On September 26, 2024, patch 30.4.3 was released for the popular card game Hearthstone by Blizzard Entertainment. This patch focuses on significant adjustments for the mini-set and the battlefield and introduces various balancing changes for heroes, minions and trinkets.

Changes to the mage and mini-set

The mage, especially the deck with large spells, is the focus of the update. This deck has caused a lot of frustration in the community due to its early strength. Players who use this tactic benefit from powerful spells early on, which made the game seem unbalanced. Blizzard has responded to this by making the mage character "Portal Mage Skyla" require additional mana for her spells. In addition, the "Surfopode" minion has had its stats reduced to better balance the flow of the game.

Another adjustment concerns the "Turbulus", whose cost has been reduced to make it more flexible to use in the early stages of the game.

Updates for the battlefield

Hearthstone's Battlegrounds format has also received significant adjustments. These affect both hero abilities and various minion types. One of the main goals of the patch is to give players more freedom of choice when using trinkets. For example, the cost of "Pivot" trinkets has been reduced from 1 to 2 gold, making them easier to use strategically.

In terms of minion types, demons have been weakened, while other types such as dragons, murlocs and naga have been strengthened. Some heroes that were considered weak have also been adjusted. For example, the ability of "Ragnaros the Firelord" has been reworked. It is now possible to obtain Sulfuras after defeating only 20 instead of 25 minions.

Future changes

Interestingly, the infamous map "Jumping Frog" will be completely removed in one of the upcoming patches to further improve the balance. Until then, the card will remain in the game, while other minions such as "Mana Swifts" will return.

With these changes, Blizzard wants to ensure more fairness and game depth, with further adjustments already announced.

What's new in Hearthstone Patch 30.4.3?
Patch 30.4.3 brings balance adjustments for mage, battlefield and hero abilities. The mage will be weakened by an increase in the mana cost of "Portal Mage Skyla".

Which heroes are affected by the patch?
Heroes such as Ragnaros the Firelord, Edwin van Cleef and C'Thun have had their abilities adjusted to make the game more balanced.

Are there any changes to minion types on the battlefield?
Yes, demons have been toned down, while dragons, murlocs and naga have been strengthened.

When will the "Jumping Frog" card be removed?
The "Jumping Frog" card will be removed in patch 30.6.

What adjustments have been made to trinkets?
The cost of many trinkets has been reduced to give players more strategic options. Some trinkets have been removed from the selection or adjusted.