Heroes of the Storm: Brawl Mode Returns!
Heroes of the Storm is resurrecting its popular Heroes Brawl mode as "Brawl Mode," bringing back a plethora of discontinued maps and unique challenges after a five-year hiatus. This revamped mode, currently available on the Public Test Realm (PTR), will officially launch with the next patch, approximately one month from now.
The original Heroes Brawl, initially launched as Arena Mode in 2016, offered weekly rotating challenges with wildly altered gameplay. Inspired by Hearthstone's Tavern Brawls, it featured unique map layouts, alternative objectives, and unconventional rulesets. However, due to the rising preference for single-lane maps and maintenance difficulties, it was replaced by ARAM in 2020.
Now, Brawl Mode is making a triumphant return. The PTR update includes the first Brawl, a festive Snow Brawl. The mode will rotate bi-weekly (1st and 15th of each month), offering players a special chest for completing three matches during its active period. With over two dozen past Brawls, players can anticipate many favorites returning, and possibly even some exciting new ones.
The PTR version of Snow Brawl will run for three weeks, suggesting a February launch for Brawl Mode. This coincides perfectly with the upcoming 10-year anniversary of Heroes of the Storm on June 2nd, 2025, making it a fitting celebratory addition. Many players see this as a positive sign, hoping it foreshadows a wider resurgence of the game.
Heroes of the Storm PTR Patch Notes (January 6, 2025)
This PTR patch includes various hero balance adjustments and bug fixes. Key highlights include:
- New Brawl Mode: Rotating bi-weekly on the 1st and 15th of each month.
- Homescreen and Startup Music Updates: A fresh look and sound for the game.
- Hero Balance Changes: Significant adjustments to Auriel, Chromie, Johanna, Tracer, and Zul'jin, affecting their talents and base abilities. Detailed changes are listed below.
- Bug Fixes: Numerous fixes addressing issues with experience globes, visual effects, slows, and specific hero abilities (see detailed list below).
Hero Balance Changes (Summary):
- Auriel: Searing Light damage restricted to enemy Heroes; Energized Cord range increased; Reservoir of Hope quest bonus reduced; Wrath of Heaven armor reduction and spell power increased.
- Chromie: Timewalker's Pursuit spell power increased; Mobius Loop slow reduced; Unravelling no longer consumes energy and increases cast range.
- Johanna: Shield Glare mana cost increased; Divine Fortress health bonus increased; Zealous Glare damage bonus reduced; Steed Charge duration increased; Blessed Hammer damage reduced; Holy Renewal cooldown reduction reduced; Shrinking Vacuum damage reduction, duration, and slow increased.
- Tracer: Is That a Health Pack?! healing increased; Pulse Generator healing reduced; Jumper cooldown refresh and shield reduced.
- Zul'jin: You Want Axe? base damage increased, quest bonus reduced; Recklessness basic attack damage bonus reduced; Guillotine cooldown and mana cost reduced; Taz'dingo! cooldown and mana cost increased; Let the Killing Begin and Buzzsaw kill windows reduced.
Bug Fixes (Summary):
General bug fixes related to experience globes, visual effects, and slows. Numerous hero-specific bug fixes addressing issues with abilities and visual effects across a wide range of heroes including Alexstrasza, Azmodan, Brightwing, Chen, Cho'Gall, Dehaka, E.T.C., Falstad, Fenix, Johanna, Kharazim, Lúcio, Lunara, Maiev, Mei, Muradin, Probius, Rehgar, Samuro, Sgt. Hammer, Stukov, Sylvanas, The Butcher, The Lost Vikings, and Zagara. (See detailed patch notes for specifics.)
