game (wherever this is).
New: 4/1. Has +4/+1 for each friendly Eternal Knight that died this game (wherever this is).
Eternal Tycoon
Old: 2/7.
New: 2/9.
Red Volumizer
Old: 4/1. Magnetic. The first time this is played or Magnetized, your Volumizers have +2 Attack this game (wherever they are).
New: 3/1. Magnetic. The first time this is played or Magnetized, your Volumizers have +3 Attack this game (wherever they are).
Blue Volumizer
Old: 1/4. Magnetic. The first time this is played or Magnetized, your Volumizers have +2 Health this game (wherever they are).
New: 1/3. Magnetic. The first time this is played or Magnetized, your Volumizers have +3 Health this game (wherever they are).
Green Volumizer
Old: 2/2.
New: 3/3.
Metal Dispenser
Old: 2/7. Divine Shield. Avenge (3): Get a random Magnetic Volumizer.
New: 2/8. Divine Shield. Avenge (3): Magnetize a random Volumizer to this. Get a copy of it.
Relentless Deflector
Old: Has Taunt while this has Divine Shield. Avenge (4): Gain Divine Shield.
New: Has Taunt while this has Divine Shield. Avenge (3): Gain Divine Shield.
Sundered Matriarch
Old: Whenever you cast a spell, give your minions +2 Health.
New: Whenever you cast a spell, give your minions +3 Health.
Shore Marauder
Old: 4/5.
New: 8/10.
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 Pirates +1/+1.
Azsharan Veteran
Old: 4/4. Spellcraft: Give your minions +2/+1. Repeat for each Bonus Keyword in your warband.
New: 4/5. Spellcraft: Give your minions +2/+1 for each different Bonus Keyword in your warband.
Silky Shimmermoth
Old: [Tier 6] 8/3. After this gains Attack, your Beetles have +3/+2 this game. Deathrattle: Summon a 2/2 Beetle.
New: [Tier 6] 3/8. Whenever this takes damage, your Beetles have +2/+2 this game. Deathrattle: Summon a 2/2 Beetle.
Timewarped Radio Star
Old: Deathrattle: Get a copy of the enemy minion that killed this with full Health and enchantments.
New: Deathrattle: Get a copy of the minion that killed this with full Health and enchantments.
Dev Note: This is a wording change to match functionality with cards like Tunnel Blaster.
Hero Updates
Hero Changes
Professor Putricide – Build-An-Undead
Minions Removed from Undead Pool for Build-An-Undead
Skeletal Sidekick
Archerus Veteran
Ticking Abomination
Incorporeal Corporal
Festeroot Hulk
Creation Tier Changes for Build-An-Undead
Fallen Sun Cleric: Tier 2 → 1
Sunborne Val’kyr: Tier 4 → 3
Arms Dealer: Tier 2 → 1
Lost Spirit: Tier 2 → 1
Artanis – Warp Gate
The following Warp Gate Protoss minions have been changed:
Mothership
Old: Avenge (5): Get a random Protoss minion.
New: Avenge (4): Get a random Protoss minion.
Carrier
Old: Avenge (4): Summon a 5/5 Interceptor. Then improve this permanently.
New: Avenge (4): Summon a 7/7 Interceptor. Then improve this permanently.
Timewarp Updates
Anomaly Updates
Darkmoon Faire Prizes: Reserve Prices
Old: Tavern spells cost (2) less this turn.
New: Tavern spells cost (1) less this turn.
Timewarp Pool Changes
Removed from Minor Timewarp
Timewarped Jelly Belly
Removed from Major Timewarp
Timewarped Sylvar
Timewarp Card Changes
Minor Timewarp
Timewarped Alleycat
Old: 5/5.
New: 7/7.
Timewarped Seer
Old: One Tavern spell each turn costs (0). (1 left!)
New: Two Tavern spells each turn cost (2) less. (2 left!)
Timewarped Guard
Old: 3/7.
New: 5/10.
Timewarped Mothership
Old: Avenge (5): Get a random Protoss minion.
New: Avenge (4): Get a random Protoss minion.
Timewarped Tipper
Old: 3/4.
New: 6/8.
Timewarped Traveler
Old: 4/5. Avenge (5): Get a random 1‑Cost minion from the Minor Timewarp.
New: 4/8. Avenge (4): Get a random 1‑Cost minion from the Minor Timewarp.
Timewarped Chimera
Old: Whenever this takes damage, give a friendly minion of each type +1/+1 permanently.
New: Whenever this takes damage, give a friendly minion of each type +2/+1 permanently.
Major Timewarp
Timewarped Mythrax
Old: Minion Type: Neutral. 8/8. Start of Combat: Gain the stats of 3 friendly minions of different types.
New: Minion Type: All. 8/9. Start of Combat: Gain the stats of 3 friendly minions of different types (except Timewarped Mythrax).
Timewarped Astrogill
Old: While this is in your hand, after a different friendly Murloc gains stats, gain +1/+1.
New: While this is in your hand, after a different friendly Murloc gains stats, gain +2/+1.
Timewarped Goldrinn
Old: 6/4. Your Beasts have +3/+2 this game (wherever they are).
New: 6/6. Deathrattle: Your Beasts have +3/+3 this game (wherever they are).
Timewarped Jungle King
Old: Stealth. After you summon a Beast, give it +3/+2. Improves after you cast a spell.
New: Stealth. After you summon a Beast, give it +4/+3. Improves after you cast a spell.
Timewarped Substrate
Old: At the end of your turn, get a Temperature Shift.
New: Divine Shield. At the end of your turn, get a Temperature Shift.
Timewarp Cost Changes
Minor Timewarp
Timewarped Bassgill: 2 Chronum → 1 Chronum
Anomaly Changes
False Idols
Old: You only need 2 copies of a minion to make it Golden. Instead of a Triple Reward, get a Gold Coin.
New: You only need 2 copies of a minion to make it Golden. Instead of a Triple Reward, get a Tavern Coin.
Anomaly Pool Changes
Eleventh Hour has been removed from the Anomaly Pool.
Darkmoon Faire Prizes appearance rate has been lowered.
Bug Fixes
Battlegrounds
Photobomber’s visual effect has been sped up.
Fixed a bug where Burgeoning Whelp’s effect could apply its buff twice to Whelps summoned by Broodmother’s Hero Power.
Fixed a bug where Eternal Tycoon would not summon if your hand was full.
Fixed a bug where Timewarped Radio Star could give copies of friendly minions.
Fixed a bug where Putricide’s creation displayed a debug number in its description.
Fixed a bug where Timewarped Chef’s Choice did not grant another Visionary Shipman.
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.
