Blizzard has just released their latest update for Hearthstone. The popular card game seems to have received several nerfs for the Shaman and Warrior classes. The biggest change however seems to be for the Druid class which will completely change how many players design and craft their decks.

Here are the changes:

Innervate – Now reads: Gain 1 Mana Crystal this turn only. (Down from 2)

Fiery War Axe – Now costs 3 mana. (Up from 2)

Hex – Now costs 4 mana. (Up from 3)

Murloc Warleader – Now reads: Your other Murlocs have +2 Attack. (Down from +2 Attack, +1 Health)

Spreading Plague – Now costs 6 mana. (Up from 5)

“After careful consideration, we chose to make changes to three Basic class cards” explains Blizzard in the developers note which can be seen here. The team state their reason behind this nerf is to reduce the number of Basic and Classic cards in players decks. According to them, “too many Basic and Classic cards played in individual decks means less fun when new expansions are released.”

This ‘minor’ change to Innervate will be a huge blow to many Druid players and as a result, some decks may need to be completely re-designed. However, this was not the card that players were expected to be nerfed. Ultimate Infestation is widely regarded as being insanely powerful, even for a 10-cost card. If you aren’t familiar with the card then here are the abilities:

• Deal 5 damage
• Draw 5 cards
• Gain 5 armor
• Summon a 5/5 Ghoul

Blizzard have decided to leave the card as it is due to the other changes they’ere making to Druid.

“With the other changes we are making to Druid, ramping out Ultimate Infestation before turn 10 should happen less often, so we decided to leave it as is.”

These changes will definately be changing the Hearthstone meta for the Druid class in particular. However, several other classes should also be feeling some damage from the nerfs. There is currently no release date for the 9.1 Update but we will be sure to update you on the situation.