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Hearthstone patch 21.6 launches November 2nd, and it brings with it the introduction of Diablo as a limited-time character in Battlegrounds. Battlegrounds, the auto-battler version of the game in which players recruit minions to attack the opposing hero, has gone through some changes in its lifecycle. Just a few months back, a massive Hearthstone update replaced dozens of minions, as well as implementing a few other major changes.
After the release of Hearthstone’s most recent expansion, United in Stormwind, Blizzard has continued to refine the game’s many modes, including Battlegrounds. That huge update mentioned above removed 37 minions from Battlegrounds, replacing them with brand new options, a swell as changing turn lengths, damage caps, and much more. Blizzard has consistently updated and changed Battlegrounds, adding new heroes and minions and incorporating player feedback. Master Nguyen and Cariel Roame are the most recent heroes to be added, but they’re not to be the last. And after the major Quillboar update introduced game-changing mechanics to Battlegrounds, it’s clear that Blizzard is dedicated to the continued support of that game mode.
The Hearthstone website recently announced patch 21.6 and detailed its contents, which include the addition of Diablo to Battlegrounds. Starting from November 2nd, Diablo will be available to all Battlegrounds players regardless of whether they have Battlegrounds perks or not. Diablo comes with a passive ability called “Realm of Terror,” the effect of which is that every four turns, all enemies fight the Lord of Terror and the player’s warband for loot. Diablo will also be added to the Duels mode as the first dual-class character in that mode. No word’s been given yet on how long Diablo will be sticking around. Even so, his inclusion is proving Hearthstone’s Year of the Gryphon to be an eventful one indeed.
But Diablo isn’t the only news in this patch. In Battlegrounds alone, two new minions named Sneed and Cookie the Cook are being added, with players with Battlegrounds perks able to use them before their official release on November 16th. For Duels, the patch will integrate cards from the recent Deadmines Mini-Set and player ranks will be reset. Diablo is there, too, and brings with him three new hero powers. Mercenaries, the game’s newest mode, is also getting new content in the form of five new characters, as well as three new Bounties and Bounty Bosses. And, as previously mentioned, the Deadmines Mini-Set will be available in United in Stormwind packs or as a separate purchase.
The year’s not over yet, so it’s possible even more is coming in the Year of the Gryphon. While Hearthstone classic had players trying to recapture the magic of the game’s early days, the future looks just as bright. Clearly, Blizzard is still invested in Hearthstone and in finding ways to keep the experience fresh and exciting.
Hearthstone Battlegrounds is available on PC, iOS, and Android.
Source: Hearthstone