Armor

A hero with 2 Armor

Armor is a form of secondary Health available only to heroes, gained through certain spells, Hero Powers and minions. Damage taken will always be deducted from Armor before Health. Only when a character has 0 Armor will they lose Health from a damaging attack. Armor can effectively extend a hero's Health far beyond the 30 points otherwise allowed. All regular heroes enter play with 0 Armor, although bosses and Tavern Brawl heroes often start with some Armor.

Sources of Armor include the warrior Hero Power Armor Up!, the druid Hero Power Shapeshift, the mage Secret Ice Barrier and the warrior minion Armorsmith. Some cards have more novel relationships with Armor, such as Shield Slam, which uses a warrior's Armor to deal damage to a target minion.

When present, Armor is shown on the centre right of the hero, just above the Health icon, set against a silver, unbroken shield.

Armor is most strongly associated with the warrior class, followed by the druid class.

Notes

• Armor is persistent, and will last until removed through damage. Unlike Health, Armor cannot be affected by enchantments, and there are currently only two cards which set a hero's armor total, Reckless Flurry and Platebreaker, which both set a hero's armor total to 0.

• Like Health, Armor will not prevent or mitigate any effects other than damage.

• Like Health and Attack, Armor has a maximum value of 2,147,483,647. Effects that would cause the player to gain Armor past this maximum will reduce the player's Armor to 0 and the Armor icon will break, just as if the hero had been damaged enough to remove all Armor. Amounts as high as 2,080,472,162 Armor have been recorded in-game. This can be done with Earthen Scales or Alley Armorsmith and Divine Spirit - Inner Fire combo, or use the Linecracker and Earthen Scales combo to achieve such a high amount of armor. Gahz'rilla can theoretically achieve the same goal, but it has yet been done.

• Damage taken while protected by Armor still counts as taking damage for game purposes. For example, a Water Elemental will Freeze any hero it damages even if the hero loses only Armor from the attack. Likewise, Floating Watcher's triggered effect will activate from the controlling hero taking damage on their turn even if they only lose Armor.

• Armor does not prevent a hero from dying if such hero also had zero or less health, this can be achieved through playing Crystallizer when the controlling hero is at 5 or less health, at the end of the Battlecry, the controlling hero would then receive a defeat despite being able to take 5 more points of damage.

• While damage dealt to a hero will always remove Armor before removing Health, spells or effects can set the Health to a specific, lower-than-current value even if the hero has Armor. Cards with such effects include Alexstrasza and High Priest Thekal.

Known bugs

• It was possible to have 0 Health but 12 Armor as a substitute.

Although it was hard to replicate, it made the player experiencing that in a glitched state where it cannot be interacted by any means of an effect.

Random effects denied the player, and minions couldn't be directed to attack the player in that glitched state, because they became unresponsive until they directed to attack a valid target like minions.

This issue is hotfixed by now.

