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 its beloved Heroes Brawl game mode, rebranded as "Brawl Mode," introducing a rotating selection of previously discontinued maps and unique gameplay challenges. This highly anticipated return, absent for nearly five years, is currently available on the Public Test Realm (PTR) and is slated for official release within a month.

The original Heroes Brawl, initially launched as Arena Mode in 2016, offered weekly rotating challenges that significantly altered the standard gameplay experience. Inspired by Hearthstone’s Tavern Brawls, these challenges featured unique map layouts, modified objectives, and unconventional rulesets. Examples included all-Nova sniper duels, Arena-style versions of existing battlefields, and the PvE mission, Escape from Braxis. However, due to the rising popularity of single-lane maps and the inherent difficulty in maintaining the mode, Heroes Brawl was ultimately replaced by ARAM (All Random, All Mid) in 2020.

Now, Brawl Mode makes a triumphant return. The PTR update includes the first iteration, a holiday-themed Snow Brawl. The mode will rotate bi-weekly, updating on the 1st and 15th of each month, offering players a fresh challenge every two weeks. Players earn a special chest after completing three Brawl matches during its active period. The exact reward structure (single reward per Brawl or multiple rewards per week) remains to be determined. Given the extensive library of past Heroes Brawls (over two dozen), fans can expect to see many returning favorites, and potentially some exciting new additions.

The current PTR testing phase is expected to last three weeks, suggesting a potential February launch for Brawl Mode. This revival coincides with Heroes of the Storm's 10th anniversary (June 2nd, 2025), making it a fitting tribute to the game's legacy. Many players see this as a positive sign, fueling hopes for a broader revitalization of the game itself.

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, including changes to talents and base stats for Auriel, Chromie, Johanna, Tracer, and Zul'jin. (Specific changes omitted for brevity, but the original text provides a complete list.)

Bug Fixes

This section lists numerous bug fixes across various aspects of the game, including general gameplay issues, and fixes for specific heroes such as 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. (Specific fixes omitted for brevity, but the original text provides a complete list.)