"Heroes of the Storm Revives Fan-Favorite Mode"

Heroes of the Storm is set to reintroduce the beloved Heroes Brawl as Brawl Mode, marking the return of numerous discontinued maps after almost five years. This revamped version of the classic game mode is currently accessible on the Heroes of the Storm Public Test Realm (PTR) and is expected to officially launch with the next patch in approximately a month.

Originally launched as Arena Mode in 2016, Heroes Brawl captivated players with its weekly rotating challenges that significantly altered gameplay. Drawing inspiration from Hearthstone's Tavern Brawls, these events featured unique map layouts, alternative objectives, and quirky rulesets ranging from sniper duels with all-Nova teams to action-packed arena battles and the PvE-focused Escape from Braxis. However, due to the popularity of single-lane maps and the challenges of maintaining the mode, it was replaced by ARAM in 2020.

The new Brawl Mode will rotate every two weeks, specifically on the 1st and 15th of each month, differing from the weekly rotations of its predecessor. Players can earn a special chest by completing three games during each active Brawl period, though it's unclear whether this reward can be earned once per Brawl or weekly. Given the variety of over two dozen past Brawls, fans can look forward to the return of their favorites, with potential new Brawls on the horizon.

The first Brawl Mode to be tested on the PTR is the festive Snow Brawl, hinting at a possible official rollout in early February, as the PTR version is scheduled to last three weeks. This revival aligns perfectly with the 10-year anniversary of Heroes of the Storm on June 2, 2025, boosting excitement among the community and fueling hopes for a broader revival of the game.

The latest PTR patch notes from January 6, 2025, include various updates and fixes:

General

• The homescreen and startup music have been updated.
• Brawl Mode has been added, with rotations scheduled for 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: Increases Basic Attack range by 1.1.
    • Level 16 - Reservoir of Hope: Quest bonus reduced from 75 to 55.
    • Level 16 - Wrath of Heaven: Armor reduction increased from 10 to 20 and Spell Power increased from 10% to 15%.

• Chromie

  • Talents
    • Level 1 - Timewalker's Pursuit: Spell Power increased from 10% to 15%.
    • Level 7 - Mobius Loop: Slow reduced from 60% to 40%.
    • Level 20 - Unravelling: Lingering Slowing Sands no longer consume Energy and increases Slowing Sands cast range by 50%.

• Johanna

  • Base
    • Shield Glare [E]: Mana cost increased from 45 to 55.
  • Talents
    • Level 1 - Divine Fortress: Health bonus starting value increased from 20% to 25%.
    • Level 1 - Zealous Glare: Damage bonus reduced from 75% to 70%.
    • Level 7 - Steed Charge: Duration increased from 3 to 4 seconds.
    • Level 13 - Blessed Hammer: Damage reduced from 74 to 65.
    • Level 16 - Holy Renewal: Cooldown reduction reduced from 1.5 seconds to 1 second.
    • Level 16 - Shrinking Vacuum: Damage reduction increased from 25% to 30%, duration increased from 2 to 3 seconds, and Slow increased from 25% to 30%.

• Tracer

  • Talents
    • Level 4 - Is That a Health Pack?!: Healing from Regen Globes increased from 10% to 15% of maximum Health.
    • Level 4 - Pulse Generator: Healing reduced from 18% to 12%.
    • Level 13 - Jumper: Cooldown refresh reduced from 150% to 100% and Shield reduced from 6.5% to 6%.

• Zul'jin

  • Base
    • You Want Axe? [Trait]: Basic Attack damage increased from 94 to 118 and bonus from quest completion reduced from 1 to 0.25.
  • Talents
    • Level 1 - Recklessness: Basic Attack damage bonus reduced from 15% to 10%.
    • Level 10 - Guillotine: Cooldown reduced from 40 seconds to 30 seconds and Mana cost reduced from 70 to 60.
    • Level 10 - Taz'dingo!: Cooldown increased from 90 seconds to 100 seconds and Mana cost increased from 75 to 80.
    • Level 16 - Let the Killing Begin: Kill window reduced from 1.5 seconds to 0.5 seconds.
    • Level 20 - Buzzsaw: Kill window reduced from 1.5 seconds to 0.5 seconds.

Bug Fixes

General

• Experience Globes can now path through gates.
• Fixed issues related to root visual effects.
• Updated decaying and ramping Slows to scale their speed with CC reduction effects.

