#378 - Into the Nexus: “Building a Better Blaze”
• Garrett • Kyle • NotParadox or Guest
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Intro: Welcome to Into the Nexus! The Heroes of the Storm podcast!
Balance time! Delivered fresh from the devs. Garrett and Kyle walk you through all the changes which are already live inside your game! Blaze, Garrosh, Muradin, Stitches, Imperius, Anduin, Raynor, Valla, Johanna and Orphea. But wait, where is Stukov? Well the infested man is out for the weekend due to bugs. Stay tuned and find out more.
Buffs
- Blaze
- Garroshed
- Muradin
- Stitches
- Imperius
- Anduin
- Raynor
Nerfs
- Valla Easy Mode
Unknown / Bad Talent Buffs
- Johanna
- Orphea
Depends who you ask
- Stukov
Patreon Mention: Patreon.com/ITN
Thanks to our Patreon producers Declan H, CheezyBob, Chris K, Shawn B, & Mike R!
Patron Thanks Doc for keeping track
Breaking News: Stukov Disabled this weekend:
PezRadar: Thanks for all the feedback regarding some of the bugs that came up from this latest balance patch. The team is working on a hotfix for next week, but we did want to note that we have disabled Stukov for this weekend in all forms of play due to some of his bugs that could possibly impact the quality of matches over the weekend.
We will provide an update on timing of the hotfix once we get closer to deployment. We will miss you for a few days our mangled armed Vice Admiral.
News
Balance: General
Loan Talents have been renamed to Gambit Talents.
Emailer Wes: “gamble talents”
Balance: Tanks
Blaze
Developer Comment: Crossfire has always been a wildly popular talent, so we’re bringing it baseline. With this early addition of damage, we’re comfortable pushing back his damage talent tier and swapping it with his impactful tanking talents.
Flame Stream [Q]
- Additionality functionality: Hitting an enemy with both streams of Flame Stream deals 120 damage. This additional hit triggers Flame Stream’s Pyromania cooldown reduction.
- Crossfire baked in
- Big buff to Blaze lane clear
- Bonus damage when hitting an enemy with both flame streams
Level 1 - New Habits [D]
Pyromania cooldown reduction from Regeneration Globes reduced from 8 to 6 seconds.
Level 13 and 7 swapped.
Level 7 - Suppressive Fire [Q]
- Moved from Level 13.
Level 7 - Nanomachine Coating [W]
- Moved from Level 13.
Level 7 - Fuel Leak [E] Very popular
- Moved from Level 13.
Level 13 - Grill and Kill [W] - Worse Popular
- Moved from Level 7.
- Changed functionality: Ignited Oil Spill damage bonus now granted instantly.
- Ignited Oil Spill damage bonus increased from 35% to 45%.
- Hero hits for quest completion reduced from 60 to 30.
- Quest Reward Ignite duration increased from 2 to 2.5 seconds.
Level 13 - Adhesive Petroleum [W] - Better Decent pickrate
- Moved from Level 7.
- Additional functionality: Enemies standing in Oil Spill when its Ignited take 35% more Basic Attack damage from Blaze for 3 seconds.
Level 13 - (New) Collision Course [E] - 628 damage total at 13. Only first target hit.
- Jet Propulsion deals an additional 325 damage to its collision target.
Garrosh
Developer Comment: Into the Fray has become a crucial part of what is expected from Garrosh, so we’re just giving in to the mad Warchief. We’re also mildly lowering the power of his level 7 talents to make up for this addition.
Into the Fray [Active] - Now baseline 1 button Had an almost 80% pickrate
- Moved from Level 7.
- Armor reduced from 25 to 20.
Level 7 - Intimidation [Q]
- Attack Speed reduction reduced from 40% to 30%.
Level 7 - Oppressor [W]
- Changed from a Passive talent to a Bloodthirst [W] talent.
- Spell Power reduction reduced from 40% to 30%.
- Additional functionality: Bloodthirst also applies the Spell Power reduction.
- Tournament players really like spell reduction for enemy healers.
Level 7 - (New) Lok-tar Ogar! [Active]
- Increase Into the Fray Armor by 20.
- Into the Fray’s cooldown is reduced by 12 seconds for each enemy Hero hit.
Johanna
Developer Comment: Hold Your Ground’s talent tier has some competitive options, but it still feels more necessary than we’d like. We’re baking in some of its benefits, and those who love the talent will still have its current power - Hold Your Ground’s shield is increasing from 1078.4 to 1134. Johanna has landed fairly well, so we’re also lightly helping some of her weaker talents.
Iron Skin [D]
- Shield increased from 674 to 810.
