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HERO 08

Hero SkinsJaina Proudmoore, the first hero of Hearthstone

A hero is a character in the Warcraft universe representing the player. In Hearthstone, this concept is expressed in three interrelated but distinct ways:

  1. Heroes are gameplay characters representing players or bosses within a match. Heroes have attributes like Health, take damage, and can sometimes even attack, just as minions do. If a player's hero dies, they lose that game. This meaning of "hero" pertains specifically to game mechanics within a battle.
  2. A Hero is a collectible individual from Warcraft lore, with its own portrait, personality and style. Each hero represents a class, and can be used in any games played with a deck of that type, making each hero a "skin" for its class. One default hero of each class is available to new players, while hero skins are obtainable through purchase or awards.
  3. Hero is a card type introduced in Knights of the Frozen Throne. Upon being played, a hero will replace the player's hero, give them a small amount of Armor and replace their Hero Power with a new one.

At some point before the release of Ashes of Outland, Hero was a synonym for one of the nine Hearthstone classes within a player's account. These "heroes" earned experience after each game, gaining access to cards and other rewards. However, all rewards were earned based on the class played rather than the specific individual hero. Similarly, it was the class chosen for a deck rather than the specific hero which determined the class cards and Hero Power in games with that deck.

Characters in battle[]

Main article: Character

In Constructed, heroes have 30 base Health, and take damage when attacked by minions or hit by spells and effects. When a hero is destroyed or has its Health reduced to 0 or below, the corresponding player loses the game. Heroes by default do not have an Attack value, but can use various means to gain Attack such as equipping weapons. Heroes with an Attack value can attack other targets, similarly to minions, and will take damage from targets they attack accordingly.

In addition to having Attack and Health attributes, participating in combat, and taking damage, heroes can be affected by some of the same conditions or abilities that minions are, namely Destroy, Freeze, and Immune effects. On the other hand, they differ in several ways too. Heroes do not have mana costs, although some cards that create replacement heroes do. Heroes can gain Armor and equip weapons, which minions cannot. Heroes cannot be targeted by spells or effects that specify "minion" rather than "character", and some effects can only affect heroes, not minions. Heroes are also capable of attacking on their first turns, unlike most minions.

When dealing damage to a hero, the hero is often unofficially referred to as "the face", as in "dealing 10 damage to the face", in contrast to attacking minions. "Going for the face" is used to describe directing attacks at the enemy hero.

Gameplay[]

Main article: Gameplay

While much of the game involves trading minions and making wise use of cards to gain control of the battlefield, almost all Hearthstone battles are ultimately resolved through dealing damage to the enemy hero. Despite this, because of the opportunity for repeated damage presented by control of minions, it is generally more important to address the ongoing threat of enemy minions than to simply deal damage to the enemy hero. However, once the enemy hero's Health has reached a certain level, it becomes most important to simply direct all attacks at the enemy hero, regardless of the state of the board. The assessment of target priority is an ongoing strategic challenge of Hearthstone.

When the player is capable of dealing fatal damage to an enemy hero that turn (known as "having lethal"), it is always best to do so that turn. At these times, taking normally prudent actions such as removing threatening minions, rather than simply attacking the enemy hero, can in fact directly cause the player to lose the game.

Aggro decks tend to focus on dealing damage to the enemy hero as quickly as possible and sacrifice late game potential in order to provide greater power and capabilities during the earlier game. Focused on defeating the enemy before they have the chance to retaliate, these decks often ignore board control in favour of directing all attacks at the enemy hero itself.

Default heroes[]

Each class has a default hero that is available after the player unlocks the corresponding class. All players begin the game with Hero SkinsJaina Proudmoore from class mage and can quickly unlock the other heroes by defeating them in Solo Adventures' Practice mode or completing their Book of Heroes.

