Secret
- Secret
Hidden until a specific action occurs on your opponent's turn.
A Secret is a spell card that is cast normally but has a delayed, hidden effect, which only takes place when a specific event occurs. When a Secret is played, a Secret icon appears on the caster's portrait, but the name and details of the Secret are not revealed to the opponent until the card is activated by its hidden condition.
Secrets can only be activated on the opponent's turn, preventing the player from triggering them themselves. There are a handful of exceptions, such as Competitive Spirit, Open the Cages, and Rigged Faire Game, which activate on your turn.[1] However, these trigger at the start of the turn and have effects that opponents can still play around, following the general rules.
Secret is also the name of the ability all Secret cards have.
Originally, secret cards were limited to mages, paladins, and hunters. In the Kobolds and Catacombs expansion, rogues became the fourth secret class.
Contents
Notes[edit | edit source]
- Secrets triggered by a minion being played will take place after any Battlecry. For example, Mirror Entity will copy a Twilight Drake after its additional Health has been applied.
- All Secrets available to a class have the same mana cost. This prevents opponents from guessing the Secret based upon its cost, which is the only information revealed when a player plays a Secret from their own class.
- Each class' Secrets are a different colour: pink for mages, yellow for paladins, green for hunters, gray for rogues. If a player plays a secret belonging to another class, it will retain its original class colour.[2]
- Secrets created by Lorewalker Cho are revealed publicly when played, and can be revealed after play by hovering over the Secret icon.[3]
- In some cases a Secret's triggering event may occur, but the Secret's effect cannot activate. This can happen with Mirror Entity and Noble Sacrifice if there is no room remaining on the hero's board, with Avenge if there are no friendly minions left on the board, and with multiple Secrets when a Secret's specific target is removed by another effect, such as a previous Secret (see below). In such cases, the Secret will simply remain in place without taking effect, revealing itself, or giving any indication that its trigger condition was met.
- The limited choice of Secrets available to each class allows experienced players to logically determine the identity of unrevealed Secrets. Since each Secret has a specific trigger, players can intentionally test the Secret to attempt to determine its effect, attempt to draw the Secret out with weak cards and actions, or simply hedge their bets in order to minimise its negative consequences. For example, a player facing a mage with a single active Secret may choose to summon a weaker minion before summoning a stronger one, in case their opponent has Mirror Entity, and then attack with the weaker minion first, in case that Secret is a Vaporize.
- While they have special trigger conditions, Secrets are spells, and will activate all spell-related effects. Likewise, Secrets that deal damage can be improved by Spell Damage.
- When Secrets and triggered effects are activated from the same trigger, the effects will activate in the order in which they were played.[4]
- Quest cards are like Secrets in that they take up a Secret slot, but they cannot be affected by Secret-interacting cards like Eater of Secrets, Kezan Mystic, or Flare.
- If a hero is destroyed by the activation of an enemy Secret, the game will end there, without allowing any triggering actions to complete.[5] Example: Both players are at 2 Health. One player sends a Stormwind Knight to attack the enemy hero, thus activating the opponent's Explosive Trap. The Trap deals 2 damage to the first player, defeating them. The game then ends with the Stormwind Knight frozen mid-attack, with the second player still at 2 Health, resulting in a win for the second player. On the other hand, Secrets always resolve before the game can end, allowing Secrets such as Eye for an Eye to result in a draw, with both heroes destroyed as a result of the same action. For further details, see Advanced rulebook#Secrets.
Multiple Secrets[edit | edit source]
- Players cannot have more than one copy of the same Secret active at any one time. Players are unable to play Secret cards which match one of their active Secrets.
- When played directly from the hand, players can have up to 5 different Secrets active at a time. Once this limit is reached, the player will be unable to play further Secret cards.[6] Kezan Mystic also does not allow the player to exceed 5 Secrets.[7] Mysterious Challenger will not play more than 5 Secrets from your deck.[8]
- As of January 2015, a bug[9] allows Mad Scientist to place additional different Secrets into play through its Deathrattle, even if this causes the number of Secrets to exceed 5.[2][10][11] Secrets beyond the 5 limit will activate and take effect normally, and in the correct order.[12]
- Multiple Secrets can trigger from a single event, for example a minion attacking the hero will activate all Explosive Trap, Misdirection and Freezing Trap secrets active on that hero at the time.[13]
- Only one Secret can take effect at a time, and multiple activated Secrets will always take effect in the order in which they were played. For example, a minion attacking a hunter who has played Misdirection followed by Freezing Trap will be Misdirected before then being returned to the controlling player's hand. This can make the order in which Secrets are played extremely significant.
