Heroes of the Storm Gets Big PTR Update

17.04.2024 - 12:05 / gamerant.com / Jos

Blizzard has released a major update for Heroes of the Storm on the Public Test Realm (PTR), featuring substantial hero adjustments, new additions to Same Hero Mode, balance updates, bug fixes, and more. Alongside these changes, Blizzard also included bug fixes and improvements aimed at enhancing the overall game experience.

Heroes of the Storm is a MOBA game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. Players command powerful heroes from various Blizzard franchises like Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft, engaging in fast-paced team-based combat across diverse battlegrounds. Each hero possesses unique abilities and roles, contributing to strategic gameplay as teams compete for objectives and aim to destroy the enemy's core. With a focus on teamwork, Heroes of the Storm offers an engaging experience for both casual and competitive players.

One notable change in this Heroes of the Storm PTR update is the reclassification of Varian as a Tank, emphasizing his battlefield role. Additionally, several Heroes of the Storm characters have been added to Same Hero Mode, including Artanis, Hogger, Leoric (currently disabled for Normal Mode), Whitemane, and Zarya. However, Nova and Probius have been removed from Same Hero Mode. The update also brings a range of balance adjustments affecting various other heroes. For example, Arthas receives improvements in health regeneration, maximum health, and the effectiveness of abilities like Death Coil and Frozen Tempest. Similarly, Hogger undergoes adjustments to rage decay rates, talent effects, and skill cooldowns, aiming to fine-tune his gameplay experience.

Other heroes like Junkrat, Rehgar, Yrel, and Alarak receive targeted adjustments to enhance their performance and balance within the game's ecosystem. Furthermore, similar to the previous Heroes of the Storm update released in November, this one includes bug fixes addressing issues ranging from ability interactions to visual effects and user interface improvements. These fixes contribute to a smoother and more polished gameplay experience across various aspects of Heroes of the Storm.

Back in 2022, Blizzard announced the transition of Heroes of the Storm into maintenance mode, discontinuing new content development and focusing solely on basic support such as bug fixes and balance changes. This decision followed earlier downsizing of the Heroes of the Storm team and the discontinuation of esports support.

However, players can still enjoy the game and all its content. To get a firsthand experience of this new update, they can access the Heroes of the Storm PTR. The developers actively encourage players to provide valuable feedback to help refine the game before the changes are rolled out to everyone.

Same Hero Mode

Arthas

Base