36.2 Patch Notes

Patch 36.2 is launching a new Battlegrounds season, a small Hearthstone balance update, new event cards, the return of Heroic Tavern Brawl, and more!

Hearthstone Updates

Dev Comment: Well met! We've been closely following the impact of the latest balance update, and it's become clear that the Demon Hunter buffs overshot the mark. Our goal was to help the class reach a healthier power level ahead of the new support arriving in this patch, but it has since become one of the strongest performers and is having an outsized impact on the meta. As a result, we're making a small unscheduled adjustment.

In particular, Vicious Voidscale has proven to be a clear outlier. We're reverting the buff to bring both the card and the class more in line with the rest of the meta.

With Soul Immolation becoming available through the "Zuramat's Rampage!" event, we look forward to seeing how you use its unique effect in Void Soul Demon Hunter.

We'll continue monitoring the meta and evaluating whether further changes are needed during our next regularly scheduled balance window. We'll see you in the Tavern!

Vicious Voidscale

• Old: Battlecry and Deathrattle: Get a Void Soul.
• New: Deathrattle: Get a Void Soul

The above card will be eligible for a full dust refund for two weeks following Patch 36.2.

Battlegrounds Updates

Something strange has been smuggled out of Dalaran, and it's about to reshape every lobby. Battlegrounds Season 14: Dark Gifts of Dalaran introduces powerful Dark Gifts, the new Activate keyword, an expanded Trinket pool, new Heroes, and the debut of the Lockbox and Fishbait mechanics. Discover what's inside when the new season begins on August 4 at 10:00 a.m. PDT.

What's Coming in Season 14

• New Gameplay System: Dark Gifts
  • Spend Gold to Discover minions paired with powerful Dark Gifts.
  • Starting on Turn 3, spend 3 Gold to Discover 1 of 3 minions, each paired with a unique Dark Gift.
  • Use the Dark Gift button once per turn, up to 3 times per game.
  • Offerings improve each turn, so waiting can lead to stronger options.
  • 43 unique Dark Gifts
• New Keyword: Activate
  • Spend Gold during the Recruit Phase to trigger special minion abilities.
  • Click an Activate minion in your warband to use its ability.
  • Each Activate ability can be used once per turn.
• New Pirate Synergy: Lockbox
  • Pirates can uncover Lockboxes containing Golden minions that unlock on later turns, unless you break them out early.
• New Beast Synergy: Fishbait
  • Beasts can now attack during the Recruit Phase, with a big reward for the minion that takes the bait.
• Seasonal Minion Refresh
  • Minions
    • 96 minions removed
    • 62 new minions
    • 31 returning minions
  • Tavern Spells
    • 5 Tavern spells removed
    • 5 new Tavern spells
    • 4 returning Tavern spells
• Refreshed Trinket Pool
  • Trinkets are sticking around for another season and will be available alongside Dark Gifts!
  • 23 new Lesser Trinkets
  • 24 new Greater Trinkets
• Two New Heroes
  • Nightmare Lord Xavius – Feel Devastation
  • Tras'tath, Soul Parasite – Void Power

For in-depth details on all this and more, check out our Battlegrounds Season 14 reveal blog. See our official forum posts for lists of all upcoming Tavern spells, Trinkets, and minions.

General Battlegrounds Updates

Venomous Change

With Fishbait allowing minions to attack during the Recruit Phase, Venomous has been updated to destroy the first minion it damages each combat, ensuring the keyword remains effective once combat begins.

Venomous

• Old: Destroy the first minion this deals damage to.
• New: Destroy the first minion this deals damage to each combat.

Chromadrake Change

Chromadrakes have been removed from the Tavern pool but can still be generated by certain minions and Trinkets. Their keyword has been updated to reflect that they are now only available through these effects.

Chromadrake

• Old: One of five Tier 3 Dragons with various Battlecries.
• New: One of five Dragons with various Battlecries.