Sources of Armor

Name / Desc	Rarity	Type	Subtype	Class	Cost	Atk	HP	Description
Armor Vendor	Rare	Minion	General	Any	1	1	3	Battlecry: Give 4 Armor to each hero.
Claw	Free	Spell		Druid	1			Give your hero +2 Attack this turn and 2 Armor.
Sword and Board	Common	Spell		Warrior	1			Deal 2 damage to a minion. Gain 2 Armor.
Armor Up!	None	Hero Power		Warrior	2			Hero Power Gain 2 Armor.
Armorsmith	Rare	Minion	General	Warrior	2	1	4	Whenever a friendly minion takes damage, gain 1 Armor.
Dire Shapeshift	Free	Hero Power		Druid	2			Hero Power +2 Attack this turn. +2 Armor.
Shapeshift	None	Hero Power		Druid	2			Hero Power +1 Attack this turn. +1 Armor.
Steel Beetle	Rare	Minion	Beast	Druid	2	2	3	Battlecry: If you're holding a spell that costs (5) or more, gain 5 Armor.
Tank Up!	None	Hero Power		Warrior	2			Hero Power Gain 4 Armor.
Vicious Scraphound	Common	Minion	Mech	Warrior	2	2	3	Whenever this minion deals damage, gain that much Armor.
EVIL Quartermaster	Common	Minion	General	Warrior	3	2	3	Battlecry: Add a Lackey to your hand. Gain 3 Armor.
Ice Barrier	Common	Spell		Mage	3			Secret: When your hero is attacked, gain 8 Armor.
Moontouched Amulet	Rare	Spell		Druid	3			Corrupted Give your hero +4 Attack this turn. Gain 6 Armor.
Shield Block	Free	Spell		Warrior	3			Gain 5 Armor. Draw a card.
Bite	Rare	Spell		Druid	4			Give your hero +4 Attack this turn. Gain 4 Armor.
Dr. Boom's Scheme	Common	Spell		Warrior	4			Gain 1 Armor. (Upgrades each turn!)
Molten Breath	Rare	Spell		Warrior	4			Deal 5 damage to a minion. If you're holding a Dragon, gain 5 Armor.
Scrap Golem	Rare	Minion	Mech	Warrior	5	4	5	Taunt. Deathrattle: Gain Armor equal to this minion's Attack.
Armored Goon	Common	Minion	General	Warrior	6	6	7	Whenever your hero attacks, gain 5 Armor.
Galakrond, Azeroth's End	Legendary	Hero card		Rogue	7			Battlecry: Draw 4 cards. They cost (1). Equip a 5/2 Claw.
Galakrond, Azeroth's End	Legendary	Hero card		Priest	7			Battlecry: Destroy 4 random enemy minions. Equip a 5/2 Claw.
Galakrond, Azeroth's End	Legendary	Hero card		Shaman	7			Battlecry: Summon two 8/8 Storms with Rush. Equip a 5/2 Claw.
Galakrond, Azeroth's End	Legendary	Hero card		Warlock	7			Battlecry: Summon 4 random Demons. Equip a 5/2 Claw.
Galakrond, Azeroth's End	Legendary	Hero card		Warrior	7			Battlecry: Draw 4 minions. Give them +4/+4. Equip a 5/2 Claw.
Galakrond, the Apocalypse	Legendary	Hero card		Rogue	7			Battlecry: Draw 2 card. They costs (1). (Invoke twice to upgrade.)
Galakrond, the Apocalypse	Legendary	Hero card		Priest	7			Battlecry: Destroy 2 random enemy minions. (Invoke twice to upgrade.)
Galakrond, the Apocalypse	Legendary	Hero card		Shaman	7			Battlecry: Summon two 4/4 Storms with Rush. (Invoke twice to upgrade.)
Galakrond, the Apocalypse	Legendary	Hero card		Warlock	7			Battlecry: Summon 2 random Demons. (Invoke twice to upgrade.)
Galakrond, the Apocalypse	Legendary	Hero card		Warrior	7			Battlecry: Draw 2 minions. Give them +4/+4. (Invoke twice to upgrade.)
Galakrond, the Nightmare	Legendary	Hero card		Rogue	7			Battlecry: Draw 1 card. It costs (1). (Invoke twice to upgrade.)
Galakrond, the Tempest	Legendary	Hero card		Shaman	7			Battlecry: Summon two 2/2 Storms with Rush. (Invoke twice to upgrade.)
Galakrond, the Unbreakable	Legendary	Hero card		Warrior	7			Battlecry: Draw 1 minion. Give it +4/+4. (Invoke twice to upgrade.)
Galakrond, the Unspeakable	Legendary	Hero card		Priest	7			Battlecry: Destroy 1 random enemy minion. (Invoke twice to upgrade.)
Galakrond, the Wretched	Legendary	Hero card		Warlock	7			Battlecry: Summon 1 random Demon. (Invoke twice to upgrade.)
Cenarion Ward	Epic	Spell		Druid	8			Gain 8 Armor. Summon a random 8-Cost minion.
Kargath Prime	None	Minion	General	Warrior	8	10	10	Rush. Whenever this attacks and kills a minion, gain 10 Armor.
The Amazing Reno	Legendary	Hero card		Mage	10			Battlecry: Make all minions disappear. *Poof!*
Showing all 37 cards

Wild format

 This section contains information exclusive to Wild format.

