Hearthstone players can now pre-purchase Fractured in Alterac Valley bundles.
Hearthstone patch 21.8 will feature balance changes, a free Fractured in Alterac Valley card and more. There will also be an Alterac Valley event that runs from Dec. 7 to Jan. 11, with the winning faction getting showcased within the game.
Free Golden Legendary Cards
Upon login, Hearthstone players will get to choose between two free Golden Legendary cards. While Drek’Thar represents the Horde, Vanndar Stormpike is for the Alliance.
On Nov. 15, the Hearthstone Twitter page teased card reveals showcasing World of Warcraft's Horde and Alliance factions. By receiving either Drek’Thar or Vanndar Stormpike, players will be better prepared for the upcoming Fractured in Alterac Valley expansion. Scheduled to launch on Dec. 7, this expansion will have 135 new cards.
Fractured in Alterac Valley event
After Fractured in Alterac Valley launches, players will be able to duke it out against each other for Honor points and rewards. This event will run from Dec. 7 to Jan. 11.
- 10 Honor will be granted for every game played
- 10 more Honor will be granted for every game won (20 total)
- 20 more Honor will be granted for every game won against an opponent from the enemy faction (40 total)
As players earn Honor, they will progress through a Legendary Quest chain featuring Alterac Valley. Those who finish the quests will receive a Golden Legendary of their opposing faction’s leader. At the end of the event, the faction with the most Honor in total will be showcased within Hearthstone. Players will get a Diamond card of the winning faction’s leader.
The new Hearthstone patch 21.8 will also include updates to various cards. These include Razormane Battleguard, Arcanist Dawngrasp, Garrote and Renew:
- Razormane Battleguard: Old: 2 Attack, 3 Health → New: 2 Attack, 2 Health
- Arcanist Dawngrasp: Old: Battlecry: For the rest of the game, you have Spell Damage +3. → New: For the rest of the game, you have Spell Damage +2.
- Garrote: Old: Deal 2 damage to the enemy hero. Shuffle 3 Bleeds into your deck that deal 2 more when drawn. → New: Deal 2 damage to the enemy hero. Shuffle 2 Bleeds into your deck that deal 2 more when drawn.
- Renew: Old: [Costs 2] → New: [Costs 1]
Tamsin Roame joins Hearthstone Battlegrounds
Meanwhile, Hearthstone Battlegrounds will receive some updates. It will have a new armor system, which involves awarding armor at the beginning of each game. This will “help balance and spice up the Tavern,” according to Blizzard.
The heroes will receive a random amount of armor based on their power levels. The strong ones will get no armor, while the weakest heroes can get up to 10 armor.
Meanwhile, Tamsin Roame will be a new Hearthstone Battlegrounds hero. Fragrant Phylactery, which costs no mana, will “Destroy your lowest Health minion. Give its Health to all your others.”
Players who have Battlegrounds Perks will get early access to her before she gets formally released to everyone on Nov. 30.
As for Diablo, he will stay in Hearthstone Battlegrounds a bit longer and have updated Diablo Treasures:
- Sigil of Hell:
- Tier 1: Old: 1 damage → New: 2 damage
- Tier 2: Old: 3 damage → New: 4 damage
- And Tier 3: Old: 6 damage → New: 8 damage
- Tier 4: Old: 12 damage → New: 16 damage
- Claws of Terror:
- Tier 1: Old: +2/+2 → New: +4/+4
- The Tier 2: Old: +6/+6 → New: +8/+8
- Tier 3: Old: +12/+12 → New: +16/+16
- Hellfire Hooves:
- Tier 1: Old: +1 Attack → New: +2 Attack
- Tier 2: Old: +2 Attack → New: +4 Attack
- The Tier 3: Old: +3 Attack → New: +8 Attack
- Tier 4: Old: +6 Attack → New: +16 Attack
In terms of the minions, Bristleback Knight will be no longer be available in the pool. Meanwhile, Mythrax and Thorncaller will return to it.
Updated minions will include Mechano-Tank, Grease Bot, Scallywag, Yo-Ho-Ogre, Southsea Strongarm, Ripsnarl Captain, Tony Two-Tusk, Tough Tusk, Bristleback Brute, Dynamic Duo and Necrolyte.
Hearthstone Mercenaries and more
For players who enjoy Hearthstone Mercenaries, they will see buffs for Cariel Roame, Cornelius Roame, Grommash, Jaraxxus, Varian Wrynn, Illidan, Mutanus, Old Murk-Eye, Rathorian, Rokara, Scabbs Cutterbutter, Tirion Fordring and Gul'dan.
Additionally, Book of Mercenaries Scabbs will launch on Nov. 16 as part of the Hearthstone Patch 21.8. Players who defeat all of the bosses will receive a Rogue card pack.
Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest Hearthstone news and updates.