The Next Hearthstone Patch is Changing Up Some Classic Cards

The Whispers of the Old Gods expansion patch will bring some significant nerfs to certain existing Hearthstone cards.

Whenever Blizzard releases a patch to any of their games, you can bet that there will be some balance changes included in it. Next week’s Whispers of the Old Gods expansion is no exception, as it will feature a number of nerfs to oft-used cards in the Basic and Classic sets.

In a post on the Hearthstone Blog today, Blizzard has detailed a number of the changes you can expect to see to cards you’re using now when the expansion launches next week. As always, they describe their guiding principle for such changes as,

“New card releases should have an impact on Standard and enrich Wild, to make sure that Hearthstone is always as dynamic, fresh, and fun as it can be.”

Here’s a list of the changes:

Druid Cards

• Ancient of Lore: Reduced the number of cards drawn from 2 to 1
• Force of Nature: Lowered mana cost to 5, removes Charge and makes summoned Treants permanent
• Keeper of the Grove: Stats have been changed from 2 attack/4 health to 2/2

Silence & Removal

• Ironbeak Owl: Increased mana cost from 2 to 3
• Big Game Hunter: Increased mana cost from 3 to 5
• Hunter’s Mark: Increased mana cost from 0 to 1
• Blade Flurry: Increased mana cost from 2 to 4, will now only affect minions

Powerful Neutral Minions

• Knife Juggler: Reduced attack from 3 to 2
• Leper Gnome: Reduced attack from 2 to 1
• Arcane Golem: Removed Charge, will now cost 3 mana with 4 attack/4 health
• Molten Giant: Increased mana cost to 25
• Master of Disguise: Will now only grant Stealth until next turn