- If a Secret removes the specific target for another Secret which was already triggered, the second Secret will not take effect, since it now lacks a target. For example, if Freezing Trap removes the minion which would have been the target of Misdirection, the Misdirection will not trigger, since it no longer has a target.
- Note that this rule only applies for Secrets which require specific targets; Secrets such as Explosive Trap and Snake Trap do not require targets, and will always take effect once triggered, even if the original trigger minion has been removed from play.
Secrets[edit | edit source]
This section lists all collectible Secrets.
Hunter[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explosive Trap | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When your hero is attacked, deal 2 damage to all enemies. | ||||||||||||||
Freezing Trap | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When an enemy minion attacks, return it to its owner's hand and it costs (2) more. | ||||||||||||||
Misdirection | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When a character attacks your hero, instead he attacks another random character. | ||||||||||||||
Open the Cages | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When your turn starts, if you control two minions, summon an Animal Companion. | ||||||||||||||
Pack Tactics | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When a friendly minion is attacked, summon a 3/3 copy. | ||||||||||||||
Pressure Plate | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: After your opponent casts a spell, destroy a random enemy minion. | ||||||||||||||
Snake Trap | Epic | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When one of your minions is attacked, summon three 1/1 Snakes. | ||||||||||||||
Snipe | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, deal 4 damage to it. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 8 cards |
Wild format
This section contains information exclusive to Wild format.
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bear Trap | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: After your hero is attacked, summon a 3/3 Bear with Taunt. | ||||||||||||||
Cat Trick | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: After your opponent casts a spell, summon a 4/2 Panther with Stealth. | ||||||||||||||
Dart Trap | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: After an opposing Hero Power is used, deal 5 damage to a random enemy. | ||||||||||||||
Hidden Cache | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, give a random minion in your hand +2/+2. | ||||||||||||||
Rat Trap | Epic | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: After your opponent plays three cards in a turn, summon a 6/6 Rat. | ||||||||||||||
Venomstrike Trap | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When one of your minions is attacked, summon a 2/3 Poisonous Cobra. | ||||||||||||||
Wandering Monster | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When an enemy attacks your hero, summon a 3-Cost minion as the new target. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 7 cards |
Mage[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Counterspell | Rare | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When your opponent casts a spell, Counter it. | ||||||||||||||
Flame Ward | Common | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: After a minion attacks your hero, deal 3 damage to all enemy minions. | ||||||||||||||
Ice Barrier | Common | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When your hero is attacked, gain 8 Armor. | ||||||||||||||
Mirror Entity | Common | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, summon a copy of it. | ||||||||||||||
Netherwind Portal | Common | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: After your opponent casts a spell, summon a random 4-Cost minion. | ||||||||||||||
Rigged Faire Game | Epic | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: If you didn't take any damage during your opponent's turn, draw 3 cards. | ||||||||||||||
Spellbender | Epic | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When an enemy casts a spell on a minion, summon a 1/3 as the new target. | ||||||||||||||
Vaporize | Rare | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When a minion attacks your hero, destroy it. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 8 cards |
Wild format
This section contains information exclusive to Wild format.
