Battlecry

Battlecry
Does something when you play it from your hand.

Battlecry is an ability where a particular effect activates when the card with the Battlecry is played directly from the hand. Although mostly limited to minions, some weapons also have Battlecries.

Activation of Battlecries are indicated by a flash of light from beneath the minion or weapon.

Battlecries are and long have been the most common type of ability in Hearthstone, representing the simplest way for a minion to bring an additional effect into play, and featuring a large variety of different effects.

Notes

• Battlecries do not activate if the card is brought into play by another card. For example, Alarm-o-Bot, Faceless Manipulator and Mirror Entity all place minions onto the board, but any Battlecries will not be activated.
• Battlecries generally occur once, when the card is brought into play. Unlike some other buffs, these effects do not therefore rely on the casting minion staying alive, and cannot be removed by destroying it. For example, destroying Stormwind Champion will remove its bonus effect from any affected minions, whereas Shattered Sun Cleric's Battlecry, once granted, will not be removed by killing the Cleric. This means Battlecry minions are generally some of the less valuable minions once they have been played, since much of their point value lies in their Battlecry.
• Order of play can be important. For example, if no other Murlocs are in play, playing Coldlight Seer, followed by Bluegill Warrior, will waste the Seer's Battlecry; while playing the Warrior first will allow it to benefit from the Seer's Battlecry.
• Battlecries take place each time the minion is played by the player. Cards such as Ancient Brewmaster, which return a minion to your hand, can be used to benefit from a minion's Battlecry effect more than once.
• Choose One and Combo effects on minions are not considered Battlecries. In particular, they have no interaction with Brann Bronzebeard, Shudderwock, or Corrupt the Waters.

Targeting

• If a Battlecry requires a specific target, that target must be selected immediately after playing the minion. Many Battlecries require a specific type of target, such as a friendly minion or Beast, and cannot be targeted at other targets.
• If a suitable target exists, the player must manually select it, even if there is no alternative target.
• If no suitable target is available, the Battlecry simply will not occur.
• While many Battlecries affect the Battlecry minion itself, targeted Battlecries cannot choose to target the possessing minion.
• An appropriate target must be selected, if possible. In some cases, this means granting an advantageous buff to an enemy minion, or inconveniencing a friendly minion. This can be circumvented by careful assessment and control of the minions on the board, but is otherwise unavoidable. If no valid target exists, the Battlecry will not take effect, although any visual-audio effects will still be triggered.
• While choosing a target, the player can choose to cancel the Battlecry. Doing so will actually reverse the summoning of the minion (which process has not actually occurred at that point, despite the display), something which is not normally possible. Note that if the Battlecry is unable to find a suitable target it will not activate, meaning the player will not get the chance to reverse the summoning.

Order of play

• Battlecries occur after the minion enters play, and after 'whenever you play' triggered effects such as those of Illidan Stormrage and Hobgoblin. Battlecries occur before Secrets such as Mirror Entity, as well as Knife Juggler's 'after you summon' effect. In the past, Battlecries took place before certain 'whenever you summon' effects, such as Ship's Cannon and Sword of Justice, however these cards have since been changed to say 'after you summon' to keep the wording consistent with the order.
  • For references and a comprehensive description of the summoning process, see that section of the Advanced rulebook.

Strategy

• It is a common strategy for players to use return effects (effects that return a minion to its owner's hand) on their own Battlecry minions in order to benefit from the effect again. Minions such as Ancient Brewmaster, Youthful Brewmaster and Kidnapper, as well as spells such as Shadowstep and Dream, and hostile actions such as Sap, can all be used for this purpose. This type of play is most effective when combined with minions with powerful Battlecries.
• Brann Bronzebeard is the strongest Battlecry-specific synergy in the game, with the ability to activate any Battlecry twice. Note that in some cases this produces no significant extra effect, while in others the result can be quite undesirable.
• Battlecry minions are often good targets for cost-related transform effects like Evolve and Recombobulator. This is because a positive Battlecry accounts for some of the minion's value, meaning that once the Battlecry has been activated, the remaining minion is often below par for its cost (although this is often untrue for minions with self-buffing Battlecries). Because of this transforming a Battlecry minion has a good chance of producing a stronger or more valuable minion.

