Hero skin

The Heroes pane in the Shop

Alternate heroes are cosmetic 'skins' for existing classes. Each alternate hero belongs to a specific class, and provides an alternative to the default hero for that class. Alternate heroes 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.

Alternate heroes are currently available for eight of the nine classes (all except Druid), with more planned for the future. There will eventually be at least one alternate hero available for each class.

Like the game's 9 original heroes, each alternate hero is a major character from Warcraft lore (although some are original), and comes 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.

Alternate heroes can be obtained through various means, from purchasing them with real money, to participating in special promotions. Some alternate heroes come with corresponding card backs.

Functionality

• Alternate heroes are permanent additions to the game, and will not be removed at a later date. Some heroes are available for purchase or reward only through time-limited promotions, but once a hero is unlocked, it can be used at any time.
• Alternate heroes can be used in any game mode, including Play mode, Arena and Tavern Brawls.
• Once purchased, players can select alternate heroes through the collection manager. 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.
• Wins with alternate heroes will count toward the 500 wins count for that class.
• Alternate heroes are golden (including animations) by default, regardless of whether the golden hero for that class has been unlocked. However, for technical reasons alternate heroes do not have golden tray or border art, even if the player has unlocked that class' golden hero. Alternate heroes' Hero Powers do not have a golden border unless the player has unlocked the golden hero for that class, although they are always animated. There is no option for non-golden or non-animated versions of alternate heroes.
• Alternate heroes have their own unique emotes, using the standard types (e.g., "Greetings", "Wow", "Well Played").
• Alternate heroes do not bring additional deck slots or battlefields.
• While Hero Powers will produce special animations when used by alternate heroes, there are no visual changes to class cards.

How to get

Different alternate heroes can be unlocked through different means. Some can be purchased with real money, while others can only be unlocked through participating in special promotions. Most are available on an ongoing basis, while others are only available for limited periods. However, once unlocked players can use alternate heroes at any time.

Prices

Those alternate heroes that can be purchased can be found in the Shop. These can only be purchased using real money; it is not possible to purchase them using gold. All alternate heroes that require purchase are the same price, as listed below.

USD	EUR	GBP	AUD	RUB
$9.99	€9.99	£8.99	$12.99	599.00

Notes

• Like all in-game purchases, purchasing an alternate hero will only make it available for the region in which it was purchased.
• There are no plans to make alternate heroes available for gold.
• There are no plans for 'bundles' of multiple alternate heroes.
• There is no option for players to 'gift' alternate heroes to friends.

Release

• Further alternate heroes are expected to be released at a future date. New alternate heroes usually are not announced ahead of time, usually being announced with the release of the accompanying patch. In July 2017, after the announcement of the Prince Arthas hero, Yong Woo stated that "We have plans for hero portraits for all classes, just not right away."

Heroes

All announced and previewed alternate heroes are listed below. For a list of heroes' unique card backs, see the Card backs section.

Alleria Windrunner

Main article: Alleria Windrunner

Alleria Windrunner is a high elven ranger and sister to Sylvanas. A peerless archer and representative of the hunter class, Alleria was head scout of the Alliance Expedition to Draenor. After destroying the Dark Portal, Alleria was forced to escape through a portal to an unknown world, and has not been seen since. Presumed - but not confirmed - dead, her location is an ongoing subject of speculation.

Alleria Windrunner

Khadgar

Main article: Khadgar

Considered by many the most accomplished living wizard, Khadgar was apprentice to Medivh, until he was forced to defeat him when his master became possessed by the dark titan Sargeras. During the Second War Khadgar was sealed in Outland after destroying the Dark Portal from the other side. Khadgar has since returned to his role as hero of the Alliance, but is respected by the leaders of both factions for his work in coordinating actions against Azeroth's greater threats, as when thwarting the actions of Gul'dan and the Shadow Council on the alternate Draenor.

Khadgar

Medivh

Main article: Medivh

Last Guardian of Tirisfal and former master of Archmage Khadgar, Medivh represents the mage class. A mighty sorcerer charged with defending Azeroth from the Burning Legion, Medivh was corrupted even before birth by the dark titan Sargeras. After helping Gul'dan to open the Dark Portal, bringing the orcs to Azeroth and beginning the First War, Medivh was defeated by his friend Lothar. However, years later he returned as a wandering prophet, helping to rally and unite the forces of Azeroth to fight against the Burning Legion in the Third War.

Medivh

Lady Liadrin

Main article: Lady Liadrin

Representing the paladin class, Lady Liadrin is the leader of the Blood Knight order. Once a priestess of the Light, she became an errant paladin and seized power from the naaru after the Scourge destroyed her homeland of Quel'Thalas. She eventually sought redemption for her people, once more embracing the energies of the Sunwell, and now stands as a bitter enemy of the Burning Legion.

