Heroes of the Storm is bringing back its popular Heroes Brawl game mode, rebranded as Brawl Mode, after a five-year hiatus. This revamped mode will feature a rotating selection of previously discontinued maps and unique gameplay challenges.
Brawl Mode, initially launched as Arena Mode in 2016, offered weekly rotating challenges with significant gameplay alterations, drawing inspiration from Hearthstone's Tavern Brawls. These included unique map layouts, alternative objectives, and unusual rulesets. However, due to the rising preference for single-lane maps and the difficulty of maintaining the mode, it was replaced by ARAM in 2020.
Now, Brawl Mode returns, boasting a bi-weekly rotation (1st and 15th of each month) and offering a special chest reward for completing three matches during its active period. With over two dozen past Heroes Brawls, players can anticipate the return of many favorites, alongside potential new additions.
The current Public Test Realm (PTR) features the holiday-themed Snow Brawl. The official launch is expected approximately one month after the PTR's three-week testing period, potentially coinciding with the beginning of February 2025. This revival is particularly significant, aligning with the 10th anniversary of Heroes of the Storm in June 2025.
The January 6, 2025 PTR patch notes detail the addition of Brawl Mode, along with updates to the homescreen, startup music, and various hero balance changes and bug fixes. Specific balance adjustments are listed for Auriel, Chromie, Johanna, Tracer, and Zul'jin. Extensive bug fixes are also detailed, addressing issues across various heroes and general gameplay elements. These include fixes for visual effects, slow effects, and interactions with abilities.
Summary
- Brawl Mode's Return: Heroes Brawl returns as Brawl Mode, featuring rotating maps and unique challenges.
- Bi-Weekly Rotation: Brawl Mode rotates every two weeks, offering a special chest reward.
- Snow Brawl on PTR: The holiday-themed Snow Brawl is currently available for testing on the PTR.
- Hero Balance and Bug Fixes: The PTR patch includes extensive hero balance adjustments and bug fixes.
Heroes of the Storm PTR Patch Notes (January 6, 2025)
The latest Heroes of the Storm patch is now live on the Public Test Realm (PTR). Please report any bugs encountered on the PTR Bug Report forum.
General
- Updated Homescreen and Startup Music.
- NEW: Brawl Mode added! Brawls will rotate on the 1st and 15th of every month.
Balance Update
(Hero balance changes for Auriel, Chromie, Johanna, Tracer, and Zul'jin are detailed as in the original input. Due to length constraints, this section is omitted here but was present in the original input.)
Bug Fixes
(Bug fixes for various heroes and general gameplay are detailed as in the original input. Due to length constraints, this section is omitted here but was present in the original input.)
