Introduction
In this article I’d review Gwent: The Witcher Card Game Community Patch November 2025 generated by democratic voting via Balance Council tool. I’d sketch the situation before the patch, analyze the changes one-by-one and then provide summary and a general review.
Check out the discussion of balance changes on Reddit.
It was the 17th council we formed Coalition with Shinmiri and published our balance suggestions on Reddit. I also welcome you to check out ‘Balance Council‘ page on leriohub if you haven’t yet – there is a lot of practical information and my Council philosophy.
*Added some extra comments to the review after publication. Those would be colored gray.
Before Patch
In the October season I played around 200 games. Majority of those were in the first half of the season. Therefore I can’t write about my personal meta experience this time – my knowledge about last 2 weeks of Pro Ladder is very limited.
Balance Council Results
(++) great change
(+) good
(/) acceptable
(-) bad
(–) very bad
Nerf Brackets
-1 Power Decreased
Zoltan: Warrior (4 -> 3)
(++) Explanations
Sigi Reuven: Mastermind (4 -> 3)
(+) A small nerf mainly to Cove Gangs. Understandable.
Ravanen Kimbolt (6 -> 5)
(++) Kimbolt is an “inifite ceiling” ~+8 per turn scaling threat card. Often plays for decent value already on deploy and establishes engine overload. Good nerf, makes it easier to answer Kimbolt and lowers deploy value. Additional context for this nerf is the interaction with Lamp Djinn and highest score on ladder with Cursed NR by Myamon. Kimbolt would still be perfectly playable at 5-power, but would require more care when it comes to round control and round length.
Ivar Evil-Eye (2 -> 1)
(- -) The vision of facing pointslam midrange NG with 11 for 4 Slave Infantry in every 2nd game wasn’t enough to spark your enthusiasm? Felt like there was something missing? Yes, a random Ivar! Only the smartest guys are swinging with this card and only the dumbest don’t play around!
Don’t complain, because Ivar may be provision nerfed next, while now provides cool variety.
The question to ask at the end of the day is whether Ivar at 1/12 is better for the game than old 4/10. Ivar becomes burden in short rounds and worse in thematic Hospitality Enemy Boost decks. While worse in the latter? Because Ivar is usually played for reach and extra points matter very little – opponent passes and after Ivar Enemy Boost deck is many points ahead. So the process of keeping reach becomes 2 provision more expensive. These provisions are quite important in synergistic decks, while midrange types of NG can just include random Ivar as extra win condition and downgrade one gold to bronze.
Affan Hillergrand (5 -> 4)
(++) Explanations
Dandelion (6 -> 5)
(+) Dandelion is a weird card. Possibly very strong when found in R1 hand (6 points of carryover at least, often forces early pass), but usually underwhelming at later stages. This nerf feels okay overall.
Lord Riptide (9 -> 8)
(/) Explanations
Iris von Everec (4 -> 3)
(+) Placeholder, harmless.
Deranged Corsair (3 -> 2)
(++) Deranged Corsair ceiling is 12 for 5 and the value is usually around 11 in practice. Moreover it forms a very efficient package with Abordage, to be used not only in Pirates, but also most of Patricidal Fury decks. Deserved revert.
Firesworn Scribe (5 -> 4)
(++) According to the poll results, this immediate revert was unpopular in our community. My opinion differs here though – I think that 5 power Scribe is unhealthy especially in combination with Cyrus Hemmelfart. Hemmelfart plays for 14 points on deploy and establishes threat overload. If Scribe isn’t answered, then in the next turn he adds +8 points (Helveed or Cleaver) and this value will grow with each unit spawned more. “Printing Press” with Igor and Lonely Champion isn’t essential.
I hope this change won’t be tried again in the near future because “Stupid people surely were wrong nerfing it back then!”
+1 Provision Increased
👑 Jackpot (15 -> 16)
(/) Jackpot already felt balanced for how straightforward the gameplan of the main netdeck is. Not the end of the world, but I’d prefer real nerfs over improvements to already decent enough and figured out decks.
👑 Invigorate (17 -> 18)
(/) A bit different story to Jackpot – here the leader doesn’t have own main netdeck, but is already balanced on paper. This change would result in Invigorate being a midrange leader for Scoia’tael whenever we prefer pointslam over control (compared with Precision Strike).
Temple of Melitele: Congregation (16 -> 17)
(++) Temple could be put in pretty much any midrange NR deck with enough tutoring to polarize the deck, establish carryover especially from red coin and sometimes win the game on the spot if lucky enough with the rolls. This nerf aim is to incentivize generic NR high-ends instead, which are overshadowed since Temple release. Therefore coalitions supporting this change (MetallicDanny, Independent Coalition, Ofir+Qcento) simul buff NR golds as compensation.
Note that Temple was even a part of the highest fMMR deck in October, which is Myamon’s version of Pincer Maneuver Devo Cursed.
