Blizzard’s iconic MOBA, Heroes of the Storm, has rolled out its first update of 2025, bringing a fresh batch of exciting changes, including the long-awaited return of Brawl Mode, balance updates for key heroes, and a significant bug fix overhaul. This patch has gamers buzzing, especially with the introduction of new game modes, such as Lunar Rocket Racing, which is available until mid-February.
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Brawl Mode Makes a Triumphant Return!
One of the most exciting elements of the January 25, 2025, update is the revival of Brawl Mode—a fan-favorite feature that has been gone for nearly five years. Previously known as Arena Mode, this game mode features unique maps and rules that shake up the usual Heroes of the Storm formula. Players can now experience rotating Brawls every two weeks on the 1st and 15th of each month. The first Brawl in this rotation is the Lunar Rocket Racing minigame, a fast-paced and fun race to the finish. Be sure to check it out before it disappears in mid-February!
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Balance Changes: Minor Tweaks, Major Impact
As always, Heroes of the Storm has made a number of balance adjustments in this update, fine-tuning the performance of several heroes. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most notable changes:
Auriel
- Bestow Hope (Trait) now stores more energy from damage, both from Heroes and non-Heroes.
- Searing Light (Level 1 Talent) now only deals damage to enemy Heroes, making it more targeted.
- Reservoir of Hope (Level 16 Talent) saw its quest bonus reduced, while Wrath of Heaven now offers increased Armor and Spell Power.
Chromie
- Timewalker’s Pursuit (Level 1 Talent) gets a boost in Spell Power, enhancing Chromie’s early-game presence.
- Unravelling (Level 18 Talent) now increases the range of her Slowing Sands and no longer consumes Energy.
Johanna
- The mana cost of Shield Glare (Base Ability) has been increased, but Johanna gains increased health and a minor reduction in her talents’ damage output.
- Zealous Glare and Blessed Hammer also saw adjustments, making her more defensive.
Tracer
- Is That a Health Pack?! (Level 4 Talent) increases healing from Regen Globes, while Pulse Generator sees its healing reduced.
- Jumper (Level 13 Talent) offers cooldown refresh reductions, but the shield amount has been slightly toned down.
Zul’jin
- You Want Axe? (Trait) has seen some major changes, including the reduction of the quest completion bonus. While his Guillotine cooldown has been reduced, Taz’dingo! now has a longer cooldown, making timing crucial.
- Let the Killing Begin and Buzzsaw (Level 16 and 20 Talents) have received updates to their kill windows and bonus effects.
Bug Fixes Galore!
Along with gameplay adjustments, this update brings a significant number of bug fixes to Heroes of the Storm. Dozens of heroes have had their ability interactions refined, with several issues addressed, such as:
- Fixes for root visual effects, slowing effects, and crowd control interactions.
- Pathing improvements for experience globes, making navigation smoother in chaotic battles.
- Heroes like Chen, Fenix, Zul’jin, and Stukov also received fixes for abilities that were malfunctioning.
These bug fixes help ensure a smoother and more enjoyable experience for players across all regions.
Why the Rush? Faster Patches & 10th Anniversary Buzz
This patch arrived faster than expected, less than two months after the December 2024 update. The quick turnaround time, coupled with the fact that it dropped the same month as it hit the Public Test Realm (PTR), has many fans speculating about a potential big reveal for Heroes of the Storm’s 10th anniversary this June. Could this be a sign of more exciting changes on the horizon? Only time will tell!
What’s Next for Heroes of the Storm?
With the Lunar Rocket Racing Brawl currently live and plenty of balance changes in place, the Heroes of the Storm community is on high alert for more surprises. With the next Brawl Mode update set for February 1, 2025, and a series of bug fixes in the pipeline, there’s no better time to dive back into the Nexus. Keep an eye on future updates, as the game gears up for its decade-long anniversary celebration.
Stay tuned, Heroes! Your next adventure is just around the corner!