Heroes Return: Fan-Favorite Mode Revived!

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, offering a fresh take on chaotic fun. After a nearly five-year hiatus, this update reintroduces dozens of discontinued maps, each presenting unique gameplay challenges. Currently available on the Public Test Realm (PTR), Brawl Mode is slated for official release within a month.

The original Heroes Brawl, initially launched as Arena Mode in 2016, featured weekly rotating game modes with wildly inventive twists. Inspired by Hearthstone's Tavern Brawls, it offered unique map layouts, modified objectives, and unusual rulesets. Examples included all-Nova sniper battles, Arena-style variations of existing battlefields, and the cooperative Escape from Braxis mission. However, due to the growing preference for single-lane maps and the logistical challenges of maintaining the mode, it was ultimately replaced by ARAM in 2020.

Brawl Mode's return marks a significant change. The mode will rotate bi-weekly, on the 1st and 15th of each month, offering a special chest reward for completing three matches within the active Brawl period. The exact reward structure (single reward per Brawl or multiple rewards per week) remains to be seen. Given the extensive library of past Brawls, players can anticipate the return of many favorites, with the potential for new Brawls in the future.

The PTR currently features Snow Brawl, a festive introductory Brawl. The three-week PTR testing phase suggests a February launch for Brawl Mode on the live servers, coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of Heroes of the Storm on June 2nd, 2025. This revival is a welcome surprise for the community, fueling speculation about a potential broader resurgence of the game.

Heroes of the Storm PTR Patch Notes (January 6, 2025)

The latest Heroes of the Storm patch is now available 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 will rotate bi-weekly, on the 1st and 15th of each month.

Hero 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. (Detailed changes omitted for brevity; refer to the original patch notes for specifics.)

Bug Fixes

This section lists various bug fixes across general gameplay and specific heroes. (Detailed fixes omitted for brevity; refer to the original patch notes for specifics.) Fixes include improvements to experience globe pathing, visual effects, slow effects, and numerous hero-specific issues.