[Column] Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft: Four Things We Want from Hearthstone in 2015

BillMurphy · December 2014

Hearthstone’s feature set remains somewhat barebones and the new year offers Blizzard many opportunities to expand on the game and perhaps make some changes to the way the approach certain aspects of dealing with its issues. This week, let’s take a look at a couple of ways Blizzard can improve the Hearthstone experience in 2015.

Read more of Michael Bitton's Four Things We Want from Hearthstone in 2015.

RemyVorender · December 2014

Yep. Once you get lower than R12, everyone is playing 1 of 4 decks it seems. It's very boring and predictable. There also needs to be more incentive for players to rank up, instead of staying at a high rank and just farming R19 players.

On a side note, the author of this article seems surprised at the glacial pace a Blizzard game has in terms of updates.

MikeB · December 2014

Originally posted by remyburke
Yep. Once you get lower than R12, everyone is playing 1 of 4 decks it seems. It's very boring and predictable. There also needs to be more incentive for players to rank up, instead of staying at a high rank and just farming R19 players.

On a side note, the author of this article seems surprised at the glacial pace a Blizzard game has in terms of updates.

I'm not surprised. I know Blizzard has a reputation for this, but updating a game like Hearthstone has to be a careful consideration. The more cards and packs they add the higher the barrier to entry for new players, among many other considerations. Unfortunately, the game is suffering even if there is sound reasoning behind the timing and amount of card releases, so something's gotta give.

Either they release new cards more frequently or they are less apprehensive about making balance changes to existing cards. Personally, I'd rather see the latter. I don't mind waiting a bit for a new set if Blizzard is willing to take a critical look at their existing set and review things now and then. Tribals like pirates could use a review to make them more viable. Rogue is basically screwed until the next expansion where they get a chance to be viable again, etc.

MoonKnightt · December 2014

I see Hearthstone in two dilemmas. There is too much RNG involved.

A skill game like Poker has RNG involved as well. I understand that. If either game didn't? Hardly any bad players would play and there will be only a small population of total players.

There are more bad players than good ones as far as Hearthstone is concerned. It's good for the population of the game and these are the players who probably play the bills. When you implant RNG it gives bad players a chance to win and when they do there is a greater chance they stick around and spend money.

But when you have too much? It's a disaster as it becomes a slot machine and the best spin wins. Like in Arena. Even with two master players in Arena the one with the best cards wins. This is a problem in my view. I think if you are over a certain rank? Deck building should be allowed based on all the cards in the game and class selection. If you are under a certain rank? Go back to the slot machine RNG system now. As it stands? A poor selection of classes and you may as well just forfeit in Arena.

The next problem is, they added a ton of cards which should also add many options for play style. But there really is not many options. Certain classes are useless on a high competitive level or any level. Just like WoW. Out of the classes that can win? Most players only use a certain number of deck builds. What is the point of adding new cards when it does not add to the play style options? What is the point of adding cards when some classes are screwed? Money would be my guess.

I get to rank 10 after taking a long break and each return I think it's a waste to invest my time. Until they stop balancing the game like WoW, get rid of Arena RNG (yes you can pick cards out of a random spin, big deal), and offer more play style options. I will not be back and probably won't anyway.

It's boring as it stands and Blizzard's glacier-like development pace will not help matters. That goes double for WoW.

HassanPL · December 2014

I would like to see something akin to Naxxramas, but with option to play with 3 or more people at the time, like mini "raids" from wow, this would be cool.

bbbb42 · December 2014

Its a boring game that's only popular because its a blizzard game and blizzard has a large fan base. I do play it but only because its the only online card game with a competative scene ironically enough. I was playing Hex for awhile but the player base is sooo small and there are no real money tournys for it.

itchmon · December 2014

Bbb42, try magic the gathering online, it's a thing and it's competitive scene makes HS look like kiddie time

thinktank001 · December 2014

Originally posted by MikeB

I'm not surprised. I know Blizzard has a reputation for this, but updating a game like Hearthstone has to be a careful consideration. The more cards and packs they add the higher the barrier to entry for new players, among many other considerations. Unfortunately, the game is suffering even if there is sound reasoning behind the timing and amount of card releases, so something's gotta give.

The new player barrier was already too high in closed beta. Hearthstone never had a chance to be successful.

I think the sad part is with just a few changes this game could actually have a chance.

itchmon · December 2014

Originally posted by thinktank001
Originally posted by MikeB

I'm not surprised. I know Blizzard has a reputation for this, but updating a game like Hearthstone has to be a careful consideration. The more cards and packs they add the higher the barrier to entry for new players, among many other considerations. Unfortunately, the game is suffering even if there is sound reasoning behind the timing and amount of card releases, so something's gotta give.

The new player barrier was already too high in closed beta. Hearthstone never had a chance to be successful.

I think the sad part is with just a few changes this game could actually have a chance.

I'd hate to see what you call successful if you think HS is unsuccessful. On launch of GVG, blizz's servers were literally swamped by players clamoring to give them their money. At my local game store I've actually gotten fed up with players in a tabletop game whipping out their tablet and playing hearthstone between turns.