Level 4 - Hold Your Ground [D] 62% pickrate
- Shield percent increase reduced from 60% to 40%.
- 2019-05-22: 50% - 60%
- 2019-01-23: 30% - 50%
- 2017-10-11: 20% - 30%
- 2017-09-26: Moved from 13
Level 7 - Sins Exposed [Q] Low winrate 45%
- Healing reduction increased from 25% to 35%.
- Still tough until 40% or Spell Power.
Level 7 - Steed Charge [D] Low winrate 46%
- Cooldown reduced from 30 to 20 seconds.
- Conviction is the only positive winrate Lv.7
Level 10 - Falling Sword [R1]
- Damage Increased from 150 to 225.
Level 13 - Holy Fury [Passive]
- Periodic damage increased from 12 to 15.
Muradin
Developer Comment: We have never been really happy with Storm Bolt having a baseline quest as it causes players to play sub-optimally during the early portions of the game while stacking. Instead of removing the power of it, we have decided to automatically unlock its functionality when Muradin hits level 10. Alongside this change, we also took the opportunity to redesign Perfect Storm to reward both aggression and the proper use of Storm Bolt.
Storm Bolt [Q]
- Adjusted functionality: No longer has a baseline Quest. Upon reaching level 10, Storm Bolt pierces an additional target. (Part of the 10 unlock) Basic Attacks reduce the Cooldown of Storm Bolt by 1 second and restore 3 Mana.
- Some weirdness with the dings and bugs tied to.
- Original quest is still on the tab screen.
Level 1 - Perfect Storm [Q]
- New functionality:
- Quest: Basic Attacks against enemy Heroes increase Storm Bolt’s damage by .5.
- Quest: If an enemy Hero is killed within 3 seconds of being hit by a Storm Bolt, increase Storm Bolt’s damage by 10.
- Bug grants the pierce early at 25 stacks, but useless as it would be too hard to do by 10 anyway.
- Sledgehammer rewards old “stacks” but is also too hard to get by 10 anyway.
Stitches
Developer Comment: Stitches is successfully lumbering his way through the Nexus in his own way – with a massive health pool and lots of healing. We think a small reduction on both ends will be healthy without tripping him up. We’re also reducing his Hook cooldown reduction on both Serrated Edge and Master Hooker, so Stitches will have to work harder to play with his food.
51% WR and climbing atm.
Vile Gas [D]
- Duration increased from 3 to 4 seconds.
- Buff to every gas talent
- Patchwork Creation Buff
Level 1 - Hungry For More [Passive]
- Maximum Health bonus reduced from 30 to 25.
Level 4 - Playtime! [W]
- Slam Inner Area cooldown reduction increased from 1 to 1.5 seconds.
- 10 second clear
Level 4 - Vile Cleaver [D]
- Additional functionality: Slam applies Vile Gas to all targets hit.
- 9 second clear
Level 4 - Tenderizer [Passive]
- Healing reduced from 2% to 1.75%.
Level 7 - Serrated Edge [Q]
- Hook cooldown reduction reduced from 5 to 4 seconds.
Level 7 - Putrefaction [Trait]
- Healing reduction increased from 30% to 40%.
- Vile Gas healing increased from 60% to 75%.
- Big buff with duration included
Level 13 - Meat Hook [Q]
- Healing per second reduced from 5% to 4%.
- Duration increased from 4 to 5 seconds.
Level 13 - Chop Chop [Q/Trait]
- Duration reduced from 5 to 4 seconds.
- Attack Speed bonus reduced from 50% to 40%.
- Additional functionality: Basic Attacks against Heroes refresh the duration.
Level 16 - Digestive Juices [E]
- Devour cooldown reduction reduced from 5 to 4 seconds.
- Damage reduction duration reduced from 5 to 4 seconds.
Level 20 - Hungry Hungry Stitches [R2] Lowest winrate at 20
- Additional functionality: Heroes are Slowed by 75% for 1 second after Gorge ends.
- Big Buff!
Level 20 - Master Hooker [Q] Most-picked / tied for highest WR with Embalmer
- Hook cooldown reduction reduced from 5 to 4 seconds.
- Healing reduction reduced from 100% to 75%.
- The pro pick
Balance: Bruiser
Imperius
Thought for a half second, Flash of Anger baked in?
Developer Comment: Flash of Anger has overshadowed Imperius’ other level 7 talents for a while, as it was the premier option for both AoE damage and survivability. With buffs to both Blaze of Glory and Holy Fervor, along with a sizable increase in base power, we hope to see more Imperius action.
