Let the same-hero shenanigans begin!

The latest Heroes of the Storm patch notes feature updates to its all-random-all-mid (ARAM) game mode. It's now possible for Heroes of the Storm ARAM players to all become Leoric, Hogger, Artanis, and more.

Heroes of the Storm patch updates ARAM mode (Image via esports.gg)
Heroes of the Storm patch updates ARAM mode (Image via esports.gg)

Heroes of the Storm patch notes May 21, 2024

The latest Heroes of the Storm patch is now live. It features updates to ARAM, balance, playable characters, and bug fixes. Additionally, Varian is now classified as a tank hero.

Varian in Heroes of the Storm (Image via esports.gg)
Varian in Heroes of the Storm (Image via esports.gg)

Heroes of the Storm ARAM updates same-hero mode

It's not quite the dream of having an ARAM match with everyone as Abathur, but the newest Heroes of the Storm patch features a bunch of same-hero additions. These include the aforementioned Leoric, Hogger, and Artanis for crowd control and movement shenanigans. Whitemane and Zarya are in this particular ARAM pool as well. Meanwhile, Nova and Probius are no longer available in the same-hero mode. Note that Leoric is still disabled for ARAM's normal mode.

ARAM's same-hero mode featuring every player as Li-Ming (Image via esports.gg)
ARAM's same-hero mode featuring every player as Li-Ming (Image via esports.gg)

Balance and hero updates

In terms of balance changes, they involve heroes Hogger himself, Arthas, Junkrat, Rehgar, and Yrel. Meanwhile, hero updates pertain to Alarak, Ana, Auriel, Blaze, Chromie, Deathwing, D.Va, Garrosh, Gul'dan, Hanzo, Johanna, and so much more.

Garrosh in Heroes of the Storm (Image via esports.gg)
Garrosh in Heroes of the Storm (Image via esports.gg)

Below is a table that goes over the balance updates, as provided by Blizzard. Blizzard's official post goes over the slew of the hero updates as well.

Hero
Category
Heroes of the Storm Update
ArthasBaseHealth regeneration increased from 5.957 to 6.208.
BaseMaximum health increased from 2,860 to 2,980.
QDeath Coil [Q]: Healing increased from 262 to 285.
EFrozen Tempest [E]: Mana cost per second reduced from 13 to 11.
Level 13 TalentBiting Cold [E]: Damage increase is now additive.
Level 16 TalentEmbrace Death [Q]: Now grants an additive bonus to Death Coil's damage.
HoggerBaseRage decay rate increased from 10 per second to 13 per second.
Level 1 TalentOn the Prowl [Active]: Activating On the Prowl now prevents Rage decay instantly.

Cooldown increased from 40 seconds to 45 seconds. Healing per second reduced from 8 to 7.
Level 4 TalentBrute Force [Q]: Damage bonus when enemy heroes hit terrain reduced from 8 to 6.
Level 13 TalentDust Devil [E]: Duration increased from 3 seconds to 4 seconds. Sub-50 rage armor increased from 20 to 25.

Pummel [E]: Spellpower reduction reduced from 50% to 30%.
JunkratBaseSteel Trap [E]: Cooldown increased from 12 seconds to 15 seconds.
Level 1 TalentExtra-Wound Timers [Q]: Damage bonus reduced from 120% to 100%.
Level 7 TalentDirty Trickster [D]: Cooldown increased from 12 seconds to 20 seconds.
RehgarBaseBasic Attack: Damage reduced from 115 to 110. Ghost Wolf Basic Attack bonus decreased from 75% to 60%.

Lightning Shield [W]: Mana restored per enemy hit reduced from 2 to 1.
Level 1 TalentStormcaller [W]: Maximum stacks reduced from 300 to 200.
Level 7 TalentBlood and Thunder [D]: Mana restoration reduced from 5% of max mana to 4% of max mana.

Grounded Totem [E]: Attack speed slow reduced from 25% to 15%.
Level 16 TalentEarthgrasp Totem [E]: Damage reduced from 115 to 90.
YrelLevel 1 TalentMaraad's Insight [Passive]: Healing increased from 140 to 160.
Level 4 TalentAegis of Light [E]: Armor bonus increased from 30 to 40. Duration increased from 4 seconds to 5 seconds.
Level 10 TalentSacred Ground [R2]: Cooldown reduced from 40 seconds to 25 seconds. Mana cost removed.
Level 16 TalentTemplar's Verdict [W]: Armor reduction reduced from 20 to 15. Percent damage reduced from 7% to 6%.

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