Lady Liadrin

Arthas Menethil

Main article: Prince Arthas

Representing the paladin class, Arthas Menethil was the crown prince of Lordaeron, a member of the Knights of the Silver Hand, the student of Uther Lightbringer and a former love interest of Jaina Proudmoore. His determination to stop the Plague of Undeath from spreading throughout Lordaeron led him to commit increasingly desperate acts, culminating in him taking up the cursed runeblade Frostmourne and transforming into a death knight of the undead Scourge, after which he led The Lich King's forces in shattering the kingdom he had once sought to protect. Arthas ultimately journeyed to the Frozen Throne in Northrend and donned the Helm of Domination, becoming one with the Lich King.

Prince Arthas

Tyrande Whisperwind

Main article: Tyrande Whisperwind

Representing the priest class, Tyrande Whisperwind is former general of the night elf sentinels, high priestess of the moon goddess Elune, and leader of the night elves alongside her husband Malfurion Stormrage. After defending Azeroth against the Burning Legion during the War of the Ancients, Tyrande watched over her people while Malfurion and the other druids slept for over 10,000 years in the Emerald Dream. She later served as general during the Third War, before journeying into the Emerald Dream to save Malfurion.

Tyrande Whisperwind

Maiev Shadowsong

Main article: Maiev Shadowsong

The legendary night elf warden Maiev Shadowsong guarded Illidan Stormrage for 10,000 years after his betrayal during the War of the Ancients. After he was freed and exiled, Maiev took it upon herself to hunt down the demon hunter, eventually chasing him to the Black Temple in Outland. After being captured and imprisoned by his duplicitous servant Akama, she was later freed and helped defeat the lord of the Illidari, imprisoning his disciples in the Vault of the Wardens.

Maiev Shadowsong

Morgl the Oracle

Main article: Morgl the Oracle

A respected elder of the murloc race and member of the Earthen Ring, Morgl the Oracle is a mighty shaman, to whom tribute is paid even by Thrall. Wise and learned beyond most of his kind, Morgl has been recruited by Sir Finley Mrrgglton to take up the mantle of heroism and rise above the savagery seen in most of their race. With an unparalleled control of the elements, Morgl can be persuaded to lend his power to the player's cause by a show of camaraderie.

Morgl the Oracle

Magni Bronzebeard

Main article: Magni Bronzebeard

Representing the warrior class, Magni Bronzebeard was king of Khaz Modan and thane of the dwarven capital Ironforge until he was turned into diamond during a ritual to reconnect to his race's latent earthen powers. Years later, he awakened from his long communion with Azeroth's world-soul, and set out to warn the other races of the impending invasion of the Burning Legion.

File:Magni Bronzebeard - full.png Magni Bronzebeard

Speculation

• The developers have not ruled out adding current heroes in the future as minions. This could also mean that current legendary minions such as Sylvanas, Prophet Velen and Cairne Bloodhoof could be in the running for alternate heroes.
  • Medivh later had a minion based on him called Medivh, the Guardian.

Card backs

The acquirement of some alternate heroes also grants a unique card back, usable with any deck.

Magni File:Card back-Magni.png Purchasing Magni Bronzebeard

Alleria File:Card back-Alleria.png Purchasing Alleria Windrunner

Medivh File:Card back-Medivh.png Purchasing Medivh

Tyrande File:Card back-Tyrande.png Acquiring Tyrande Whisperwind

History

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

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.

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.

Patch changes

• Patch 9.2.0.21517 (2017-10-17): Nemsy Necrofizzle added.
• Patch 9.0.0.20457 (2017-08-08): Arthas Menethil added.
• Patch 8.0.0.18336 (2017-04-04): Maiev Shadowsong added (for the Year of the Mammoth)
• Patch 6.1.1.14406 (2016-09-15): Tyrande Whisperwind added.
• Patch 5.2.0.13619 (2016-07-12): Morgl the Oracle added.
• Patch 4.3.0.12266 (2016-04-14): Khadgar added.
• Patch 4.2.0.12051 (2016-03-14): Lady Liadrin added
• Patch 2.7.0.9166 (2015-06-15): The first alternate heroes are added - Magni, Alleria and Medivh.

External links

• New Hearthstone Hero: Alleria Windrunner (2015-06-11)
• Heroes Emerge: New Hearthstone Heroes Are Coming! - feature and Magni Bronzebeard announcement (2015-06-04)
• The Innkeeper's Tale: A Mysterious Patron (2015-06-03)