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The Heroes pane in the Shop

Hero skins are a type of cosmetic in Hearthstone. Each hero skin belongs to a specific class, and provides an alternative to the default hero for that class. Hero skins are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay in any way, making use of the same Hero Power and class cards as the default hero for that class.[1][2]

Hero skins are currently available for all 11 classes with more planned for the future.[3]

Hero skins can be obtained through various means, from purchasing them with Runestones or gold, to participating in Rewards Tracks or special promotions. Some hero skins (mostly alternate heroes) come with corresponding card backs.

Functionality[]

  • There are three main types of hero skins: Alternate hero, alternate portrait, and legendary skin.
    • Like the game's 11 original heroes, most alternate heroes are major characters from Warcraft lore (although some are original), and all come with their own portrait and emotes. In addition, alternate heroes bring special art for the 'hero tray' (the panelled area near the portrait), unique animations when using their Hero Power, and "entering the game" animations.[2]
    • Alternate portraits are different versions of existing heroes. Most of them tend to have only unique emotes and no special tray, entrance animations or Hero Power animations.
    • Legendary skins may feature existing or new characters, and have a fully animated 3D model that responds to activities during a game, such as playing specific types of cards or taking damage.
  • Hero skins are permanent additions to the game; once purchased or earned, a hero will not be removed at a later date.[4] Some skins are available for purchase or reward only through time-limited promotions, but once a hero is unlocked, it can be used at any time.
  • Hero skins can be used in Constructed, Arena, and Tavern Brawls. Some Solo Adventures may also allow the players to use their hero skins.
  • Once purchased, players can select hero skins through the collection manager.[5] Similar to card backs, players can choose a default "favorite hero", as well as assigning a specific class-appropriate hero to each custom deck. Favorite heroes for each class will be used whenever playing a deck of that class, including Arena, unless another hero has been specifically assigned for that deck.playing a deck of that class, including Arena, unless another hero has been specifically assigned for that deck.[6][7]
  • Wins with hero skins counts toward the wins count for that class.[8]
  • All hero skins are all animated, regardless of whether the golden hero for that class has been unlocked.[9]
  • There is no option for non-golden or non-animated versions of hero skins.[10]
  • Most hero skins have their own unique emotes, using the standard types (e.g., "Greetings", "Wow", "Well Played"). They may also have special, unique emotes; for example, Nemsy Necrofizzle has a special emote when playing Renounce Darkness.
  • Hero skins do not bring additional deck slots or battlefields.[11][12]
  • While Hero Powers will produce special animations when used by alternate heroes, there are no visual changes to class cards.[13][14]
  • Like all in-game purchases, purchasing a hero skin will only make it available for the region in which it was purchased.[15]
  • There is no option for players to 'gift' hero skins to their friends.[16]

How to get[]

Magni Bronzebeard, the game's first alternate hero

Different hero skins can be unlocked through different means. Here are all the known possible ways of obtaining a hero skin, as of Patch 22.0.2.128654:

Hero skins[]

As of 27.2.2.184727, there are a total of

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hero skins in Hearthstone.

For a full art gallery of these cards, see Hero skin/Gallery.

Available[]

There are currently

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hero skins available for obtaining.

1000-win portraits[]

These portraits can be obtained by winning 1000 games as a class in ranked, Arena, or Duels.

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1200 gold skins[]

These skins can be purchased in the collection manager at any time for 1200 Gold.

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1800 gold skins[]

These skins can be purchased in the collection manager at any time for 1800 Gold. They also come with a card back.

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2500 Runestone skins[]

These skins can be purchased in the collection manager at any time for 2500 Runestones. They are composed exclusively of Legendary skins.

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Rewards Track portraits[]

These portraits can be obtained on the current Rewards Track either during the course of it, or as a reward for completing it. They do not feature unique animations or portrait art.

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Tavern Regular portraits[]

These portraits can be obtained as an achievement for every 200 levels gained on the Rewards Track. They do not feature unique animations or portrait art.

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Other skins[]

These skins are currently available from other means, such as expansion pre-orders, shop bundles, or other promotions and special events, or they may be premium skins in the Rewards Track. See the cards' individual pages for details.

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Unavailable[]

There are currently

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hero skins unavailable for obtaining. However, they may be re-sold again or be available in other ways in the future.

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Unknown[]

These skins are detected from Hearthstone database, but haven't been manually categorized yet.