Flash of Anger currently has an almost 80% pickrate.
Basic Attack
- Damage increased from 122 to 126.
Solarion’s Fire [W]
- Damage increased from 100 to 110.
Level 4 - Battle Hunger [Trait]
- Bonus healing increased from 70% to 80%.
- Tough to compete with armor
Level 7 - Blaze of Glory [W]
- Damage increased from 150 to 185.
Level 7 - Holy Fervor [Active]
- Additional functionality: Casting Molten Armor grants Holy Fervor for 2 Basic Attacks.
- Big double soak potential. 75 mana though. Expensive.
- Up against Flash of Anger
Level 20 - Unrelenting Descend [R2]
- Additional functionality: Descending from the Heavens restores Imperius for 30% of his maximum Health and Mana.
Balance: Healer
Anduin - All buffs!
Developer Comment: Anduin is performing a little lower than we’d like, so we’re buffing his base power as well as his under-picked talents. Players have asked for Inner Focus, so we’re returning it with a slightly different flavor – please let us know how this feels to play with.
Level 1 - Evenhanded Blessings [Q]
- Healing bonus increased from 10 to 15%.
Level 1 - Lightwell [Active]
- Cooldown reduced from 80 to 75 seconds.
- Individual healing cooldown reduced from 1 to .875 seconds.
Level 4 - Surge of Light [E]
- Cooldown reduction increased from .5 to .75 seconds.
Level 7 - Binding Heal [Q]
- Healing increased from 115 to 135.
Level 7 - Desperate Prayer [Active]
- Cooldown reduced from 40 to 35 seconds.
- Healing increased from 360 to 375.
Level 16 - Renew [Q]
- Healing per second increased from 26 to 30.
- Duration increased from 5 to 6 seconds.
Level 16 - (New) Inner Focus [Active]
- New functionality:
- Activate to reset the cooldown of Flash Heal and its next cast heals for 25% more.
- Damaging enemy Heroes reduces this cooldown by 1 second.
- 20 second cooldown.
Brightwing
Developer Comment: We’d prefer a Brightwing that isn’t as dependent on Hyper Shift, so we’re reducing its cooldown reduction alongside Phase Shift’s base cooldown. While we’re here we’re sprucing up Brightwing’s level 20 talents, so Brightwing is ready for some new friends!
Soothing Mist [D]
- Healing increased from 105 to 115. [+9.5%]
- Cooldown reduced from 100 to 90 seconds.
Phase Shift [Z]
- Cooldown reduced from 50 to 40 seconds.
Level 1 - Hyper Shift [Z]
- Cooldown reduction reduced from 1.5 to 1 second.
- Old - 10.5 seconds
- Now 7 seconds
- Basically the same given new Phase Shift Cooldown.
Level 7 - Peekaboo! [Z]
- Shield duration reduced from 5 to 4 seconds.
Level 7 - Critical Mist [D]
- Heal bonus increased from 100% to 140%.
- Reaching a point where you get more healing than the CC damage that caused it. Like Stukov Superstrain
Level 13 - Pixie Boost [E]
- Initial Move Speed bonus increased from 40% to 50%.
Level 20 - Intensive Winds [R2]
- Changed functionality: No longer increases Emerald Winds’ Mana cost.
- No more mana cost increase
Level 20 - Faerie Protector [Active]
- Additional functionality: [Passive] - Pixie Dust always bounces back and applies to Brightwing.
- On top of:: Activate to apply Pixie Dust to all nearby Heroes.
Level 20 - Speedy Dragon [Passive]
- Additional functionality: Reduce Phase Shift’s cast time to 1 second.
- On top of: Permanently gain 20% Movement Speed.
Cool 20 stuff
Stukov (Disabled for the weekend)
Developer Comment: Stukov had a couple of fun talents that were being overshadowed by stronger and/or more synergistic ones. We didn't want to lose their flavor, so we baked their current functionality into existing talents that were in need of a little love themselves.
CM PezRadar posted to r/heroesofthestorm
Thanks for all the feedback regarding some of the bugs that came up from this latest balance patch. The team is working on a hotfix for next week, but we did want to note that we have disabled Stukov for this weekend in all forms of play due to some of his bugs that could possibly impact the quality of matches over the weekend.
We will provide an update on timing of the hotfix once we get closer to deployment. We will miss you for a few days our mangled armed Vice Admiral.
Level 1 - Fetid Touch [W]
- Additional functionality: Basic Attacks become ranged and Slow enemies by 15% for 1.5 seconds but deal 50% less damage.
- Bug: Fancy ranged animation lost
- Level 1 - Spine Launcher [Passive]
- Removed.
