In Heroes of the Storm, the ranked games as well as the hero and team leagues are being completely revamped. What this means for you, we explain here.
The developers of Blizzard’s MOBA are dissatisfied with the existing system of ranked games and the team and hero leagues. Therefore, they have completely overhauled the entire system. The new version launches on June 15, but what exactly can we expect?
From Bronze Scrub to Grandmaster – The New League System
With the new league system, Blizzard aims to better represent the actual strengths of the players and has divided the new league into six ranks. These are:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
- Diamond
- Master
Each of these ranks is further divided into individual divisions; the lower the division, the stronger the player in that rank is. For example, a player classified as Silver 3 is nominally stronger than a player who is only classified as Silver 4. The last rank, the so-called “Grandmasters”, is exempt from divisions. Grandmasters are all players who have surpassed the Master status. There are a maximum of 500 Grandmasters who are listed in a regularly updated leaderboard. So it’s a classic leaderboard.
Fairness and Transparency
To ensure that the games are not unfair, groups can only consist of players of the same rank or the next higher or lower rank. A player from the Gold rank could therefore group with all players between Silver 5 and Platinum 1. Groups consist of a maximum of 3 players, and anyone currently banned is not allowed to join a group as long as the penalty lasts.
Players earn points for winning games to rise through the ranks and divisions; however, those who cannot hold their ground lose points. If enough points are accumulated, players ascend within their rank or reach the next highest rank. Conversely, ranks and divisions can also be lost due to repeated defeats.
But don’t worry, Blizzard has implemented a mechanic that specifically alerts you in such cases when the next game will either promote you to a new tier or reset you. This way, you can either really push yourself or perhaps take a break, because who wants to play when they’re fatigued or facing another handicap when it matters?
Ranked Seasons and Rewards
The ranked games are divided into special seasons, lasting between 8 and 12 weeks. The exact length will be determined by Blizzard. The first season starts with the release of the new league structure on June 15.
The currently existing structures thus represent the pre-season, and diligent players will be assigned a corresponding rank based on their performance and receive rewards, which we will present in the table below. Additionally, there will be epic rewards in each respective season, separated by hero and team leagues. So, it’s worth playing in both leagues to reap double rewards!
Rewards from the Pre-Season
Depending on your previous status in the ranked matches, the following rewards can be earned.
| Ranks | Hero League |
| 1 | · 4,000 Gold
· Elemental Wolf mount · Epic Elemental Wolf mount · Special portrait |
| 5-2 | · 3,500 Gold
· Elemental Wolf mount · Epic Elemental Wolf mount · Special portrait |
| 10-6 | · 3,000 Gold
· Elemental Wolf mount · Epic Elemental Wolf mount · Special portrait |
| 20-11 | · 2,500 Gold
· Elemental Wolf mount · Special portrait |
| 30-21 | · 2,000 Gold
· Elemental Wolf mount · Special portrait |
| 40-31 | · 1,500 Gold
· Special portrait |
| 50-41 | · Special portrait |