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History[]

In January 2014 it was stated that future developments might see alternate heroes, the first type of hero skin to be released, for a given class.[17] It was suggested that alternate heroes may be available for real money, gold, or a mixture of both.[18] In November 2014 it was stated that the developers were "excited" about the feature, but were not yet ready to make any announcements.[19]

In June 2015 an Innkeeper's Journal blog was released apparently hinting at the introduction of a new warrior hero. An image in the blog depicted the silhouette of a figure, with the warrior class icon at the bottom, while the blog itself discussed the arrival of an "imposing, broad-shouldered figure", causing quite a stir in the tavern. A tweet from the official Hearthstone account stated "What this character lacks in height, he makes up for in ferocity! Can you guess his identity?"

Alternate heroes were officially revealed June 4, 2015, along with Magni Bronzebeard, the first alternate hero to be revealed. Alleria Windrunner and Medivh were next, teased on June 10, and revealed June 11 and 12. The feature went live with Patch 2.7.0.9166 on June 15, 2015, with Magni, Alleria and Medivh available for purchase.

Starting with The Boomsday Project, each expansion pre-order Mega bundle always contains an alternate hero. The first alternate hero to be released was Mecha-Jaraxxus.

On September 26, 2019, it was announced that new 9 alternate portraits would be released, which could be obtained by winning 1000 games as respective classes.[20] This announcement marked the introduction of alternate portraits. At first, these portraits would use the same emotes from their default heroes.

On September 15, 2020, new alternate portraits continued to be released alongside Book of Heroes content. However, these alternate portraits were available in bundles instead of claiming through other ways. By the time Scholar Jaina and Horseman Uther were just released, they were heavily criticized for having no special emotes nor animations at all and were claimed for not being worth of money. After receiving feedbacks, the next alternate portrait, Warsong Rexxar, was released with unique 6 standard emotes. But even then, the next portraits were intially having no unique emotes either. After Patch 20.0.0.77662 was deployed, all of alternate portraits, except Felheart Gul'dan which was fixed later, now have unique emotes.

Starting from March 2021, Blizzard starts to re-sell older hero skins with both real money or gold for a limited time. The first skin to receive this treatment was The Thunder King.

Ever since Year of the Gryphon, Blizzard pushes to release new hero skins much more regularly, making the total number of hero skins drastically increased comparing to older years. Moreover, some hero skins are starting to be available again with gold forever, which can be claimed by going to Collection manager with the button to purchase directly.

Trivia[]

  • Alternate heroes use the same Hero Powers and Hero Power art as the standard heroes for that class. Ben Brode states that this is in order to "keep some measure of instant recognition", with alternate heroes already making it harder for players to tell what class they are playing against.[21]
  • Prior to Patch 24.2.0.148211 and the introduction of Runestones, hero skin bundles were purchasable with real money. Now, Runestones are the only option for initial surfaces of hero skin bundles. However, gold can still be used to buy resurfaces of hero skins.

Patch changes[]

  • REV LogoPatch 24.2.0.148211 (2022-08-30): Initial surfaces of hero skin bundles can now only be purchased with Runestones. They can no longer be purchased directly with real money.
  • REV LogoPatch 24.0.0.145077 (2022-07-26): Multiple hero skins can now be favorited, causing a random one to be picked each game. An option to cycle randomly between all owned hero portraits for a class was also added.

References[]

External links[]

