Updated as of July 1, 2026. Originally published October 19, 2021.
The last game I blogged about was Sryth, a fun browser-based game. Today I’m writing about Hearthstone, thanks to a brilliant developer by the name of GuideDev who originally made the game accessible to blind users via NVDA. The accessibility work has since been taken over by the Hearthstone Access community, who continue to maintain and update the mod. If you enjoy the game and want to support the ongoing development, consider joining the Hearthstone Access Discord community.
What Is Hearthstone?
Hearthstone is a free-to-play online digital collectible card game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. Originally subtitled Heroes of Warcraft, Hearthstone builds upon the existing lore of the Warcraft series. It was first released for Windows and macOS in March 2014, with ports for iOS and Android releasing later that year. The game features cross-platform play, allowing players on any supported device to compete with one another.
The game is a turn-based card game between two opponents using constructed decks of 30 cards along with a selected hero with a unique power. Players use limited mana crystals to play abilities or summon minions to attack the opponent, with the goal of destroying the opponent’s hero. There are four types of cards: minions, spells, weapons, and hero cards. Cards are ordered by rarity, with Legendary being the rarest, followed by Epic, Rare, Common, and Basic.
As of 2026, Hearthstone remains active and thriving with nearly 800,000 monthly active players. The game receives regular content updates, new expansions, and seasonal events. Hearthstone Esports is also returning in 2026 with larger prize pools and new qualification paths.
Game Modes
Hearthstone offers several ways to play:
Standard: Uses prepared decks limited to cards from the Core set and expansions from the last two years.
Wild: Allows all past and present cards to be used.
Arena: Draft a deck of thirty cards from choices of three cards over several rounds, then battle until you reach a set number of wins or losses.
Tavern Brawls: Weekly challenges with unusual deck-building guidelines.
Battlegrounds: An auto battler mode where eight players compete by recruiting minions over several rounds. Top 4 players earn a win and increase rating points.
Duels: A multiplayer version of the single-player “Dungeon Run” mode where players start with a 15-card deck and build it after each match.
Solo Adventures: Single-player challenges designed to test your skills.
What Does It Sound Like?
Words really cannot do this game justice. You have music, sound effects, characters that talk and make jabs at you, and so on. You can listen to a tutorial mission on YouTube or watch how screen reader users play Hearthstone.
On a personal note, my wife and I have already had many hours of fun playing this game against each other and computer opponents. You can even play against other people all over the world. Keep in mind that you can play against sighted players. Even though you are using NVDA, whoever you are playing against does not see anything different on their end.
How to Get Started
Here’s what you need to get up and running:
Screen reader: Hearthstone accessibility works with NVDA, JAWS, and Narrator, and it falls back to the built-in Windows text-to-speech voice if no screen reader is detected. It was built and tested with NVDA, so if you’re starting fresh, download NVDA and install it if you haven’t already. If you’re new to NVDA, check out my getting started with NVDA guide.
Speech History NVDA add-on: Not officially required, but I highly recommend it. As you play, the music and sounds may cover up important info from NVDA. This add-on lets you review what you missed. Visit the Speech History page to download it.
Battle.net account: You need a Battle.net account to play. If you have trouble, check out the account creation guide on the Hearthstone Access site.
Battle.net Launcher: Download the Battle.net Launcher from Blizzard Entertainment. Once installed, log in with your Battle.net account and search for Hearthstone to download and install it.
Hearthstone Access Patcher: After Hearthstone is installed, download the Hearthstone Access Patcher, then run it. In the patcher, tab to the Patch button and press it, wait for it to finish, press OK when it’s done, then tab to the Exit button. Keep this file handy. You’ll need to run it each time accessibility updates are made.
Launch the Game: Use the Hearthstone shortcut and look for the Play: Hearthstone button to launch the game.
Important Note About Updates
When Hearthstone updates (which happens at least a couple of times a month), the Hearthstone Access community releases updated accessibility patches. You’ll be prompted to run the patcher again after game updates to keep accessibility working. The community has been dedicated to keeping up with these updates so we can continue to have access.
Note that originally GuideDev maintained this accessibility mod solo as a side project. He has since stepped back, and the Hearthstone Access community has taken over development. They continue to add new features, including accessibility for newer game content like Death Knight class features and Tavern Brawls.
FAQ
Can blind players really play Hearthstone competitively?
Yes! The Hearthstone Access mod makes the game fully playable with NVDA. You can compete against sighted players in all ranked modes, and they won’t even know you’re using a screen reader.
Does Hearthstone work with JAWS or other screen readers?
The Hearthstone Access mod works with NVDA, JAWS, and Narrator, so you can play with whichever screen reader you’re used to. It was developed and tested with NVDA, so that’s the one I’d reach for if you’re starting fresh.
Can I play Hearthstone without a screen reader?
Yes. If Hearthstone Access can’t detect a screen reader, it falls back to the built-in Windows text-to-speech voice, so you can still play using the speech that’s built into Windows.
Is Hearthstone free to play?
Yes, Hearthstone is completely free to play. You can earn cards through gameplay, or purchase card packs with real money if you want to build your collection faster.
Is Hearthstone still being updated in 2026?
Absolutely. Hearthstone is thriving with regular expansions, seasonal events, and the return of Hearthstone Esports in 2026. The community accessibility mod is also actively maintained to support new game versions.
Where can I get help if I’m stuck?
The Hearthstone Access community has a Discord server where you can ask questions and get help from other blind players. You can also check the Hearthstone Access documentation for keyboard commands and FAQs.
Conclusion
The ability to play against the world regardless of disability is just awesome. I think someone in the forums said it best. Paraphrasing, he said something like, after going blind, I never thought I’d be able to play Hearthstone with my family and friends again. Ya just can’t beat that! Thanks to the Hearthstone Access community for continuing GuideDev’s legacy and keeping this game accessible.
Still here? Sheesh! Get outa here and start your journey in Stormwind! Have fun, and happy adventuring!
Qapla! Off with you!
Hey, sounds like a neat game. Thanks for sharing it with us. Have shared it with others.