Heroes of the Storm Bringing Back Popular Game Mode

Heroes of the Storm Revives Brawl Mode: A Celebration of Classic Maps and Challenges

Heroes of the Storm is bringing back the beloved Heroes Brawl, rebranded as Brawl Mode, introducing a bi-weekly rotation of unique map challenges. This marks the return of dozens of discontinued maps, unseen for nearly five years. Currently available on the Public Test Realm (PTR), Brawl Mode is set for official release within a month.

The original Heroes Brawl, initially launched as Arena Mode in 2016, offered weekly rotating gameplay variations. Inspired by Hearthstone's Tavern Brawls, it featured unique map layouts, altered objectives, and unusual rulesets. Examples include all-Nova sniper duels, Arena versions of existing battlefields, and the PvE mission, Escape from Braxis. However, due to the rising popularity of single-lane maps and maintenance difficulties, it was replaced by ARAM in 2020.

Brawl Mode's revival introduces a bi-weekly rotation (1st and 15th of each month), offering players a special chest reward after completing three matches within the active Brawl period. The exact reward structure (single reward per Brawl or weekly rewards) remains to be seen. With a vast library of past Brawls, players can anticipate the return of many favorites, and potentially the introduction of new ones.

The PTR currently features Snow Brawl, a holiday-themed mode. The three-week PTR testing period suggests a February launch for Brawl Mode, aligning with the game's 10th-anniversary celebrations in June 2025. This resurgence is a significant win for the community, sparking hopes for a broader revival of Heroes of the Storm.

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

The latest Heroes of the Storm patch is now live on the Public Test Realm. Please report any bugs encountered on the PTR Bug Report forum.

General Changes

• Updated Homescreen and Startup Music.
• NEW: Brawl Mode added! Brawls rotate on the 1st and 15th of each month.

Balance Updates

This section details balance adjustments for several heroes (Auriel, Chromie, Johanna, Tracer, and Zul'jin), including talent and base stat modifications. Specific changes are too extensive to list here but involve adjustments to damage, mana costs, cooldowns, and healing values. Refer to the full patch notes for detailed information.

Bug Fixes

This section details various bug fixes across general gameplay and specific heroes (Alexstrasza, Azmodan, Brightwing, Chen, Cho'Gall, Dehaka, E.T.C., Falstad, Fenix, Johanna, Kharazim, Lúcio, Lunara, Maiev, Mei, Muradin, Probius, Rehgar, Samuro, Sgt. Hammer, Stukov, Sylvanas, The Butcher, The Lost Vikings, and Zagara). Fixes address issues with visual effects, pathing, slow effects, talent functionality, and more. Consult the full patch notes for a complete list.