After a leak of in-built nerfs and the progressive reveal of new Battlegrounds maps, there was little room left for surprises in this Hearthstone 22.2 patch. Blizzard has however formalized the final outlines of the update, which contains all-round new features on almost all of the TCG game modes.

Patch 22.2 will be deployed on the servers on Tuesday, January 25 at 7 p.m. From this date, the standard meta is likely to be quite turned upside down since the Thief Thief as well as the Quest Warrior are suffering from the full force of nerfs. But it is in BG that we must expect a complete revolution, with the insertion of the new "Companion" minions.

Built balances

Patch 22.2 nerfs leaked

It was only due to be revealed tomorrow, but patch 22.2 has partially leaked. The wave of nerfs and buffs that will befall the standard and the wild has been posted on reddit in Russian.

Battlegrounds

General Updates

Companions

There's nothing like fighting with a companion! In this update, discover Battlefield Companions, special minions specific to each hero and adapted to their playstyle.

Companions play like normal minions, but cannot be purchased from the store. Instead, each hero has a "companion-meter" that fills up during the combat phase each time you: join a fight, inflict damage on an opponent, remove Divine Shield from an opponent, win a phase of fight or finish tied. Each round you also get a small bonus depending on how many minions you have at the start of the fight. Companions are earned at 3 different rates, with those at lower tavern levels being earned faster than those at higher tavern levels. Finally, the Companion Meter can only fill up a certain amount each turn to prevent the Companion from getting too far ahead.

The Companion Meter has two sections. Complete the first to get 1 copy of your hero's companion in your hand. Complete the second to get 2 extra copies! Once the two sections are completed, the companion-meter breaks and is no longer available for the rest of the game (even if you have tripled your companion or sold copies along the way).

>The complete list of 75 companions affiliated with their heroes<

New Heroes

Bru'Kan

Adopt Elements [Cost: 0]Choose an element. Beginning of the fight: calls upon this element.

Drek'Thar

Leading the Frostwolves [Cost: 0]

Choose an allied minion. It copies the ATK of your minion with the highest ATK for the next fight only.

Vanndar Stormpike

Leading the Stormpikes [Cost: 0]

Choose an allied minion. It copies the HP of your minion with the highest HP for the next fight only.

Tavish Stormpike

Sharp Marksman [Cost: 0]Take aim! Start of the fight: inflicts 1 point of damage to your target. (Getting better with every turn!)

Hero Updates

Alexstrasza

The chances of obtaining level 6 Dragons are no longer reduced.

Ysera

Bob's Tavern is no longer considered refreshed at the start of a turn if no new minions are added.

George the Fallen

His Hero Power now reads, "Give Divine Shield to a minion." »

Heroes Kael'thas, Silas Darkmoon, and Chenvaa'la will be temporarily disabled with the launch of Update 22.2. They will join the hero pool again in a later update.

Servant Update

Annihilated Warmaster

The text now reads: “Battlecry: Gain +1 HP for each HP your hero is missing. »

Mercenaries Mode

Village Update

The Training Ground (formerly referred to as the “Training Center”) is coming to Mercenaries Mode! This is a new location in the village where your mercenaries can passively gain experience while you complete bounties with other mercenaries, play other game modes, or even sleep! Simply go to the training ground, choose the mercenary you want to train, and leave them there for as long as you want. Go back and have a look from time to time to recover the accumulated experience and see how the mercenary is doing, or remove him if you think he is ready to go on an adventure with you!

Creating the training ground costs 100 gold (with one dedicated training slot) and upgrading it costs 200 gold (with two dedicated training slots in total).

New Mercenaries

Balinda Stonehouse (Legendary Fighter)Human

Max. : 10/73Capacities:

Flame Dart 5 (Fire): (Speed ​​3) Inflicts 10 damage. Gives +3 weakness to Frost.Frost Dart 5 (Frost): (Speed ​​4) Inflicts 12 damage. Grants +3 Weakness to Fire. Frostburn 5: (Speed ​​7, cooldown 1) Deal 11 damage to all opponents. Gains +3 to Frost damage or +3 to Fire damage.

