Ending a Hearthstone game early by creating a big Edwin VanCleef has been a hallmark of the Rogue class since the game's inception. But somehow this legendary card has dodged nerfs like Neo dodging bullets in the Matrix. And today, the nerf finally happens: Blizzard is implementing a balance update to Hearthstone, nerfing both Van Cleef and the Shaman's weapon, Bogus Pine Knuckle. Meanwhile, Battlegrounds will adjust another overperformer.

This is a small patch, but clearly one that Blizzard felt was necessary to keep both modes healthy. Let's move on to the notes:

Edwin VanCleef

Over the past few weeks, Edwin has been the best performing individual card to date (the highest winning card in multiple Rogue archetypes). ), along with cards like "Foxy Fraud" and "Shadowstep", the frequency of early 8/8 and 10/10 "Edwin VanCleef" has reached a point where we are no longer comfortable. Without this very powerful Edwin, we will want to evaluate how the rest of Rogue's kit works, as cards like Foxy Fraud, Swindle, and Bounty Hunting Looter are important pieces to future expansions and card interactions, We will keep an eye on how they perform with the influx of new cards and Edwin's nerf.

[Updated] According to a tweet from Senior Game Designer Alex Dawson, Blizzard will be removing Edwin from Standard entirely later this year. According to Dawson, if you want a full refund for the card's dust, you should disenchant it during the current window.

"Bogspine Knuckle"

Reducing the attack power of "Bogspine Knuckle" is to reduce the fluidity of "Evolve Shaman," increase the investment required to play a 5 mana weapon without "Dread Corsair," and the overall damage this deck can produce with multiple weapon charges. This is to reduce the damage output. This change should reduce the amount of explosive plays available to Evolve Shaman and create a healthier meta overall.

Elistra the Immortal

As is customary with updates, several fixes were also made: a bug that prevented Infinite Toki's Temporal Portal Tavern from functioning properly when using "New Darkmoon Award" was fixed; "Bob's Tavern The bug where "Isela's Dreaming Gates" would not provide a dragon if the "Dreaming Gates" was full has also been fixed.

As always, Edwin VanCleef and Boggspine Knuckles cards will be eligible for a full refund of dust for two weeks after the update is implemented. Exact delivery times have not been announced, but are expected later today.