The Play mode screen with Wild format selected. Note the Standard format selection button at the top-right.
Coming in spring 2016, game formats present two distinct ways to play Hearthstone: Standard, and Wild.
While Wild format will maintain the previous rules of Hearthstone, Standard will add new ongoing restrictions to which cards can be used, aiming to create a fresher and more focused Hearthstone experience.
Game formats will be available in both Ranked and Casual Play mode matches, as well as duels.[1] Wild is the default game format, and will be the effective game format in all other game modes, including adventures, although Standard format may be used for "the occasional Tavern Brawl".[1]
Standard format will also affect the purchase of adventures and crafting and disenchanting of cards from adventures. Adventures which are no longer included in the current Standard format will not be available for purchase through the shop, although players who have already unlocked at least one wing will be able to unlock others with gold.[1] Instead, players will be able to craft and disenchant cards from these adventures for regular Arcane Dust amounts.[1] However, players will still be able to play any adventure they currently own.[1]
With Standard format presenting a new way to play Hearthstone, the introduction of game formats will be accompanied by a wave of changes to existing Basic and Classic cards, including class cards.[1] The arrival of the new format will also bring 9 new deck slots, allowing players to create separate decks for each format without destroying old ones. Details on upcoming card changes will be announced closer to the arrival of Standard format.
Wild
Wild format or Wild presents an unrestricted playing experience without the deck restrictions of Standard format. Wild format is unchanged from the previous Hearthstone experience, allowing the use of cards from any card set. Wild is the default game format, and is used for all game modes where game format selection is not available.
Wild format is unlocked for new players once they obtain a card which is not available in the current Standard format. Prior to this the player will only be able to select Standard format (where game format is available) and create Standard decks.
"The format where anything can happen",[1] while Wild will initially resemble Hearthstone exactly as it always has been, with an ever-increasing pool of cards to choose from, and competitive play focused on the Standard format, Wild format has the potential to become less balanced over time. The removal of design space restrictions for the creation of new cards may also lead to some unusual card interactions, due to performance in Standard format being the priority for designers.
The symbol for Wild format will be the classic Hearthstone swirl, as seen on the Wild format selection button on the Play mode screen..
Standard
- Main article: Standard format
Standard format or Standard is the more balanced and competitive Hearthstone format. Games played in Standard format include only cards from card sets released in the current or previous calendar year, as well as the Basic and Classic sets. Cards from other sets cannot be included in decks used in Standard matches, and cannot be brought into play through effects such as 
Piloted Shredder or Unstable Portal.[1]
Standard format aims to create a fresher Hearthstone experience. With older cards steadily eliminated from the format, the meta will shift more regularly and more significantly, since new cards will have a larger impact. Design space will also be increased, since older cards will no longer restrict the possibilities for creating new cards. The combination of a smaller card pool and less limited design space is also expected to help the developers to balance the game.[1] For newer players, Standard format will mean a smaller pool of relevant cards, making it easier for players to acquire the cards they need to be competitive.
The focus for balance and design work, Standard format will be used for all official (and likely most unofficial) tournaments going forward, including the Hearthstone World Championship and Hearthstone Championship Tour.
Notes
- Players will be able to select Standard format through the Play mode selection screen, or when challenging a friend to a duel.
- At the end of each Ranked season, players will receive a Highest Rank Bonus chest based on their highest rank in Standard or Wild format.[1] This means that players are free to focus on climbing the ladder in whichever format they prefer.
- However, the Highest Rank Bonus chest will only grant card rewards usable in the current Standard format.[1]
- Ranked wins in either format will jointly count toward acquiring golden heroes, with no change from the current system.[1]
- Players will have a separate rank in Ranked Standard and Ranked Wild play. This will be initially set based on the player's current rank at the point game formats are added to the game. From then on, Standard and Wild ranks will function separately and will increase or decrease based only on matches within that format.[1]
- Only the player's rank in Ranked Standard play will be displayed on their friends list.
- Casual play will continue to use a single MMR, shared between Standard and Wild play.[1]
- Card backs and alternate heroes will be unaffected by game formats, and will be usable in either format.[1]
- The split between Standard and Wild is not expected to have "a significant effect" on the time taken to find a match when queuing.[1]
Decks and the collection
- Decks can be either Wild or Standard decks, with the latter only able to include cards appropriate to the current Standard format. Players will be able to select deck type in the collection. Switching a deck to Standard will mark all current Wild cards for replacement.[1]
- When game formats are added to the game, all decks containing current Wild cards will be converted to Wild decks, while those without any current Wild cards will be converted to Standard decks.[1]
- There will be a filter to show only Standard cards.[1] Individual cards will not be marked as Wild or Standard, although there will be "visual clues" to show whether the player is building a Wild or Standard deck.[1]
- The new deck slots can be used for either Wild or Standard decks, without restriction.[1] The 9 additional slots will unlock once the player has unlocked all 9 heroes.[1]
- Players can use Standard decks to queue for any type of play, since all Standard card sets are also eligible in Wild play.[1]
Arena
- Arena will continue to use the Wild format for its matches, allowing the use of cards from any set. However, Arena rewards will only include those currently usable in Standard format.[1]
References
External links
- A New Way to Play (announcement blog) (2016-02-02)