Which hero should you choose when starting an Arena on Hearthstone? After this overview of the classes and their specifics, your choice may be easier!
Next content after this ad
The first choice for an Arena player is not a card... but a hero! Each hero is characterized by a Hero Power and a set of class cards. Blizzard did things right because no Hero Power is broken in Hearthstone: all of them are more or less equal and have their own advantages and disadvantages (which we will detail below, be patient!).
However, in Arena the Hero Power is more important than it is in Constructed especially because it is difficult to perfectly play on curve. Another factor that explains the domination of certain classes in Arena is their ability to interact on the opposing board through their Hero Power. The Mage can finish opposing minions, the Priest can heal his own... While the Hunter cannot affect the board with his power.
Concerning the range of cards available for each hero, this is where the problem lies. Some classes are much better off than others. But to begin with, let's talk about a sort of Tier List. We will give explanations of the why and how below.
The last balances of the Arena mode have been studied so that the nine classes are at 50% winrate. Obviously, this cannot last forever and some classes stand out, upwards or downwards.
Tier 1
Pretty solid in earlygame
Very practical and effective Hero Power
Good removals
Good to regain tempo
Combos depending on mana
Very sensitive to aggressive classes
Big lack of good AoEs
Minions are often resilient or effective on the board
Useful Hero Power in certain situations
Allows an aggressive game plan
Few hard removals and AoEs
Very hard to get back on the board once lost
Hero Power that doesn't impact the board
Tier 2
Very versatile class
Very effective AoEs
Will win many games at the value
Powerful Hero Power
Many reactive and non-proactive spells
Bad class minions
Many AoEs, in early or lategame
Some interesting hard removals
Best Hero Power of the game
A good early board plug
Need to know how to measure the damage you do to yourself
Many class cards are useless
AoEs that often damage everyone
Many good potential buffs
Decent minions in earlygame
Good anti-aggro tools
Buffs require a board
Lack of hard removals
Almost impossible to get the board back once it is lost
Tier 3
Hero Power insane when you have the board
Quality removals in quantity
Very resilient minions
Useless Hero Power without the board
Many useless and situational spells
Weapons generate an insane value
A decent earlygame
Many anti-aggro tools
Useless Hero Power
Without weapons in your draft, you will do nothing good
Dean Ayala — Lead Card Designer for Hearthstone — answered a few questions on Reddit and revealed at the same moment how the Arena will work in the upcoming patch 15.4.