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Duplicate | Common | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When a friendly minion dies, put 2 copies of it into your hand. | ||||||||||||||
Effigy | Rare | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When a friendly minion dies, summon a random minion with the same Cost. | ||||||||||||||
Explosive Runes | Rare | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, deal 6 damage to it and any excess to their hero. | ||||||||||||||
Frozen Clone | Common | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, put 2 copies of it into your hand. | ||||||||||||||
Ice Block | Epic | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When your hero takes fatal damage, prevent it and become Immune this turn. | ||||||||||||||
Mana Bind | Rare | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When your opponent cast a spell, add a copy to your hand that costs (0). | ||||||||||||||
Potion of Polymorph | Rare | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, transform it into a 1/1 Sheep. | ||||||||||||||
Splitting Image | Epic | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When one of your minions is attacked, summon a copy of it. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 8 cards |
Paladin[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eye for an Eye | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When your hero takes damage, deal that much damage to the enemy hero. | ||||||||||||||
Never Surrender! | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When your opponent casts a spell, give your minions +2 Health. | ||||||||||||||
Noble Sacrifice | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When an enemy attacks, summon a 2/1 Defender as the new target. | ||||||||||||||
Oh My Yogg! | Epic | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When your opponent casts a spell, they instead cast a random one of the same Cost. | ||||||||||||||
Redemption | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When a friendly minion dies, return it to life with 1 Health. | ||||||||||||||
Repentance | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, reduce its Health to 1. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 6 cards |
Wild format
This section contains information exclusive to Wild format.
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Autodefense Matrix | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When one of your minions is attacked, give it Divine Shield. | ||||||||||||||
Avenge | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When one of your minions dies, give a random friendly minion +3/+2. | ||||||||||||||
Competitive Spirit | Rare | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When your turn starts, give your minions +1/+1. | ||||||||||||||
Getaway Kodo | Rare | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When a friendly minion dies, return it to your hand. | ||||||||||||||
Hidden Wisdom | Epic | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: After your opponent plays three cards in a turn, draw 2 cards. | ||||||||||||||
Sacred Trial | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: After your opponent has at least 3 minions and plays another, destroy it. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 6 cards |
Rogue[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ambush | Rare | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, summon a 2/3 Ambusher with Poisonous. | ||||||||||||||
Bamboozle | Epic | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: When one of your minions is attacked, transform it into a random one that costs (3) more. | ||||||||||||||
Dirty Tricks | Common | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: After your opponent casts a spell, draw 2 cards. | ||||||||||||||
Plagiarize | Common | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: At the end of your opponent's turn, add copies of the cards they played to your hand. | ||||||||||||||
Shadow Clone | Rare | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: After a minion attacks your hero, summon a copy of it with Stealth. | ||||||||||||||
Shenanigans | Rare | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: When your opponent draws their second card in a turn, they draw a Banana instead. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 6 cards |
Wild format
This section contains information exclusive to Wild format.
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cheat Death | Common | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: When a friendly minion dies, return it to your hand. It costs (2) less. | ||||||||||||||
Evasion | Epic | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: After your hero takes damage, become Immune this turn. | ||||||||||||||
Sudden Betrayal | Common | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: When a minion attacks your hero, instead it attacks one of its neighbours. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 3 cards |
Forged in the Barrens
The below cards are planned for release with Forged in the Barrens, coming March 22nd, 2021.
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reckoning | Epic | Spell | Holy | Paladin | 1 | Secret: After an enemy minion deals 3 or more damage, destroy it. | |||||||||||||
Showing the only card |
Related cards[edit | edit source]
The following cards have specific synergy with Secrets, such as providing additional effects when Secrets are cast, or destroying Secrets already in play.
For cards which have synergy with spells in general, but not specifically with Secrets, see Spell-related.