Hero skins[]

HERO 08a

Hero SkinsMedivh, the first mage hero skin

Main article: Hero skin

Hero skins can be purchased or occasionally earned, acting as alternate heroes or alternate versions of default heroes for existing classes. These heroes have special art, emotes, animations, and in some cases card backs, and are always animated, even if you haven't unlocked the golden hero for that class. The differences are purely cosmetic; each uses the same Hero Power and class cards as the default hero of the same class. Even if you have not unlocked the golden version of a hero, you will still get an animated character and Hero Power, but the minions/weapons that are produced by your Hero Power will not be golden.[1][2]

Bosses[]

Main article: Boss

Bosses are unique computer-controlled heroes encountered in adventures, the tutorial, and single-player Tavern Brawls. Bosses are not selectable by the player and are not encountered in other modes of play.

Each boss features a unique Hero Power and selection of cards. Bosses may use regular collectible cards, but also have access to unique boss cards, special and often extremely powerful cards which are not available to players. Boss battles are generally designed to offer a specific challenge, usually featuring a strong theme or style, forcing the player to find a way to defeat them. Players often must alter their decks or construct new ones in order to beat specific bosses, with each having its own strengths and weaknesses.

Adventures or Tavern Brawls sometimes allow players to take control of boss heroes, internally called guest heroes in game files, specific to games within one encounter. Similar to bosses, these heroes may start with vastly inflated Health and Armor, and have access to special Hero Powers.

Examples
Nefarian
City of Stormwind
Medivh

Hero cards[]

Main article: Hero card
ICC 828

Knights of the Frozen ThroneDeathstalker Rexxar, the first hero card.

Hero is also introduced in Knights of the Frozen Throne as a card type. Upon being played, a hero will replace the player's hero, give them a small amount of Armor and replace their Hero Power with a new one.

Related cards[]

For Wild format listings, see Hero/Wild format

This section lists cards with effects related to your or the enemy hero.

Customize this list

Swipe left or right to see the cards.
REV 507
TTN 079
CORE BT 351
RLK 516
CORE LOOT 222
NX2 006
NX2 019
RLK 079
NX2 012
RLK 921
NX2 024
CORE BOT 222
TTN 736
ETC 363
MAW 001
REV 917
CORE BT 035
REV 016
CORE EX1 610
ETC 398
ETC 084
RLK 918
TID 704
ETC 379
TID 931
MAW 010
TSC 006
TSC 001
RLK 125
TSC 073
REV 506
RLK 051
CORE LOOT 079
ETC 423
RLK 926
RLK 113
TSC 085
ETC 523
CORE OG 047
CS3 017
TSC 070
CORE GIL 534
NX2 028
CORE EX1 289
REV 933
RLK 827
NX2 021
REV 509
TTN 460
TSC 002
RLK 710
RLK 922
TSC 651
RLK 218
REV 504
RLK 012
ETC 330
TTN 832
TTN 722
REV 516
TTN 467
TSC 610
JAM 019
NX2 018
RLK 825
CORE EX1 309
ETC 384
TTN 725
CORE CS2 097
ETC 413
TTN 841
ETC 522
RLK 220
TTN 092
RLK 828
JAM 011
TTN 415
RLK 706
TSC 917
RLK 539
ETC 386
REV 369
CS3 020
TTN 811
TTN 737
RLK 212
CORE GVG 021
TTN 903

History[]

Patch changes[]

  • Saviors of Uldum logo Patch 15.4.0.34670 (2019-10-08): Having 1,000 wins in Ranked or Arena now unlocks an alternate portrait for that class, including wins previously earned.
  • Rastakhan's Rumble logo Patch 13.4.0.29349 (2019-03-14): Arena wins now count towards the 500 for earning a gold hero. (Only applies to wins after 13.4 went live; earlier Arena wins are not counted.)
  • Journey to Un'Goro logo Patch 8.2.0.19506 (2017-06-01) Ranked wins for each hero will now tally beyond 500.
  • Whispers of the Old Gods logo Patch 5.2.0.13619 (2016-07-12): The experience bar will no longer fill up after winning a game at max level. (This change was not successfully implemented until Patch 6.0.0.13921.)
  • Hearthstone logo Patch 1.0.0.4944 (Open beta, 2014-03-11):
    • Golden Heroes have been added and now can be unlocked after winning 500 Ranked games with a Hero! Track your progress on the deck selection screen in Ranked Mode.
    • Unlocking a hero now plays that Hero’s emote. Well met!
  • Hearthstone logo Patch 1.0.0.3890 (Closed beta, 2013-10-02): The maximum level is now 60, and you can earn XP in any game mode up to max level.

