Introduction
Up to May 2025, 761 balance changes have been done in Gwent Balance Council. Let’s see how these changes were distributed between factions. I will highlight different elements of a table I’ve made – check out the source table, where you can also find the explanation of each column.
Factions Vs Balance Council Brackets
What stands out is the popularity of Nilfgaard: 156 changes, ~ as distant from 2nd most popular faction as 2nd from 6th; also almost twice the number of changes to Monsters. Especially the representation in the nerf brackets stands out. The ping-pong cards like Slave Driver (5) or Jan Calveit (4) in provision increase or Nauzicaa Sergeant (10) in power decrease do not explain everything.
If we look at the nerfed cards, a high contribution comes from cards perceived as “toxic”: The Eternal Eclipse, Deacons, Initiates, Rot Tosser, Combat Engineer, Kingslayer, Letho: Kingslayer, Master of Puppets, Master of Ceremonies, Imperial Practitioners, Ffion var Gaernel.
Other high contributions in Provision Increase come from Thirsty Dame (3), Enslave (2), Coup de Grace (2), Ard Feainn (2), Battle Stations! (2). In Power Decrease we have many buffs to disloyal units: Rainfarn (4) or Joachim (2). Other distinguished picks are Traheaern (3), Henry (2), Calveit (2), Deacon (2), Torres (2).
Next faction in terms of popularity in BC is Skellige, which is in accordance with historical playrates on Gwent Pro Ladder (NG the most popular, SK second). Both factions also have by far the highest share of “wasted” votes. Note how due to wasted votes SK is the 2nd most changed faction, but 5th when it comes to effective ones! To prov increase bracket most contribution comes from Highland Warlord (6), Magic Compass (5), Sigvald (3) and Kaer Trolde (3). In power decrease we have Kraken (4), Svalblod (4), Dimun Warship (3), Corrupted Flaminica (2), Sove (2) and Vildkaarl (2). Note that Kraken got buffed here and changes to Dimun Warship and Vildkaarl probably also should be regarded as small buffs.
Syndicate in spite (or maybe because of) the lowest ladder popularity is the 3rd most popular faction in BC. Characteristic in the case of SY are leader buffs. Jackpot (+3), Off The Books (+2), Pirate’s Cove (+2), Hidden Cache (+2), Congregate (+2), Blood Money (+1)… only Lined Pockets untouched. Other high contributions in +1 prov are Open, Sesame (3), Bare-Knuckle Brawler (2), Conjurer’s Candle (2), Novigrad (2), Tatterwing (2). In power decrease: Brawler (2), Madam (2), Ixora (2).
Neutrals are distinguished by Power Decrease popularity. Living Armor (7) is the cheat card in this bracket, the only placeholder used so far. Other high contributions come from Regis:Bloodthirst (3), Renfri, Musicians and Frenzied Dao (2)
Northern Realms are the middle faction. Temple Of Melitele (5), Blue Stripes Commando (4), King Demavend (4), Griffin Witcher Adept (4) and Melitele (4) are the most changed cards.
Scoia’tael is the faction where nerf brackets were the least used. Water Of Brokilon (4), Whisperer of Dol Blathanna (4), Saskia: Commander (3), The Heist (3) and Angus Bri Cri (3) are the most changed cards. Also the number of wasted votes (12) is exceptionally low in ST; as the result ST is the 3rd net most changed faction after NG and NR, while only 5th in terms of total bracket use.
Monsters are the least popular faction with respect to BC changes. Lord Riptide (11), Lara Dorren (4), Cave Troll (3), Witches’ Sabbath (3) are the most often changed cards.
Net Buff / Nerf
(negative net provision = less cost; check out table legend)
Why net provision change doesn’t sum to zero? The answer is leader ability buffs. We can see that ST and SY are the factions which net got most provision to use for different decks. Obligatory note here: don’t treat numbers as absolute truth about faction changes, because the weight differs between particular cards. Kaedweni Revenant power buff had more impact than Standard Bearer power buff. They are not the same in spite of both being +1 in table.
Note how even with Disloyal(Rainfarn, Joachim) and Placeholder(Living Armor) changes accounted for (check source table legend), the net power amongst Neutrals and Nilfgaard are negative.
For Monsters faction it is characteristic that more power was added than provision (13 diff); the gap between the both buff routes is smaller for other factions. NR (Engines/Threats!) also was buffed more by power than provision (8 diff). Prov buffs were preferred in ST (8 diff) and SY (7 diff) a bit.
Nilfgaard is the only faction with the net negative buffs vs nerfs ratio (-4). What contributes most to NG nerfs was already discussed: cards perceived as ‘toxic’. Two most net nerfed NG cards are Henry (-2 power +1 prov) and Traheaern (-3 power).
By Card
In the table above we can see the final state of cards which were touched in Balance Council from each faction. In no faction (nor amongst Neutrals) more cards were nerfed than buffed; NG net negative buffs vs nerfs saldo must be a result of some cards used as nerf sponges.
Skellige and Nilfgaard got buffs to relatively few different cards (also effect of ping-pong). The least buffed faction of Monsters is ahead of them.
After NG, Neutrals got clearly the most cards net nerfed. Iris combo, Madoc, Idarran, Dwimveandra, Mushy Truffle and Ale Of Ancestors are just a few examples.
“Unclear” and “Unchanged” (net zero change, not to confuse with untouched) columns are interesting. “Unclear” classification is done by algorithm – while I may lean to particular changes being buff/nerf, I don’t correct it. Perhaps you wonder what are those. Try to excersise your memory first. And here is the list:
N | Avallac’h: Sage
MO | Lara Dorren, Viy, Whispess: Tribute
NG | Slave Driver, Menno Coehorn, Mage Assassin
NR | BS Commando, GW Adept, Vernon Roche, Kaedweni Revenant, John Natalis
SK | Skjordal, Tuirseach Skirm, Anglerfish, Vabjorn, Vildkaarl, Dimun Warship, Udalryk
ST | Fauve, Whisperer of DB, Angus, Freixenet, Aelirenn
SY | Shady Vendor, Ferko
In both categories Skellige appears to be in the lead. I didn’t recognize myself how many SK cards got to net zero state: Dimun Smuggler, Raiding Fleet, Seagull, Dimun Pirate, Onslaught, An Craite Raider, War Of Clans, Yustianna, Crowmother, Patricidal Fury, Coral.
Conclusions
The interpretation of the showcased data is up to you. Caution: without enough insider knowledge conclusions like “let’s buff NG 40 times to keep up with ST/SY” may be not correct.
The spread of nerfs/buffs between factions isn’t ideal, but decent enough. Personally I think that Scoia’tael net amount of buffs was deserved because of well developed but underpowered archetypes like Spella’tael, Handbuff or Movement. I’d like to see a bit more changes to Monsters. Of course I’d also wish the changes to NG and SK were more effective.
Cheers,
lerio2