Playable heroes
Default heroes
Icon Death Knight 32 Icon Demon Hunter 32 Icon Druid 32 Icon Hunter 32 Icon Mage 32 Icon Paladin 32 Icon Priest 32 Icon Rogue 32 Icon Shaman 32 Icon Warlock 32 Icon Warrior 32
Lich King 64
The Lich King
Illidan 64
Illidan
Malfurion 64
Malfurion
Rexxar 64
Rexxar
Jaina 64
Jaina
Uther 64
Uther
Anduin 64
Anduin
Valeera 64
Valeera
Thrall 64
Thrall
Guldan 64
Gul'dan
Garrosh 64
Garrosh
Alternate portraits
Icon Death Knight 32 Icon Demon Hunter 32 Icon Druid 32 Icon Hunter 32 Icon Mage 32 Icon Paladin 32 Icon Priest 32 Icon Rogue 32 Icon Shaman 32 Icon Warlock 32 Icon Warrior 32
1,000 wins portraits
Arthas, Kingslayer 64
Kingslayer
Demonic Illidan 64
Demonic
ShandoMalfurion 64
Shan'do
WandererRexxar 64
Wanderer
FireMageJaina 64
Fire Mage
LightforgedUther 64
Lightforged
KingAnduin 64
King
CapnValeera 64
Cap'n
WarchiefThrall 64
Warchief
ShadowGuldan 64
Shadow
CorruptGarrosh 64
Corrupt
Rewards Track portraits
Empty 64 Demonbane Illidan 64
Demonbane
Cenarion Malfurion 64
Cenarion
Giantstalker Rexxar 64
Giantstalker
Arcanist Jaina 64
Arcanist
Uther Lawbringer64
Lawbringer
Anduin of Prophecy 64
Prophecy
Nightslayer Valeera 64
Nightslayer
Earthfury Thrall 64
Earthfury
Felheart Guldan 64
Felheart
Garrosh of Might 64
Might
Tavern Regular portraits
Empty 64 Felravager Illidan 64
Felravager
Storm's Rage Malfurion 64
Storm's Rage
Dragonstalker Rexxar 64
Dragonstalker
Netherwind Jaina 64
Netherwind
Judgement Uther 64
Judgement
Transcendence Anduin 64
Transcendence
Deathmantle Valeera 64
Deathmantle
Ten Storm Thrall 64
Ten Storm
Nemesis Gul'dan 64
Nemesis
Garrosh of Wrath 64
Wrath
Book of Heroes portraits
Empty 64 SkullbearerIllidan 64
Skullbearer
EmeraldMalfurion 64
Emerald
WarsongRexxar 64
Warsong
ScholarJaina 64
Scholar
SecondWarUther 64
Second War
SI7Anduin 64
SI:7
GladiatorValeera 64
Gladiator
Frostwolf Thrall 64
Frostwolf
Shadowmoon Gul'dan 64
Shadowmoon
NagrandGarrosh 64
Nagrand
Other portraits
ArthasMenethilAnimated 64
Arthas
DeathMetalKing 64
Death Metal
EmberCourtIllidan 64
Ember Court
InfernalArmorIllidan 64
Infernal Armor
IllidanTheNaughty 64
Naughty
ShaIllidan 64
Sha
SabertenderIllidan 64
Sabertender
Mrrgillidan 64
Mrrgillidan
IllhoofIllidan 64
Illhoof
DruidOfTheFlameMalfurion 64
Flame
WinterFuryMalfurion 64
Winter Fury
SteelGuardianMalfurion 64
Steel Guardian
IceLordMalfurion 64
Ice Lord
Firefang Rexxar 64
Firefang
Flamewalker Rexxar 64
Flamewalker
RobinHoodRexxar 64
Robin Hood
IronHunterRexxar 64
Iron Hunter
SnowflipperRexxar 64
Snowflipper
BlackOxRexxar 64
Black Ox
DenwatcherRexxar 64
Denwatcher
RockabillyRexxar 64
Rockabilly
Apprentice Jaina 64
Apprentice
Archmage Jaina 64
Archmage
Kul Tiran Jaina 64
Kul Tiran
RedRidingHoodJaina 64
Red Riding
ArcaneSentinelJaina 64
Sentinel
FrostFairyJaina 64
Frost Fairy
RedCraneJaina 64
Red Crane
FestivalJaina 64
Festival
JainaProudmurgle 64
Proudmurgle
Witch Jaina 64
Witch
Chantress Jaina 64
Chantress
HorsemanUther 64
Horseman
GuanYuUther 64
Guan Yu
RighteousInfernoUther 64
Inferno
AscendedUther 64
Ascended
StarAscendantUther 64
Star Ascendant
GreenchUther 64
Greench
Burger Uther 64
Burger
ZhugeLiangAnduin 64
Zhuge Liang
PrinceCharmingAnduin 64
Charming
HolyLeviathanAnduin 64
Leviathan
