Heroes Brawl Returns!

Heroes of the Storm Revives Beloved Brawl Mode, Bringing Back Discontinued Maps

Heroes of the Storm is dusting off its classic Heroes Brawl game mode, reintroducing it as "Brawl Mode." This exciting update brings back dozens of previously unavailable maps, offering unique challenges and a fresh take on the MOBA experience. The revamped mode is currently available on the Public Test Realm (PTR) and is slated for a full release in approximately one month.

Originally launched in 2016 (initially as Arena Mode), Heroes Brawl provided weekly rotating gameplay variations with altered maps, objectives, and rules. Think Hearthstone's Tavern Brawls, but with Heroes of the Storm's unique characters and battlefields. Examples included a Nova-focused sniper duel, action-packed Arena versions of existing maps, and the PvE mission, Escape from Braxis. However, due to the shift in player preference towards single-lane maps and the maintenance challenges, Heroes Brawl was retired in 2020 and replaced with ARAM.

Now, five years later, Brawl Mode makes its triumphant return. The PTR update includes balance changes and bug fixes, but the star of the show is the new Brawl Mode, which will rotate bi-weekly (1st and 15th of each month), offering a special chest reward for completing three matches during its active period. The frequency of reward acquisition (once per Brawl or weekly) is yet to be confirmed. With a vast library of past Brawls, players can anticipate a rotating selection of favorites and possibly some exciting new additions.

The inaugural Brawl Mode, the winter-themed Snow Brawl, is currently playable on the PTR. Given the PTR's three-week duration, Brawl Mode's official launch could coincide with the beginning of February, aligning perfectly with the game's 10th-anniversary milestone on June 2nd, 2025.

This resurgence of Heroes Brawl is a significant win for the Heroes of the Storm community and fuels speculation about a potential broader revival of the game.

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

The latest Heroes of the Storm patch is now live on the PTR, inviting players to test the upcoming changes. Please report any bugs encountered on the PTR Bug Report forum.

General:

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

(Balance Update and Bug Fixes sections removed for brevity, maintaining focus on the Brawl Mode announcement.)