References[]

Playable heroes
Default heroes
Icon Death Knight 32 Icon Demon Hunter 32 Icon Druid 32 Icon Hunter 32 Icon Mage 32 Icon Paladin 32 Icon Priest 32 Icon Rogue 32 Icon Shaman 32 Icon Warlock 32 Icon Warrior 32
Lich King 64
The Lich King
Illidan 64
Illidan
Malfurion 64
Malfurion
Rexxar 64
Rexxar
Jaina 64
Jaina
Uther 64
Uther
Anduin 64
Anduin
Valeera 64
Valeera
Thrall 64
Thrall
Guldan 64
Gul'dan
Garrosh 64
Garrosh
Alternate portraits
Icon Death Knight 32 Icon Demon Hunter 32 Icon Druid 32 Icon Hunter 32 Icon Mage 32 Icon Paladin 32 Icon Priest 32 Icon Rogue 32 Icon Shaman 32 Icon Warlock 32 Icon Warrior 32
1,000 wins portraits
Arthas, Kingslayer 64
Kingslayer
Demonic Illidan 64
Demonic
ShandoMalfurion 64
Shan'do
WandererRexxar 64
Wanderer
FireMageJaina 64
Fire Mage
LightforgedUther 64
Lightforged
KingAnduin 64
King
CapnValeera 64
Cap'n
WarchiefThrall 64
Warchief
ShadowGuldan 64
Shadow
CorruptGarrosh 64
Corrupt
Rewards Track portraits
Empty 64 Demonbane Illidan 64
Demonbane
Cenarion Malfurion 64
Cenarion
Giantstalker Rexxar 64
Giantstalker
Arcanist Jaina 64
Arcanist
Uther Lawbringer64
Lawbringer
Anduin of Prophecy 64
Prophecy
Nightslayer Valeera 64
Nightslayer
Earthfury Thrall 64
Earthfury
Felheart Guldan 64
Felheart
Garrosh of Might 64
Might
Tavern Regular portraits
Empty 64 Felravager Illidan 64
Felravager
Storm's Rage Malfurion 64
Storm's Rage
Dragonstalker Rexxar 64
Dragonstalker
Netherwind Jaina 64
Netherwind
Judgement Uther 64
Judgement
Transcendence Anduin 64
Transcendence
Deathmantle Valeera 64
Deathmantle
Ten Storm Thrall 64
Ten Storm
Nemesis Gul'dan 64
Nemesis
Garrosh of Wrath 64
Wrath
Book of Heroes portraits
Empty 64 SkullbearerIllidan 64
Skullbearer
EmeraldMalfurion 64
Emerald
WarsongRexxar 64
Warsong
ScholarJaina 64
Scholar
SecondWarUther 64
Second War
SI7Anduin 64
SI:7
GladiatorValeera 64
Gladiator
Frostwolf Thrall 64
Frostwolf
Shadowmoon Gul'dan 64
Shadowmoon
NagrandGarrosh 64
Nagrand
Other portraits
ArthasMenethilAnimated 64
Arthas
DeathMetalKing 64
Death Metal
EmberCourtIllidan 64
Ember Court
InfernalArmorIllidan 64
Infernal Armor
IllidanTheNaughty 64
Naughty
ShaIllidan 64
Sha
SabertenderIllidan 64
Sabertender
Mrrgillidan 64
Mrrgillidan
IllhoofIllidan 64
Illhoof
DruidOfTheFlameMalfurion 64
Flame
WinterFuryMalfurion 64
Winter Fury
SteelGuardianMalfurion 64
Steel Guardian
IceLordMalfurion 64
Ice Lord
Firefang Rexxar 64
Firefang
Flamewalker Rexxar 64