LittleLionAnduin 64
Little Lion
ButlerAnduin 64
Butler
Appetizer Anduin 64
Appetizer
Teen Idol Anduin 64
Teen Idol
DiaoChanValeera 64
Diao Chan
TitanbladeValeera 64
Titanblade
ValeeraTheNice 64
Nice
GardenPartyValeera 64
Garden Party
Center Stage Valeera 64
Center Stage
Thrall, Son of Durotan 64
Durotan
Alterac Thrall 64
Alterac
Wolfrider Thrall 64
Wolfrider
FrogPrinceThrall 64
Frog Prince
MechaconduitThrall 64
Mechaconduit
SnowmanThrall 64
Snowman
JadeSerpentThrall 64
Jade Serpent
HouseOfRitualsGul'dan 64
Rituals
FelColossusGul'dan 64
Fel Colossus
Mogu'shanGul'dan 64
Mogu'shan
HatcherGul'dan 64
Hatcher
Gargoyl'dan 64
Gargoyl'dan
LüBuGarrosh 64
Lü Bu
PirateKing 64
Pirate King
Forge-wroughGarrosh 64
Forge-wrought
GarroshTheWild 64
Wild
GarroshTheChained 64
Chained
Goulash Garrosh 64
Goulash
Alternate heroes
Icon Death Knight 32 Icon Demon Hunter 32 Icon Druid 32 Icon Hunter 32 Icon Mage 32 Icon Paladin 32 Icon Priest 32 Icon Rogue 32 Icon Shaman 32 Icon Warlock 32 Icon Warrior 32
Promotional and special events
Darion Mograine 64
Darion
GhoulQueenScarlet 64
Scarlet
Crimson Knight Sai 64
Sai
Halveria Darkraven 64
Halveria
Lunara 64
Lunara
AmbassadorFaelin 64
Faelin
Empty 64 Celeste 64
Celeste
Liadrin 64
Liadrin
Arthas 64
Arthas
Yrel 64
Yrel
Tyrande 64
Tyrande
Maiev 64
Maiev
Morgl 64
Morgl
Nemsy 64
Nemsy
Annhylde 64
Annhylde
PrinceRenathal 64
Renathal
Expansion pre-order heroes
Empty 64 Empty 64 Elise 64
Elise
Hamuul 64
Hamuul
Lor'themar Theron 64
Lor'themar
Kel'Thuzad 64
Kel'Thuzad
LadyKatranaPrestor 64
Katrana
QueenAzshara 64
Azshara
Empty 64 Lazul 64
Lazul
Hedanis 64
Hedanis
Empty 64 Rastakhan 64
Rastakhan
LadyVashj 64
Vashj
Jaraxxus 64
Jaraxxus
Deathwing 64
Deathwing
Vanndar 64
Vanndar
Sire Denathrius 64
Denathrius
Bundle purchasable heroes
Empty 64 Aranna 64
Aranna
Omen 64
Omen
Hazelbark 64
Hazelbark
Xuen 64
Xuen
Alleria 64
Alleria
Sylvanas 64
Sylvanas
Bakin' Brann 64
Brann
Huln Highmountain 64
Huln
Medivh 64
Medivh
Khadgar 64
Khadgar
Kael'thas Sunstrider 64
Kael'thas
Cookin' Reno 64
Reno
Saraad 64
Saraad
Kit Waxwhisker 64
Kit
Annoy-O 64
Annoy-O
Leeroy Jenkins 64
Leeroy
Sir Finley Mrrgglton 64
Finley
Sally Whitemane 64
Whitemane
EdwinVanCleef 64
Edwin
GaronaHalforcen 64
Garona
MC Blingtron 64
Blingtron
TheThunderKing 64
Thunder King
RagnarosShaman 64
Ragnaros
Inzah 64
Inzah
Mal'Ganis 64
Mal'Ganis
Magni 64
Magni
VarianWrynn 64
Varian
ETC 64
E.T.C.
Alternate portraits
DaringDarion 64
Daring
Frostmonger Sai 64
Frostmonger
NightborneAranna 64
Nightborne
FelfireworkAranna 64
Felfirework
SongstressAranna 64
Songstress
Apple Aranna 64
Apple
Aranna the Runeseeker 64
Runeseeker
Emo-rock Aranna 64
Emo-rock
Wallflower Halveria 64
Wallflower
Cherry Blossom Lunara 64
Cherry Blossom
Sea Dryad Lunara 64
Sea Dryad
Guff Murtotem 64
Murtotem
FireflowerLunara 64
Fireflower
ArdenwealdLunara 64
Ardenweald
MagicalGuardianElise 64
Magical Guardian
Epicurean Elise 64
Epicurean
Hamuul Runeblade 64
Runeblade
Dreamgrove Lunara 64
Dreamgrove
Flowerchild Lunara 64
Flowerchild
Dame Groovybark 64
Groovybark
Bookworm Elise 64
Bookworm
Naga Sylvanas 64
Naga
FlameshotSylvanas 64
Flameshot
SanguineSylvanas 64
Sanguine
Deathkeeper Alleria 64
Deathkeeper
Ranger-General Sylvanas 64
Ranger General