Name / Desc	Rarity	Type	Subtype	Class	Cost	Atk	HP	Description
Arcane Artificer	Common	Minion	Elemental	Mage	1	1	2	Whenever you cast a spell, gain Armor equal to its Cost.
Barkskin	Common	Spell		Druid	1			Give a minion +3 Health. Gain 3 Armor.
Crystallizer	Epic	Minion	General	Any	1	1	3	Battlecry: Deal 5 damage to your hero. Gain 5 Armor.
Earthen Scales	Rare	Spell		Druid	1			Give a friendly minion +1/+1, then gain Armor equal to its Attack.
Eternium Rover	Common	Minion	Mech	Warrior	1	1	3	Whenever this minion takes damage, gain 2 Armor.
Gurubashi Offering	Epic	Minion	General	Any	1	0	2	At the start of your turn, destroy this and gain 8 Armor.
Iron Hide	Common	Spell		Warrior	1			Gain 5 Armor.
Kazakus Potion	None	Spell			1
Blast Shield	None	Hero Power		Warrior	2			Hero Power Gain 7 Armor. Swaps each turn.
Bring It On!	Epic	Spell		Warrior	2			Gain 10 Armor. Reduce the Cost of minions in your opponent's hand by (2).
Drywhisker Armorer	Common	Minion	General	Warrior	2	2	2	Battlecry: For each enemy minion, gain 2 Armor.
Plague Lord	None	Hero Power		Druid	2			Hero Power Choose One - +3 Attack this turn; or Gain 3 Armor.
Plated Beetle	Common	Minion	Beast	Any	2	2	3	Deathrattle: Gain 3 Armor.
Weapons Project	Common	Spell		Warrior	2			Each player equips a 2/3 Weapon and gains 6 Armor.
Bash	Common	Spell		Warrior	3			Deal 3 damage. Gain 3 Armor.
Feral Rage	Common	Spell		Druid	3			Choose One - Give your hero +4 Attack this turn; or Gain 8 Armor.
Ferocious Howl	Common	Spell		Druid	3			Draw a card. Gain +1 Armor for each card in your hand.
Gluttonous Ooze	Epic	Minion	General	Any	3	3	3	Battlecry: Destroy your opponent's weapon and gain Armor equal to its Attack.
Gnash	Common	Spell		Druid	3			Give your hero +3 Attack this turn. Gain 3 Armor.
High Priest Thekal	Legendary	Minion	General	Paladin	3	3	4	Battlecry: Convert all but 1 of your hero's Health into Armor.
Mountainfire Armor	Rare	Minion	General	Warrior	3	4	3	Deathrattle: If it's your opponent's turn, gain 6 Armor.
Branching Paths	Epic	Spell		Druid	4			Choose Twice - Draw a card; Give your minions +1 Attack; Gain 6 armor.
Half-Time Scavenger	Common	Minion	General	Any	4	3	5	Stealth Overkill: Gain 3 Armor.
Ice Cream Peddler	Epic	Minion	General	Any	4	3	5	Battlecry: If you control a Frozen minion, gain 8 Armor.
Oaken Summons	Common	Spell		Druid	4			Gain 6 Armor. Recruit a minion that costs (4) or less.
Alley Armorsmith	Rare	Minion	General	Warrior	5	2	7	Taunt Whenever this minion deal damage, gain that much Armor.
Emberscale Drake	Rare	Minion	Dragon	Warrior	5	5	5	Battlecry: If you're holding a Dragon, gain 5 Armor.
Ironforge Portal	Common	Spell		Warrior	5			Gain 4 Armor. Summon a random 4-Cost minion.
Kazakus Potion	None	Spell			5
Thrall, Deathseer	Legendary	Hero card		Shaman	5			Battlecry: Transform your minions into random ones that cost (2) more.
Deathstalker Rexxar	Legendary	Hero card		Hunter	6			Battlecry: Deal 2 damage to all enemy minions.
Runed Shield	Common	Spell		Warrior	6			Gain 5 Armor. Summon a 5/5 Golem.
Serrated Shield	Common	Spell		Warrior	6			Gain 5 Armor. Deal 5 damage.
Shieldmaiden	Rare	Minion	General	Warrior	6	5	5	Battlecry: Gain 5 Armor.
Spiked Shield	Common	Spell		Warrior	6			Gain 5 Armor. Equip a 5/2 weapon.
Tower Shield +10	Common	Spell		Warrior	6			Gain 5 Armor. Gain 10 more Armor.
Unidentified Shield	Common	Spell		Warrior	6			Gain 5 Armor. Gains a bonus effect in your hand.
Ancient Shieldbearer	Rare	Minion	General	Warrior	7	6	6	Battlecry: If your C'Thun has at least 10 Attack, gain 10 Armor.
Dr. Boom, Mad Genius	Legendary	Hero card		Warrior	7			Battlecry: For the rest of the game, your Mechs have Rush.
Malfurion the Pestilent	Legendary	Hero card		Druid	7			Choose One - Summon 2 Poisonous Spiders; or 2 Scarabs with Taunt.
Hagatha the Witch	Legendary	Hero card		Shaman	8			Battlecry: Deal 3 damage to all minions.
Scourgelord Garrosh	Legendary	Hero card		Warrior	8			Battlecry: Equip a 4/3 Shadowmourne that also damages adjacent minions.
Shadowreaper Anduin	Legendary	Hero card		Priest	8			Battlecry: Destroy all minions with 5 or more Attack.
Frost Lich Jaina	Legendary	Hero card		Mage	9			Battlecry: Summon a 3/6 Water Elemental. Your Elementals have Lifesteal for the rest of the game.
Uther of the Ebon Blade	Legendary	Hero card		Paladin	9			Battlecry: Equip a 5/3 Lifesteal weapon.
Valeera the Hollow	Legendary	Hero card		Rogue	9			Battlecry: Gain Stealth until your next turn.
Bloodreaver Gul'dan	Legendary	Hero card		Warlock	10			Battlecry: Summon all friendly Demons that died this game.
Kazakus Potion	None	Spell			10
Kun the Forgotten King	Legendary	Minion	General	Druid	10	7	7	Choose One - Gain 10 Armor; or Refresh your Mana Crystals.
Ultimate Infestation	Epic	Spell		Druid	10			Deal 5 damage. Draw 5 cards. Gain 5 Armor. Summon a 5/5 Ghoul.
Zul'jin	Legendary	Hero card		Hunter	10			Battlecry: Cast all spells you've played this game (targets chosen randomly).
Showing all 51 cards

