Blizzard Unveils Hearthstone Battlegrounds Season 5, Anomalies Set To Change Game Rules

Blizzard has unveiled Battlegrounds Season 5.

Set to kick off with Patch 27.2, this season introduces a gladiatorial spectacle to Hearthstone where champions of Azeroth vie for the favor of the Titans and their Keepers. However, a twist emerges in the form of the Anomalies system, injecting chaos into the contest. With over 20 Anomalies initially and plans for more to be added to the card game weekly, the game's rules will change constantly.

Anomalies are custom game rules that affect the entire lobby, reshaping each match. Also, Tier 7 Minions are introduced with games featuring the Secrets of Norgannon Anomaly. The expansion adds a new hero as well — Thorim, the Stormlord, who bestows his chosen champion with a Tier 7 minion.

Battlegrounds Season 5 brings with it a major overhaul of Tiers 1 - 6. The update includes the removal of 49 minions from the pool, the addition of 32 new minions, and the return of 11 older minions. Players can look forward to reveals of these new minions in the coming days leading up to the patch release. The season comes with a refreshed Battlegrounds Track offering new cosmetics, Hero Skins, and emotes, as well as Thorim's Thunder Legendary Strike.

And for those who cannot wait, a special Battlegrounds Preview Event is happening on August 21, where participating streamers will showcase the new Season 5 content and offer Season Pass giveaways to their viewers.

Note: Activision Blizzard has been sued by California’s Civil Rights Department, alleging violations of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and Equal Pay Act. CEO Bobby Kotick is alleged to have known about the alleged violations within his company. These allegations have all been denied by Activision Blizzard and the company points to additional diversity and inclusion training as past examples of taking the accusations seriously at the time they were made.