Hero card

Deathstalker Rexxar, the first hero card revealed prior to the release of Knights of the Frozen Throne.
Hero cards are a type of card first introduced in the Knights of the Frozen Throne expansion. Upon being played, a hero card will replace the player's hero, give them a small amount of Armor and replace their Hero Power with a new one.
Contents
Notes[edit | edit source]
- When a hero card is played, the player's current and maximum Health remain the same, but they gain a specific amount of Armor[1][2] and their Hero Power is replaced with a new one unique to each card. Their hero portrait changes to that of the hero card, and they gain a new set of emotes unique to the new hero.[3][4][5]
- Hero cards can be randomly generated and Discovered, just like any other collectible card.[6]
- Similarly to Lord Jaraxxus, playing a hero card will always transform the player into that hero, regardless of their current class or hero.[4][7][8][9][10] For example, a Hunter who plays Deathstalker Rexxar will always transform into Deathstalker Rexxar, regardless of whether they are using Rexxar or Alleria Windrunner as their hero,[4] and a Priest can transform into another class' hero card if they obtain that card from Thoughtsteal or Mind Vision.[11] In this case, the class the hero card belongs to will replace the player's original class for the purposes of mechanics such as Discover.[12] Experience and win count rewarded at the end of the match will also apply to the new class.
- After transforming their hero with a hero card, the player can still play Hero Power-altering cards such as Sir Finley Mrrgglton, Shadowform or Lord Jaraxxus normally. However, as hero cards' Hero Powers are not starting Hero Powers, they cannot be upgraded with Justicar Trueheart.[13]
- Hero cards are not included in Arena picks.[14] However, they can still appear in Arena games through random effects.
- While your hero is Frozen, if you play a hero card, your new hero will be thawed out. This works the same as triggering Majordomo Executus's Deathrattle or playing Lord Jaraxxus.
- Galakrond hero cards have many special rules. For specifics on them, see Invoke#Notes.
Hero cards[edit | edit source]
Collectible[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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.) | ||||||||||||||
The Amazing Reno | Legendary | Hero card | Mage | 10 | Battlecry: Make all minions disappear. *Poof!* | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 6 cards |
Wild format
This section contains information exclusive to Wild format.
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | ||||||||||||||
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. | ||||||||||||||
Zul'jin | Legendary | Hero card | Hunter | 10 | Battlecry: Cast all spells you've played this game (targets chosen randomly). | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 12 cards |
Uncollectible[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. It costs (0). (Invoke twice to upgrade.) | ||||||||||||||
Galakrond, the Apocalypse | Legendary | Hero card | Warrior | 7 | Battlecry: Draw 2 minions. Give them +4/+4. (Invoke twice to upgrade.) | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 10 cards |
Generated Hero Powers[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
What Does This Do? | None | Hero Power | Mage | Passive Hero Power At the start of your turn, cast a random spell. | |||||||||||||||
Galakrond's Fury | None | Hero Power | Shaman | 2 | Hero Power Summon a 2/1 Elemental with Rush. | ||||||||||||||
Galakrond's Guile | None | Hero Power | Rogue | 2 | Hero Power Add a Lackey to your hand. | ||||||||||||||
Galakrond's Malice | None | Hero Power | Warlock | 2 | Hero Power Summon two 1/1 Imps. | ||||||||||||||
Galakrond's Might | None | Hero Power | Warrior | 2 | Hero Power Give your hero +3 Attack this turn. | ||||||||||||||
Galakrond's Wit | None | Hero Power | Priest | 2 | Hero Power Add a random Priest minion to your hand. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 6 cards |
Wild format
This section contains information exclusive to Wild format.
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bewitch | None | Hero Power | Shaman | Passive Hero Power. After you play a minion, add a random Shaman spell to your hand. | |||||||||||||||
Death's Shadow | None | Hero Power | Rogue | Passive Hero Power During your turn, add a 'Shadow Reflection' to your hand. | |||||||||||||||
Berserker Throw | None | Hero Power | Hunter | 2 | Hero Power Deal 2 damage. | ||||||||||||||
Big Red Button | None | Hero Power | Warrior | 2 | Hero Power Activate this turn's Mech Suit power! | ||||||||||||||
Bladestorm | None | Hero Power | Warrior | 2 | Hero Power Deal 1 damage to all minions. | ||||||||||||||
Blast Shield | None | Hero Power | Warrior | 2 | Hero Power Gain 7 Armor. Swaps each turn. | ||||||||||||||
Build-A-Beast | None | Hero Power | Hunter | 2 | Hero Power Craft a custom Zombeast. | ||||||||||||||
Delivery Drone | None | Hero Power | Warrior | 2 | Hero Power Discover a Mech. Swaps each turn. | ||||||||||||||
Icy Touch | None | Hero Power | Mage | 2 | Hero Power Deal 1 damage. If this kills a minion, summon a Water Elemental. | ||||||||||||||
KABOOM! | None | Hero Power | Warrior | 2 | Hero Power Deal 1 damage to all enemies. Swaps each turn. | ||||||||||||||
Micro-Squad | None | Hero Power | Warrior | 2 | Hero Power Summon three 1/1 Microbots. Swaps each turn. | ||||||||||||||
Plague Lord | None | Hero Power | Druid | 2 | Hero Power Choose One - +3 Attack this turn; or Gain 3 Armor. | ||||||||||||||
Siphon Life | None | Hero Power | Warlock | 2 | Hero Power Lifesteal Deal 3 damage. | ||||||||||||||
The Four Horsemen | None | Hero Power | Paladin | 2 | Hero Power Summon a 2/2 Horseman. If you have all 4, destroy the enemy hero. | ||||||||||||||
Transmute Spirit | None | Hero Power | Shaman | 2 | Hero Power: Transform a friendly minion into a random one that costs (1) more. | ||||||||||||||
Voidform | None | Hero Power | Priest | 2 | Hero Power Deal 2 damage. After you play a card, refresh this. | ||||||||||||||
Zap Cannon | None | Hero Power | Warrior | 2 | Hero Power Deal 3 damage. Swaps each turn. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 17 cards |
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Knights of the Frozen Throne was the first expansion (and card set) to introduce hero cards into Hearthstone.
