This has been a busy week for Hearthstone around the world. For starters, the Scholomance Academy launch occurred with only a minimal number of issues. On August 7, Blizzard released a small server-side hotfix for both Mindrender Illucia, who would sometimes permanently swap both players’ hands and decks rather than for only a turn, and Drakkari Enchanter, who was causing game crashes with secrets triggering at the end of turn.
For returning players to the new expansion, logging in will provide two copies of Transfer Student, a Legendary Class card, and the availability of three Event Quests that will in total provide a total of six new card packs. Readers can click here for a complete rundown of all the new mechanics to expect in the new expansion.
A new expansion also brings another rotation to the available pool of Arena cards. In this rotation, Arena will feel far closer to Standard than it previously has, as the pool contains cards from the current Standard set of expansions and adventures as well as Scholomance Academy.
Blizzard is also apparently testing the waters with its consumer surveys and asking how players would respond to the addition of a battle pass system to the game. This would feature a free and premium track, like many other games.
Apart from gold and card packs, the rewards would consist of alternative card art and new alternate hero skins that can be leveled up. It is hard to tell how this might be received, as Hearthstone is already one of the most expensive online CCGs to play, and adding yet another monetization structure that would need to be purchased at the same time as new expansion card bundles seems out of touch with the consumer base.
In esports, fans have only a little longer to wait for the start of Season 2 of Hearthstone Grandmasters, which begins August 12. Over eight weeks, 48 of the world’s top Hearthstone players will face off each Friday through Sunday on the road towards the global finals at the end of the year. From there, the top two competitors from each region, along with two Gold Series Champions from China compete for a $500,000 prize pool.
There is even more action incoming with Battleriff Pro Legends 2020 Series beginning its ninth season from August 15 to September 15. This means that there is plenty of top-tier play to watch over the next month, which is going to be fascinating as a new meta unfolds with the Scholomance Academy expansion.
Source: playheathstone.com, play.battleriff.com
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