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blackjack Stunner | Rare | Minion | General | Rogue | 1 | 1 | 2 | Battlecry: If you control a Secret, return a minion to its owner's hand. It costs (1) more. | |||||||||||
Desperate Measures | Rare | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Twinspell Cast a random Paladin Secret. | ||||||||||||||
Desperate Measures | Rare | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Cast a random Paladin Secret. | ||||||||||||||
Mystery Winner | Common | Minion | General | Hunter | 1 | 1 | 1 | Battlecry: Discover a Secret. | |||||||||||
Secretkeeper | Rare | Minion | General | Any | 1 | 1 | 2 | Whenever a Secret is played, gain +1/+1. | |||||||||||
Ancient Mysteries | Common | Spell | Mage | 2 | Draw a Secret from your deck. It costs (0). | ||||||||||||||
Apexis Smuggler | Epic | Minion | General | Mage | 2 | 2 | 3 | After you play a Secret, Discover a spell. | |||||||||||
Arcane Flakmage | Rare | Minion | General | Mage | 2 | 3 | 2 | After you play a Secret, deal 2 damage to all enemy minions. | |||||||||||
Flare | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 2 | All minions lose Stealth. Destroy all enemy Secrets. Draw a card. | ||||||||||||||
Game Master | Common | Minion | General | Mage | 2 | 2 | 3 | The first Secret you play each turn costs (1). | |||||||||||
Mysterious Blade | Rare | Weapon | Paladin | 2 | 2 | 2 | Battlecry: If you control a Secret, gain +1 Attack. | ||||||||||||
Phase Stalker | Rare | Minion | Beast | Hunter | 2 | 2 | 3 | After you use your Hero Power, cast a Secret from your deck. | |||||||||||
Shadowjeweler Hanar | Legendary | Minion | General | Rogue | 2 | 1 | 4 | After you play a Secret, Discover a Secret from a different class. | |||||||||||
Sunreaver Spy | Common | Minion | General | Any | 2 | 2 | 3 | Battlecry: If you control a Secret, gain +1/+1. | |||||||||||
Commander Rhyssa | Legendary | Minion | General | Paladin | 3 | 4 | 3 | Your Secrets trigger twice. | |||||||||||
Eaglehorn Bow | Rare | Weapon | Hunter | 3 | 3 | 2 | Whenever a friendly Secret is revealed, gain +1 Durability. | ||||||||||||
Hunter's Pack | Common | Spell | Hunter | 3 | Add a random Hunter Beast, Secret, and weapon to your hand. | ||||||||||||||
Inconspicuous Rider | Common | Minion | General | Any | 3 | 2 | 2 | Battlecry: Cast a Secret from your deck. | |||||||||||
Kirin Tor Mage | Rare | Minion | General | Mage | 3 | 4 | 3 | Battlecry: The next Secret you play this turn costs (0). | |||||||||||
Petting Zoo | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 3 | Summon a 3/3 Strider. Repeat for each Secret you control. | ||||||||||||||
Sparkjoy Cheat | Rare | Minion | General | Rogue | 3 | 3 | 3 | Battlecry: If you're holding a Secret, cast it and draw a card. | |||||||||||
Ethereal Arcanist | Rare | Minion | General | Mage | 4 | 3 | 3 | If you control a Secret at the end of your turn, gain +2/+2. | |||||||||||
Hyena Alpha | Rare | Minion | Beast | Hunter | 4 | 3 | 3 | Battlecry: If you control a Secret, summon two 2/2 Hyenas. | |||||||||||
Occult Conjurer | Epic | Minion | General | Mage | 4 | 4 | 4 | Battlecry: If you control a Secret, summon a copy of this. | |||||||||||
Ring Toss | Rare | Spell | Mage | 4 | Discover a Secret and cast it. Corrupt: Discover 2 instead. | ||||||||||||||
Ring Toss | Rare | Spell | Mage | 4 | Corrupted Discover 2 Secrets and cast them. | ||||||||||||||
Rinling's Rifle | Legendary | Weapon | Hunter | 4 | 2 | 2 | After your hero attacks, Discover a Secret and cast it. | ||||||||||||
SI:7 Infiltrator | Rare | Minion | General | Any | 4 | 5 | 4 | Battlecry: Destroy a random enemy Secret. | |||||||||||
Cloud Prince | Common | Minion | Elemental | Mage | 5 | 4 | 4 | Battlecry: If you control a Secret, deal 6 damage. | |||||||||||
Sayge, Seer of Darkmoon | Legendary | Minion | General | Mage | 6 | 5 | 5 | Battlecry: Draw 1 card. (Upgraded for each friendly Secret that has triggered this game!) | |||||||||||
Showing all 30 cards |
Wild format
This section contains information exclusive to Wild format.
