In Hearthstone many cards cause problems – and often it is the oldest ones that exist in the game.
Just yesterday, the developers of Hearthstone announced that there will be a number of adjustments in their card game – significant nerfs for some of the most popular cards. What is astonishing about these nerfs, however, is that they do not primarily affect cards from the new expansion “Knights of the Frozen Throne” – but rather basic and classic cards. Only one of the five adjustments affects a new card – the rest tinkers with cards that players have reliably used for several years.
It seems that Blizzard does not see the balance threatened by the latest expansions, but rather by cards that are permanently available in every game mode – that is, the classic cards from the “Vanilla” era.
Should basic and classic cards disappear?
The question that arises in the forum and on Reddit among players is clear: Why doesn’t Blizzard simply rotate Classic and Basic cards out of the game?
All other expansions are only valid for 2 years, after which they can no longer be used in the standard game mode (though they can still be used in the “Wild” mode).
Blizzard has addressed this topic in the past and wants to keep the basic and classic cards in the game so that returning players “always have a solid collection” and a “foundation of cards” to reacquaint themselves with the game.
But does this “swap” really make sense? Is it good to have a whole set of evergreens so that returning players and newcomers have it easier, only to continuously nerf these cards?
What do you think of Blizzard’s approach? Should these cards be permanently available in “Standard”?
Cortyn says: By now, I wish that the “old” cards would also disappear from the rotation. Sure, I would miss some favorites like Fireball, Shadow Word: Death or Animal Companion – but that would also make it more exciting. Current decks often use 50% or more of the very old cards. If every year I had to create completely new archetypes and redefine a class, I would find that very appealing. I would miss my Fireball – but at the same time gain 2 slots in my deck that wouldn’t be automatically filled by a Fireball because there would be no better alternative.
You can find out more about the nerf for Druids, Warriors, Shamans, and Murlocs in this article.
