Hearthstone Patch 33.6 — Full Update Breakdown

Patch 33.6 in Hearthstone marks a major step toward the release of the new expansion Across the Timeways, scheduled for November 4. The update introduces pre-purchase bundles, an in-game event with rewards, free cards and hero skins, as well as a massive Battlegrounds overhaul. Developers focused on the return of Buddies, hero reworks, and the gradual reintroduction of Anomalies.

New Expansion: Across the Timeways

The highlight of the patch is the preparation for the Across the Timeways expansion. It will add 145 new collectible cards, featuring Legendary Fabled minions and the new keyword Rewind, which allows effects to be repeated or “rewound.” Pre-orders are already available, with full details provided in the official developer blog.

Free Cards and Store Rewards

Blizzard prepared several gifts for players. The Legendary card Mister Clocksworth is granted for free upon logging in. Starting from Patch 34.6, however, the conditions will change — the card will instead be awarded upon opening the first Across the Timeways pack. The rare card Portal Vanguard can also be claimed in the store, with two free copies available. It cannot be crafted, disenchanted, or obtained from packs, and its method of acquisition will be updated in future patches.

Event: Chromie’s Chrono Catastrophe!

Alongside the patch, the in-game event Chromie’s Chrono Catastrophe! has launched. Players must “repair” time distortions to earn rewards. These include Across the Timeways packs, copies of Semi-Stable Portal and Storm the Gates, several Tavern Tickets, golden Portal Vanguard copies, and the unique Paladin hero skin Nozdormu the Timeless.

A key addition in this event is Storm the Gates, a new Sidequest card. Unlike Legendary Quests, Sidequests are simpler and quicker to complete, offering more immediate rewards.

Battlegrounds: Buddies, Heroes, and Major Updates

The largest part of Patch 33.6 focuses on Battlegrounds. Buddies are back, more than 40 existing companions have been reworked, many heroes were adjusted, and the armor system has been updated.

Buddies Return

Ten new Buddies have been added, including Fantastic Bellhop for Marin the Manager, Probius for Artanis, Outland Sunbeam for Nobundo, and Tychus Findlay for Raynor. These additions expand strategic variety and open new gameplay combinations.

Reworked Buddies

Several existing Buddies were also rebalanced. Nathanos Blightcaller, Sylvanas’s Buddy, now distributes a sold minion’s stats between adjacent allies, while Glorious Gloopling grants a copy of a teammate’s best minion every two turns. In total, about forty Buddies were changed, significantly affecting overall balance.

Anomalies and Quests

Anomalies will return a little later, giving players time to adapt to the updated Buddy system. The pool will feature fan favorites as well as six brand-new Anomalies. At the same time, Quests are being completely removed from the Tavern, leaving space for Buddies and Sidequests tied to events.

Heroes and Balance Changes

Many heroes received important updates. A. F. Kay now discovers a Tier 3 and Tier 4 minion after skipping two turns. Lord Jaraxxus opens the Nether Portal after allied minions deal 100 damage. Ragnaros gains Sulfuras after purchasing sixteen cards, making his power spike more linear. Some heroes are now restricted to specific lobbies — for example, Cenarius only appears in lobbies with Beasts.

Armor Adjustments

With Buddies returning and Quests removed, hero armor values were recalibrated. Captain Hooktusk now has 11 Armor in standard play and 15 in Duos, while Millhouse Manastorm has 10 and 18 respectively. The full list of changes can be found in the official patch notes.

Darkmoon Faire Treasures Return

From September 29 to October 21, Darkmoon Faire Treasures are once again available with an updated set of rewards. The highlight is the Mythic Hero Skin: Empress Alexstrasza, featuring a 3D portrait, a custom frame, and unique visual effects — Alexstrasza appears on the battlefield when attacking with a weapon, and upon victory, she engulfs the enemy board in inferno flames.

Bug Fixes and Improvements

The patch also addresses a wide range of issues. Notable fixes include correcting a bug where Trust Fall summoned extra minions, resolving improper interactions between certain Battlecry cards and Murmur, and fixing multiple Battlegrounds-related UI and gameplay errors. Additional fixes were applied to achievements, Duos interactions, and other interface elements.

Conclusion

Patch 33.6 is more than just preparation for Across the Timeways — it is a full-scale Battlegrounds update. The return of Buddies, hero reworks, and new balance adjustments make the meta more dynamic and varied. Meanwhile, the Chromie’s Chrono Catastrophe! event, along with free cards and skins, helps players start the new season strong. Developers note that these changes are significant and will continue to monitor balance closely, with further adjustments likely before the expansion’s launch.