Easy-to-Read Stats

We all love seeing our minions reach absurdly high stats. To help keep your warband readable, numbers with more than four digits will now be condensed for a cleaner, easier-to-read display.

New Battlegrounds Rewards Track

On August 4, Battlegrounds Season 13 will end, and Season 14 will begin! With that, Battlegrounds Ratings will reset, and the Battlegrounds Track will update. Any rewards that were already earned from the Season 13 Rewards Track, but not yet claimed, will be automatically claimed for you.

The Season 14 Battlegrounds Track includes brand new cosmetics featuring Maiev, Vanessa VanCleef, and more. Pick up the Season Pass to instantly unlock +2 Hero options at the start of each game. Then, progress through the Season Pass track to earn the new Violet Hold Legendary Strike, 13 additional Hero Skins, a new Bartender, and more! Or upgrade to the Season Pass + to get all the rewards from the Season Pass plus one included Hero re-roll per game.

*These rewards will become available after the 36.6 patch update.

Complete In-Game Event Quests, Earn Free Rewards

Zuramat's Rampage!

From August 4 - 25, help contain the escaped void entity known as Zuramat the Obliterator! His containment crystal has been compromised, and he's creating a black hole within the Hold. Fortunately, Watfin is already on the case. Nobody sniffs out suspicious activity quite like Watfin, especially when a card doesn't look quite right! Join Watfin, stop Zuramat's rampage, and earn the following rewards:

• 1x Watfin*, normal and Golden version
• 2x Desperate Bribe*, normal and Golden version
• 2x Soul Immolation*, normal and Golden version
• 4x Violet Hold Packs
• 2x Golden Violet Hold Pack
• Escape Artist Millhouse Hero Skin for Mage

* After the event ends, these cards can be obtained by owning an Escape from Violet Hold pack starting with Patch 36.4.

Heroic Tavern Brawl Returns

Heroic Tavern Brawl returns from August 12 - 19! Put your skills to the test in high‑stakes matches using a Standard deck built from your collection. Enter for 1000 Gold and battle until 12 wins or 3 losses, with rewards determined by your performance.

Claim Free Rewards and Check Out New Special Offers in the Battle.net Shop!

From August 4 - 25, visit the Battle.net Shop each week to claim a free Escape from Violet Hold gift! Check back every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. PDT to see what new reward is waiting for you.

Starting August 4, the Battle.net Shop has a special deal for the Legendary Night Warrior Tyrande Bundle and is offering early access to the Legendary Landmarks Signature Bundle.

Qixi Turalyon and Qixi Alleria Unite in Darkmoon Faire Treasures

From August 11 – September 8, the Darkmoon Faire returns to celebrate Qixi, a traditional festival celebrating love and devotion, with two heroes whose bond has endured even the vastness of the Void. Reunite Turalyon and Alleria with a pair of stunning cosmetics inspired by Azeroth's most iconic love story. Featuring custom appearances, animated entrances, expressive emotes, and unique gameplay animations, these skins bring the legendary couple to life in Hearthstone.

Like a guiding star shining across the night sky, the Qixi Turalyon Mythic Hero Skin lets you bridge any distance with the power of devotion and Light. This Mythic skin features a fully reimagined Qixi-themed appearance, along with a complete suite of custom animations including unique entrance, Hero Power, attack, spellcasting, victory, and defeat sequences.

Though separated by the Void, Alleria's resolve has never faded. The Qixi Alleria Diamond Hero Skin shines with radiant elegance, showcasing a beautiful Qixi-inspired look and custom animated sequences throughout your matches, from her entrance and emotes to Hero Power, attack, victory, and defeat moments. ‌

Darkmoon Faire Treasures is our random pull system that rewards Pets, Mythic Skins, Signature cards, Hero Skins, and more. The first pull is free, and subsequent pulls require Runestones to purchase. Every pull guarantees a prize. As the prize collections in the Treasures booth rotate, prices adjust to match the value of the current items. Read more about the current value of Darkmoon Faire Treasures, as well as pull rates and odds.

Bug Fixes and Game Improvements