Flamewalker
RobinHoodRexxar 64
Robin Hood
IronHunterRexxar 64
Iron Hunter
SnowflipperRexxar 64
Snowflipper
BlackOxRexxar 64
Black Ox
DenwatcherRexxar 64
Denwatcher
RockabillyRexxar 64
Rockabilly
Apprentice Jaina 64
Apprentice
Archmage Jaina 64
Archmage
Kul Tiran Jaina 64
Kul Tiran
RedRidingHoodJaina 64
Red Riding
ArcaneSentinelJaina 64
Sentinel
FrostFairyJaina 64
Frost Fairy
RedCraneJaina 64
Red Crane
FestivalJaina 64
Festival
JainaProudmurgle 64
Proudmurgle
Witch Jaina 64
Witch
Chantress Jaina 64
Chantress
HorsemanUther 64
Horseman
GuanYuUther 64
Guan Yu
RighteousInfernoUther 64
Inferno
AscendedUther 64
Ascended
StarAscendantUther 64
Star Ascendant
GreenchUther 64
Greench
Burger Uther 64
Burger
ZhugeLiangAnduin 64
Zhuge Liang
PrinceCharmingAnduin 64
Charming
HolyLeviathanAnduin 64
Leviathan
LittleLionAnduin 64
Little Lion
ButlerAnduin 64
Butler
Appetizer Anduin 64
Appetizer
Teen Idol Anduin 64
Teen Idol
DiaoChanValeera 64
Diao Chan
TitanbladeValeera 64
Titanblade
ValeeraTheNice 64
Nice
GardenPartyValeera 64
Garden Party
Center Stage Valeera 64
Center Stage
Thrall, Son of Durotan 64
Durotan
Alterac Thrall 64
Alterac
Wolfrider Thrall 64
Wolfrider
FrogPrinceThrall 64
Frog Prince
MechaconduitThrall 64
Mechaconduit
SnowmanThrall 64
Snowman
JadeSerpentThrall 64
Jade Serpent
HouseOfRitualsGul'dan 64
Rituals
FelColossusGul'dan 64
Fel Colossus
Mogu'shanGul'dan 64
Mogu'shan
HatcherGul'dan 64
Hatcher
Gargoyl'dan 64
Gargoyl'dan
LüBuGarrosh 64
Lü Bu
PirateKing 64
Pirate King
Forge-wroughGarrosh 64
Forge-wrought
GarroshTheWild 64
Wild
GarroshTheChained 64
Chained
Goulash Garrosh 64
Goulash
Alternate heroes
Icon Death Knight 32 Icon Demon Hunter 32 Icon Druid 32 Icon Hunter 32 Icon Mage 32 Icon Paladin 32 Icon Priest 32 Icon Rogue 32 Icon Shaman 32 Icon Warlock 32 Icon Warrior 32
Promotional and special events
Darion Mograine 64
Darion
GhoulQueenScarlet 64
Scarlet
Crimson Knight Sai 64
Sai
Halveria Darkraven 64
Halveria
Lunara 64
Lunara
AmbassadorFaelin 64
Faelin
Empty 64 Celeste 64
Celeste
Liadrin 64
Liadrin
Arthas 64
Arthas
Yrel 64
Yrel
Tyrande 64
Tyrande
Maiev 64
Maiev
Morgl 64
Morgl
Nemsy 64
Nemsy
Annhylde 64
Annhylde
PrinceRenathal 64
Renathal
Expansion pre-order heroes
Empty 64 Empty 64 Elise 64
Elise
Hamuul 64
Hamuul
Lor'themar Theron 64
Lor'themar
Kel'Thuzad 64
Kel'Thuzad
LadyKatranaPrestor 64
Katrana
QueenAzshara 64
Azshara
Empty 64 Lazul 64
Lazul
Hedanis 64
Hedanis