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kabal Lackey | Common | Minion | General | Mage | 1 | 2 | 1 | Battlecry: The next Secret you play this turn costs (0). | |||||||||||
Secret Plan | Common | Spell | Hunter | 1 | Discover a Secret. | ||||||||||||||
Arcanologist | Common | Minion | General | Mage | 2 | 2 | 3 | Battlecry: Draw a Secret from your deck. | |||||||||||
Hydrologist | Common | Minion | Murloc | Paladin | 2 | 2 | 2 | Battlecry: Discover a Secret. | |||||||||||
Mad Scientist | Common | Minion | General | Any | 2 | 2 | 2 | Deathrattle: Put a Secret from your deck into the battlefield. | |||||||||||
Medivh's Valet | Common | Minion | General | Mage | 2 | 2 | 3 | Battlecry: If you control a Secret, deal 3 damage. | |||||||||||
Cloaked Huntress | Common | Minion | General | Hunter | 3 | 3 | 4 | Your Secrets cost (0). | |||||||||||
Illuminator | Rare | Minion | General | Any | 3 | 2 | 4 | If you control a Secret at the end of your turn, restore 4 Health to your hero. | |||||||||||
Masked Contender | Epic | Minion | General | Any | 3 | 2 | 4 | Battlecry: If you control a Secret, cast a Secret from your deck. | |||||||||||
Arcane Keysmith | Epic | Minion | General | Mage | 4 | 2 | 2 | Battlecry: Discover a Secret. Put it into the battlefield. | |||||||||||
Bellringer Sentry | Rare | Minion | General | Paladin | 4 | 3 | 4 | Battlecry and Deathrattle: Put a Secret from your deck into the battlefield. | |||||||||||
Eater of Secrets | Rare | Minion | General | Any | 4 | 2 | 4 | Battlecry: Destroy all enemy Secrets. Gain +1/+1 for each. | |||||||||||
Kezan Mystic | Rare | Minion | General | Any | 4 | 4 | 3 | Battlecry: Take control of a random enemy Secret. | |||||||||||
Professor Putricide | Legendary | Minion | General | Hunter | 4 | 5 | 4 | After you play a Secret, put another random Hunter Secret into the battlefield. | |||||||||||
Avian Watcher | Rare | Minion | General | Any | 5 | 3 | 6 | Battlecry: If you control a Secret, gain +1/+1 and Taunt. | |||||||||||
Chief Inspector | Rare | Minion | General | Any | 5 | 4 | 6 | Battlecry: Destroy all enemy Secrets. | |||||||||||
Emerald Spellstone | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 5 | Summon three 3/3 Wolves. (Play a Secret to upgrade.) | ||||||||||||||
Lesser Emerald Spellstone | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 5 | Summon two 3/3 Wolves. (Play a Secret to upgrade.) | ||||||||||||||
Subject 9 | Legendary | Minion | Beast | Any | 5 | 4 | 4 | Battlecry: Draw 5 different Secrets from your deck. | |||||||||||
Kabal Crystal Runner | Rare | Minion | General | Mage | 6 | 5 | 5 | Costs (2) less for each Secret you've played this game. | |||||||||||
Mysterious Challenger | Epic | Minion | General | Paladin | 6 | 6 | 6 | Battlecry: Put one of each Secret from your deck into the battlefield. | |||||||||||
Glacial Mysteries | Epic | Spell | Mage | 8 | Put one of each Secret from your deck into the battlefield. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 22 cards |
Arena rotation[edit | edit source]
The following secrets are offered in the current Arena rotation, updated for January 21st, 2021:
Hunter[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cat Trick | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: After your opponent casts a spell, summon a 4/2 Panther with Stealth. | ||||||||||||||
Explosive Trap | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When your hero is attacked, deal 2 damage to all enemies. | ||||||||||||||
Freezing Trap | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When an enemy minion attacks, return it to its owner's hand and it costs (2) more. | ||||||||||||||
Misdirection | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When a character attacks your hero, instead he attacks another random character. | ||||||||||||||
Open the Cages | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When your turn starts, if you control two minions, summon an Animal Companion. | ||||||||||||||
Pack Tactics | Rare | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When a friendly minion is attacked, summon a 3/3 copy. | ||||||||||||||
Snake Trap | Epic | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: When one of your minions is attacked, summon three 1/1 Snakes. | ||||||||||||||
Snipe | Common | Spell | Hunter | 2 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, deal 4 damage to it. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 8 cards |
Mage[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Counterspell | Rare | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When your opponent casts a spell, Counter it. | ||||||||||||||
Ice Barrier | Common | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When your hero is attacked, gain 8 Armor. | ||||||||||||||
Mana Bind | Rare | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When your opponent cast a spell, add a copy to your hand that costs (0). | ||||||||||||||
Mirror Entity | Common | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, summon a copy of it. | ||||||||||||||
