With week 7 in the books, we've now completed the Round Robin portion of the tournament. Eight players from each region have moved onto the playoffs, while the last place finisher from each group will be removed from Grandmasters and replaced. The top player from each of the 3 regions will be declared the winner of Season 2 and claim their spot at Blizzcon in the Global Finals. The winner at Blizzcon will be declared Hearthstone's next World Champion and take home their portion of the $500,000 prize pool.
- The best record of the Round Robin stage belongs to che0nsu at 11-3.
- Fenomeno, winner of Season 1 for Europe, has been relegated. While he's already secured his spot at the Global Finals, he'll need to requalify for next year's Grandmasters.
- Last year's World Champion, Hunterace, finished atop his group for the 2nd straight season with a record of 9-5.
- The playoffs will include three former World Champions with Hunterace, tom60229, and Pavel all advancing.
- With the recent addition of the Doom in the Tomb event, we're sure to see a shaken up meta with 23 cards returning from the Wild format.
Kibler Steps Away
Brian Kibler took to his website today to weigh-in on the Blizzard/Blitzchung situation. Ultimately he has decided to step away from casting any further Grandmasters events. You can view his entire blog here.
Quote from Brian KiblerI won’t pretend to understand either the intricacies of the geopolitical situation in China and Hong Kong or the full extent of Blizzard’s business interests there, but to me this penalty feels like it is deeply rooted in both. The heavy-handedness of it feels like someone insisted that Blizzard make an example of Blitzchung, not only to discourage others from similar acts in the future but also to appease those upset by the outburst itself.
That kind of appeasement is simply not something I can in good conscience be associated with. When I learned about the ruling, I reached out to Blizzard and informed them that I no longer feel comfortable casting the Grandmasters finals at BlizzCon. I will not be a smiling face on camera that tacitly endorses this decision. Unless something changes, I will have no involvement in Grandmasters moving forward.
However, I want to make clear that not everyone involved in GM has this luxury. Do not take your anger out on the other casters, or streamers, or employees of Blizzard. This is not the kind of decision that comes from the rank and file. Most likely they’re just as angry as you are. I know I am.
Twitch Drops is Back!
Twitch Drops will be returning for the playoffs. Get a Saviors of Uldum back for watching 3 total hours. Watch for 6 hours and you'll get another! Blizzard will also give away 1500 random packs every hour. Make sure to link your Twitch and Battlenet accounts before tuning in.
Quote from BlizzardTwitch Drops for Playoffs
When the end-of-season Playoffs roll around, we’ll be returning to the same formula for Twitch Drops that was in place for Masters Tour Seoul. For the Playoffs, if you watch for 3 hours (consecutive or non-consecutive), and you’ll be granted one Saviors of Uldum card pack. Watch for a total of 6 hours, and you’ll get another! Additionally, 1,500 lucky eligible viewers will be randomly rewarded with Classic card packs every hour.
Playoffs Twitch Drops Active Dates:
- October 11, 2 a.m. – 4 p.m. PDT
- October 12, 2 a.m. – 4 p.m. PDT
- October 13, 2 a.m. – 4 p.m. PDT
Link Your Accounts
- Before you can receive rewards, you'll need to link your Twitch.tv and Blizzard Battle.net accounts. Here's how:
- Log in or create an account on Twitch.tv.
- Navigate to the Settings menu by clicking your account name in the top-right corner of the home screen.
- Navigate to the Connections tab of the Settings menu.
- Find the Battle.net section, then follow the instructions after selecting a region and clicking Connect.
- When connecting accounts, be sure that you’re currently logged into the Blizzard account on which you’d like to receive your rewards.