Empty 64 Rastakhan 64
Rastakhan
LadyVashj 64
Vashj
Jaraxxus 64
Jaraxxus
Deathwing 64
Deathwing
Vanndar 64
Vanndar
Sire Denathrius 64
Denathrius
Bundle purchasable heroes
Empty 64 Aranna 64
Aranna
Omen 64
Omen
Hazelbark 64
Hazelbark
Xuen 64
Xuen
Alleria 64
Alleria
Sylvanas 64
Sylvanas
Bakin' Brann 64
Brann
Huln Highmountain 64
Huln
Medivh 64
Medivh
Khadgar 64
Khadgar
Kael'thas Sunstrider 64
Kael'thas
Cookin' Reno 64
Reno
Saraad 64
Saraad
Kit Waxwhisker 64
Kit
Annoy-O 64
Annoy-O
Leeroy Jenkins 64
Leeroy
Sir Finley Mrrgglton 64
Finley
Sally Whitemane 64
Whitemane
EdwinVanCleef 64
Edwin
GaronaHalforcen 64
Garona
MC Blingtron 64
Blingtron
TheThunderKing 64
Thunder King
RagnarosShaman 64
Ragnaros
Inzah 64
Inzah
Mal'Ganis 64
Mal'Ganis
Magni 64
Magni
VarianWrynn 64
Varian
ETC 64
E.T.C.
Alternate portraits
DaringDarion 64
Daring
Frostmonger Sai 64
Frostmonger
NightborneAranna 64
Nightborne
FelfireworkAranna 64
Felfirework
SongstressAranna 64
Songstress
Apple Aranna 64
Apple
Aranna the Runeseeker 64
Runeseeker
Emo-rock Aranna 64
Emo-rock
Wallflower Halveria 64
Wallflower
Cherry Blossom Lunara 64
Cherry Blossom
Sea Dryad Lunara 64
Sea Dryad
Guff Murtotem 64
Murtotem
FireflowerLunara 64
Fireflower
ArdenwealdLunara 64
Ardenweald
MagicalGuardianElise 64
Magical Guardian
Epicurean Elise 64
Epicurean
Hamuul Runeblade 64
Runeblade
Dreamgrove Lunara 64
Dreamgrove
Flowerchild Lunara 64
Flowerchild
Dame Groovybark 64
Groovybark
Bookworm Elise 64
Bookworm
Naga Sylvanas 64
Naga
FlameshotSylvanas 64
Flameshot
SanguineSylvanas 64
Sanguine
Deathkeeper Alleria 64
Deathkeeper
Ranger-General Sylvanas 64
Ranger General
Navigator Khadgar 64
Navigator
EternalMedivh 64
Eternal
RevelerKaelthas 64
Reveler
KelThuzadTheInevitable 64
Inevitable
WickedPrinceKael'thas 64
Wicked Prince
Runemage Khadgar 64
Runemage
Mixqueen Azshara 64
Mixqueen
Technomancer Saraad 64
Technomancer
AdmiralLiadrin 64
Admiral
FireGlaiveLiadrin 64
Fire Glaive
VenthyrLiadrin 64
Venthyr
BoldGuardianLiadrin 64
Bold Guardian
Fishy Finley 64
Fishy
Fallen Yrel 64
Fallen
Fanboy Leeroy 64
Fanboy
Disco Hammer Cariel 64
Disco
Sir Anoise-O 64
Anoise-O
IceLadyTyrande 64
Ice Lady
HandmaidenTyrande 64
Handmaiden
TorchbearerTyrande 64
Torchbearer
KyrianTyrande 64
Kyrian
LoveGuardianTyrande 64
Love Guardian
Banshee Tyrande 64
Banshee
Redeemer Tyrande 64
Redeemer
Champion Tyrande 64
Champion
Electro Swing Sally 64
Swing
Apprentice Hedanis 64
Apprentice
