Introduction
If there’s a more reliable way to win back gamers, I can’t think of a better one than free stuff. Last month, following a meltdown about the lack of a new board to accompany the latest Hearthstone expansion, Blizzard felt compelled to issue a statement denying that the game was winding down. They further teased that pets are in development, which is likely the second-best method of player appeasement.
Free Golden Harth Stonebrew Card
Today, Blizzard has taken another significant step in regaining goodwill by offering free items. Upon logging in to Hearthstone, players receive a notification that a golden Harth Stonebrew card is available for free from the shop. According to an accompanying post by Blizzard, this offer will be available until August 28. Over the rest of the month, players will also be able to snag one golden and two normal Perils in Paradise card packs for free.
The Relevance and Utility of Harth Stonebrew
Harth Stonebrew is a fun card that has seen a decent amount of play, although it does not dominate the meta. The card’s text reads: “Battlecry: Replace your hand with an iconic one from Hearthstone’s past. (Once per game.)” When played, Stonebrew swaps the cards in your hand with highly-synergistic cards from one of the best decks in Hearthstone history. This makes it an alternative win condition, suitable for players in a pinch. The nostalgia factor is also significant, allowing players to revisit classic decks that have since rotated to wild.
— Hearthstone (@PlayHearthstone) August 1, 2024
Community Reactions and Influences
The normal version of Stonebrew was given away in February during the game’s 10th anniversary celebrations. However, the golden copy was missing, which led to some discontent within the community. This might have been prompted by a vocal content creator named Zeddy, who suggested on social media that Blizzard should offer the golden version for free to gain goodwill. Interestingly, Blizzard’s official account responded positively to this suggestion, showing a humorous yet effective interaction with one of its critics.
Conclusion
For players who already own a golden version of Harth Stonebrew, Blizzard is compensating with 1,000 runestones, the in-game currency. This decision underscores Blizzard’s efforts to maintain balance and fairness in its rewards, hopefully restoring some of the community’s faith in the game’s direction.