Patch 26.2.0.174258
Patch 26.2.0.174258 is a Hearthstone patch released on May 9, 2023. It's a major patch, containing the start of Battlegrounds Season 4, which contains a massive minion shakeup, a new keyword, Venomous, updates to Windfury and Magnetic, a new Battlegrounds Track, and card changes. It also introduces a new Event Track: Mrrglgroove Dance Party.
A hotfix for this patch, 26.2.1, was released on May 12, 2023.
26.2.1 Patch Notes[edit | edit source]
Patch 26.2.1 is a server-side hotfix patch rolling out today with the following updates and bug fixes across game modes.
Battlegrounds Updates
- The following Heroes now have less Armor:
- The following Heroes now have more Armor:
Rock Master Voone now has 15 Armor- Tess Greymane now has 17 Armor
- Dinotamer Brann now has 18 Armor
- Chenvaala now has 19 Armor at higher ranks; it still has 12 Armor at lower ranks
- Aranna Starseeker now has 20 Armor at all ranks
- E.T.C., Band Manager now has 20 Armor
- E.T.C., Band Manager has been returned to the hero pool.
- Sinrunner Blanchy has been returned to the minion pool.
Duels Updates
Zul'jin and 
Dead Man's Hand have been banned from all card pools.
Arena Updates
Card appearance rates were adjusted. Class cards in general will appear less frequently for Priest and more frequently for Hunter and Warlock. Also, specific high power class cards will appear less frequently for Priest, Shaman, and Warrior; and more frequently for Hunter and Rogue.
Bug Fixes and Game Improvements
- [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where some new/returning players were not offered their loaner deck, causing a soft-lock that prevented them from being able to play in Standard. As a temporary mitigation to this issue, we're extending the loaner deck period for affected players and pausing the grants at the end of that period. Once this bug is fixed in Patch 26.4, we will reinstate loaner deck grants. Alternatively, unlocking Wild first should also resolve the issue, end the loaner deck period, and offer the player their choice of deck to add to their collection.
- [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where
Rowdy Fan's effect was granting +4 Attack. - [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Arcanite Ripper would count Armor change as Health change.
- [Hearthstone]
Theft Accusation can now be triggered by a copy from Mixtape. - [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where if Metrognome's cost was reduced to 1, it could trigger its own effect when played.
- [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where a Kidnapped minion retained its enchantments (and damage) once freed from the Sack.
- [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Boogie Down could summon 0-cost minions.
- [Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Vaelastrasz sometimes gave Dragons of lower Tiers.
- [Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Sinrunner Blanchy could combine with Reanimating Rattler and get infinite Reborn.
- [Battlegrounds] Fixed a visual bug where cards copied by Rock Master Voone's hero power sometimes displayed incorrect numbers.
- [Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug causing server crashes.
- [Progression] Fixed a bug where some bots on the Hearthstone ladder were Shamans, but playing a Rogue deck.
Patch Notes[edit | edit source]
Patch 26.2 launches Battlegrounds Season 4, where E.T.C.'s taking an exciting new show to Bob's Tavern!
Battlegrounds Season 4 is Here[edit | edit source]
Are you ready to put the “band” in your warband?! Battlegrounds Season 4 is headlined by the new Rock Master Voone Hero, the new Venomous keyword, and a massive minion remix to Battlegrounds!
General Updates[edit | edit source]
- On May 9, Battlegrounds Season 3 will end and Season 4 will begin. That means rankings will reset, Battlegrounds Buddies will be removed, minion pools will update, and the Battlegrounds Track will switch over. All rewards that were earned from the Season 3 Track, but not yet claimed, will automatically be claimed.
- Minion types will be rolled out in phases for Season 4. On May 9, only six types will be eligible in all games: Beasts, Murlocs, Dragons, Elementals, Naga, and Undead. On May 11, Pirates will be added to the pool of eligible types. On May 15, Demons will be added to the pool of eligible types. Finally, on May 22, Quilboar and Mechs will be added to the pool of eligible types.
New Hero[edit | edit source]
- Upbeat Harmony
- Passive. At the end of every 3 turns, get a plain copy of the left-most card in your hand.