Season 2 Standings
Americas | ||
---|---|---|
Group A | Overall W/L | Week 7 W/L |
1. Eddie * | 10-4 | 1-1 |
2. Purple * | 9-5 | 2-0 |
3. Nalguidan * | 8-6 | 0-2 |
4. muzzy * | 8-6 | 2-0 |
5. Gallon | 7-7 | 1-1 |
6. Firebat | 7-7 | 2-0 |
7. ETC | 4-10 | 0-2 |
8. StrifeCro | 3-11 | 0-2 |
Americas | ||
---|---|---|
Group B | Overall W/L | Week 7 W/L |
1. justsaiyan * | 9-5 | 1-1 |
2. bloodyface * | 9-5 | 1-1 |
3. Monsanto * | 9-5 | 2-0 |
4. Fr0zen * | 8-6 | 1-1 |
5. PNC ** | 6-8 | 1-1 |
6. Amnesiac | 6-8 | 0-2 |
7. Zalae | 5-9 | 1-1 |
8. Rase | 4-10 | 1-1 |
Europe | ||
---|---|---|
Group A | Overall W/L | Week 7 W/L |
1. Hunterace * | 9-5 | 0-2 |
2. Kolento * | 9-5 | 1-1 |
3. SilverName * | 7-7 | 1-1 |
4. Thijs * | 7-7 | 1-1 |
5. Rdu | 6-8 | 1-1 |
6. Swidz | 6-8 | 1-1 |
7. Viper | 6-8 | 2-0 |
8. Orange | 6-8 | 1-1 |
Europe | ||
---|---|---|
Group B | Overall W/L | Week 7 W/L |
1. Jarla * | 10-4 | 2-0 |
2. Bunnyhopper * | 8-6 | 0-2 |
3. Casie * | 8-6 | 1-1 |
4. Pavel * | 7-7 | 0-2 |
5. BoarControl | 7-7 | 1-1 |
6. Bozzzton | 6-8 | 1-1 |
7. Seiko | 5-9 | 1-1 |
8. Fenomeno ** | 5-9 | 2-0 |
Asia-Pacific | ||
---|---|---|
Group A | Overall W/L | Week 7 W/L |
1. che0nsu * | 11-3 | 1-1 |
2. Surrender ** | 8-6 | 1-1 |
3. Tyler * | 8-6 | 2-0 |
4. Shaxy * | 8-6 | 1-1 |
5. Flurry | 7-7 | 1-1 |
6. SamuelTsao | 6-8 | 0-2 |
7. Ryvius | 6-8 | 1-1 |
8. Bloodtrail | 2-12 | 1-1 |
Asia-Pacific | ||
---|---|---|
Group B | Overall W/L | Week 7 W/L |
1. tom60229 * | 9-5 | 1-1 |
2. glory * | 9-5 | 1-1 |
3. DawN * | 8-6 | 1-1 |
4. Alutemu * | 7-7 | 1-1 |
5. FroStee | 7-7 | 1-1 |
6. Staz | 7-7 | 0-2 |
7. blitzchung | 6-8 | 2-0 |
8. Pathra | 3-11 | 1-1 |
**Season 1 Winner - Qualified for Global Finals
Relegated Players
The bottom placed player from each of the 6 groups faces relegation and is removed from the Grandmasters circuit. They will be replaced by the top money earners in this year's Masters Tour events. With Masters Tour: Bucharest right around the corner, we'd expect some of these relegated players to enter and make an attempt at quickly returning to the Grandmasters. The players losing their spot after Season 2 are Strifecro, Rase, Orange, Fenomeno, Bloodtrail, and Pathra.
Global Finals at Blizzcon
Quote from BlizzardWe’re excited to share that BlizzCon will be the destination for the Hearthstone Global Finals this November! 8 players will duke it out at the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny California for their share of the $500,000 prize pool, the trophy, and the title of Hearthstone World Champion!
Both end-of-season playoffs will qualify one Grandmaster from each region to the Global Finals, meaning three Grandmasters will qualify through the Season 1 Playoffs, with three more qualifying through the Season 2 Playoffs. The final two players will qualify in through China’s Gold Open Series Playoffs, which will take place on July 20 and October 6.
love me some kibler always have always will. he stands up for what's right.
Kibler doesn't dissappoint.
His blog explanation was also very well thought through IMO, clearly not a gut reaction in either direction.
Look at my boy Kibler, making us proud. Respect.
Kibler is the man. Wish more of them would follow his lead.
Meanwhile Blizzard's CEO
Except this doesn't affect the company one bit. If all of you who are outraged quit buying their products, it still wouldn't affect them one bit because you're just a vocal minority. The majority of the playerbase isn't even online which speaks volumes of their lack of interest in getting involved into anything Blizzard related other than playing their games and having fun.
I think you mean Bobby Kotick.
Creating an account on Hearthpwn just to defend China. How pathetic
Faking outrage which will result in nothing. How pathetic.
Oh boy, 192.000 people faking outrage. How pathetic. /s
Big respect to kibler. Hope more follow in his steps
Kripp already did.
edit: Also notably, the GM young Savage aka Amnesiac gave his opinion about Blizzard and Blitzchung
https://twitter.com/Amnesiac_HS/status/1182393382892642305
True, it's here:
https://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sr1h75
good guy kibler
This is the kind of news that makes me want an upvote button on posts
that was unexpected from kibler...what an outstanding move. i respect that guy now
WTF! WHy only now? I respected him all the time!
BIG RESPECT FOR BRIAN KIBLER!
Kibler MVP
Kudos to Kibler