Navigator Khadgar 64
Navigator
EternalMedivh 64
Eternal
RevelerKaelthas 64
Reveler
KelThuzadTheInevitable 64
Inevitable
WickedPrinceKael'thas 64
Wicked Prince
Runemage Khadgar 64
Runemage
Mixqueen Azshara 64
Mixqueen
Technomancer Saraad 64
Technomancer
AdmiralLiadrin 64
Admiral
FireGlaiveLiadrin 64
Fire Glaive
VenthyrLiadrin 64
Venthyr
BoldGuardianLiadrin 64
Bold Guardian
Fishy Finley 64
Fishy
Fallen Yrel 64
Fallen
Fanboy Leeroy 64
Fanboy
Disco Hammer Cariel 64
Disco
Sir Anoise-O 64
Anoise-O
IceLadyTyrande 64
Ice Lady
HandmaidenTyrande 64
Handmaiden
TorchbearerTyrande 64
Torchbearer
KyrianTyrande 64
Kyrian
LoveGuardianTyrande 64
Love Guardian
Banshee Tyrande 64
Banshee
Redeemer Tyrande 64
Redeemer
Champion Tyrande 64
Champion
Electro Swing Sally 64
Swing
Apprentice Hedanis 64
Apprentice
MarinerMaiev 64
Mariner
VendorMaiev 64
Vendor
SuspectMaiev 64
Suspect
Marshmallow Maiev 64
Marshmallow
Poisonheart Maiev 64
Poisonheart
Ebon Assassin Garona 64
Ebon Assassin
Edwin the Renegade 64
Renegade
MightyMaiev 64
Mighty
MC Garona 64
MC
DeepseaMorgl 64
Deepsea
KaldoreiVashj 64
Kaldorei
Murragnaros 64
Murragnaros
JugglerMorgl 64
Juggler
MorglHolmes 64
Holmes
BaronessVashj 64
Baroness
Mummy Morgl 64
Mummy
Scourgeslayer Vashj 64
Scourgeslayer
Spirit Bru'kan 64
Spirit
Smooth Jazz Morgl 64
Smooth Jazz
Jazznaros 64
Jazznaros
WintersLittleHelperNemsy 64
Little Helper
DiverNemsy 64
Diver
FeastNemsy 64
Feast
SparkspinnerNemsy 64
Sparkspinner
SculleryNemsy 64
Scullery
SparkleGuardianNemsy 64
Sparkle
Noodle Nemsy 64
Noodle
Jaraxxustein 64
Jaraxxustein
Dreadsteed Tamsin 64
Dreadsteed
Mascot Nemsy 64
Mascot
Opera Diva Tamsin 64
Opera Diva
GreatfatherWinterMagni 64
Winter
ShipwreckedMagni 64
Shipwrecked
RoasterMagni 64
Roaster
Annhylde, Deathcaller 64
Deathcaller
Rocker Rokara 64
Rocker
Rock Angel Annhylde 64
Rock Angel
Deathcore Deathwing 64
Deathcore
Book of Mercenaries heroes
Empty 64 Kurtrus
Initiate Kurtrus 64
Initiate
Adept Kurtrus 64
Adept
Trainer Kurtrus 64
Trainer
Vengeant Kurtrus 64
Vengeant
Guff
Guff Runetotem 64
Runetotem
Spelunker Guff 64
Spelunker
Fangbound Guff 64
Fangbound
Fauna Friend Guff 64
Fauna Friend
Tavish
Tavish Stormpike 64
Stormpike
Tavish for Hire 64
For Hire
Lootmaster Tavish 64
Lootmaster
Sniper Tavish 64
Sniper
Varden
Apprentice Dawngrasp 64
Apprentice
Explorer Dawngrasp 64
Explorer
Elementalist Dawngrasp 64
Elementalist
Pyromancer Dawngrasp 64
Pyromancer
Cariel
Trainee Cariel 64
Trainee
Northwatch Cariel 64
Northwatch
Stalwart Cariel 64
Stalwart
Dungeoneer Cariel 64
Dungeoneer
Xyrella
Survivor Xyrella 64
Survivor
Shardseeker Xyrella 64
Shardseeker
Lightweaver Xyrella 64
Lightweaver
Shadow-touched Xyrella 64
Shadow-touched
Scabbs
Chef Scabbs 64
Chef
Agent Scabbs 64
Agent
Investigator Scabbs 64
Investigator
Undercover Scabbs 64
Undercover
Bru'kan
Barrens Bru'kan 64
Barrens
Dungeoneer Bru'kan 64
Dungeoneer
Venerable Bru'kan 64
Venerable
Deadmines Bru'kan 64
Deadmines
Tamsin
Scholomance Tamsin 64
Scholomance
Impressive Tamsin 64
Impressive
Summoner Tamsin 64
Summoner
Tamsin Triumphant 64
Triumphant
Rokara
Young Rokara 64
Young
Recruit Rokara 64
Recruit
Rokara of the Horde 64
Horde
Defiant Rokara 64
Defiant
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