Hearthstone patch 23.0 features updates for multiple game modes

The latest Hearthstone patch notes feature Battlegrounds updates, a Mercenaries system rework, the League of Explorers joining Duels and more, Blizzard announced on Tuesday. The patch 23.0 announcement arrived alongside an introduction to the Year of the Hydra.

Hearthstone Battlegrounds updates

Hearthstone Battlegrounds received Ini Stormcoil as a new hero alongside her Sub Scrubber Battlegrounds Buddy. Players who have Battlegrounds Perks get early access to Ini Stormcoil before the formal release date of April 19. Varden Dawngrasp’s Twice as Nice hero power and her Battlegrounds Buddy, Varden’s Aquarrior, received changes, too.

As for in-game flare, “Battlegrounds Finishers” are now known as “Battlegrounds Strikes” instead. According to Blizzard, the new name describes the cosmetic’s function more accurately. The Deep Sea Vortex Battlegrounds Strike and the Shipwreck Cove Battlegrounds Board arrived in Hearthstone patch 23.0 as well.

Hearthstone Mercenaries task system rework

Next, the Hearthstone Mercenaries task system received a rework. It now automatically moves a player to the next task in a Mercenary’s progression. Due to this updated feature, the Mysterious Stranger, who was designed to give players more tasks, appears less often.

“He will still appear occasionally so that you can get more Tasks if you abandon a Task or complete a Mercenary’s Task progression,” Blizzard explained in the Hearthstone patch notes. “You will also still be able to get random new Tasks if you leave any normal Task slots open for the daily Task refresh.”

The game mode received multiple balance updates as well, including updates to a long list of Mercanaries. Additionally, Murky has officially joined Hearthstone Mercenaries and will be free as part of the Voyage to the Sunken City Rewards Track. Players who are interested in Murky portraits will also be able to obtain them via the Voyage to the Sunken City Tavern Pass.

The League of Explorers and more Hearthstone patch notes

As for Duels, the League of Explorers arrived as dual-class heroes with three unlockable hero powers each. Reno Jackson is a Mage and Rogue, Elise Starseeker is a Druid and Priest, Sir Finley is a Paladin and Shaman and Brann Bronzebeard is a Hunter and Warrior.

Moreover, for the first time ever, the new signature treasures and hero powers are unlockable via Tombs of Terror, which is a single-player game mode from Saviors of Uldum.

Additionally, the Arena game mode will have a new season alongside the launch of Voyage to the Sunken City on April 12. The pool will feature cards from the Core Set, League of Explorers, Whispers of the Old Gods, The Grand Tournament, United in Stormwind, Fractured in Alterac Valley and Voyage to the Sunken City.