It's a new week and that means new free-to-play rotation! Here's who you should look into based on your skill level:
Novice
Jaina – I was torn with Jaina if only because she's not really a Hero that clicks with me. Between her and Kael, I have a much easier time with the Phoenix King. That being said, she is a solid Hero for beginners to learn, especially for the all important role of cc'ing. The main reason, though, is how she forces you to learn how to target and how to target well. She has a skill shot, multiple area effects and a potential heroic that targets and re-targets. Master this and all other Heroes' abilities will be easy.
Intermediate
Tassadar – Like Uther, Tassadar is a button kinda guy. Your trait has to always be going and you can end with upward of four additional buttons through talent picks. Though a support, he's not the kind of support that helps through heals. He helps through shields with the potential to heal. So, in essence, he really trains you to support without traditional means. He helps you learn how to pick which Heroes to aid and how to adapt your talent builds to the needs of your team.
Zagara – If you can remember to always lay down your creep, you've mastered a good quarter of what you need to make this specialist amazing. Even beyond this, though, her ability to grant sight is greatly appreciated on maps like Tomb of the Spider Queen and Blackheart's Bay. It's an indispensable ability that get you to think tactically about where to set up shop, when to set up shop and the dangers involved in the process.
Rexxar – So far unknown! This is his first free-to-play week, and I'm super excited to get to try him out on tomorrow's PreShow!
Dear DrmDestryr,
Are you upset that you don't get anything amazing for reaching level 20 with a Hero?
-Billy
Dear Billy,
No.
You know why?
Because I was taught that hard work is its own reward. Sure. There are definitely moments that deserve recognition and celebration, however getting to level 20 means you played a lot of one Hero. Anyone can play a lot of one Hero. If I had nothing to do but play Heroes every single day, I guarantee you my Murky would be level 20 already.
Level 20 Doesn't Equal Rank 1
I think the biggest issue I have with the thought that level 20 deserves something super special is that level 20 is no indication of how well you play. For instance, I could get to level 20 with Murky without having mastered the Puffer/Tentacle combo. I could get to level 20 as Sylvanas and miss 75% of all of my silences. I could get to level 20 as Li Li and never top the charts in terms of total healing.
And while you should get better the more you play, let's not kid ourselves into thinking everyone gets better the more they play.
Reward and prestige are rightly reserved for those that put in the effort to prove they are skilled at what they do. That's why so many flock to ranked play. In that arena, you can only advance if you are a good player. If anything, it's the highly ranked that deserve any kind of accolades.
-DrmDestryr
Ask DrmDestryr is your weekly Q&A/advice column for Heroes of the Storm. Have a question for DrmDestryr? E-mail her your mental musings at drmdestryr@gmail.com or send happy twoughts her way @DrmDestryr.
Want to hang out? Check out the ITN PreShow with DrmDestryr! streamed weekly starting at 3 PM Pacific on Thursdays. If that's still not enough, come hang out for Monday Morning Murder where she tackles all forms of video game horror starting at 11 AM Pacific each Monday.
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