Hearthstone’s been in beta for a little over a month and Blizzard are ready to release the first major balance patch.
“We knew going into the beta that a number of cards were likely to emerge as overpowered and we also knew that we‘d make significant adjustments to the reward system and overall game progression,” writes Blizzard’s community manager Christina Sims, explaining that this update will bring with it an account wipe.
“At the start of the beta, we mentioned that we would reset information at some point, wiping all progress and cards in the process. We built this into our plan as we knew going into the beta that a number of cards were likely to emerge as overpowered and we also knew that we‘d make significant adjustments to the reward system and overall game progression. So, as part of the effort to level the playing field and also prepare our players’ accounts for the release version of our progression system, we made the decision to schedule a one-time wipe of all beta participant accounts. We have just about reached the point in closed beta where we’ll be doing this wipe.”
Players will lose all their progress, cards, and rankings. If players have bought cards then the amount will be refunded with in-game gold. “You will be able to repurchase the same number of packs and Arena tickets you bought previously without additional investment,” explain Blizzard. Though, as the booster packs’ contents is random, you’re very unlikely to get the same same cards again.
This wipe appears to be a one time thing. Blizzard say they “don’t anticipate any further wipes.”
The contents of the update haven’t been revealed yet but will be soon.