Rock Master Voone will be available in all lobbies for two weeks after Patch 26.2.
Hero Updates[edit | edit source]
Lady Vashj (Relics of the Deep)
- Old: Discover a Spellcraft spell of your Tier or lower. Passive: Your first one each turn is permanent.
- New: Discover a Spellcraft spell of your Tier or lower. Its effect is permanent.
Lich Baz'hial (Graveyard Shift)
- Old: [0 Gold] Take 4 damage. Gain 2 Gold.
- New: [1 Gold] Steal a minion in Bob's Tavern. Take damage equal to its Tavern Tier.
- No longer banned in Beast lobbies.
- No longer banned in any lobbies.
- Now banned in Naga lobbies.
- Now banned in Naga lobbies.
Updated Armor Tiers[edit | edit source]
All Armor Tiers at the launch of Patch 26.2 will be as follows:
* Some Heroes have high winrate disparities between lower-MMR and higher-MMR players. To account for this, some heroes are given an alternative Armor value, depending on the average play level of the lobby you're in. Any hero that only lists one Armor amount has that same Armor at all levels of play.
Keyword Updates: Poisonous, Venomous, Windfury, and Magnetic[edit | edit source]
Poisonous has been removed from Battlegrounds. A new Battlegrounds keyword, Venomous, will take its place! Venomous is like Poisonous except that only the first minion that is damaged by a Venomous minion each combat is instantly destroyed.
Mega-Windfury has also been removed from Battlegrounds. Now, when a Windfury minion is tripled, it will still have Windfury. This change is to make Windfury more in line with other keywords and to open up more design space in the future.
Finally, you can now Magnetize to your Mechs even if you have a full board (this change applies to all Modes, not just Battlegrounds). This change was made to make Mech games smoother by removing negative play experiences; it also lets us focus more on Magnetic with this update.
New Minions[edit | edit source]
Mistake [Tier 1, All]
- 1 Attack, 3 Health.
Incorporeal Corporal [Tier 1, Undead]
- 5 Attack, 5 Health. After this minion attacks, destroy it.
Southsea Busker [Tier 1, Pirate]
- 3 Attack, 1 Health. Battlecry: Gain 1 Gold next turn.
Manasaber [Tier 1, Beast]
- 4 Attack, 1 Health. Deathrattle: Summon two 0/1 Cublings with Taunt.
Upbeat Frontdrake [Tier 1, Dragon]
- 2 Attack, 1 Health. At the end of every 3 turns, get another random Dragon.
Low-Flier [Tier 2, Dragon]
- 3 Attack, 2 Health. At the end of your turn, give +2 Attack to all your minions with less Attack than this.
Humming Bird [Tier 2, Beast]
- 0 Attack, 3 Health. Your other Beasts have +2 Attack.
Backstage Security [Tier 2, Demon]
- 4 Attack, 6 Health. At the start of your turn, deal 1 damage to your hero.
Soul Rewinder [Tier 2, Demon]
- 3 Attack, 1 Health. After your hero takes damage, rewind it and give this +1 Health.
Lullabot [Tier 2, Mech]
- 2 Attack, 2 Health. Magnetic. At the end of your turn, gain +1/+1.
Upbeat Flutist [Tier 2, Murloc]
- 2 Attack, 5 Health. At the end of every 2 turns, give a random minion in your hand +9 Health.
Flourishing Frostling [Tier 2, Elemental]
- 0 Attack, 4 Health. Has +1 Attack for each Elemental you've played this game (wherever this is).
Reef Riffer [Tier 2, Naga]
- 1 Attack, 3 Health. Spellcraft: Give a minion stats equal to your Tavern Tier until next turn.
Zesty Shaker [Tier 3, Naga]
- 3 Attack, 4 Health. Once per Turn: After you cast Spellcraft spell on this, add a new copy of it to your hand.
Scourfin [Tier 3, Murloc]
- 6 Attack, 3 Health. Deathrattle: Give a random minion in your hand +5/+5.