Equipment:

Lesser Fire Elemental 4: Battlecry: Summon a 10/15 Lesser Fire Elemental that grants +3 Fire Weakness to characters it damages. Lesser Water Elemental 4: Battlecry: Summon a 10/15 Lesser Water Elemental that freezes the characters it deals damage to. Lightningpike Salute 4: Passive effect: at the end of each turn, gives +5 HP to all your characters.

Captain Galvangar (epic fighter) Orc

Max. : 11/71Capacities:

Slash 5: (Speed ​​5) Attack an opponent. If he hasn't acted this turn, inflicts Bleed (8) on him and adjacent opponents. Fatal Strike 5: (Speed ​​3) Deal 8 damage to an opponent. It cannot heal itself for 2 turns.Frightening Cry 5: (Speed ​​6, cooldown 1) Deal 10 damage to all opponents. If they have already acted, the cooldown of the ability they used is increased by 3.

Equipment:

Frost Wolf's Fury 4: Passive Effect: Allied characters have +5 ATK. Drek'Thar's Favor 4: Fatal Strike also inflicts Bleed (5).

Irion (epic fighter)Human

Max. : 12/73Capacities:

Creeping Madness 5 (Bile): (Speed ​​8) Attacks an opponent. Next turn, he must use a different ability or take 20 damage. Tail Sweep 5 (Shadow): (Speed ​​6) Deal 20 damage to the leftmost or rightmost opponent at the chance.True Form 5: (Speed ​​3, cooldown 2) Becomes a Dragon. Gain +0 HP. (HP increases with damage dealt by this mercenary.) (Transforms into Reign of the Blight 5.)Reign of the Blight 5 (Bile): (Speed ​​8, cooldown 1) Deal 3 damage to all opponents. Repeat 4 times. (Triggers cooldown.)

Equipment:

Fear Chimera 4: Creeping Madness also makes the opponent (4) slower. Black Dragon Scales 4: Tail Sweep also inflicts Bleed (5). Wrathful Horn 4: True Form has no cooldown and also gives +6 ATK.

Lokholar (Rare Protector)Elemental

Max. : 9/82Capacities:

Hailstorm 5 (Frost): (Speed ​​5) Deal 3 damage to a random opponent. Repeat 5 times.Frost Shock 5 (Frost): (Speed ​​9) Deal 10 damage to an opponent. His next ability gives him +5 Weakness to Frost this turn. Snowball 5 (Frost): (Speed ​​7, Cooldown 1) Deals 10 damage. Damage increases by +5 each time another Frost ability is cast. Reset after use.

Equipment:

Chilling Focus 4: Hailstorm repeats 4 more times. Frigid Winds 4: Passive effect: Once an opponent has acted, gain +4 Frost damage until end of turn. Lord's Veil ice 4: Passive effect: Allied Elementals have +20 HP.

Sinestra (rare fighter)Dragon

Max. : 13/75Capacity:

Ravage Sweep 5: (Speed ​​6) Attacks an opponent. If you control another Dragon, inflict Bleed (10). Mana Barrier 5 (Arcane): (Speed ​​2, cooldown 1) Restores 50 Health to a Dragon, but its next ability is slower by (3). Extinction Twilight 5 (Shadow): (Speed ​​5, cooldown 1) Restores 20 HP to this mercenary. At the end of the next turn, inflict 30 damage to all opponents.

Equipment:

Hooked Talons 4: Ravaging Sweep inflicts an additional Bleed (5). Mana Pin 4: Mana Barrier restores 10 additional HP and reduces damage taken by 5 this turn. Extra HP and deals 10 extra damage, but its cooldown is increased by 1.

Gear Update

The third gear of the 5 new mercenaries introduced in this update can be unlocked by completing a specific heroic bounty while the mercenary in question is in your party. The heroic bounty to be completed for each mercenary will be indicated under the unlock conditions of the equipment.

New Bounties

A new area is coming to Mercenaries Mode: Alterac Valley! The battle for Alterac Valley continues in Mercenaries mode and brings 6 new bounties.

Dodge Stormpike bullets and Frostwolf fangs on this mammoth hunt to earn great rewards.