MarinerMaiev 64
Mariner
VendorMaiev 64
Vendor
SuspectMaiev 64
Suspect
Marshmallow Maiev 64
Marshmallow
Poisonheart Maiev 64
Poisonheart
Ebon Assassin Garona 64
Ebon Assassin
Edwin the Renegade 64
Renegade
MightyMaiev 64
Mighty
MC Garona 64
MC
DeepseaMorgl 64
Deepsea
KaldoreiVashj 64
Kaldorei
Murragnaros 64
Murragnaros
JugglerMorgl 64
Juggler
MorglHolmes 64
Holmes
BaronessVashj 64
Baroness
Mummy Morgl 64
Mummy
Scourgeslayer Vashj 64
Scourgeslayer
Spirit Bru'kan 64
Spirit
Smooth Jazz Morgl 64
Smooth Jazz
Jazznaros 64
Jazznaros
WintersLittleHelperNemsy 64
Little Helper
DiverNemsy 64
Diver
FeastNemsy 64
Feast
SparkspinnerNemsy 64
Sparkspinner
SculleryNemsy 64
Scullery
SparkleGuardianNemsy 64
Sparkle
Noodle Nemsy 64
Noodle
Jaraxxustein 64
Jaraxxustein
Dreadsteed Tamsin 64
Dreadsteed
Mascot Nemsy 64
Mascot
Opera Diva Tamsin 64
Opera Diva
GreatfatherWinterMagni 64
Winter
ShipwreckedMagni 64
Shipwrecked
RoasterMagni 64
Roaster
Annhylde, Deathcaller 64
Deathcaller
Rocker Rokara 64
Rocker
Rock Angel Annhylde 64
Rock Angel
Deathcore Deathwing 64
Deathcore
Book of Mercenaries heroes
Empty 64 Kurtrus
Initiate Kurtrus 64
Initiate
Adept Kurtrus 64
Adept
Trainer Kurtrus 64
Trainer
Vengeant Kurtrus 64
Vengeant
Guff
Guff Runetotem 64
Runetotem
Spelunker Guff 64
Spelunker
Fangbound Guff 64
Fangbound
Fauna Friend Guff 64
Fauna Friend
Tavish
Tavish Stormpike 64
Stormpike
Tavish for Hire 64
For Hire
Lootmaster Tavish 64
Lootmaster
Sniper Tavish 64
Sniper
Varden
Apprentice Dawngrasp 64
Apprentice
Explorer Dawngrasp 64
Explorer
Elementalist Dawngrasp 64
Elementalist
Pyromancer Dawngrasp 64
Pyromancer
Cariel
Trainee Cariel 64
Trainee
Northwatch Cariel 64
Northwatch
Stalwart Cariel 64
Stalwart
Dungeoneer Cariel 64
Dungeoneer
Xyrella
Survivor Xyrella 64
Survivor
Shardseeker Xyrella 64
Shardseeker
Lightweaver Xyrella 64
Lightweaver
Shadow-touched Xyrella 64
Shadow-touched
Scabbs
Chef Scabbs 64
Chef
Agent Scabbs 64
Agent
Investigator Scabbs 64
Investigator
Undercover Scabbs 64
Undercover
Bru'kan
Barrens Bru'kan 64
Barrens
Dungeoneer Bru'kan 64
Dungeoneer
Venerable Bru'kan 64
Venerable
Deadmines Bru'kan 64
Deadmines
Tamsin
Scholomance Tamsin 64
Scholomance
Impressive Tamsin 64
Impressive
Summoner Tamsin 64
Summoner
Tamsin Triumphant 64
Triumphant
Rokara
Young Rokara 64
Young
Recruit Rokara 64
Recruit
Rokara of the Horde 64
Horde
Defiant Rokara 64
Defiant
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