- While Knights of the Frozen Throne introduced one hero card for each class, they have since been more spaced out, with sets thereafter usually featuring only a single hero card each. According to Principal Game Designer Mike Donais and Senior Game Designer Peter Whalen, making a character a hero card is an effective way of signifying that the character is the central focus of the set and draws attention to the fact that it is a character that players should know and care about.[15][16] According to Whalen, however, this does not mean that they've completely settled on a precedent for how many hero cards they'll include in future sets; the team will likely continue to experiment and do whatever's right for the expansion in question.[17]
- According to Peter Whalen, one design lesson learned since the introduction of the first hero cards is that ones that generate infinite late-game value through use of their Hero Powers (such as Deathstalker Rexxar and Frost Lich Jaina) tend to feel repetitive and frustrating to play against, especially when they lead to one player slowly losing a game over several turns. As a result, the developers have tried to create less of that sort of experience with later hero cards, with Hagatha the Witch and Dr. Boom, Mad Genius both having inherently random Hero Powers, while Zul'jin has most of his power contained in his over-the-top Battlecry with a relatively mundane Hero Power to compensate.[17]
- While Lord Jaraxxus and Majordomo Executus work similarly to hero cards, they were not reclassified as such at the release of Knights of the Frozen Throne. This is due to the fact that they work slightly differently from hero cards; most notably, they set the hero's Health to a predetermined amount rather than retaining the hero's current Health.[18][19]
- The Knights of the Frozen Throne death knight hero cards were originally available in the Arena,[13][20][21] but on November 14, 2017, they were removed from the Arena draft pool since "while the Death Knight Hero Cards are exciting and powerful to play, their permanent Hero Power upgrades are hard to combat in a format where answers are limited".[14]
- Hero cards are the only card type so far to only be featured in Legendary rarity. Furthermore, there are no neutral hero cards.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Eloise interviews the Hearthstone game designer Dave Kosak [Hearthstone] - YouTube. (2017-07-08). Retrieved on 2017-07-21.
- ↑ Mike Donais on reddit. (2017-07-20). Retrieved on 2017-07-21.
- ↑ Hearthstone: Announcing the Knights of the Frozen Throne. (2017-06-07). Retrieved on 2017-07-07.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 FardHast (2017-07-07). Mike Donais on Deathstalker Rexxar in Trumps Chat. Retrieved on 2017-07-08.
- ↑ Mike Donais on reddit. (2017-07-22). Retrieved on 2017-07-22.
- ↑ Puffin on reddit. (2017-07-08). Retrieved on 2017-07-26.
- ↑ Ben Brode on Twitter. (2017-07-07).
- ↑ Yong Woo on Twitter. (2017-07-07).
- ↑ Yong Woo on Twitter. (2017-07-07).
- ↑ Yong Woo on Twitter. (2017-07-07).
- ↑ Puffin on reddit. (2017-07-08). Retrieved on 2017-07-26.
- ↑ Mike Donais on reddit. (2017-07-20). Retrieved on 2017-07-21.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ozzie Mejia (2017-07-20). Hearthstone designers talk Knights of the Frozen Throne, Hero Cards, Rogue, and more | Shacknews. Retrieved on 2017-07-21.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Zeriyah (2017-11-10). Upcoming Arena Changes - 11/14/2017. Retrieved on 2017-11-23.
- ↑ Mike Donais on reddit. (2018-03-13). Retrieved on 2018-07-23.
- ↑ Card Reveal Livestream - The Boomsday Project (49:03). (2018-07-23). YouTube. Retrieved on 2018-07-23.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Cam Shea (2019-02-04). Hearthstone's Peter Whalen on Designing Zul'jin and Moving Away From Infinite Late Game Value. IGN. Retrieved on 2019-02-05.
- ↑ Ben Brode on Twitter. (2017-07-07).
- ↑ Puffin on reddit. (2017-07-08). Retrieved on 2017-07-26.
- ↑ Yong Woo on Twitter. (2017-07-07).
- ↑ Puffin on reddit. (2017-07-08). Retrieved on 2017-07-26.
Cards | |||
---|---|---|---|
By type | Hero card
| ||
By class | |||
By minion type | |||
By spell school | |||
By ability | Evergreen keywords | ||
Other keywords | |||
Other abilities | |||
Non-Constructed | |||
By effect type | |||
By card set | Standard | ||
Wild | |||
By rarity |