Duels Mode

New Heroes

The battle for Alterac Valley continues with the arrival of Vanndar Stormpike and Drek'Thar in Duels Mode! They will be the first neutral heroes in Hearthstone, with special treasures that will allow them to ally with one of the classes of their faction! If they ally with a class in their faction, they will go from neutral to Ally class for deck building and the rest of the spree. Each will have a special treasure that will allow them to remain neutral during the ride, but will give them a glimpse of their faction's classes!

Drek'Thar has 3 heroic powers that you can unlock as you play:

Warmaster's Frenzy [Cost: 2]

Deal 1 damage to ALL minions. Honorable Victory: Gain +1 ATK this turn.

Exploit Items [Cost: 1]

You draw a spell. Reduces its cost by (1) crystal. Conditions for obtaining: Play 40 spells costing 3 crystals or more.

War Orders [Cost: 2]

You draw a neutral minion that costs 3 crystals or less. It costs (0) crystal during this turn. Conditions for obtaining: Play 60 neutral minions costing 3 crystals or less.

Drek'Thar also has 6 special treasures that you can unlock as you play:

Proof of value

Spell at 6 mana crystals. Discover a weapon and equip your hero with it, then destroy all minions. Ally: warrior.

Elemental Chaos

Spell at 6 mana crystals. Calls on the power of the four elements! Ally: Shaman. Conditions for obtaining: Play 20 minions with Warcry.

Pact of the Lich

Spell at 4 mana crystals. Place 5 Fel Rifts in your deck. You draw 3 cards. Ally: Warlock. Fel Rifts: [Bile Spell with 3 mana crystals] Played when drawn. Summons a 3/3 Dread Imp. Conditions for obtaining: Play 25 Fire spells.

Magister in fury

Spell at 1 mana crystal. Until the end of your turn, once you have cast a spell, you draw one. Ally: mage. Conditions for obtaining: Play 50 Frost spells.

Gift of the heart

Spell at 5 mana crystals. You gain 4 empty mana crystals. Ally: Druid. Conditions for obtaining: Play 25 cards with Honorable Victory.

For the Horde!

Spell at 1 mana crystal. Start of the game: you draw this card. Places in your deck 15 tradable spells that uncover a Horde spell. Might of the Horde: [0 Mana Crystal Spell] Tradable. Discover a Horde spell (druid, mage, shaman, warlock and warrior). Conditions for obtaining: Play 200 neutral minions of the year of the Griffin.

Vanndar Stormpike has 3 hero powers that you can unlock as you play:

Offer Promotion [Cost: 1]

Gives a minion +1/+1, and Rush, Toxicity, Taunt, Windfury, Divine Shield, or Stealth.

Send Scout [Cost: 2]

Summon a 2/2 SI:7 Scout.SI:7 Scout: [1 Mana Crystal, 2/2 minion] Deathrattle: Add a random card to your hand (from your opponent's class ).Requirement: Play 40 minions with Deathrattle.

Combat Tactics [Cost 2]

Reduces the cost of neutral minions in your hand that cost (4) or more crystals by (2).How to Obtain: Play 60 neutral minions that cost 4 or more crystals.

Vanndar Stormpike also has 6 special treasures that you can unlock as you play:

Sanctification of Light

Spell at 6 mana crystals. Give +3/+3 and Divine Shield to all minions in your hand. Ally: paladin.

The Spymaster Game

Spell at 7 mana crystals. Summon copies of minions in your hand and grant them Stealth. Ally: thief. Conditions for obtaining: Play 20 exchangeable cards.

Stalker Supplies

Spell at 3 mana crystals. Place each upgraded Secret in your deck. Ally: hunter. Conditions for obtaining: Play 25 Secrets.

Destructive ambush

Spell at 6 mana crystals. Summons the leftmost and rightmost minions in your hand. They attack random enemy minions. Ally: Demon Hunter. Conditions for obtaining: Launch 30 attacks with your hero.

Fervent Blessings

Spell at 4 mana crystals. Add a copy of each friendly minion with Deathrattle that died this game to your hand. Ally: priest. Conditions for obtaining: Play 50 cards with Deathrattle.

