Line #9 Heartwarming/HearthstoneHeroesOfWarcraft


1	* The ExcusePlot of Hearthstone is pretty heartwarming, once you realise what it is. Top-ranking members of the Alliance and Horde calling a truce to sit down with a mug of ale and a card game? D'awww...
2	** It also seems to be Blizzards way of addressing fan's who say "Why can't everyone be friends," given how many great characters are on both sides it can be a bit bittersweet to have missions to kill them.
3	** It's commonplace to receive a friend request from an opponent right after a game, only to have them angrily trash-talk you. But every now and then, post-game friend requests can lead to compliments, exchanging of tips, and an all-around absence of hostility. While those moments are rare, they're also cherished by many.
4	* Now that Alleria Windrunner is a purchasable Hero and her younger sister Sylvanas Windrunner is a Legendary minion you can reunite the family and have them fight together...or [[TearJerker each other.]]
5	* ''The Grand Tournament'' adds a couple:
6	** The flavor text for one of the cards references a ''Hearthstone'' [[https://www.reddit.com/r/hearthstone/comments/304vqp/thank_you_hearthstone_a_goodbye_from_a_passionate/ fan who was suffering from cancer]], one that received overwhelming support from the fanbase and even the devs. The card in question is Dreadsteed, a minion that effectively can't die at all.
7	---> ''Crescendo himself summoned this steed, riding it to victory in the Grand Tournament. Wherever he rides, an army of riders ride behind him, supporting the legendary champion.''
8	*** Feeling down after reading this? Don't, there's a happy ending! [[https://www.reddit.com/r/hearthstone/comments/3hdpzr/dreadsteeds_new_flavor_text_refers_to/ The guy's alive, playing hearthstone]] and the doctors are saying there is a likelihood of full recovery!
9	*** A common derogatory term for 'aggro decks' that throw all they have at your hero is 'cancer decks' because they are perceived as boring and stale to play against - people are naming their anti-aggro decks after this guy because as far as they're concerned, he beat cancer!
10	** Varian Wrynn has a unique line when summoned against his son, Anduin. Unlike other hero interactions, which are antagonistic, he shows that he [[SoProudOfYou couldn't be more proud of him]].
11	---> ''Your skills are growing, Anduin.''
12	*** Which is then followed up by Varian summoning whatever minions is on the top three cards of the opponent's deck, as if the father is saying to the son 'Now, give me everything you've got!'
13	** Much like the ExcusePlot above, The Grand Tournament itself can count as its a time when the Horde and Alliance come together for a fun festival celebrating the time they set aside their rivalry and came together to stop a great evil.
14	* ''Whispers of the Old Gods'' added Fiery Bat to the game, a nice little homage to the first ''Hearthstone'' World Champion, a then unknown player named [[https://www.twitch.tv/hero_firebat Firebat]] who rocketed in popularity after his surprise win. Made even better by the affectionate flavor text:
15	---> ''He'll always be our first.''
16	* Despite coming out in the middle of the ''[[DarkerAndEdgier Whispers of the Old Gods]]'' expansion, ''One Night at Karazhan'' is a LighterAndSofter adventure about Medivh throwing a party at his tower and inviting (nearly) everyone. Yes, ''(nearly) everyone'' regardless of their origin or allegiance, such as Illidan, Majordomo Executus, the League of Explorers, Jaraxxus[[note]]Apparently he's really good at karaoke[[/note]] and more. And even then, the only one to get snubbed, Malchezar[[note]][[NoodleIncident who was snubbed due to causing severe property damage during the previous party]][[/note]], is eventually welcomed back to the party.
17	* Also within ''Whispers of the Old Gods'' is "Raganros, Lightlord". Though still a domineering, constantly shouting presence, this Ragnaros has been freed from the havoc the Old Gods played with the elements, and has decided to become an embodiment of The Light for Paladins to look to.
18	* Sir Finley Murrgltons interaction with Morgl the Oracle certainly counts:
19	---> ''Hello old friend, let's meet for tea after the match shall we?''
20	** Considering the way murlocs are usually treated in usual World of Warcraft, it's nice to see that these two break the norm.
21	* While most heroes open battle with an antagonistic or battle-ready line, RulingCouple Malfurion Stormrage and Tyrande Whisperwind greet each other as lovers.
22	---> ''My dear Malfurion.''
23	---> ''My beloved Tyrande.''
24	* The alternate Druid hero, Lunara, has a unique greeting with Malfurion Stormrage:
25	---> ''Ishnu'alah, Archdruid.''
26	* Elise Starseeker took a backseat to the other explorers in ''League of Explorers'', mostly providing [[MissionControl information and snarky commentary]]. Not only is Elise the Trailblazer leading an expedition of her own in ''Journey to Un'Goro'', the new flavor text points out who was responsible for inspiring her.