Halibrand · December 2014

The game needs alternate play modes, like Magic has with Commander. My friend and I keep the game fresh for ourselves by creating deck-building challenges for each other (adding new restrictions like only cards with casting costs of 3, 6, or 9, or only gold cards, or only common and basic cards, no class cards, only class cards, or no legendaries and only 1 of each other card in the deck, etc). But what we'd really love is if there was a way to play beyond the only one that exists now: 30 life, 30 card decks, a hero power, and a max of 2 of any card (1 for legendaries). There's so much room to shake that up, and find new ways to play with the cards we already have.

thinktank001 · January 2015

Originally posted by itchmon

I'd hate to see what you call successful if you think HS is unsuccessful. On launch of GVG, blizz's servers were literally swamped by players clamoring to give them their money. At my local game store I've actually gotten fed up with players in a tabletop game whipping out their tablet and playing hearthstone between turns.

Imagine D3 released without the huge following of the original and sequel. How well do you think D3 would have done?

The answer is Hearthstone. There isn't much splash outside of the Blizzard fandom.

chilliz · January 2015

Sorry if you think Hearthstone is isolated solely to Blizzard fans then u are sorely mistaken. It is one of the most played games on Ipad and andriod. It has far reached beyond blizzard fans, and reached people who couldnt get into card games before. Sorry to burst ur little bubble.

BruceYee · January 2015

More themes like they did with mechs. Perhaps dragons, undead, gnome, goblin, dwarf etc

And maybe a AQ adventure zone

Senadina · January 2015

Guess I'll add my number one Hearthstone wish: More play modes. Having just 2, casual and ranked, is not enough. Casual becomes too hard for newcomers to crack when people who have been playing for many months are using decks filled with legendaries. I know some people only see Hearthstone as a competitive e-sport where everyone is copying 3 or 4 decks, but I play it more casually, like I did Magic TG. I like to try different decks and combos, some not necessarily optimum, and there is nowhere to tests these decks realistically. I would like to see a "limited" mode where there is a limit on the number of rare and legendary cards in a deck; a co-op mode or even a "2 headed giant" mode; and a beginner mode so new players can realistically complete the daily quests . As it is now, newbies are going to lose a lot in casual, because they just don't have the cards yet, and without winning games, they can't complete the dailies and get more cards. Catch 22.

thinktank001 · January 2015

Originally posted by chilliz
Sorry if you think Hearthstone is isolated solely to Blizzard fans then u are sorely mistaken. It is one of the most played games on Ipad and andriod. It has far reached beyond blizzard fans, and reached people who couldnt get into card games before. Sorry to burst ur little bubble.

If you got apple store numbers it would be interesting to see how they compare to google play, since google play numbers hint that hearthstone isn't doing so hot in the mobile market.

Thane · January 2015

hm, guess i am the only one who wants a 2:2 mode then

Herzy · January 2015

I love this game. They got me with a stupid mount. Before that it wasn't even on my radar but now I like it very much, most of the time.

I wasn't a card player of any kind before HS.

What I don't like about the game is that I could be ahead and on my way to winning and then WHAM, a frigging epic/legendary card that completely turns the tide. I find some of them to be completely whack. Like HOW is it even legal? Geez.

I know, I could go get me some of them but I'm getting there. Slowly. I'm not spending a dime, as I've already spent a ton in WoW these past few weeks.

Betaguy · January 2015

I would like to see co-operative dungeons and bosses along with some 2v2/3v3 or 4v4 game modes with different deck play. I would also like to see talent builds for the heroes thus allowing us to maybe choose a different hero abilities.

Kaelaien · January 2015

More chances to win items for WoW

SomeHuman · January 2015

I think it'd be cool to add tabletop items and bobbles to put on your side of the table instead of the default ones. You could earn these bobbles through achievements or something. I think this is one of the best games out at the moment, so I look forward to development.

bbbb42 · January 2015

Originally posted by chilliz
Sorry if you think Hearthstone is isolated solely to Blizzard fans then u are sorely mistaken. It is one of the most played games on Ipad and andriod. It has far reached beyond blizzard fans, and reached people who couldnt get into card games before. Sorry to burst ur little bubble.

citation for your data please.

RemyVorender · January 2015

Originally posted by MikeB
Originally posted by remyburke
Yep. Once you get lower than R12, everyone is playing 1 of 4 decks it seems. It's very boring and predictable. There also needs to be more incentive for players to rank up, instead of staying at a high rank and just farming R19 players.

On a side note, the author of this article seems surprised at the glacial pace a Blizzard game has in terms of updates.

I'm not surprised. I know Blizzard has a reputation for this, but updating a game like Hearthstone has to be a careful consideration. The more cards and packs they add the higher the barrier to entry for new players, among many other considerations. Unfortunately, the game is suffering even if there is sound reasoning behind the timing and amount of card releases, so something's gotta give.

Either they release new cards more frequently or they are less apprehensive about making balance changes to existing cards. Personally, I'd rather see the latter. I don't mind waiting a bit for a new set if Blizzard is willing to take a critical look at their existing set and review things now and then. Tribals like pirates could use a review to make them more viable. Rogue is basically screwed until the next expansion where they get a chance to be viable again, etc.

I was just picking on you, Mike!

goozmania · January 2015

They have got to take advantage of the digital medium and more aggressively, and frequently, balance their cards. Their ideology behind not doing so is so far beyond asinine.

There should be balance patches at the start of every season, much like all their other games.

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[Column] Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft: Four Things We Want from Hearthstone in 2015

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[Column] Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft: Four Things We Want from Hearthstone in 2015

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