We've got a major update coming to Hearthstone's Battlegrounds modes which sees the introduction of Quilboar into the mix. We're also getting some new heroes, our favourite coin being used where appropriate, and a rating reset. Here are the highlights:
- 3 New Heroes are being added.
- 17 New Minions are being added.
- 15 have the Quilboar tribe.
- 2 aren't Quilboar but interact with Blood Gems.
- Battlegrounds perks gives access to the new heroes early. New heroes are generally available on May 18.
Patch 20.2 Launches on May 4 and will reset everyone's rating, so enjoy the climb up from 0 once more. All the details can be read down below.
Quote From Blizzard Quilboar have been added as a new Battlegrounds minion type! There will still be five minion types per Battlegrounds game once Quilboar are added, meaning that three minion types will be excluded from each game. Just like when Dragons, Pirates, and Elementals were added, Quilboar will show up in every Battlegrounds match until our next major content patch.
The Quilboar update includes 17 new minions, 3 new heroes, and a new mechanic: Blood Gems! Blood Gems are spells that give a friendly minion +1/+1. Some Quilboar give you Blood Gems, while others have special interactions when Blood Gems are played.
We’ve also added Battlegrounds support for your favorite Coin! As a reminder, you can set a Coin as your favorite by clicking on the Coin icon in the top right of your Collection.
Finally, prepare for a fresh playing field as all players’ Battlegrounds ratings will be reset to 0 when the 20.2 patch launches on May 4!
NEW & UPDATED HEROES
Death Speaker Blackthorn
- Bloodbound [Passive]
- After you upgrade Bob's Tavern, gain 2 Blood Gems.
Vol’jin
- Spirit Swap [Costs 0]
- Choose two minions. Swap their stats.
Xyrella
- See the Light [Costs 2]
- Choose a minion in Bob's Tavern to add to your hand. Set its stats to 2.
Rat King (Updated)
- King of Quilboar [Passive]
- Whenever you buy a Quilboar, give it +2/+2. Swaps type each turn.
Players with Battlegrounds Perks will have early access to the new Heroes above before they are formally released on May 18.
NEW MINIONS
Razorfen Geomancer
- [Tier 1, Quilboar] 3 Attack, 1 Health. Battlecry: Gain a Blood Gem.
Sun-Bacon Relaxer
- [Tier 1, Quilboar] 1 Attack, 2 Health. When you sell this, gain 2 Blood Gems.
Roadboar
- [Tier 2, Quilboar] 2 Attack, 4 Health. Frenzy: Gain a Blood Gem.
Tough Tusk
- [Tier 2, Quilboar] 4 Attack, 3 Health. After a Blood Gem is played on this, gain Divine Shield for the next combat.
Prophet of the Boar
- [Tier 2] 3 Attack, 3 Health. Once per Turn: After you play a Quilboar, gain a Blood Gem.
Bristleback Brute
- [Tier 3, Quilboar] 3 Attack, 3 Health. The first Blood Gem played on this each turn gives an extra +3/+3.
Bannerboar
- [Tier 3, Quilboar] 2 Attack, 5 Health. At the end of your turn, play a Blood Gem on adjacent Quilboar.
Thorncaller
- [Tier 3, Quilboar] 4 Attack, 3 Health. Battlecry and Deathrattle: Gain a Blood Gem.
Necrolyte
- [Tier 3, Quilboar] 3 Attack, 3 Health. Battlecry: Choose a friendly minion. It steals all Blood Gems from its neighbors.
Dynamic Duo
- [Tier 4, Quilboar] 5 Attack, 6 Health. Taunt. After a Blood Gem is played on another Quilboar, gain +1/+1.
Bonker
- [Tier 4, Quilboar] 4 Attack, 7 Health. Windfury. After this attacks, gain a Blood Gem.
Groundshaker
- [Tier 4, Quilboar] 2 Attack, 6 Health. After a Blood Gem is played on this, give your minions +2 Attack for next combat only.
Bristleback Knight
- [Tier 5, Quilboar] 4 Attack, 8 Health. Windfury, Divine Shield. Frenzy: Gain Divine Shield.
Aggem Thorncurse
- [Tier 5, Quilboar] 3 Attack, 6 Health. After a Blood Gem is played on this, give a friendly minion of each minion type +1/+1.
Agamaggan, The Great Boar
- [Tier 5, Beast] 6 Attack, 6 Health. Your Blood Gems give an extra +1/+1.
Charlga
- [Tier 6, Quilboar] 7 Attack, 7 Health. At the end of your turn, play a Blood Gem on all friendly minions.
Captain Flat Tusk
- [Tier 6, Quilboar] 9 Attack, 6 Health. After you spend 3 Gold, gain a Blood Gem.
Comments
hahhah they added a new targeting system in battlegrounds but not in normal Hearthstone. Funny !
It is a new mechanic for the game ! Just add it to normal too.
Vol'Jin looks NUTS.
Blackthorn looks okay. Really depends on Quillboars being good; otherwise Mukla can get more out of his Bananas than Blackthorn can with Blood Gems.
Vol'jin will be an interesting test of your BG knowledge, I think, knowing who to swap and when. Also shows that the technology exists within Hearthstone to manually select more than one target!
Xyrella can be used for early tempo, Battlecry minions you intend to throw away, or to finish a golden without consequence. Seems fine.
Wait. Vol'jin has... DOUBLE TARGETING
Now this is something I've wanted forever. This is such a game changer for us card makers.
Had the same thought. Always wanted to know how double targeting would work on HS.
Interesting Quilboar, some also are just great in non-Quilboar decks. Seems like a fun minion type to play around with!
(Also it seems like my prediction that Brann and Shudderwock are good with Quilboars is probably pretty accurate.)
More windfury and menagerie action, im not sure i like that. The blood gems will actually make more impact as buffs than the blood gem synergy imho, but i guess we'll see. Very excited to play with the new tribe, and heroes, for sure.
Voljin i think will become a midgame powerhouse that will be able to transition into any strategy while keeping the stats on minions, or give good stats to weak minions with strong keywords, like the Spore, or any Divine Shield or Windfury guy, or Hydra. He will def be an interesting one to master.