Accord-o-Tron [Tier 3, Mech]
- 2 Attack, 3 Health. Magnetic. At the start of your turn, gain 1 extra Gold.
Malchezaar, Prince of Dance [Tier 3, Demon]
- 5 Attack, 2 Health. 2 Refreshes each turn cost Health instead of Gold.
Keyboard Igniter [Tier 3, Demon]
- 4 Attack, 2 Health. Battlecry: If you've taken damage since last turn, give your other Demons +1/+2.
Rylak Metalhead [Tier 3, Beast]
- 3 Attack, 4 Health. Taunt. Deathrattle: Trigger the Battlecries of adjacent minions.
- Dev Comment: Reminder that buffs awarded in combat are not permanent.
Banana Slamma [Tier 3, Beast]
- 2 Attack, 5 Health. After you summon a Beast in combat, double its stats.
Moon-Bacon Jazzer [Tier 3, Quilboar]
- 2 Attack, 5 Health. Battlecry: For the rest of the game, your Blood Gems give an extra +1 Health.
Gunpowder Courier [Tier 3, Pirate]
- 2 Attack, 4 Health. After you spend 5 Gold, give you Pirates +1 Attack.
Radio Star [Tier 3, Undead]
- 3 Attack, 1 Health. Deathrattle: Add a plain copy of the minion that killed this to your hand.
Xylo-bones [Tier 4, Undead]
- 5 Attack, 1 Health. After you summon a minion in combat, gain +3 Health permanently.
Lovesick Balladist [Tier 4, Pirate]
- 3 Attack, 4 Health. Battlecry: Give a Pirate +1 Health for each Gold spent this turn.
Underhanded Dealer [Tier 4, Pirate]
- 2 Attack, 2 Health. After you gain Gold, gain +1/+1.
Blade Collector [Tier 4, Pirate]
- 3 Attack, 2 Health. Also damages the minions next to whomever this attacks.
Prickly Piper [Tier 4, Quilboar]
- 6 Attack, 3 Health. Deathrattle: For the rest of the game, your Blood Gems give an extra +1 Attack.
Upbeat Duo [Tier 4]
- 4 Attack, 2 Health. Battlecry: Choose a minion. At the end of every 2 turns, this gives you a plain copy.
Plagued Tidewalker [Tier 4, Murloc/Undead]
- 2 Attack, 7 Health. Venomous.
Scrap Scraper [Tier 4, Mech]
- 3 Attack, 6 Health. Avenge (4): Get a random Magnetic Mech.
Bassgill [Tier 4, Murloc]
- 6 Attack, 2 Health. Deathrattle: Summon the highest Health minion from your hand for this combat only.
Bream Counter [Tier 4, Murloc]
- 4 Attack, 4 Health. While this is in your hand, after you play a Murloc, gain +3/+2.
Dancing Barnstormer [Tier 4, Elemental]
- 4 Attack, 2 Health. Deathrattle: Elementals in Bob's Tavern have +2/+2 for the rest of the game.
Upbeat Upstart [Tier 4, Elemental]
- 4 Attack, 4 Health. Taunt. At the end of every 2 turns, set this minion's Health to the highest in your warband.
Deep Blue Crooner [Tier 4, Naga]
- 2 Attack, 2 Health. Spellcraft: Give a minion +1/+1 until next turn. Improve your future Deep Blues.
Silent Swimmer [Tier 4, Naga]
- 5 Attack, 3 Health. Spellcraft: Give a minion +3/+5 and Stealth until next turn.
Stormbringer [Tier 4, Dragon]
- 1 Attack, 7 Health. After a different friendly Dragon gains Attack, this also gains it.
Disco Shuffler [Tier 5, Dragon]
- 4 Attack, 3 Health. Choose One – Trigger a friendly minion's Battlecry; or Discover a Battlecry minion.
Sanctum Rester [Tier 5, Dragon]
- 5 Attack, 5 Health. Start of Combat: Give your other Dragons +8 Health.
Electric Synthesizer [Tier 5, Dragon]
- 3 Attack, 7 Health. Battlecry: Give your other Dragons +4 Attack.
