The independent field guide
Patch Notes & Update History
Original factual summaries of every Arena of Champions main update, with small hotfixes grouped into their parent release.
21 main releases, with 6 small updates grouped under their parent version. These are independent factual summaries of the client changelog. They are not the developer's complete original patch notes.
Fresh Slate
Ratings reset to 1500 across all brackets. Matchmaking separates healers, Subtlety receives buffs, and several long controls become limited to one target. Mouse wheel binds, F1–F3 friendly targeting and full screen are added.
Moonkin
Balance becomes the third Druid specialization, adding Moonkin Form, Starfire, Insect Swarm and Typhoon. Moonfire duration increases. Blink and summoned unit positioning receive fixes.
Tools of the Trade
Players choose two utilities per specialization from five options. The second utility defaults to G. Hunter and Warlock pet damage decreases by approximately 5%.
Fine Tuning
Dispels remove buff stacks individually. Searing Totem becomes selectable with Tab. Hunter, Paladin, Shaman and Warlock receive balance adjustments.
Includes hotfixesFriends
Adds friends, presence and party invitations through a friends list. Players can add friends from frames, scoreboards or the /friend command.
Closer Quarters
Reduces long spell ranges and revises healer distribution. More buffs can be purged. Divine Shield is usable under control, casters can use melee attacks, and spectating shows the followed player’s bar.
Blade's Edge
Introduces Blade’s Edge, a bridge arena with ramps and a lower pit. Elevation affects line of sight and melee reach.
From the Stands
Adds arena spectator stands and match viewing. Includes Feral Druid, Mage and Warrior balance changes.
Includes hotfixesDuels
Adds town duels and raises every class’s health by 5%. Includes class balance adjustments.
Includes hotfixesLine of Sight
Makes area effects respect line of sight around pillars. Adds matchmaking location information and Priest changes.
Includes hotfixesCome On In
Adds guest entry and improves the initial town load and audio behavior.
Ready for Launch
Adjusts town population handling, player titles and the combined chat/combat log. Fixes Rogue and Frost interactions.
A New Home
Moves the game to arenaofchampions.live and removes registration access codes. Separates rated and unrated queues and permits pre-match talent changes.
Call of the Elements
Introduces Shaman with Restoration and Enhancement, elemental shields and a single active totem.
The Long Game
Raises all class health by 25%, revises Subtlety Rogue and adjusts specialization balance.
Claw and Leaf
Introduces Druid with Restoration, Feral, Cat Form and Bear Form.
Shadows and Standings
Introduces Warlock and rated arena queues. Reworks Warrior specializations.
Light and the Hunt
Introduces Paladin and Hunter, adds a second arena and combines the town population.
A Town in the Barrens
Introduces Rogue and replaces the lobby with a shared town in the Barrens.
Specs and Talents
Adds Priest, specializations, talent rows and arena queues.
Into the Arena
Initial release with Warrior, Mage and the Nagrand arena.