Patch 35.2.2: A Balancing Act for Hearthstone and Battlegrounds
Blizzard Entertainment has released Patch 35.2.2, a minor update focused on fine-tuning the metagame in both Hearthstone and Battlegrounds. The patch notes reveal a careful approach to balancing, with adjustments targeting specific cards and strategies.
Hearthstone Updates
Dev Comment: The dev team expresses satisfaction with the current metagame diversity, aiming to make subtle changes to strengthen certain decks without disrupting the overall balance. The introduction of new Class Sets in Patch 35.4 prompts a cautious approach to avoid significant shifts.
Prescient Slitherdrake: A minor buff from 6/8 to 5/8, emphasizing the need for precise adjustments.
Flight Maneuvers: The effect is slightly modified, granting +1 Attack instead of +1/+1, highlighting the importance of nuanced card interactions.
Battlegrounds Updates
Dev Comment: The devs aim to refine the early game experience, addressing over- and under-performing cards. They focus on individual outliers while also buffing Dragons and Undead, and reining in Elementals.
Ship Jumper: A significant change from Deathrattle to Rally, reducing its power ceiling while preserving interesting combat decisions. This adjustment addresses its frequent appearance and potential frustration for opponents.
Back to Back: The spell now grants stats all at once and scales more slowly with Tavern Spell buffs, ensuring a more controlled and balanced strategy.
Minion Updates
Iridescent Skyblazer: A minor buff from 3/7 to 3/8, with the effect modified to give +3/+2 to friendly Beasts instead of +3/+1.
Void Pup Trainer: The battlecry effect is slightly reduced from +4/+4 to +3/+3, maintaining its utility while balancing its power.
Shadowdancer: A tier upgrade from Tier 4 to Tier 5, with a slight increase in health from 4/2 to 5/3.
Kalecgos, Arcane Aspect: Moves from Tier 6 to Tier 5, reflecting a minor adjustment in its position within the tier system.
Twilight Broodmother: A tier downgrade from Tier 5 to Tier 4, accompanied by a slight health reduction from 7/4 to 5/3.
Ring Bearer: The effect is modified, granting Shiny Ring on attack instead of whenever two friendly minions attack.
Green Chromadrake: The battlecry effect is slightly buffed from +5 Health to +2/+4 for other Dragons.
Bronze Chromadrake: The battlecry effect is adjusted from +5 Attack to +4/+2 for other Dragons.
Black Chromadrake: A minor health increase from 2/6 to 4/6.
Red Chromadrake: The health is slightly buffed from 6/2 to 6/4.
Waveling: The deathrattle effect is modified, granting +3/+3 instead of +4/+4 after the Tavern is refreshed.
En-Djinn Blazer: The battlecry effect is adjusted from +8/+8 to +7/+7 after the Tavern is refreshed.
Living Azerite: The effect is slightly reduced from +3/+3 to +3/+2 for Elementals when a Tavern spell is cast.
Moonsteel Juggernaut: The effect is modified, granting two 4/4 Magnetic Satellites instead of one 6/6.
Mama Mrrglton: A tier upgrade from Tier 4 to Tier 3, with a slight health reduction from 6/3 to 5/3.
Papa Mrrglton: A tier upgrade from Tier 4 to Tier 3, accompanied by a health reduction from 3/6 to 3/5.
Diremuck Forager: The effect is modified, summoning the highest-Attack Murloc instead of minion.
Gunpowder Courier: The attack bonus is slightly increased from +1 Attack to +2 Attack when spending 5 Gold.
Dual-Wield Corsair: The attack bonus is adjusted from +3/+3 to +3/+4 when spending 5 Gold.
Ship Jumper: The effect is changed from Deathrattle to Rally, allowing it to attack the target first.
Redtusk Thornraiser: A minor health increase from 1/6 to 3/7.
Darkgaze Elder: The effect is modified, granting two Blood Gems on all Quilboar when spending 8 Gold.
Hired Ritualist: A minor health increase from 3/6 to 5/7.
Deep Blue Crooner: The spellcraft effect is slightly reduced from +1/+2 to +2/+2.
Eternal Knight: The effect is modified, granting +4/+2 for each friendly Eternal Knight that died.
Forsaken Weaver: The effect is slightly increased from +1 Attack to +2 Attack for Undead after casting a Tavern spell.
Catacomb Crasher: The effect is modified, granting +2/+2 instead of +2/+1 for minions that don't fit in the warband.
Sinrunner Blanchy: A significant health increase from 4/4 to 8/8.
Eternal Tycoon: A tier upgrade from Tier 4 to Tier 5, with a minor health increase from 2/6 to 4/8.
Tavern Spell Updates
Back to Back: The effect is modified, granting an extra +4/+4 for future casts.
Staff of Enrichment: The cost is increased from 1 to 2, resulting in a stronger effect.
Easterly Winds: The cost is reduced from 2 to 1, granting a more powerful effect.
Queen’s Command: The effect is slightly modified, granting +2/+3 instead of +3/+3 for minions and Naga.
Trinket Updates
Trinket Pool Changes: Several trinkets are removed or modified, with some lesser trinkets gaining cost-only changes. The removal of Greater Trinkets like Lavish Cape and Unholy Sanctum reflects a shift in strategy.
Hoggy Bank: The effect is modified, granting 2 Blood Gems instead of 1.
Ornate Clock: The effect is changed, granting 3 Gold instead of allowing the purchase of a Greater Trinket.
Bubble Crown: The effect is slightly buffed, granting +5/+5 instead of +3/+3 after casting 10 spells.
Bluegill Flippers: The effect is slightly increased, granting +4/+4 instead of +3/+3 after casting a Tavern spell.
Booty Bay Brew: The effect is slightly buffed, granting +3/+2 instead of +2/+2 when spending Gold.
Lorewalker Scroll: The effect is slightly increased, granting +8/+8 instead of +7/+7 after casting a spell.
Copper Coil: The effect is modified, granting +3/+3 instead of +2/+2 when Magnetizing a minion.
Dragonwing Glider: The effect is slightly buffed, granting +6/+4 instead of +6/+3 when playing a card.
Charming Panpipes: The cost is increased from 2 to 4, resulting in a stronger effect.
Boom's Monster Portrait: The effect is modified, granting a new monster at the start of every turn.
Peacebloom Candle: The cost is increased from 1 to 2, providing more free Tavern spells.
Shaker Portrait: The cost is reduced from 7 to 3, resulting in an extra copy of the spell.
Electrode Attractor: The cost is reduced from 6 to 2, making Magnetic Mechs more accessible.
Privateer Portrait: The effect is modified, granting 2 random Bounties instead of 3.
Miniature Ship: The effect is slightly reduced, granting +2/+2 instead of +2/+3 after casting a Tavern spell.
Bewitched Ribbon: The effect is slightly modified, granting +3/+2 instead of +3/+3 while in combat.
Beatboxer Portrait: The cost is increased from 4 to 6, resulting in a more powerful effect.
Magicfin Sticker: The cost is reduced from 5 to 3, allowing for more frequent use.
Darkmoon Faire Prizes - Repeat Customer: The effect is modified, returning a friendly non-Golden minion and granting +6/+6.
Hero Changes
Mister Clocksworth: Banned in Duos, reflecting a strategic decision to balance the hero's power.
Bug Fixes
Battlegrounds: Several bugs are addressed, including display issues with Golden minions, stat bonuses, and trinket interactions. Typos and power discrepancies are corrected, ensuring a more accurate and enjoyable gameplay experience.