For the Alliance!

Spell at 1 mana crystal. Start of the game: you draw this card. Place in your deck 15 tradable spells that discover an Alliance spell. United Front: [Spell at 0 Mana Crystal] Tradable. Discover a spell of the Alliance (demon hunter, paladin, hunter, priest and thief). Conditions for obtaining: Play 200 neutral minions of the year of the Griffin.

New for heroes

Thrashing (Warrior Hero Power)

Previously: [Cost: 0] → Now: [Cost: 1]

New Passive Treasures

Phase Shift Ring – Group 1

After you play a legendary minion, add a random legendary minion to your hand.

Exhashadow formation – Group 1

Each turn, after your first minion is played, place a 1/1 copy costing (1) crystal in your hand.

Unstable Magic – Group 2

After you cast an Arcane spell, turn a random enemy minion into a 1/1 Sheep.

Guardian Light – Group 2

After you cast a Holy spell, summon an Ancient Guardian with stats equal to its cost.

Flames of the Kirin Tor – Group 2

After you cast your first Fire spell of the turn, add a fireball to your hand.

Insane Lint – Group 2

Gain 1 Mana Crystal each time a neutral minion dies during your turn.

Draconic Dream – Group 2

Once you summon a Dragon, place a Dream Portal in your deck that summons a Dragon when drawn.

Refresh Ring – Group 2

Once you cast a spell, resets your Hero Power.

Heavy Armor – Group 2

At the start of the game, increases your hero's HP to 10. He cannot take more than 1 point of damage at a time.

Crown of Sunstrider – Tier 2 Ultra Rare

Whenever you cast three spells in a turn, the third costs (1) crystal.

Treasure Group Changes

Treasure Balancing Changes

Royal Greatsword

Previously: [Cost: 5] 6 ATK → Now: [Cost: 6] 5 ATK

Shadow Word: Empty

Previously: [Cost: 3] → Now: [Cost: 4]

Totem Specialist

Previously: [Cost: 3] → Now: [Cost: 4]

Speed ​​Blade

Previously: [Cost: 4] → Now: [Cost: 5]

Death Strider

Previously: [Cost: 2] → Now: [Cost: 4]

Dragonbone Ritual

Previously: Passive Effect: After you play a Dragon, grants it "Deathrattle: Goes dormant for 3 turns". → Now: Passive effect: once you have played a Dragon, grants it "Deathrattle: Goes dormant for 2 turns".

Special Standoff: Tavish vs. Rokara

Although Edwin VanCleef was defeated in the Deadmines, Lady Prestor's agents have transported the Naaru shards to Alterac Valley where they await Kazakus. Horde and Alliance mercenaries compete to decide who will collect the shards. In this special showdown, you play as either Tavish or Rokara and select one of your fellow mercenaries to back you up (in the form of hero power). Each combination gives rise to unique dialogues that reveal more about the history of the mercenaries. Try them all when they launch on January 26! The first victory reward for this standoff is a standard deck that can include cards from any set in Standard mode.

Book of the Mercenaries: Tavish

If the hunter Tavish Stormpike wanted no more dealings with his snobbish and condescending cousin Vanndar, fate (and the promise of loot) nevertheless brought him back to the Alterac Valley. The Troll Kazakus plans to put the broken Naaru back together and use its powers to perform a mysterious ritual. To stop him, Tavish will have to brave the Frostwolf Clan, Horde mercenaries, angry Troggs, his own family, and even food poisoning! Will he have the stomach strong enough for that? Find out when Tavish's Book of Mercenaries launches on February 1. Defeat the 8 bosses in this linear adventure to win a hunter card deck containing exclusively hunter cards for Standard mode!

Free card backs

It's almost time for the Lunar Festival on Hearthstone, and with it, its share of legendary quests and surprises! You will know more in the coming weeks. While you wait for the festivities to kick off, get the Dancing Lion card back for free in the store starting January 25!

Miscellaneous fixes

Who Horde or Alliance won Alterac Valley on Hearthstone?

The two Warcraft factions have been vying for control of Alterac Valley on Hearthstone, and Blizzard has announced the results of the races. And the winner might surprise you.