Gusty Trumpeter [Tier 5, Elemental]
- 4 Attack, 5 Health. After you sell 6 Elementals, get another random Elemental.
Operatic Belcher [Tier 5, Murloc]
- 5 Attack, 2 Health. Venomous. Deathrattle: Give a friendly Murloc Venomous.
Utility Drone [Tier 5, Mech]
- 4 Attack, 5 Health. At the end of your turn, give your minions +1/+1 for each Magnetization they have.
Drakkari Enchanter [Tier 5]
- 1 Attack, 5 Health. Your end of turn effects trigger twice.
Imposing Percussionist [Tier 5, Demon]
- 6 Attack, 6 Health. Battlecry: Discover a Demon and deal damage to your hero equal to its Tavern Tier.
Tichondrius [Tier 5, Demon]
- 4 Attack, 4 Health. After your hero takes damage, give your other Demons +1/+1.
Bongo Bopper [Tier 5, Quilboar]
- 5 Attack, 5 Health. At the end of your turn, get a Blood Gem and play 2 more on this.
Record Smuggler [Tier 5, Pirate]
- 7 Attack, 6 Health. At the start of your turn, gain 1 Gold. Repeat for each other friendly Pirate.
Upbeat Impressionist [Tier 5, Pirate]
- 8 Attack, 4 Health. At the end of every 2 turns, make a Pirate in your hand Golden.
The Boogie Monster [Tier 6]
- 3 Attack, 8 Health. After you play a Tier 1 minion, progress to the next Tier and give your minions +1/+2.
- Dev Comment: This caps at Tier 6, at which point you need to keep playing Tier 6 minions to get the effect.
Octosari, Wrap God [Tier 6, Beast]
- 6 Attack, 7 Health. Deathrattle: Summon a 2/2 Tentacle. (Gains +2/+2 permanently after you summon a minion in combat!)
Polarizing Beatboxer [Tier 6, Mech]
- 3 Attack, 7 Health. Whenever you Magnetize another minion, it also Magnetizes to this.
Choral Mrrrglr [Tier 6, Murloc]
- 6 Attack, 6 Health. Start of Combat: Gain the stats of all minions in your hand.
Rock Rock [Tier 6, Elemental]
- 4 Attack, 4 Health. After you play an Elemental, give your minions +2 Attack. (Swaps to Health next turn.)
Elemental of Surprise [Tier 6, Elemental]
- 8 Attack, 8 Health. Divine Shield. This minion can triple with any Elemental.
Bristlebach [Tier 6, Quilboar]
- 2 Attack, 10 Health. Avenge (1): Play a Blood Gem on all your Quilboar.
Fleet Admiral Tethys [Tier 6, Pirate]
- 5 Attack, 6 Health. After you spend 8 Gold, get another random Pirate.
Minion Updates[edit | edit source]
- Old: 1 Attack, 3 Health. After you play a Demon, deal 1 damage to your hero and gain +2/+2.
- New: 1 Attack, 4 Health. After you play a Demon, deal 1 damage to your hero and gain +2/+1.
- Old: 2 Attack, 4 Health.
- New: 2 Attack, 2 Health.
- Old: 4 Attack, 2 Health.
- New: 5 Attack, 2 Health.
- Old: Spellcraft: Give a minion +3 Health and Taunt until next turn.
- New: Spellcraft: Give a minion +4 Health and Taunt until next turn.
- Old: [Tier 3] 4 Attack, 3 Health. Battlecry and Deathrattle: Get a Blood Gem.
- New: [Tier 2] 3 Attack, 2 Health. Deathrattle: Get a Blood Gem.
- Old: [Tier 4] 4 Attack, 6 Health. Whenever another friendly Pirate attacks, give it +3/+3.
- New: [Tier 2] 2 Attack, 4 Health. Whenever a friendly Pirate attacks, give it +3 Attack.
- Old: [Tier 4]
- New: [Tier 3]
- Old: [Tier 4] 5 Attack, 4 Health.
- New: [Tier 3] 3 Attack, 2 Health.
- Old: After a spell is played on this, gain Poisonous until end of turn.