Cards with Battlecry

For Wild format listings, see Battlecry/Wild format

The list of cards with Battlecry is quite extensive, and so is not listed visually, but can be explored through the table below. Click "Expand" to see the table. The table will only list the first 100 cards. To see more, click "Customize this list" and change the amount of cards presented.

Collectible

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Name	Class	Type	Rarity	Cost	Atk	HP/Dur.	Armor	Description
Priestess Valishj		Minion	Legendary	0	1	1		Battlecry: Refresh an empty Mana Crystal for each spell    you've cast this turn.@ (@)
Abusive Sergeant		Minion	Common	1	1	1		Battlecry: Give a minion +2 Attack this turn.
Babbling Book		Minion	Rare	1	1	1		Battlecry: Add a random Mage spell to your hand.
Beaming Sidekick		Minion	Common	1	1	2		Battlecry: Give a friendly minion +2 Health.
Bloodsail Deckhand		Minion	Common	1	2	1		Battlecry: The next weapon you play costs (1) less.
Cleric of An'she		Minion	Common	1	1	2		Battlecry: If you've restored Health this turn, Discover a spell from your deck.
Click-Clocker		Minion	Common	1	1	1		Divine Shield. Battlecry: Give a random Mech in your hand +1/+1.
Elven Archer		Minion	Common	1	1	1		Battlecry: Deal 1 damage.
Filletfighter		Minion	Common	1	3	1		Battlecry: Deal 1 damage.
Flame Imp		Minion	Common	1	3	2		Battlecry: Deal 3 damage to your hero.
Ivus, the Forest Lord		Minion	Legendary	1	1	1		Battlecry: Spend the rest of your Mana and gain +2/+2, Rush, Divine Shield, or Taunt at random for each.
Kindling Elemental		Minion	Common	1	1	2		Battlecry: The next Elemental you play costs (1) less.
Knight of Anointment		Minion	Common	1	1	1		Battlecry: Draw a Holy spell.
Metamorfin		Minion	Common	1	1	2		Taunt Battlecry: If you've cast a Fel spell this turn, gain +2/+2.
Psychic Conjurer		Minion	Common	1	1	1		Battlecry: Copy a card in your opponent’s deck and add it to your hand.
Shadowblade Slinger		Minion	Common	1	2	1		Battlecry: If you've taken damage this turn, deal that  much to an enemy minion.
Shattershambler		Minion	Rare	1	1	3		Battlecry: Your next Deathrattle minion costs (1) less, but immediately dies when played.
Shivering Sorceress		Minion	Common	1	2	2		Battlecry: Reduce the Cost of the highest Cost spell in your hand by (1).
Sir Finley Mrrgglton		Minion	Legendary	1	1	3		Battlecry: Discover a new basic Hero Power.
Sir Finley, Sea Guide		Minion	Legendary	1	1	3		Battlecry: Swap your hand with the bottom of your deck.
Springpaw		Minion	Common	1	1	1		Rush Battlecry: Add a 1/1 Lynx with Rush to your hand.
Stockades Guard		Minion	Common	1	1	3		Battlecry: Give a friendly minion Taunt.
Swashburglar		Minion	Common	1	1	1		Battlecry: Add a random card from another class to your hand.
Voodoo Doctor		Minion	Common	1	2	1		Battlecry: Restore 2 Health.
Acidic Swamp Ooze		Minion	Rare	2	3	2		Battlecry: Destroy your opponent's weapon.
Amalgam of the Deep		Minion	Epic	2	2	3		Battlecry: Choose a friendly minion. Discover a minion of the same minion type.
Amplified Snowflurry		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: Your next Hero Power costs (0) and Freezes the target.
Arcanologist		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: Draw a Secret.
Argent Protector		Minion	Common	2	3	2		Battlecry: Give a friendly minion Divine Shield.
Azsharan Scavenger		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: Put a 'Sunken Scavenger' on the bottom of your deck.
Battle Vicar		Minion	Rare	2	1	3		Battlecry: Discover a Holy spell.
Bloodsail Raider		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: Gain Attack equal to the Attack of your weapon.
Clawfury Adept		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: Give all other friendly characters +1 Attack this turn.
Crazed Alchemist		Minion	Rare	2	2	2		Battlecry: Swap the Attack and Health of a minion.
