Heroes of the Storm Bringing Back Popular Game Mode

Heroes of the Storm: Brawl Mode Returns!

Heroes of the Storm is resurrecting its popular Heroes Brawl game mode as "Brawl Mode," bringing back a plethora of discontinued maps and unique challenges after a five-year hiatus. This revamped mode, currently available on the Public Test Realm (PTR), introduces bi-weekly rotating brawls, each offering a special chest reward for completing three matches.

The original Heroes Brawl, initially launched as Arena Mode in 2016, featured weekly rotating maps, objectives, and rule sets. These creative variations, inspired by Hearthstone's Tavern Brawls, ranged from all-Nova sniper duels to action-packed Arena versions of existing battlefields and even a PvE Escape from Braxis mission. However, due to the rising popularity of single-lane maps and maintenance difficulties, the mode was ultimately replaced by ARAM in 2020.

Brawl Mode's return marks a significant event for Heroes of the Storm, especially considering the game's upcoming 10th anniversary on June 2nd, 2025. The current PTR update, released January 6th, 2025, includes the new mode alongside hero balance adjustments and bug fixes. Brawls will rotate on the 1st and 15th of each month, offering players a fresh challenge every two weeks.

The inaugural Brawl, a festive "Snow Brawl," is now live on the PTR for three weeks of testing. The official launch in the live game is anticipated within a month, potentially coinciding with the start of February. With over two dozen past Heroes Brawls to draw from, players can expect a nostalgic return of many favorites, and perhaps even some exciting new additions.

The PTR patch notes also detail extensive hero balance changes and numerous bug fixes across various aspects of the game. These changes affect heroes such as Auriel, Chromie, Johanna, Tracer, and Zul'jin, impacting their talents and base abilities. Significant bug fixes address issues with experience globes, visual effects, slows, and specific hero abilities and interactions. A complete list of these changes is provided below.

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

General:

• Updated Homescreen and Startup Music.
• NEW: Brawl Mode added! Brawls will rotate on the 1st and 15th of every month.

(Hero balance updates and bug fixes are too extensive to reproduce here. Please refer to the original patch notes for detailed information.)

The return of Brawl Mode represents a substantial win for Heroes of the Storm fans, fueling hopes for a broader revival of the game.