- New: After a spell is played on this, gain Venomous until end of turn.
- Old: [Tier 5] 5 Attack, 1 Health.
- New: [Tier 4] 3 Attack, 1 Health.
- Old: 8 Attack, 5 Health. At the end of your turn, the Murloc to the left of this triggers its Battlecry.
- New: 7 Attack, 4 Health. At the end of your turn, the minion to the left of this triggers its Battlecry.
- Old: 3 Attack, 4 Health. Whenever this attacks, give your Pirates +2/+2 permanently.
- New: 3 Attack, 7 Health. Whenever this attacks, give your Pirates +2/+1 permanently.
- Old: Poisonous. Start of Combat: For each of your minion types gain +5/+5, Windfury, Divine Shield, or Taunt.
- New: Venomous. Start of Combat: For each of your minion types gain +5/+5, Windfury, Reborn, or Taunt.
- Old: At the end of your turn, each friendly Demon consumes a minion in Bob's Tavern to gain its stats.
- New: At the end of your turn, your other Demons consume a minion in Bob's Tavern to gain its stats.
- Old: At the end of your turn, play a Blood Gem on all friendly minions.
- New: At the end of your turn, play a Blood Gem on your other minions.
- Old: After you play a minion with Battlecry, give your Dragons +1/+1.
- New: After you trigger a Battlecry, give your Dragons +1/+1.
- Dev Comment: This means you get the bonus not just when you play a Battlecry minion, but also whenever any effect triggers a Battlecry—including an additional trigger from Brann. “Trigger” doesn't require there's a successful target for the Battlecry; you can still just play a Battlecry minion for this effect.
Minion Pool Updates[edit | edit source]
- Bloodsail Cannoneer, Saltscale Honcho, and Palescale Crocolisk have been returned to the minion pool.
- 59 minions have been removed from the minion pool:
- Ball of Minions; Arm of the Empire; Poetic Pen Pal; Tea Master Theotar; Friend of a Friend; Alley Cat; Cave Hydra; Bird Buddy; Goldrinn, the Great Wolf; Impatient Doomsayer; Kathra'natir; Piggyback Imp; Soul Juggler; Bigfernal; Voidlord; Iron Sensei; Holy Mecherel; Cyborg Drake; Grease Bot; Felfin Navigator; Swolefin; Toxfin; Seafood Slinger; Party Elemental; Dazzling Lightspawn; Lil' Rag; Master of REalities; Gentle Djinni; Lieutenant Garr; Shoal Commander; Warden of Old; Eelbound Archer; Waverider; Roadboar; Bristleback Brute; Groundshaker; Agamaggan, the Great Boar; Darkgaze Elder; Red Whelp; Nether Drake; Atramedes; Razorgore; Evolving Chromawing; Deck Swabbie; Salty Looter; Southsea Strongarm; Southsea Captain; Goldgrubber; Cap'n Hoggarr; Greta Gold-Gun; Dread Admiral Eliza; First Mate Pip; Rot Hide Gnoll; Lich Doctor; Jelly Belly; Possessive Banshee; Murloc Warleader; Rabid Saurolisk; and Tavern Tipper.
- You can see all new and returning minions, grouped by minion type, in our Season 4 Announcement Blog.
Misc. Other Battlegrounds Updates[edit | edit source]
- The Brann's Blessing Darkmoon Prize now reads, “Your Battlecries trigger an extra time this turn.”
- Y'Shaarj's Hero Power, Embrace Your Rage, has gotten a text-only update for clarity.
- Alexstrasza's Hero Power, Queen of Dragons, has gotten a text-only update for clarity.
- The text of Brann's Epic Egg (Dinotamer Brann's Buddy) has gotten a text-only update for clarity.
- The Cost to upgrade from Tavern Tier 4 to Tavern Tier 5 is not reverting; it is now 11 Gold as a regular rule.
