Hearthstone might look like a simple card game, but there is a fully-fledged esports scene for the game. Thanks to Blizzard Entertainment’s support, players can earn thousands of dollars playing this game competitively. The game might seem complex, but that has not prevented newcomers from picking up and enjoying it.
Look no further if you are a new Hearthstone player and wish to learn how the game works. The rules boil down to several fundamental points. Once you understand them, you can refine your skills and knowledge to get stronger eventually.
The Board
Hearthstone is played on a board, where both you and the opponent draw cards to defeat the other.
Both players have a hand, with up to 10 cards to choose from. You will have to find a way to fulfill the conditions and play crucial cards. Glowing cards are deployable, while no glow means you must choose another.
You also have a Hero who represents your main health pool. The Hero has a unique Hero Power and Weapon, making Hero choice essential knowledge.
Playing cards costs Mana Crystals, and you get up to 10 of them. They replenish per turn, and it is imperative to choose your actions wisely.
Playing cards will summon minions to fight for you, as your Weapon can break with too many uses. Most combat is between minions and your opponent’s minions, except when your minions attack the opponent’s Hero.
To the right of the screen is your deck, and it holds 30 cards. You can customize your deck in between rounds and during your free time. You will keep drawing until the game ends or you run out.
Your First Hearthstone Match
Every time a match starts, the game flips a coin to decide who goes first. After that, each player will get three or four cards from their deck. The latter number applies to whoever goes second.
These drawn cards can be kept or replaced with other cards in the deck, selected randomly. The player going second will also get The Coin, a card that grants them an extra full Mana Crystal until the deployment turn.
Each turn, players get one card added to their hands. However, going beyond the limit of 10 in one hand results in the drawn card being milled or destroyed. Both players get to see what card it was before the deed is done.
Mana Crystals also regenerate per turn, and the longer the match lasts, the more crystals a player can have.
When you highlight a card to view its effects and stats, opponents will get to see it glow red. You can also use this to read your opponent’s moves, potentially countering whatever they intend to play.
Players who exhaust all options or wish to end their turn can click on the “End Turn” button.
Players can not play in turn forever, though. The game implements a timer for 75 seconds per round. Animations do not count, as it would be unfair for long-lasting animated cards to consume time.
When a player runs out of cards, attempting to draw will result in the Fatigue status. It deals one damage initially, but the damage increases by one with every turn.
End of a Match
Match losses occur when a player is defeated or concedes the game. Occasionally, draws occur, but they are not as common. In Ranked mode, draws do not affect Stars, and Arena mode does not count draws as a win or loss.
However, draws end winning streaks. This occurrence is natural, as it is neither winning nor losing. If winning streaks are important, you will have to start a new one if a match ends in a draw.
Strategy and Cunning
Hearthstone is a battle of wits, along with a side of luck. Players will have to outsmart the other and employ strategies to win. Without a plan, players will lose games from carelessness and unwise decisions.
What type of deck do you play within Hearthstone? What is your longest streak? Please tell us in the comments section.
