Heroes of the Storm Revives Beloved Game Mode

Overview of Heroes Brawl’s Return

Heroes Brawl is being revived as Brawl Mode, featuring previously discontinued maps and unique gameplay challenges.
The new Brawl Mode will rotate every two weeks, providing players with a chance to earn exclusive rewards.
The Public Test Realm (PTR) currently showcases the festive Snow Brawl.

In an exciting turn of events, Heroes of the Storm is reviving its beloved Heroes Brawl as Brawl Mode, bringing back an array of maps that have not been accessible for nearly five years. This fresh iteration of the classic gameplay mode is now available for players on the Heroes of the Storm Public Test Realm and is expected to officially launch with an upcoming patch scheduled in about a month.

A Blast from the Past: The Evolution of Heroes Brawl

Originally known as Arena Mode when it debuted in 2016, Heroes Brawl introduced players to a dynamic gameplay format that featured rotating weekly challenges. Echoing the spirit of Hearthstone’s Tavern Brawls, Heroes Brawl allowed for a multitude of exciting experiences—unique map compositions, alternative objectives, and whimsical rulesets, including intense sniper duels and engaging PvE missions. However, its permanent transition to ARAM (All Random, All Mid) mode in 2020 was a result of prevailing popularity for single-lane maps and challenges in sustaining such a diverse game mode.

Fast forward nearly five years, and Heroes Brawl is making an anticipated comeback, albeit with a few modifications. The latest PTR update not only includes balance changes for various heroes but also reintroduces Brawl Mode—reaffirming Blizzard’s commitment to enhancing user experience within the game.

Details on Brawl Mode and Upcoming Changes

The patch notes reveal that Brawl Mode will now operate on a biweekly rotation, occurring on the 1st and 15th of each month, as opposed to a weekly schedule in the past. Players can anticipate earning a unique chest by completing three matches of the current Brawl while it’s active. It remains to be clarified whether this reward can be obtained once per Brawl or weekly. The substantial archive of past Heroes Brawls indicates that fans will likely see the return of many beloved brawls, with the potential for new challenges on the horizon.

The inaugural Brawl Mode currently under PTR testing is the winter-themed Snow Brawl. This festive version is expected to launch officially alongside the patch, likely around the beginning of February. Given that the PTR version is slated to run for three weeks, fans may see a full-fledged rollout just in time for seasonal gaming.

As the popular game nears its 10-year anniversary on June 2, 2025, the return of Heroes Brawl marks a significant milestone for the development team and a profound win for the dedicated player base. Many are optimistic that this resurgence can lead to broader revelations about the future of Heroes of the Storm.

Heroes of the Storm PTR Patch Notes (January 6, 2025)

The latest patch for Heroes of the Storm has just become available for testing on the Public Test Realm. Players encountering bugs during their gameplay sessions are encouraged to visit the PTR Bug Report forum to report their experiences.

General Updates

Updated homescreen and startup music.
NEW: Introduction of Brawl Mode! Brawls will now rotate on the 1st and 15th of every month.

Balance Updates

Heroes

Auriel
- Talents
  - Level 1: Searing Light now only deals damage to enemy Heroes.
  - Level 7: Energized Cord now increases Basic Attack range by 1.1.
  - Level 16
    - Reservoir of Hope quest bonus reduced from 75 to 55.
    - Wrath of Heaven: Armor reduction increased from 10 to 20; Spell Power increased from 10% to 15%.

Bug Fixes

General Fixes

Experience Globes can now properly path through gates.
Resolved issues with root visual effects.
Improved scaling of decaying and ramping Slows with CC reduction effects.

Hero-Specific Fixes

Alexstrasza
- Base
  - Resolved an issue with Flame Buffet’s Slow duration.

For further details, visit the official patch notes through the provided link below.

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