Watching Blizzard: It’s a rainbow connection (of terror)

We’ve arrived on Friday once again, which means it’s time to get the heck out of the office and go play some video games. But before we do, let’s take a look back on the latest news.

Blizzard is knocking it out of the park with new Druid forms

• There are no rainbows here, but today we got our first look at the frankly terrifying Kul Tiran cat form.

Can AIs make the gaming community a less toxic place?

• I don’t know, but Blizzard is giving it a try anyway.

Are you ready to enter the Witchwood?

• Hearthstone’s latest expansion is here, and if you haven’t already you should log on to collect your three free Witchwood packs and free Legendary. Even if you aren’t playing right now, they’ll help if you decide to play later.
• Trying to figure out what to play? Ted has some deck suggestions.
• Want more? Icy Veins has its own list, the Competitive Hearthstone Reddit has some suggestions, and Dot Esports recommends Elemental Mage and Baku Paladin.

Rossi considers an intriguing WoW AU

• In today’s Know Your Lore, Rossi wonders what would have happened if Dranosh Saurfang hadn’t died at the Wrathgate. (Uh, spoiler warning? Do I still have to give spoiler warnings for that?)

Battle for Azeroth has some amazing new mounts

• But which one is the best? Rachelle tries to figure that out.

Heroes of the Storm is seeing some changes

• Starting with a nerf to Sylvanas that killed her ability to be a structure-wrecking powerhouse.
• And today the dev team, beset by complaints that they aren’t listening to the playerbase, spent some time answering questions on Reddit. The discussion is all over the map, but it’s worth digging through. (I’m trying to get one of the Blizzard Watchers with more Heroesexperience than I have to untangle it for all of us, but it hasn’t happened yet. Maybe Monday.)

Yep, we’re still adventuring in the Battle for Azeroth alpha

• I’m telling you, the alpha zones are huge. And it’s no wonder that after weeks of exploring, Anne is still posting zone snapshots. The latest cover…
• …the Vulpera Hideaway and Court of Zak’rajan…
• …and Terrace of the Devoted and Port of Zem’lan. So take a look and get to exploring, people!

And that’s all for now, everyone. So what are you still doing reading this? Get out there and get gaming!

This is Liz, signing out for the weekend.