Cruel Taskmaster		Minion	Common	2	2	2		Battlecry: Deal 1 damage to a minion and give it +2 Attack.
Darkshire Librarian		Minion	Rare	2	3	2		Battlecry: Discard a random card. Deathrattle: Draw a card.
Deeprun Engineer		Minion	Common	2	1	2		Battlecry: Discover a Mech. It costs (1) less.
Defias Leper		Minion	Common	2	3	2		Battlecry: If you're holding a Shadow spell, deal 2 damage.
Fogsail Freebooter		Minion	Rare	2	2	2		Battlecry: If you have a weapon equipped, deal 2 damage.
Harbor Scamp		Minion	Common	2	2	2		Battlecry: Draw a Pirate.
Hecklefang Hyena		Minion	Rare	2	2	4		Battlecry: Deal 3 damage to your hero.
Injured Tol'vir		Minion	Common	2	2	6		Taunt Battlecry: Deal 3 damage to this minion.
Jerry Rig Carpenter		Minion	Rare	2	2	1		Battlecry: Draw a Choose One spell and split it.
K9-0tron		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: Dredge. If it's a 1-Cost minion, summon it.
Kul Tiran Chaplain		Minion	Rare	2	2	3		Battlecry: Give a friendly minion +2 Health.
Lushwater Murcenary		Minion	Common	2	3	2		Battlecry: If you control a Murloc, gain +1/+1.
Mad Bomber		Minion	Common	2	3	2		Battlecry: Deal 3 damage randomly split between all other characters.
Mailbox Dancer		Minion	Rare	2	3	2		Battlecry: Add a Coin to your hand. Deathrattle: Give your opponent one.
Man-at-Arms		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: If you have a weapon equipped, gain +1/+1.
Menacing Nimbus		Minion	Common	2	2	2		Battlecry: Add a random Elemental to your hand.
Murkwater Scribe		Minion	Common	2	3	2		Battlecry: The next spell you play costs (1) less.
Murloc Tidehunter		Minion	Common	2	2	1		Battlecry: Summon a 1/1 Murloc Scout.
Obsidiansmith		Minion	Rare	2	3	2		Battlecry: Dredge. If it's a minion or a weapon, give it +1/+1.
Prestor's Pyromancer		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: Your next Fire spell has Spell Damage +2.
Queensguard		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: Gain +1/+1 for each spell you've cast this turn.
Ram Commander		Minion	Common	2	2	2		Battlecry: Add two 1/1 Rams with Rush to your hand.
Seafloor Savior		Minion	Common	2	2	2		Battlecry: Dredge. If it's a minion, give it this minion's Attack and Health.
Selective Breeder		Minion	Rare	2	1	3		Battlecry: Discover a copy of a Beast in your deck.
Serena Bloodfeather		Minion	Legendary	2	1	1		Battlecry: Choose an enemy minion. Steal Attack and Health from it until this has more.
SI:7 Skulker		Minion	Common	2	2	2		Stealth Battlecry: The next card   you draw costs (1) less.
Sightless Watcher		Minion	Rare	2	3	2		Battlecry: Look at 3 cards in your deck. Choose one to put on top.
Sleetbreaker		Minion	Rare	2	3	2		Battlecry: Add a Windchill to your hand.
South Coast Chieftain		Minion	Common	2	3	2		Battlecry: If you control another Murloc, deal 2 damage.
Spellcoiler		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: If you've cast a spell while holding this, Discover a spell.
Sunreaver Spy		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: If you control a Secret, gain +1/+1.
Talented Arcanist		Minion	Common	2	1	3		Battlecry: Your next spell this turn has Spell Damage +2.
Toad of the Wilds		Minion	Common	2	2	2		Taunt Battlecry: If you're holding a Nature spell, gain +2 Health.
Trench Surveyor		Minion	Rare	2	3	2		Battlecry: Dredge. If it's a Mech, draw it.
Tuskarrrr Trawler		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: Dredge.
Twilight Deceptor		Minion	Common	2	2	3		Battlecry: If any hero took damage this turn, draw a Shadow spell.
Youthful Brewmaster		Minion	Common	2	3	2		Battlecry: Return a friendly minion from the battlefield to your hand.
Aldor Peacekeeper		Minion	Rare	3	3	3		Battlecry: Change an enemy minion's Attack to 1.
Alliance Bannerman		Minion	Common	3	2	1		Battlecry: Draw a minion. Give minions in your hand +1/+1.
