Heroes of the Storm Bringing Back Popular Game Mode

Heroes of the Storm is resurrecting its popular Heroes Brawl mode as "Brawl Mode," bringing back a trove of discontinued maps and unique challenges after a five-year hiatus. This revamped mode, currently playable on the Public Test Realm (PTR), introduces bi-weekly rotating challenges and rewards players with a special chest for completing three matches.

The original Heroes Brawl, initially launched as Arena Mode in 2016, offered weekly rotating gameplay twists, including modified maps, objectives, and unusual rulesets. Examples included all-Nova sniper battles, Arena-style versions of existing battlefields, and the PvE Escape from Braxis mission. However, due to the rising preference for single-lane maps and maintenance difficulties, it was replaced by ARAM in 2020.

Brawl Mode's revival on the PTR includes a holiday-themed "Snow Brawl" as its initial offering. The mode will officially launch with the next patch, anticipated within a month, likely coinciding with the beginning of February, given the PTR's three-week testing period. Each Brawl will rotate bi-weekly, on the 1st and 15th of the month. The reward system for the special chest (single reward per Brawl or multiple per week) is yet to be confirmed. With over two dozen past Brawls, players can expect many favorites to return, along with potential new additions.

The return of Heroes Brawl is particularly significant, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Heroes of the Storm on June 2nd, 2025, and fueling speculation about a potential full-scale revival of the game.

The January 6th, 2025 Heroes of the Storm PTR patch notes detail the addition of Brawl Mode, along with other updates:

Heroes of the Storm PTR Patch Notes (January 6, 2025)

• General: Updated Homescreen and Startup Music. NEW: Brawl Mode added! Brawls rotate on the 1st and 15th of each month.
• Balance Updates: Significant balance changes for Auriel, Chromie, Johanna, Tracer, and Zul'jin, including talent adjustments and base stat modifications (detailed in the original notes).
• Bug Fixes: Numerous bug fixes across various aspects of the game, including experience globe pathing, visual effects, slow effects, and specific hero issues (detailed in the original notes).

This updated Brawl Mode offers a welcome return for fans, injecting fresh excitement into the Heroes of the Storm experience.