Netherwind Portal | Common | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: After your opponent casts a spell, summon a random 4-Cost minion. | ||||||||||||||
Rigged Faire Game | Epic | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: If you didn't take any damage during your opponent's turn, draw 3 cards. | ||||||||||||||
Spellbender | Epic | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When an enemy casts a spell on a minion, summon a 1/3 as the new target. | ||||||||||||||
Vaporize | Rare | Spell | Mage | 3 | Secret: When a minion attacks your hero, destroy it. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 8 cards |
Paladin[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Autodefense Matrix | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When one of your minions is attacked, give it Divine Shield. | ||||||||||||||
Eye for an Eye | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When your hero takes damage, deal that much damage to the enemy hero. | ||||||||||||||
Noble Sacrifice | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When an enemy attacks, summon a 2/1 Defender as the new target. | ||||||||||||||
Oh My Yogg! | Epic | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When your opponent casts a spell, they instead cast a random one of the same Cost. | ||||||||||||||
Redemption | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: When a friendly minion dies, return it to life with 1 Health. | ||||||||||||||
Repentance | Common | Spell | Paladin | 1 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, reduce its Health to 1. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 6 cards |
Rogue[edit | edit source]
Name / Desc | Rarity | Type | Subtype | Class | Cost | Atk | HP | Description | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ambush | Rare | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: After your opponent plays a minion, summon a 2/3 Ambusher with Poisonous. | ||||||||||||||
Bamboozle | Epic | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: When one of your minions is attacked, transform it into a random one that costs (3) more. | ||||||||||||||
Dirty Tricks | Common | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: After your opponent casts a spell, draw 2 cards. | ||||||||||||||
Plagiarize | Common | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: At the end of your opponent's turn, add copies of the cards they played to your hand. | ||||||||||||||
Shadow Clone | Rare | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: After a minion attacks your hero, summon a copy of it with Stealth. | ||||||||||||||
Shenanigans | Rare | Spell | Rogue | 2 | Secret: When your opponent draws their second card in a turn, they draw a Banana instead. | ||||||||||||||
Showing all 6 cards |
Achievements[edit | edit source]
Name | Requirements | Rewards |
---|---|---|
Dear Diary... (1/5) | Play 15 Secrets. | 10 ![]() |
Dear Diary... (2/5) | Play 50 Secrets. | 10 ![]() |
Dear Diary... (3/5) | Play 150 Secrets. | 10 ![]() |
Dear Diary... (4/5) | Play 500 Secrets. | 10 ![]() |
Dear Diary... (5/5) | Play 1500 Secrets. | 20 ![]() |
History[edit | edit source]
Secrets likely evolved from the cancelled "Combat Tricks" feature, removed early in the game's development. Similar to Secrets, these allowed players with active Combat Tricks who attacked their opponent to play a card on their opponent's turn, disrupting their play. Ultimately it was found that removing Combat Tricks actually made the game more fun, as well as further improving its speed. It seems the idea was not wholly abandoned though, since Secrets appear to represent a weaker form of the same mechanic.
Rogues originally had Secrets, but this was moved to Paladins during the game's alpha. The designers were struggling to give the Paladins a class identity while Rogues already had "a ton a sneaky things" with Backstab, Stealth and Combo effects. The change served to refocus each class' strategic focus, helping to give Paladins "something that was their own thing" and giving Rogues a clearer picture of what the class wanted to do.[14][15] Over 3 years later, Secrets were re-introduced to Rogues in the Kobolds and Catacombs expansion. According to Game Designer Peter Whalen, the developers wanted to capture the fantasy of each specific class in the expansion, with Secrets making a lot of thematical sense for the "sneaky and tricky" Rogues, and "now lots of classes have different stuff going on", allowing for the re-introduction of Rogue Secrets.[15]
The apparent original line-up of Rogues, Hunters and Mages may reflect a connection between Secrets and the Stealth/Camouflage/Invisibility mechanics in World of Warcraft, with these the only classes (except Druids in cat form) capable of employing such mechanics to ambush their opponents, similar to the function of Secrets in Hearthstone. In this respect Secrets are more similar to World of Warcraft Stealth than the Hearthstone Stealth ability itself, allowing the player to genuinely surprise the opponent.