Ancient Krakenbane		Minion	Rare	3	3	3		Battlecry: If you've cast three spells while holding this, deal 5 damage.@ ({0} left!)@ (Ready!)
Arid Stormer		Minion	Common	3	2	5		Battlecry: If you played an Elemental last turn, gain Rush and Windfury.
Azsharan Mooncatcher		Minion	Rare	3	4	2		Divine Shield. Battlecry: Put a 'Sunken Mooncatcher' on the bottom of your deck.
Azsharan Sweeper		Minion	Common	3	3	4		Battlecry: Put a 'Sunken Sweeper' on the bottom of your deck.
Blood Shard Bristleback		Minion	Rare	3	3	3		Lifesteal. Battlecry: If your deck contains 10 or fewer cards, deal 6 damage to a minion.
Bloodscent Vilefin		Minion	Rare	3	3	4		Battlecry: Dredge. If it's a Murloc, change its Cost to  Health instead of Mana.
Bronze Explorer		Minion	Common	3	3	3		Lifesteal Battlecry: Discover a Dragon.
Catacomb Guard		Minion	Rare	3	1	4		Lifesteal Battlecry: Deal damage equal to this minion's Attack to an enemy minion.
Clownfish		Minion	Common	3	3	2		Battlecry: Your next two Murlocs cost (2) less.
Coldlight Seer		Minion	Rare	3	2	3		Battlecry: Give your other Murlocs +2 Health.
Copycat		Minion	Rare	3	3	4		Battlecry: Add a copy of the next card your opponent plays to your hand.
Crow's Nest Lookout		Minion	Common	3	2	2		Battlecry: Deal 2 damage to the left and right-most enemy minions.
Crushclaw Enforcer		Minion	Rare	3	3	4		Battlecry: If you've cast a spell while holding this, draw a Naga.
Devout Dungeoneer		Minion	Rare	3	2	3		Battlecry: Draw a spell. If it's a Holy spell, reduce its Cost by (2).
Entrapped Sorceress		Minion	Rare	3	3	4		Battlecry: If you control a  Quest, Discover a spell.
Flightmaster Dungar		Minion	Legendary	3	3	3		Battlecry: Choose a flightpath and go Dormant. Awaken with a bonus   when you complete it!
Frostweave Dungeoneer		Minion	Rare	3	2	3		Battlecry: Draw a spell. If it's a Frost spell, summon two 1/1    Elementals that Freeze.
Golakka Glutton		Minion	Common	3	2	3		Battlecry: Destroy a Beast and gain +1/+1.
Gorillabot A-3		Minion	Common	3	3	4		Battlecry: If you control another Mech, Discover a Mech.
Grimtotem Bounty Hunter		Minion	Epic	3	4	2		Battlecry: Destroy an enemy Legendary minion.
Handmaiden		Minion	Rare	3	3	2		Battlecry: If you've cast three spells while holding this, draw 3 cards.@ ({0} left!)@ (Ready!)
Herald of Chaos		Minion	Common	3	3	4		Lifesteal Battlecry: If you've cast a Fel spell while holding this, gain Rush.
Herald of Light		Minion	Common	3	3	4		Battlecry: If you've cast a Holy spell while holding this, restore 6 Health to all friendly characters.
Herald of Nature		Minion	Common	3	3	3		Battlecry: If you've cast a Nature spell while holding this, give your other minions +1/+2.
Herald of Shadows		Minion	Common	3	4	2		Battlecry: If you've cast a Shadow spell while holding this, steal 2 Health from a minion.
Hog Rancher		Minion	Common	3	3	2		Battlecry: Summon a 2/1 Hog with Rush.
Horde Operative		Minion	Rare	3	3	4		Battlecry: Copy your opponent's Secrets and put them into play.

Uncollectible

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Sources of Battlecry

For Wild format listings, see Battlecry/Wild format

These cards have effects that generate Battlecry cards.

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Related cards

For Wild format listings, see Battlecry/Wild format

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Achievements

Name	Requirements	Rewards
FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT!!! (1/5)	Play 150 cards with Battlecry.	10
FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT!!! (2/5)	Play 500 cards with Battlecry.	10
FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT!!! (3/5)	Play 1500 cards with Battlecry.	10
FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT!!! (4/5)	Play 5000 cards with Battlecry.	10
FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT!!! (5/5)	Play 15000 cards with Battlecry.	20