Level 1 - Reactive Ballistospores [Active]
- Adjusted functionality:
- Activate: Instantly spread a Weighted Pustule to all nearby enemy Heroes (60 Second cooldown).
- Passive: While below 50% maximum Health, Bio Kill-Switch cooldown refreshes 150% faster.
- Big buff to main tank Stukov. Now controllable rather than “please target me”.
Level 1 - Low Blow [E]
- Additional functionality: Lurking Arm persists for an additional 1 second after it is cancelled.
- Shorter than old 13 lingering
Level 4 - Biotic Armor [Q]
- Physical Armor from activating Bio-Kill Switch from 75 to 50.
Level 7 - Targeted Excision [D]
- Activating Bio Kill-Switch while exactly 1 enemy Hero is affected by Weighted Pustule now sets your Bio Kill-Switch to 8 seconds instead of 5.
Level 13 - Lingering Spines [E]
- Removed.
Level 13 - Virulent Reaction [D]
- Root duration from 2 to 1.5 seconds.
Balance: Ranged Assassin
Orphea
Developer Comment: Orphea players have correctly recognized the power of both Ancestral Strength (level 1) and Eldritch Conduit (level 20). Therefore, we’re buffing their competitors and seeing what happens.
Level 1 - En Pointe [Q]
- Additional functionality: Hitting Heroes with the end of Shadow Waltz grants an additional 1 Chaos.
Level 1 - Growing Nightmare [E]
- Changed functionality: Initial damage bonus changed from Dread’s eruption to both Dread's wave and eruption.
- Initial damage bonus increased from 40% to 50%.
- Quest reward damage bonus increased from 25% to 50%.
Both are fighting Ancestral Strength
Level 20 - Monster Within [R1]
- Additional functionality: Cooldown reduction continues for 5 seconds after Eternal Feast ends.
Level 20 - Engulfing Oblivion [R2]
- Armor reduction increased from 25 to 50.
- Fighting Eldritch Conduit
Level 20 - Final Toccata [Active]
- Duration reduced from 6 to 5 seconds.
- Additional functionality: Dashing increases Final Toccata’s duration by 1 second.
Raynor
Developer Comment: Jimmy ain’t fought his last battle yet. We’re returning Ace in the Hole to its original functionality, mostly in response to player sentiment, but also to open up a Basic Attack build that isn’t Gambit dependent. As always, thanks for your feedback! We have decided to remove Execute Orders from ARAMs, as we think even a less powerful version is still not healthy for the game mode.
Basic Attack
- Damage increased from 92 to 98.
Penetrating Round [Q]
- Damage increased from 190 to 205.
Level 1 - Ace in the Hole [Trait]
- Talent changed from [Q] to [Trait].
- Changed functionality: Damage bonus now affects all Raynor’s damage. to heroes
- Damage bonus reduced from 25% to 10%.
- Still slows 10% for 2.5 sec
- Was previously 15%, down from 30% in 2018
- 50 stacks of Veteran Marksmen needed to compete.
Level 20 - Execute Orders [Passive]
- Execute Orders is no longer able to be picked in ARAM games.
- Currently bugged, still in ARAM
Valla
Developer Comment: Valla is still settling into her place in the Nexus, but it’s been clear that her Multishot is hitting too hard. We’re heavily reducing Fire At Will’s ability to scale, while giving it an early push of damage.
Puncturing Arrow [Q]
- Damage bonus per initial Hero hit increased from 6 to 7.
Fire At Will [W]
- Damage bonus per Hero hit decreased from 4 to 2.
- Additional functionality:
- Quest: After hitting 20 Heroes, gain 40 additional Multishot damage.
- Quest still uncapped
Links
Bug Fixes:
Anduin
- Renew's effect is no longer lost by dying.
- Moral Compass's range bonus is no longer lost by dying.
Johanna
- Falling Sword no longer impacts enemy Heroes twice.
Lúcio
- Mixing Fire's cooldown reduction has been updated to match its tooltip.
Malfurion
- Serenity no longer increases Tranquility's duration.
- Serenity's tooltip has been updated to match its increased healing.
Ragnaros
- Meteor Bomb's bonus damage is no longer lost by dying.
Links
Breakdown
Buffs
- Blaze
- Garroshed
- Muradin
- Stitches
- Imperius
- Anduin
- Raynor
Nerfs
- Valla Easy Mode
Unknown / Bad Talent Buffs
- Johanna
- Orphea
Depends who you ask
- Stukov
Kagitaar: would a regular speed boost feel better? Is the mount portion the feels bad?
Outro
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