Update 3:43 PM EDT: It looks like if you haven't logged in since last season and were at least rank 20, you'll get a ranked chest for July.
Update 2:38 PM EDT: Official patch notes are now live. check them out below.
Update 2:00 PM EDT: The latest patch can be be downloaded on the Battle.net launcher.
Official Patch Notes
The official patch notes are now live. Read below.
Quote from BlizzardThis patch prepares the grounds for the arrival of Hearthstone’s second exciting expansion: The Grand Tournament!When The Grand Tournament goes live later this month, you’ll be able to arm yourself with 132 all-new cards, recruit chivalrous knights of all shapes and sizes, and have a whole lot of festive fun! This patch also begins tracking your highest earned rank in Ranked Play mode, and you’ll be rewarded with a Highest Rank Bonus at the end of the season. Remember, The Grand Tournament pre-purchase bundle remains available until the expansion goes live.
We’re also adding a new card back and fixing some bugs. The full patch notes are below!
General
- The following card back has been added:
- Tournament Grounds – Acquired by reaching Rank 20 or higher in Ranked Play mode during the month of August.
- New quests added, including one to win games in Tavern Brawl mode!
- Tavern Brawl victories now count towards earning the Heroes of the Storm mount award.
- A bonus chest will be granted at the end of each season based on the highest ranked reached in Ranked Play mode.
- Various audio, graphical, and UI issues have been resolved.
New Card Back: Power Core
We first heard about this card back on the OGN HS Masters livestream on August 11th. The Power Core card back is a new card back coming soon for participating in and watching Hearthstone tournaments. More details will follow at a future date.
Quote from BlizzardIf participating in or watching Hearthstone tournaments really spark your interests, then we have an electrifying new card back for you—introducing the super-charged Power Core card back!
Bursting with the energy of competitive Hearthstone play, the Power Core card back will be available to players who participate in or attend select Hearthstone eSports tournaments around the world. Keep an eye out for upcoming Hearthstone blogs and announcements that feature officially sanctioned Hearthstone eSports events—you never know when the opportunity to get your hands on the Power Core card back may strike. How you acquire this card back may change from event to event, so don’t stay static!
Stay tuned for more details on how you can add this flashy new card back to your collection!
The Grand Tournament Datamined
Last night, The Grand Tournament patch hit Blizzard's CDN and we documented all the changes. Animated cards, gameboard, new sounds, new dailies, and card flavor text are just some of the things that were included in last night's patch. Check it out!
July Ranked Chests
If you haven't logged in to the game since last season, and were at least rank 20, you should go ahead and login for a nice surprise. Below is a screenshot from /u/32JC showcasing a July ranked rewards chest - Shieldbearer's Footlocker (Rank 16 through 20). Rewards will vary.
I like the idea of using the Brawl to show some interactions with the cards.
Loving the card back.
Quite short patch notes for an expansion.
First. Maybe.
You folks at Curse do a superb job at datamining all this and keeping us up to date on what else is going on. I just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work, we really do appreciate it.
No TGT in arena cards yet?
Not as it looks so far. They're using Brawl as the platform for the "prerelease" event this time.
Just release the cards already :S
I love this card back, but I'm getting so tired of Blizzard releasing Card Backs that are difficult if not impossible for most people to obtain.
You can get a card back each month for being rank 20.. I feel it's the other way.. Really
No Patron Nerf? DansGame
Thats the coolest card back so far. Gotta get my hands on that!
People say that every time there's a new card...
Welp, this is the first time I've said it because it's the first time I've thought it.
i need that cardback asap! blizz stop spoilering and start release something....!
Please gimme that card back <3 T____T
Every single card back is obtainable for everyone via ebay and $$$
Why are all the cool dark blue card backs weird exclusives?
Type !raffle to chat to win new Power Core cardback
eSports!
That is a beautiful card back