There is defo something not quite right with the RNG.
Whenever opponents have Soul juggler, hyena, admiral eliza, etc something that needs to be sniped early or it snowballs, my minions rarely ever touch it.
when I play those cards, they get insta sniped
Or when I decide on what type of minions I’m going with, the game doesn’t give those anymore in the tavern
Hearthstone is a great game that balances skill with statistical randomness, making it a unique offering in the marketplace of online card games. Unlike many pay-to-win games that claim to be free but require substantial investments to achieve success, Hearthstone offers a more equitable experience. While paying for cards can help, it is not necessary to reach high ranks or enjoy the game. I have been working my way toward reaching the Legendary rank, and through this journey, I’ve found that Hearthstone’s gameplay relies primarily on skill, with a touch of randomness that can influence, but not determine, outcomes.
My claim is that Hearthstone is fundamentally a skill-based game, where win ratios are more determined by a player’s ability to construct a deck, strategize, and anticipate their opponent’s moves than by random chance. From my own experience, I’ve noticed that crafting a solid deck is key. I mainly play as a Druid, and one of my favorite cards is Wildheart Guff, which gives me tremendous flexibility in managing my mana. Each class has its standout cards, and knowing how to use them effectively is where skill comes into play.
Winning in Hearthstone involves not only understanding your deck but also predicting what your opponent might do next. For example, while randomness exists in drawing cards, if you’re skilled enough, you can anticipate possible moves your opponent can make based on their class and the mana they have available. This strategic thinking is what separates experienced players from those who rely solely on luck.
While skill plays a significant role, Hearthstone is still a card game, and card games inevitably involve probabilities. The randomness in Hearthstone is not entirely random; instead, it is best described as “simulated randomness.” From my studies in computer science, including a course in Harvard’s CS50x, I learned that computers simulate randomness through complex algorithms, but these simulations are based on specific seed values and rules. So while it may seem like card draws are random, they are influenced by statistical probabilities that are part of the game’s design.
Take, for instance, the Battlegrounds mode. Players often complain that starting characters and tavern minions can make or break a game. It’s true that some players may have better starting hands than others, but this is a standard part of any card game. Probability dictates that over time, these ups and downs even out. While one game might favor you with excellent draws, the next might not. That’s the nature of randomness in games, but it doesn’t mean the game is rigged or unfair.
Many argue that Hearthstone is becoming more of a pay-to-win game, especially with the release of powerful cards and expansions like the recent “Titans” set. While there is some truth to the fact that having access to more cards gives players a greater variety of strategic options, it doesn’t guarantee success. You can only have 40 cards in a deck, and even if you’ve spent $10,000 on packs, you still need to select and synergize those 40 cards carefully.
Take the example of Prince Renathal, a card that adds 10 cards to your deck and increases your starting health. While it may seem like having more cards would give you an advantage, adding more cards to your deck can also dilute your chances of drawing the cards you need. Skill in managing deck size and card selection is key, and no amount of spending can replace that.
Additionally, some cards are specific to certain classes, which means you have to master the strengths and weaknesses of the class you choose to play. With expansions like “Caverns of Time” allowing certain cards to cross over between classes, you still have to understand the limitations. You can’t just throw any card into your deck and expect to win; synergy is essential.
One area where randomness can feel more chaotic is in Wild mode, where every card ever released is playable. In this mode, you’ll often encounter players with decks full of older, sometimes overpowered cards. But even in this seemingly unpredictable environment, skill remains paramount. The ability to adapt to different strategies and unexpected plays is what will ultimately decide your success in Wild.
For instance, I have found that while I prefer the Druid class for its ability to control the board and manage mana, other classes like Priest have their own strengths, such as stealing and copying cards from the opponent. The diversity of strategies available ensures that while some cards might seem overpowered in certain situations, a skilled player can often find a way to counter those strategies through careful planning and adaptation.
Hearthstone’s balance between randomness and skill can be visualized as a 90-10 ratio. Around 90% of success in the game comes from skill — crafting a solid deck, understanding card synergies, and predicting your opponent’s moves. The remaining 10% is influenced by the random nature of card draws and the occasional swingy moments that can occur due to lucky (or unlucky) RNG-based effects.
Take one-turn kill combos as an example. Yes, these can seem sudden and overpowered, but they are often the result of carefully constructed decks and strategic play that build toward that combo. While randomness may play a role in the order cards are drawn, the outcome is heavily based on the skill of the player in setting up the combo in the first place.
In conclusion, while there is a degree of randomness in Hearthstone, it is largely balanced by the skill required to build, manage, and play a deck effectively. The game isn’t rigged, nor is it purely pay-to-win. While spending money on packs can give players access to more cards, the real key to winning lies in how those cards are used.
For those progressing through the ranks, starting from Apprentice mode, you’re rewarded with a significant number of cards just by playing. As you climb through the ranks, you accumulate so many cards that you can disenchant them—often referred to as “dusting”—to gain dust, the in-game currency used for crafting cards. This process allows you to focus on creating powerful legendaries, which can significantly improve your deck. While some legendaries are uncraftable, you can still dust hundreds of cards, making it relatively easy to craft the ones that are available.
I would estimate that Hearthstone’s success is 90% skill and only 10% luck, with randomness playing a supporting role in an otherwise skill-driven game. For those who feel frustrated by bad draws or unfavorable outcomes, I encourage them to focus on improving their deck-building and strategic thinking, as that is the true path to success in Hearthstone. Through skillful play, even players who start without a massive card collection can progress and succeed in this highly strategic game.
As much as I agree with these points, I can’t stand a ChatGPT response.
That and necroing a thread like this.
AI got this one wrong. Humanity must not be fooled into thinking something is right just because ‘AI’ said so. In that case, Skynet will become self aware much faster than expected.
The luck (RNG) - skill ratios are reversed, especially for BG. The actual ratio is 90% luck, 10% skill.
This is in line with Blizzard policy that anyone, even a brand new player, can beat anyone else at any time, including pros.
Bottom line. Don’t get upset if you get squashed in BG. You lost because you were unlucky.
HA HA HA! That was a nice one! Best joke ever… in HS history… 
This was true 5 years ago maybe… but not today…
AI doesn’t understand humour. Yet.
I recently played a BG game where my opponent had a Chargl and Drakkari. On turn 5. That’s not a typo. Turn 5. Before Lesser Trinket.
Now, please explain to me how my ‘poor skill’ cost me the combat. Explain how I could have won that combat by being ‘Skillful’.
Yes, and I agree with that statement of BG. I would say it is more skill than luck. But it is also luck. Fun fact! I also said that in my essay. Thanks for reading. Oh wait. I don’t think you read it as clearly as you think. Very funny. And my response was AI? Oh, I’m so sorry daddy for using technology as a tool to get out my thoughts in a faster manner because I am a productive member of society that has more important things to do than write a 600 word essay on Hearthstone from a 3 year old forum post. I did it because of myself. You’re not as smart as you think. Pick up a book from time to time you dummy!
Critical thinking must be AI these days! Oh my!
Was your post written by ChatGPT alone or did you modify a response to a prompt of yours so it fit this topic better?
My problem with these is that they are easily detectable as written by AI. Even if it turns out the user did not use AI to generate the response wholesale, their arguments become suspect by virtue of being even partially AI-generated.
I want to agree with you. I just can’t agree with the method you use to bring up your point.
As for these other people responding… I would suggest you ignore them but it’s not like they’ll stop if they are ignored. Certainly can’t convince them otherwise.