The 23.0.3 patch brings balance changes to three Hearthstone Game Modes. Learn about all the nerfs in this article.
Hearthstone released today the Patch notes for the update 23.0.3, including the nerfs that we anticipated last Thursday. On top of that, Battlegrounds and Duels are also getting balance changes. Join us in this recap of Hearthstone Patch 23.0.3.
Hearthstone Patch 23.0.3: Constructed changes
Last Thursday Gallon anticipated the nerfs we would be getting today. Nevertheless, let’s go over the changes that come with the 23.0.3 Hearthstone Patch.
Old: Battlecry: If all minions in your deck are Dragons, craft a custom deck of treasures. → New: Battlecry: If you played 4 other Dragons this game, craft a custom deck of treasures.
![Miracle Growth<br>Old: [Costs 7] <strong>→</strong> <strong>New: [Costs 8]</strong>](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F04%2FMiracle-Growth-nerf-hearthstone-patch.png&w=3840&q=75)
Old: [Costs 7] → New: [Costs 8]
Old: Play 2 Pirates. → New: Play 3 Pirates.
Old: 3 Attack, 4 Health → New: 3 Attack, 3 Health
Old: Draw 2 minions. Swap their stats. → New: Draw 2 minions. Swap their Health.
(Banned in Wild)
Old: Every third spell you cast each turn costs (0). → New: Every third spell you cast each turn costs (1).
The changes in the 23.0.3 patch aim to balance Hearthstone’s metagame. This is the first balance patch we get after Voyage to the Sunken City expansion launched. Druid’s power level was out of the charts, and the deck’s popularity consequently rose to the roof, creating an unhealthy player experience.
Many players were surprised by the lack of nerfs to Demon Hunter. Gallon mentioned that they will “be keeping a close eye on the post-patch metagame to see how aggressive Demon Hunter list fare once slower decks are given a better chance.” This makes sense since control was pushed out of the metagame by Kazakusan Druid.
Remember that the cards affected by Hearthstone Patch 23.0.3, except for the uncraftable Kael’thas Sunstrider, will be eligible for full dust refunds until May 12.
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Hearthstone Battlegrounds 23.0.3 Patch notes
Hearthstone Battlegrounds also received some changes with the 23.0.3 patch. The main target of this patch was to tone down Murloc’s power level.
Old: Passive: After 9 friendly minions die, get a random Mech. → New: Passive: After 12 friendly minions die, get a random Mech.
![Aquarrior (Varden Dawngrasp’s Buddy)<br>Old: [Tavern Tier 2] 3 Attack, 5 Health. <strong>→</strong> <strong>New: [Tavern Tier 3] 3 Attack, 6 Health.</strong>](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F04%2FVardens-Buddy-Hearthstone-Patch-Nerfs.png&w=3840&q=75)
Old: [Tavern Tier 2] 3 Attack, 5 Health. → New: [Tavern Tier 3] 3 Attack, 6 Health.
Old: Avenge (3): Give a friendly Murloc Poisonous permanently. → New: Avenge (4): Give a friendly Murloc Poisonous permanently.
![Coldlight Seer<br>Old: [Tavern Tier 3] <strong>→</strong> <strong>New: [Tavern Tier 4]</strong>](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F04%2FColdlight-seer-Hearthstone-Patch-Nerfs.png&w=3840&q=75)
Old: [Tavern Tier 3] → New: [Tavern Tier 4]
Old: 7 Attack, 7 Health. Whenever this attacks, summon a 9/9 Devilsaur to attack the target first. → New: 6 Attack, 6 Health. Whenever this attacks, summon an 8/8 Devilsaur to attack the target first.
The 23.0.3 Hearthstone patch hit Murlocs hard with the nerf to SI: Sefin and Coldligh Seer. Murloc compositions were sometimes too good to beat, and Sefin itself was a powerful minion. On top of that, Ini Stormcoil received a huge nerf, the second in her short lifespan, that will probably send her down the tier list and maybe make her unplayable.
Duels Changes
On top of the Constructed and Battlegrounds changes, Duels is getting some fine-tuning with Hearthstone patch 23.0.3. What stands out in these changes is the Dev Comment on Humble Blessings, which reads “My bad”. We forgive you and love your sense of humor, Ates “Tabayrak” Bayrak! Maybe it was Brad who made you do that.
![Humble Blessings<br>Old: [Costs 3] <strong>→</strong> <strong>New: [Costs 4]</strong>](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F04%2FHuble-Blessings-Nerf-Hearthstone-Patch.png&w=3840&q=75)
Old: [Costs 3] → New: [Costs 4]
Old: Start of Game: Draw this. Gain 1 Mana Crystal. (Upgrades each time a friendly minion dies). → New: Gain 1 empty Mana Crystal. (Upgrades each time a friendly minion dies).
![Valorous Display<br>Old: [Costs 6] <strong>→</strong> <strong>New: [Costs 7]</strong>](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F04%2FValorous-Display-Nerf-Hearthstone-Patch.png&w=3840&q=75)
Old: [Costs 6] → New: [Costs 7]
![Tempest’s Fury<br>Old: [Costs 3] 2 Attack, 3 Durability <strong>→</strong> <strong>New: [Costs 4] 3 Attack, 3 Durability</strong>](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F04%2FTempest-Fury-Nerf-Hearthstone-Patch.png&w=3840&q=75)
Old: [Costs 3] 2 Attack, 3 Durability → New: [Costs 4] 3 Attack, 3 Durability
![Power Up! [Hero Power]<br>Old: Give a minion Divine Shield & Windfury. <strong>→</strong> <strong>New: Give a minion Divine & Windfury. Overload: (1)</strong>](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F04%2FPower-up-Nerf-Hearthstone-Patch.png&w=3840&q=75)
Old: Give a minion Divine Shield & Windfury. → New: Give a minion Divine & Windfury. Overload: (1)
![Scales of Justice<br>Old: [Costs 5] <strong>→</strong> <strong>New: [Costs 6]</strong>](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F04%2FScales-of-Justice-Nerf-Hearthstone-Patch.png&w=3840&q=75)
Old: [Costs 5] → New: [Costs 6]
![Ol’ Faithful<br>Old: [Costs 3] <strong>→</strong> <strong>New: [Costs 4]</strong>](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F04%2FOl-Faithful-Nerf-Hearthstone-Patch.png&w=3840&q=75)
Old: [Costs 3] → New: [Costs 4]
Feel free to check the blog post with the official Hearthstone 23.0.3 patch notes. These changes will shift the metagame, and players will have to adapt quickly since Masters Tour Sunken City starts this Friday.
Stay tuned to Esports.gg for more Hearthstone news and updates. See you next time in the tavern.