Related cards

Name / Desc	Rarity	Type	Subtype	Class	Cost	Atk	HP	Description
Shield Slam	Epic	Spell		Warrior	1			Deal 1 damage to a minion for each Armor you have.
Spiked Wheel	Common	Weapon		Warrior	1	0	2	Has +3 Attack while your hero has Armor.
Ironclad	Common	Minion	Mech	Warrior	3	2	4	Battlecry: If your hero has Armor, gain +2/+2.
Platebreaker	Common	Minion	General	Any	5	5	5	Battlecry: Destroy your opponent's Armor.
Showing all 4 cards

Wild format

 This section contains information exclusive to Wild format.

Name / Desc	Rarity	Type	Subtype	Class	Cost	Atk	HP	Description
Jasper Spellstone	Rare	Spell		Druid	1			Deal 4 damage to a minion. (Gain 3 Armor to upgrade.)
Lesser Jasper Spellstone	Rare	Spell		Druid	1			Deal 2 damage to a minion. (Gain 3 Armor to upgrade.)
Bladed Gauntlet	Epic	Weapon		Warrior	2	0	2	Has Attack equal to your Armor. Can't attack heroes.
Reckless Flurry	Epic	Spell		Warrior	3			Spend all your Armor. Deal that much damage to all minions.
Ironwood Golem	Common	Minion	General	Druid	4	3	6	Taunt Can only attack if you have 3 or more Armor.
Siege Engine	Rare	Minion	Mech	Warrior	5	5	5	Whenever you gain Armor, give this minion +1 Attack.
Gemstudded Golem	Common	Minion	General	Warrior	6	5	9	Taunt. Can only attack if you have 5 or more Armor.
Heavy Metal!	Rare	Spell		Warrior	6			Summon a random minion with Cost equal to your Armor (up to 10).
Geosculptor Yip	Legendary	Minion	General	Warrior	8	4	8	At the end of your turn, summon a random minion with Cost equal to your Armor (up to 10).
Showing all 9 cards

Strategy

While Armor serves as a substitute for Health, loss of Armor will not reduce the summoning cost of Molten Giant. Warriors with Shield Slam can likewise benefit from Armor more than from Health, and Armor is not affected by Alexstrasza's Battlecry, making it an effective defence against this card. A low Health or damaged status can also be useful for cards like Battle Rage and Mortal Strike.

For these reasons, Armor is generally considered to be superior to Health. Where possible, it is usually therefore preferable to take any damage before gaining armor, such as by attacking with your hero before then using Armor Up!. This way the player can benefit from Zombie Chow's Deathrattle, having its hero's health restored and keeping the previously gained armor.