Warcraft 2 Gets New Update

On December 4, Blizzard released Warcraft 2: Remastered Patch 1.0.1, which brought balance adjustments to the game for the first time in over 20 years. Among the units changed in Warcraft 2: Remastered Patch 1.0.1, the Ogre Mage’s Bloodlust ability received significant nerfs, while others such as Paladins and Death Knights were slightly buffed.

Warcraft 2: Remastered was shadow-dropped during Blizzard’s Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct broadcast on November 13, as part of the Warcraft Battle Chest collection that included updated versions of the Warcraft RTS trilogy. The original release of Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness was launched in 1995, with its expansion, Beyond the Dark Portal, arriving a year later. After the survivors of Stormwind fled north to escape the Orcish Horde, they forged the Alliance of Lordaeron, comprising all the Human kingdoms, the high elves of Quel’thalas, and the Dwarves and Gnomes of Khaz Modan. By contrast, the Horde opted to recruit various groups of Goblins, Trolls, and Ogres as they continued their conquest.

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Although the news of Blizzard releasing Warcraft 2: Remastered was seen as a surprise, that has not stopped the developers from updating the game afterward. According to a Blizzard forum post by community manager Kaivax, Warcraft 2: Remastered Patch 1.0.1 is now available to download. With the patch, Warcraft 2 received balance changes to several units for the first time in over two decades. The Ogre Mage’s Bloodlust ability, which doubled the damage output of a single unit, had its duration decreased by 25%, its mana cost increased from 50 to 60, and damage applied after armor reduction rather than before it. Both the Paladin and the Death Knight units had their mana costs adjusted to their abilities, and various base upgrades had their gold cost, lumber cost, and research times streamlined. Patch 1.0.1 also adjusted Warcraft 2‘s user interface and online multiplayer systems. These included password protection options for online lobbies, regional indicators on the lobby selection menu, and classic victory and defeat animations.

However, the release of Warcraft 2: Remastered Patch 1.0.1 came at a somber time for the game’s fans. The original versions of the first two Warcraft games will soon be delisted from GOG, though the storefront pledged to keep supporting them via its game preservation program. Players have until December 13 to purchase Warcraft 1 and Warcraft 2 on GOG, before it becomes solely exclusive to Battle.net.

While reception to Warcraft 2: Remastered has been mixed, the original version remains one of the best retro RTS titles available. Only time will tell how Patch 1.0.1 will be received by long-time Warcraft players.

Warcraft 2: Remastered Patch 1.0.1 Notes (December 4, 2024)

UI Updates

• Added Alliance Menu to online multiplayer games. Players can now change alliances, and share vision dynamically in game.
• Added classic Victory/Defeat Screen animation and SFX.
• Victory Screen now always displays the player as first in the list.
• Allow Folder Navigation when selecting Custom Scenarios when creating online lobby.
• Added “Map Default” option for resources in Custom Scenario / Multiplayer. It is now the default option.
• Added password protection option when creating a new lobby for multiplayer.
• Added countdown when launching lobby in multiplayer game.
• Added region indicators on the Lobby Selection screen.
• Improved Desync Error Messaging.

Gameplay

• Added Grid Key input option to the gameplay options.
• Balance Changes:
  • Paladin:
    • Heal mana cost per HP healed: 6 → 5
    • Heal research time: 200 → 100 steps
    • Exorcism research time: 200 → 150 steps
  • Death Knight:
    • Death and Decay:
      • Mana cost per set of ‘rots’ created: 25 → 30
    • Raise the Dead:
  • Mage:
  • Ogre Mage
    • Bloodlust:
      • Duration: 1000 → 750
      • Mana cost per unit enchanted: 50 → 60
      • Double damage is now applied after armor reduction instead of before.
  • Dragon / Gryphon
  • Archer / Axethrower:
    • Base piercing damage: 6 → 7
    • Upgrade Axes/ Arrows 1:
      • Damage increased: 1 → 2
      • Gold cost: 300 → 200
      • Lumber cost: 300 → 200
      • Research time: 200 → 150 steps
    • Upgrade Axes/ Arrows 2:
      • Damage Increased: 1 → 2
      • Gold cost: 900 → 600
      • Lumber cost: 500 → 300
      • Research time: 250 → 200 steps
    • Longbow / Lightaxe Upgrades:
      • Base piercing damage: 6 → 7
      • Gold cost: 2000 → 1000
      • Lumber cost: 0 → 300
      • Research time: 250 → 200 steps
    • Scouting Upgrades:
      • Gold cost: 1500 → 500
      • Lumber cost: 0 → 200
      • Research time: 250 → 150 steps
    • Ranger Marksmanship Upgrades:
      • Gold cost: 2500 → 1000
      • Research time: 250 → 200 steps
    • Berserker Regeneration Upgrades:

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a crash that was occurring when you have conflicting input with F10.
• Fixed a crash that was occurring when you have a control group selected, and attack move at the same time.
• Fixed where players would be sent to a different instances when the multiplayer game starts with a desync.
• Fixed a crash when you select a build that would be destroyed and subsequently select another building.