New Battlegrounds Track[edit | edit source]
The Season 4 Battlegrounds Track, with the Season Pass, features 40 new levels of rewards, including 5 Legendary Hero Skins, 10 Epic Hero Skins, 5 Rare Hero Skins, 1 Rare Board, 1 Rare Bartender, 12 Rare Emotes, 2 Epic Strikes, and 1 Legendary Strike that you build as you progress!
For more details about the Season 4 Battlegrounds Track, and the new Battlegrounds Season Pass, see our Season 4 Announcement Blog.
New In-Game Event: Mrrglgroove Dance Party[edit | edit source]
We're throwing a Battlegrounds party to celebrate the launch of Season 4! From May 16 to May 30, you can complete Battlegrounds-based Event Quests to earn Event XP on the special event rewards track. Complete the rewards track to earn three Murlocized Battlegrounds Hero Skins!
Heroic Tavern Brawl Returns Again![edit | edit source]
On May 17, the Heroic Tavern Brawl (Standard format) is back for more fierce competition against top players! Pay the entry fee and then play until you either get 3 losses or 12 wins. The further you get, the bigger your rewards!
There will also be three special Legendary Quests active during the Heroic Brawl. Win one game of Hearthstone (even outside of the Heroic Tavern Brawl) to win 1 Standard Pack. This means that players who don't want to participate in the Heroic Tavern Brawl can still easily get their weekly Tavern Brawl pack, and players who do participate in the Heroic Tavern Brawl get a little additional prizing. Win 3 games in Heroic Tavern Brawl (across any number of runs) to get the new 
Frostmonger Sai Death Knight Hero Skin. And win an astonishing 12 games in a single Heroic Tavern Brawl run for the ultimate prize: the Crimson Knight Sai Hero Skin!
Bug Fixes and Game Improvements[edit | edit source]
- [General] Hearthstone has upgraded to a more recent Unity version. Minimum spec requirements to play Hearthstone now require at least iOS 12/Mac 10.14.
- [General] Fixed a bug where background sound from other apps could not be played on certain mobile devices.
- [General] Re-enabled the ability to see opponent's mouse-overs.
- [Hearthstone] Updated the interaction between Thornmantle Musician and Dormant Beasts (such as Wildseeds) so that the Dormant Beast will no longer consume the Musician's effect.
- [Hearthstone] Corrected typing for
Wild Pyromancer. It is now an Undead in all formats except for Classic (where there are no Undead—sorry, Sylvanas). - [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where players were unable queue games with decks containing golden cards that were added automatically by the card re-rolling system.
- [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where players were sometimes unable to add cards to E.T.C., Band Manager's Band on mobile.
- [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Photographer Fizzle's Snapshot would be empty after a backwards zone transition (such as after being moved from your hand to your deck).
- [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Rush minions that attacked and then were moved through time by
Anachronos would not be able to attack when they returned. - [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where the minion Felscale Evoker was classified as a Shadow spell.
- [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug where Reckoning ceased to exist after it rotated out of Standard.
- [Hearthstone] Fixed a bug that allowed players to put four copies of
Muster for Battle in their Wild decks. - [Battlegrounds] Fixed a bug where Golden Freedealing Gambler would sometimes only sell for 3 Gold.
- [Mercenaries] Fixed bugged interactions with the resistance bug of the Summit Campfire Ability and various Equipment.
- [Mercenaries] Fixed a bug where the
Ysera's Vengeance Equipment did not apply damage buff to the Verdant Breath Ability. - [Mercenaries] Fixed bugs with the Ysera Emerald Dream Ability (Nightmare and Ysera Awakens).
- [Mercenaries] Fixed bugs where the various Equipment effects did not progress beyond Tier 4.
- [Mercenaries] Fixed a bug where the Flametongue Totem Treasure always dealt Tier 1 damage.
- [Mercenaries] Fixed a bug with the Mercenaries/Razorgore boss fight.
- [Mercenaries] Fixed a bug where
Ragnaros's Task 10 did not progress. - [Mercenaries] Fixed a bug where some buffs didn't correctly update text boxes.
- [Collection] Fixed a bug where Diamond
Darkbishop Benedictus and Diamond Ragnaros the Firelord were missing from Standard. - Misc. other bug fixes and game improvements.
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