Patch 1.0.0.4944[edit | edit source]
With Patch 1.0.0.4944, secrets were made to only be triggered on the opponent's turn. Prior to this, players could intentionally trigger their own secrets, allowing them to make use of them as additional spell effects, rather than counter-abilities.
While most secrets were unaffected, some interesting play options were intentionally removed by this change. The developers stated that the ability to trigger your own secrets was preventing them from creating new and powerful secrets, due to being easily triggered by the controlling player prior to this change. While removing certain strategic possibilities, this change was therefore intended to allow for the creation of a diverse range of new secrets. The subsequently announced Curse of Naxxramas mage secret Duplicate was confirmed as an example of a card that the earlier design would have prevented from being implemented.[16]
This rule was accepted as standard for all Secrets, until nearly 18 months later when The Grand Tournament added a specific exception, in the form of Competitive Spirit.
Future of Secrets[edit | edit source]
Adding Secrets to a new class is unlikely to happen again. Secrets require build-around cards to support them, since players rarely play Secrets by themselves.[17] In order to set up an expansion, the class needs at least three Secrets (otherwise the effect isn't really a "Secret") as well as good support cards for them. That leaves very little room for other cards in that class that set.[18] The devs realized this while designing Rogue's Secrets after having explored the concept. Since then, the idea of another Secret class hasn't been seriously considered. Having four Secret classes is already a lot[19], and possibly even too much.[20]
However, if a new class were to get Secrets, it would probably coincide with a new Core set where all Secrets are removed from one or two classes, so that the new class' Secrets can still feel special. Warlock is a good thematic fit for another Secret class.[21]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Having 5 secrets active can partially hide a hero's armor total, if playing on the desktop game client.[22]
Patch changes[edit | edit source]
Patch 10.0.0.22611 (2017-12-06): The first Rogue Secrets are added.
Patch 3.0.0.9786 (2015-08-18): Competitive Spirit is added, the first Secret to specifically break the rule that Secrets can only activate on the opponent's turn.
- Patch 1.0.0.4944 (2014-03-11): Secrets can now only activate on your opponent’s turn.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ6pHiKgiA0 Tested in Patch 3.0.0.9786 (TGT patch)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRIw0nT0vtM
- ↑ wowhobbs (2017-04-12). 🍀🎲 Secret Cho & Galvadon ~ Journey to Un'Goro ~ Hearthstone Heroes of Warcraft at 2:34.
- ↑ Ben Brode on Twitter. (2014-12-08).
- ↑ Observed by User:Taohinton, 2014-12-25. Attacking with Stormwind Knight into Explosive Trap, player at 2 Health, opponent at 24 Health.
- ↑ [1] Tested by User:Taohinton and User:Xinhuan 2015-02-01
- ↑ Hearthstone Mythbusters Ep.6. (2014-01-30).
- ↑ Screenshot - Deck contained 8 different Secrets when Mysterious Challenger was played.
- ↑ Ben Brode on Twitter. (2015-02-01).
- ↑ Hearthstone Mythbusters. (2015-02-08).
- ↑ [2] Tested by User:Taohinton and User:Xinhuan 2015-02-01
- ↑ [3] Tested by User:Taohinton and User:Xinhuan 2015-02-01
- ↑ Gahz'rilla attacking his owner. Retrieved on 2016-12-30.
- ↑ Senior Game Designer Ben Brode talks Hearthstone. (2014-12-19).
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Kobolds & Catacombs Card Reveal Kick-Off - YouTube. (2017-11-20). Retrieved on 2017-11-21.
- ↑ Ben Brode on Twitter. (2014-05-29).
- ↑ Dean Ayala on Twitter. (2021-02-24).
- ↑ Dean Ayala on Twitter. (2021-02-24).
- ↑ Dean Ayala on Twitter. (2021-02-24).
- ↑ Dean Ayala on Twitter. (2021-02-24).
- ↑ Dean Ayala on Twitter. (2021-02-24).
- ↑ Did you know if you have 5 Secrets your armor total also becomes a secret. (August 9, 2019). Retrieved on 2019-08-09.
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