27	---> ''[[LargeHam Reno]] [[HiddenDepths taught her]] that blazing her own trail is a lot more fun than following someone else's map.''
28	*** Especially poignant when one considers that decks revolving around her are based around [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration chasing a map]].
29	*** [[PromotedToPlayable And now she's playable outside of Solo Adventures.]]
30	* While Tirion's entire IKnowYouAreInThereSomewhereFight against Frost Lich Jaina in the Prologue of the Knights of the Frozen Throne while ends in failure [[SurroundedByIdiots due to having terrible minions]], he successfully breaks her out of the Lich King's control.
31	* See the first entry of this Page? Now there's an animation just what hearthstone is about. And. It. Is. [[https://youtu.be/vPguoeYTvMI Glorious]]
32	* If you play a [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Snowflipper Penguin]] against The Lich King, he has this to say:
33	-->'''The Lich King:''' [[SincerityMode I... I love him.]]
34	* When selecting Tess Greymane in Monster Hunt, Genn Greymane will ask her to be careful, not wanting to lose his daughter as well as his son.
35	-->'''Genn Greymane:''' You're the only child I have left. Be careful out there.
36	* The return of Prince Liam Greymane in the Witchwood. Despite his death at the hands of Sylvanas Windrunner, he continues to serve his people from the Great Beyond as a ghost and appears to those in great danger to help them do extraordinary, incredible things.
37	* George and Karl, the two paladins you fight inside the Catacombs. George escaped from that place, but believing Karl to be dead, he joined E.V.I.L. in raiding Dalaran. Karl also escaped the place and aided the Explorers in rescuing Uldum. The two paladins eventually reunite in Dalaran, and in the League's story, George snaps out of his funk and rejoins Karl rather than blow up as a boss.
38	-->'''Karl:''' Come back to the Light, George. We can be BROS again.
39	** In the E.V.I.L. side, George and Karl will fight like they did in the catacombs, swapping when the other goes down. This time, however, they can play High Five!, allowing them to swap while buffing their minions.
40	** Who's one of the cards in Alexstrasza's deck during her battle against Hagatha the Vengeful? None other than her sister, Ysera!
41	* After Mecha-Jaraxxus has been defeated, Illidan declares that all his servants should be put to death. ''Aranna'' proves that just because she has become a [[PayEvilUntoEvil Demon Hunter]], she has ''not'' succumbed to HeWhoFightsMonsters like Illidan, and goes on a IKnowYouAreInThereSomewhereFight - by the end, ''[[TheUnfettered Illidan]] backs down'', and agrees that they can at least try to make [[ShatteredWorld Outland]] a [[AWorldHalfFull better place]] for all the lost souls on it.
42	** This is even more Heartwarming during the Illidan battle as the TrueFinalBoss in the Outland Challenges. Who does he have in his deck? The Outcasts, who are Aranna's friends. Looks like Illidan kept his word.
43	* Bru'kan the shaman has been assigned to mentor Rokara throughout her adventure, and from the beginning told her that there were five lessons she needed to learn as part of the Horde. He's told her of four of them before the end. After it's all over, Rokara has a realization.
44	-->'''Rokara:''' ...Garrosh is wrong about the Horde. Compassion is strength. Mercy is honor. [[BrokenPedestal I should never have idolized him.]] I must follow my own principles and believe in myself.\
45	'''Bru'kan:''' Rokara...[[SoProudOfYou that is the final lesson]].
46	* In Xyrella's adventure, she comes across Tavish Stormpike and Scabbs Cutterbutter as she's all but forced to cooperate with the squabbling mercenaries while searching for the shard of the naaru. Despite knowing that Xyrella has to find the shard to save her daughter, both Tavish and Scabbs declare that they're also here for the shard and won't leave empty-handed. That is, until Garona Halforcen arrives on the scene, and Tavish proves that they're truly a group of FireForgedFriends.
47	-->'''Tavish:''' You can't have the shard! It belongs to Xyrella.\
48	'''Xyrella:''' (astonished and touched) Tavish?
49	* Guff's adventure largely qualifies as a Crowning Moment of Heartwarming, really, as his adventure sees him join up with his friends and rescue Archdruid Naralex from the Emerald Nightmare.
50	-->'''Bruk'an:''' Archdruid Runetotem, your great nephew Guff has purified the shard of naaru and rid the Barrens of this corruption. It was his kind heart and gentle soul that saved us all.\
51	'''Hamuul Runetotem:''' It seems I was wrong about you, Guff. I owe you an apology.\
52	'''Guff:''' I could never have done it alone. As the great trees are made stronger by their grove, so am I made stronger by my friends. Plus, my friends are much nicer to hug! C'mere!
53	* After Kurtrus Ashfallen saves Cariel Roame from the Horde and teams up with her, she ends up confiding in him that she abandoned her post with Northwatch purely to investigate rumored sightings of her long lost sister, who she fears dead. It's a gesture that cements their friendship, as Kurtrus admits his own mission of vengeance is driven by love for his family.
