The Best Mercenaries In ‘Hearthstone Mercenaries’, Ranked

Hearthstone Mercenaries has been out for a week now and we’re already obsessed.

The new game mode trades in the typical card-based duels for an addictive roguelike with RPG elements like permanent character progression and base building. You still build a deck of iconic Hearthstone and World of Warcraft characters, but in addition to challenging other players, you assemble a party to take down procedurally-generated bounties.

It’s important to build a team of mercenaries whose unique abilities can be combined into dangerous (for your enemies) combinations. But it’s just as important – perhaps more important – to build a party that exudes coolness.

So, here is a ranking of our favourite mercenaries in Hearthstone Mercenaries, based on their abilities and stories in Warcraft. To find out more about the roles in Mercenaries, see our previous story here.

#1 Jaina Proudmoore – Caster

Not only is Jaina the most powerful human sorceress alive, she’s also one of the finest mages who’s ever lived in Azeroth.

She’s worked with princes, ended wars, led the Council of Six, and was instrumental in defeating the Burning Legion during the Battle of Mount Hyjal. People sing folk songs about her achievements.

Jaina’s abilities will freeze and deal icy death to your enemies in Mercenaries. We stan an ice queen.

#2 Illidan Stormrage – Fighter

When you’re single-handedly responsible for creating the demon hunters, lead an army named after you, and earn the nickname the Betrayer, you can be pretty certain your legacy will live on forever.

His “Blade Dance” and “Outcast Attack” carve through your enemies in Mercenaries and he gives your party a razor-sharp edge.

#3 The Lich King – Protector

Once he fell from grace as Crown Prince of Lordaeron, Arthas Menethil became The Lich King and sat atop the Frozen Throne, commanding the Scourge through the Helm of Domination.

He uses the Helm in Mercenaries to damage his opponents after they cast abilities and can trick his enemies into attacking him, after which they freeze and miss their next attack.

If you don’t realise why he should be included in your party, that’s a you problem.

#4 Cariel Roame – Protector

The Paladin with a huge hammer first appeared in Hearthstone and has now made her way to Mercenaries to protect your allies first and wipe out your enemies second.

Cariel is one of the latest Hearthstone characters to be introduced in the Forged in the Barrens expansion. This paladin in training is out to make a name for herself and protect her home in Stormwind.

While Cariel’s story is still being written in Hearthstone, we do know this: it’s better to be on her good side than the receiving end of her hammer.

#5 Anduin Wrynn – Caster

Anduin Wrynn has held one of the more varied stories throughout the story of Warcraft, first as a priest wielding holy light, then taking up his father’s mantle as King of Stormwind and leading The Alliance through the Battle for Azeroth. One thing Anduin has always put above others is the protection of others.

Thanks to this background and training, Anduin serves as a versatile backline for your party of Mercenaries, hurling holy fire to damage enemies and healing your allies in equal measure. Besides, if you’re rolling into battle, who wouldn’t want The King to be watching their back?

#6 Gul’dan – Caster

Without Gul’dan, the Horde would never have risen to spread terror across Azeroth. That’s got to count for something.

The orcish warlock betrayed his people to the demon lord Kil’jaeden before founding the Shadow Council and declaring himself “Darkness Incarnate”. Thanks to his pact with the demons, he’s even the reason most orcs these days have green skin.

If you dare, you can bring him with you on your bounties to literally cast a “Rain of Destruction” over the battle.

#7 Uther – Caster

While Gul’Dan raised the Horde, Uther the Lightbringer led his order of paladins against them in the Second War. He was the first of the Paladin’s to rise in defence of The Alliance, and he’s a master of both holy light and wielding a big hammer.

After falling in battle to Arthas as he became The Lich King, Uther’s soul was shattered and a piece was devoured by the Frostmourne blade, which is objectively very cool. Luckily, at the point in time that Mercenaries is set, he’s in one piece and ready to devastate his enemies with his Hammer of Justice.

#8 Sylvanas Windrunner – Fighter

Please refer to this forsaken high elf by any of her proper titles: the Dark Lady, the Banshee Queen, or simply the Banshee.

In the World of Warcraft lore, Sylvanas was once Ranger-General of the elven city of Silvermoon before she was killed and turned into a banshee by Arthas the Lich King. When she built up her power to escape from The Lich King’s clutches, she rallied an army of undead to her side and became leader of The Forsaken, and eventually Warchief of the Horde.

She brings her cunning, protective spirit to Mercenaries with her “For the Queen” ability, which forces enemies to attack their ally, and “Reclaimed Souls” attack, which deals extra damage for every ally who died this game.

There are over 50 mercenaries in the game at launch so whether you’re creating a holy avenging group of knights or a collection of the biggest, baddest villains of the Warcraft universe – have fun!

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Hearthstone Mercenaries is out now and free to play. Download it and start building your mercenary party here.

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All images courtesy of Blizzard