Hearthstone To Address Arena Class Balance By Removing Cards
When playing Arena in Hearthstone, there are really only two questions: How should I build my mage/rogue deck or how will I get by if I didn't get mage or rogue? Blizzard is aware of those two class's dominance in the format and will take steps to address that issue in a future patch.
The plan is to certain cards from the Arena mix: overused cards for mage and rogue and weak cards for the other classes (except paladin, which receives no changes). As Blizzard's Dean Ayala puts it:
"We’d like to avoid removing strong spells and weapons from the Arena, because they add to a lot of the unpredictability and excitement surrounding the possibilities outside the current board state. We’d also like to avoid removing iconic cards, since they are generally versatile and familiar tools to veteran and new Arena players alike. Additionally, we can remove lower-performing cards in order to make room for a class’ more commonly utilized cards to show up more often in your Arena draft."
This tweaking of the Arena card mix likely represents just the first step in Blizzard's attempt to rebalance the format. Ayala says the team is looking at other solutions, such as adjusting the rates that cards show up and drafting by card rarity.
You can find a full list of the removed cards in the dev blog on the Hearthstone site.
Related Articles
- Always Online Podcast: Did Redfall and ESO MMO Presentations Deliver, Hearthstone & A Sub, And The Day Before's Mess Ep 461
- Blizzard Wants To Know How Much Players Would Pay For A Hearthstone Subscription Via Survey
- Always Online Podcast: Blizzard, NetEase, & A Dead Orc Statue, Ubisoft Strike, & Dragon's Dogma MMORPG Returning? Ep 460
About the Author

Jason Winter is a veteran gaming journalist, he brings a wide range of experience to MMOBomb, including two years with Beckett Media where he served as the editor of the leading gaming magazine Massive Online Gamer. He has also written professionally for several gaming websites.
Read Next
Paragon Introduces New Burst Caster: Lt. Belica
A new hero is joining the ranks of Epic Games' free-to-play MOBA, Paragon.
By QuintLyn Bowers - 6 years agoYou May Enjoy
The Omega Protocol Arrives In Final Fantasy XIV’s Patch 6.31 Update
The testing continues.
By QuintLyn Bowers - 6 days ago💣 Feature | 10 Mobile MMORPGs You Can Try In 2023 For Android And iOS
Looking for an MMORPG to enjoy on your phone? Here are 10 great options to play on the go.
By Anthony Jones - 4 days agoEmbers Adrift Free Play Weekend Is Under Way, Guides Up For Some "Starter" Help
Play for free through Sunday using your existing account.
By QuintLyn Bowers - 3 days agoNew Footage Of Redfall Provides Deep Dive Into Gameplay And Confirms May 2nd Release Date
An in-depth look that gives up just enough to get players hyped.
By Anthony Jones - 5 days ago💣 Feature | Breaking From Typical MMORPGs: Looking Back At Broken Ranks One Year Later
A lot can change in a year, but has Broken Ranks hit its stride yet?
By Troy Blackburn - 1 week agoBlizzard Wants To Know How Much Players Would Pay For A Hearthstone Subscription Via Survey
The survey also mentions 3D gameplay where Heroes and minions would come to life on screen.
By Aspen Pash - 5 days ago
In this game everyone uses the top decks because its the fastest and easiest way to win. Kinda boring.