54	* Despite her acerbic tongue towards her allies, even after she turns on them, Tamsin seems to genuinely regret having to hurt Guff.
55	* Following her shielding Tamsin from Kurtrus' attack, Cariel fights Kurtrus again once Tamsin escapes to unleash demons on Stormwind. She does manage to calm him down enough and later saves him from Anetheron, to which Kurtrus sincerely apologizes for his actions and admits he was wrong to abandon her. Cariel, in the meantime, is stalwart in her dedication to Kurtrus and declares that his family can rest in peace following Anetheron's defeat.
56	* Scabbs Cutterbutter uncovers the truth behind the conspiracy of the naaru shards: Katrana Prestor has been gathering them with Kazakus and using the Defias Brotherhood to smuggle them to Alterac Valley. In so doing, he not only reunites with his Alliance friends, but the Horde mercenaries as well. Their differences are quickly put aside - especially with Varden Dawngrasp, whom the Alliance mercs personally apprehended - and make it clear that despite their differences, they're willing to unite under a common goal of protecting Azeroth. It culminates in a fight against Edwin [=VanCleef=] where all the mercenaries give Edwin a personal TheReasonYouSuckSpeech on why nothing will stand in their way.
57	* In the fight with Mr. Smite, shortly after the horde mercs [[TheCavalry jump into the battlefield to help the alliance mercs]], each of the mercs have some nice interactions with each other depending on who you chose as your hero power for the fight:
58	** If you picked Tavish, Guff will [[CutenessProximity gush over Crabby]].
59	** If you picked Cariel, Rokara will try to make small talk and note that not ''everything'' Tamsin said about her sister was bad.
60	** If you picked Kurtrus, Brukan will notice that like himself, Kurtrus is older than his allies, and talks about the importance of taking the younger adventurers under their wing.
61	** And if you picked Xyrella, Varden will apologize to her for the scuffle with Kazakus at Dreadmist Peak, and Xyrella will state that what matters now is saving the shattered naaru - which Varden enthusiastically agrees to.
62	* After Cariel helps him not only in his personal quest, but also to come to terms with his own pain, Kurtrus' hero card "Kurtrus, Demon-Render" has him leave a truly heartfelt wish for her:
63	--> ''"I dedicated my life to vanquishing demons, but I never thought to face the demons in me. Maybe, in time, I can help quell the demons in you." - Kurtrus, to Cariel''
64	* Between the ''Tavish vs. Rokara'' Tavern Brawl and Tavish's chapter in the Book of Mercenaries, most of the mercs are clearly not okay about having to fight each other owing to their opposing factions. While some of their quips easily cross over into Tearjerker territory, there's plenty of fuzzy moments.
65	** Dawngrasp gets a few, between comforting Cariel over losing her sense of purpose by sharing their history of the blood elves turning on them following Kael'thas' betrayal, and catching up with Scabbs by asking how his recipes have been coming along.
66	** The dialogue between Guff and Cariel includes this tender moment and a rare bit of humanity for Tamsin.
67	--->'''Guff''': You look just like your sister, except for the whole Forsaken eyes / dark-echo-in-her-voice thing.\
68	'''Cariel''': Uh huh.\
69	'''Guff''': Tamsin was nice to me. She called me Funnel cake.\
70	'''Cariel''': She used to have cute nicknames for me too, like, "Loser," and "Foolish mortal." ({{beat}}) [[PetTheDog And "Care." I guess she called me "Care."]]\
71	'''Guff''': Mm... Tamsin was in pain. I hope we made her feel at home.\
72	'''Cariel''': Thank you. Guff, right? I hope you did, too.
73	* Despite Tavish's gruff demeanor, even he's not above a few tender moments in his chapter.
74	** Rokara's group ends up getting in Tavish's way, forcing the two groups of mercs to battle - not that it stops the others from exchanging polite conversation. Cariel, in particular, asks Bru'kan about Tamsin during their travels, and the troll shaman has nothing but honest praise for her in spite of Tamsin's betrayal.
75	** After the Horde mercs fail to hold the Alliance mercs back, Bru'kan gently tells Rokara to let them pass. They do, but not before Guff gleefully yells "Bye!" back at them.
76	** The night before taking Alterac Valley, Tavish offers to personally cook a meal for each of the Alliance mercenaries. Everyone is pleasantly surprised at Tavish's cooking and reaffirm their own determination to their mission and each other; namely, Scabbs remarks that he'd give his life to help Xyrella save her daughter despite often arguing with Tavish, and Kurtrus admits that while he cares for his fellow illidari, he feels that the mercs feel like an even closer family than Illidan's group did.

Context Heartwarming / HearthstoneHeroesOfWarcraft