Heroes

• Alexstrasza

  • Base - Flame Buffet [E]: Fixed an issue that caused Flame Buffet's Slow to be instantly removed on targets with reduced duration on being Slowed.

• Azmodan

  • Level 13 - Chain of Command: Fixed an issue that caused Chain of Command to not apply to Demonic Invasion's on-death explosion.

• Brightwing

  • Base - Phase Shift [Z]: Fixed an issue with Phase Shift's Store Icon.

• Chen

  • Level 10 - Storm, Earth, Fire: Fixed an issue that caused Storm, Earth, Fire Spirits to not contest Capture Points.

• Cho'Gall

  • General: Fixed an issue that caused Cho'Gall to contest points while Cho is in Stasis.

• Dehaka

  • Base - Brushstalker [Z]: Fixed an issue with Brushstalker's Store Icon and will now clamp the minimum cast range to Dehaka's radius.

• E.T.C.

  • Level 7 - Pinball Wizard: Bonus damage updated to be additive.
  • Level 13 - Face Smelt: Fixed an issue that caused Face Smelt's Slow to be instantly removed on targets with reduced duration on being Slowed.

• Falstad

  • Base - Flight [Z]: Fixed an issue with Flight's Store Icon.
  • Level 10 - Mighty Gust: Fixed an issue that caused Mighty Gust's Slow to be instantly removed on targets with reduced duration on being Slowed.

• Fenix

  • Level 1 - Arsenal Synergy: Fixed an issue that caused Arsenal Synergy to not grant cooldown reduction for the primary target hit by Phase Bomb.
  • Level 4 - Inhibiting Energy: Fixed an issue that caused Inhibiting Energy to be instantly removed on targets with reduced duration on being Slowed.

• Johanna

  • Base - Punish [Q]: Fixed an issue that caused Punish to be instantly removed on targets with reduced duration on being Slowed.

• Kharazim

  • Level 4 - Spirit Ally: Fixed an issue that caused Spirit Ally's heal FX to be visible in Fog of War.

• Lúcio

  • Base - Wall Ride [Z]: Fixed an issue with Wall Ride's Store Icon.

• Lunara

  • Base - Crippling Spores [W]: Fixed an issue that caused Crippling Spores to be instantly removed on targets with reduced duration on being Slowed.

• Maiev

  • Level 16 - Armored Assault: Fixed an issue that caused Armored Assault to not grant the full bonus to Umbral Bind's Cleave.

• Mei

  • Base - Icing [E]: Fixed an issue that caused Icing's Slow to be instantly removed on targets with reduced duration on being Slowed.
  • Level 10 - Ice Wall: Fixed an issue that caused Ice Wall to not apply Stopped to D.Va's Self Destruct.

• Muradin

  • Level 4 - Thunder Burn: Tooltip has been updated to show Thunder Burn is a multiplicative reduction.
  • Level 13 - Thunder Strike: Damage increase is now additive.

• Probius

  • Base - Worker Rush [Z]: Fixed an issue with Work Rush's Store Icon.

• Rehgar

  • Base - Purge [Trait]: Fixed an issue that caused Purge to be instantly removed on targets with reduced duration on being Slowed.

• Samuro

  • Base - Critical Strike [W]: Fixed an issue that caused Critical Strike FX to persist if Samuro is killed while he has maximum Critical Strike stacks.
  • Level 13 - Kawarimi: Fixed an issue that caused Kawarimi to create a Mirror Image with the incorrect starting Health.

• Sgt. Hammer

  • Base - Thrusters [Z]: Fixed an issue with Thrusters' Store Icon.

• Stukov

  • Base - Weighted Pustule [W]: Fixed an issue that caused Weighted Pustule's increasing Slow to be instantly removed on targets with reduced duration on being Slowed.

• Sylvanas

  • Level 1 - Unfurling Shadows: Fixed an issue that caused Unfurling Shadows to not grant quest progress for the impact damage of Shadow Dagger created by spread.

• The Butcher

  • Base - Hamstring [Q]: Fixed an issue that caused Hamstring to be instantly removed on targets with reduced duration on being Slowed.

• The Lost Vikings

  • Base - Go Go Go! [Z]: Fixed an issue with Go Go Go's Store Icon.

• Zagara

  • Level 20 - Pack Instinct: Fixed an issue that caused Devouring Maw to gain more bonuses than intended from Pack Instinct.

This comprehensive update not only brings back a fan-favorite mode but also includes significant balance changes and bug fixes, enhancing the overall gameplay experience for Heroes of the Storm players.