Heroes of the Storm Bringing Back Popular Game Mode

Heroes of the Storm Revives Brawl Mode: A Celebration of Classic Maps and Challenges

Heroes of the Storm is bringing back the beloved Heroes Brawl, rebranded as Brawl Mode, offering a fresh take on chaotic gameplay and unique map experiences. After a five-year hiatus, dozens of discontinued maps return, each presenting distinct challenges and objectives. Currently available on the Public Test Realm (PTR), Brawl Mode is slated for official release within a month.

The original Heroes Brawl, initially launched as Arena Mode in 2016, provided weekly rotating game modes with unpredictable twists. Inspired by Hearthstone's Tavern Brawls, it featured modified maps, altered objectives, and unusual rulesets—from all-Nova sniper duels to action-packed Arena versions of existing battlefields, and even the PvE mission, Escape from Braxis. Its discontinuation in 2020 stemmed from the rising popularity of single-lane maps and the inherent maintenance challenges.

Brawl Mode's return marks a significant event for Heroes of the Storm. The PTR update includes this new mode, alongside hero balance adjustments and bug fixes. Key differences from the original include a bi-weekly rotation (1st and 15th of each month) instead of weekly updates, and the reward of a special chest after completing three matches within the active Brawl period. The exact earning frequency of this reward (per Brawl or weekly) remains to be confirmed. With a vast library of past Brawls, players can anticipate the return of many favorites, and potentially the introduction of new ones.

The inaugural Brawl Mode, the festive Snow Brawl, is currently live on the PTR for three weeks of testing. This suggests a February launch for the official release, coinciding with the game's 10th anniversary on June 2nd, 2025. The timing is significant, and many players view this as a positive sign for the future of Heroes of the Storm.

Heroes of the Storm PTR Patch Notes (January 6, 2025)

The latest Heroes of the Storm patch is now available on the PTR for testing. Please report any bugs encountered via the PTR Bug Report forum.

General Changes:

• Updated Homescreen and Startup Music.
• NEW: Brawl Mode added! Brawls rotate on the 1st and 15th of each month.

Balance Updates: (Detailed balance changes for Auriel, Chromie, Johanna, Tracer, and Zul'jin are omitted for brevity but were present in the original text.)

Bug Fixes: (A comprehensive list of bug fixes for various heroes and general gameplay is omitted for brevity but was present in the original text.)