Tainted Ale (15 -> 16)
(++) Nerf directed against Armor Exploit Onslaught decks. Good change, Tainted Ale is doomed to be unplayable anyway at this point.
Mutagenerator (10 -> 11)
(/) Explanations
Joachim de Wett (10 -> 11)
(++) Explanations
Vernon Roche (9 -> 10)
(+) Justified balancewise. Going in the opposite direction to MetallicDanny’s plans with Blue Dream at 11-cost and Roche at 9.
Highland Warlord (6 -> 7)
(/) Explanations
Kikimore Stalker (5 -> 6)
(/) Same idea as Kikimore Warrior – two step +1 cost +1 power change. Just as in the case of Kikimore Warrior, power buff is more than +1 point to this card, making it easier to protect Stalker or instantly kill a low power enemy threat.
In my opinion going with the multistep plan for both of these cards at the same time is too much and would make Hive Mind too strong compared with other options in Monsters even after provision nerf.
Kikimore Warrior (4 -> 5)
(/) With the idea to power buff this card when at 5- or 6- cost so that it becomes more often played from hand. Before this multi-step change Kikimore Warrior was played in niche Arachas Swarm decks with Idarran, Necromancer’s Tome etc which weren’t popular on ladder.
4 power Kikimore Warrior would double down on Kikimore Warrior characteristics, which is slow start, but rapid scaling. We would move from +2 to +3 per turn, which is pretty much “answer or lose” value, 28 points in a long round if unanswered. Kikimore Warrior would be played not only in Arachas decks, but also Fruits of Ysgith as a pocket Ethereal.
The most important though is Hive Mind context. This card along with threat overload would become incredibly powerful, around ~50 points value when undisturbed.
Kikimore Warrior was doomed to happen someday with so many players wondering how it would perform at 4 power. I have mixed feelings about this change – it surely is interesting, but also promotes “answer or lose” scenarios and makes Hive Mind absurdly powerful (even if simulnerfed by provision)
Buff Brackets
+1 Power Increased
Kambi (4 -> 5)
(+) Deserved buff, which sometimes can also be important for Magic Compass finisher play. Kambi was pretty much unplayed from hand, but for some weird versions of Corrupted Flaminica decks met on ladder. After buff probably this situation wouldn’t change much, but nevertheless finisher game-winning reach with cards like Morkvarg or Tuirseach Skirmished becomes better.
Master Mirror (6 -> 7)
(++) Explanations
She-Troll of Vergen (4 -> 5)
(++) Explanations
Tourney Shaelmaar (4 -> 5)
(++) Nice buff to Assimilate decks which make use of copying opponent’s stuff rather than drop Assimilate engines playing on curve on deploy and then proc them 4 times with Stefan.
Messenger of the Sea (3 -> 4)
(/) Revert to Messenger was bound to happen because 3 power is harsh especially for thematic Rain decks. I would prefer this revert to happen after some hiatus though and perhaps along with some more nerfs to Renfri Beasts. Now we are back into a very strong Renfri Rain state.
Giant Toad (3 -> 4)
(-) Happy with a controversial nerf to stick for months so you can plan the future changes around it? Not in Gwent Balance Council! Let’s go back to the old state! Stupid people surely were wrong nerfing it back then!
Giant Toad has been power nerfed and reverted twice already in Balance Council history. Last nerf happened in July 2025 balance patch. At 4/5 card Giant Toad feels too strong and too high carryover value for its cost, which results not only in Deathwish, but stuff like Fruits Tome Nekker being prevalent. At 3/5 Giant Toad is mediocre, playable only in specific decks which can balance tempo, play Toads on drypass, play Toads only from red-coin or do other tricks. Maybe 4/6 should be tried.
An Craite Raiders (4 -> 5)
(- -) Happy with any nerf to stick? Not in Gwent Balance Council! Let’s go back to the state which was regarded as too strong! Stupid people surely were wrong nerfing it back then!
Raiders are one of cards which have already been buffed (August 2024) and reverted (January 2025) because felt too strong and omnipresent. To buff Pirates one could have gone with untried card instead, for example Dimun Smugglers buff to 4-cost. To buff Warriors there are also many different options. Both of these archetypes don’t even need balance buffs (because already strong enough to see lots of play on ladder), but more variety / options to tune self for ladder.
Heymaey Protector (4 -> 5)
(++) Explanations
Archespore (4 -> 5)
(/) Okay change, Archespore didn’t see much play. After buff it becomes a real payoff bronze for any decks running consume cards – normal Deathwish, Viy, Consume Fruits…
I’m a bit afraid this card would be played in Deathwish netdeck just ignoring the antisynergy with Brewess: Ritual.
As a very efficient Deathwish unit, Archespore also improves DW micropackages with Giant Toad. (4+10)/2 =7 points per card in R1 is okay tempo and high carryover.
Slave Infantry (5 -> 6)
(- -) What is better, a season with midrange NG in every second game or a risk that Slave Infantry may not be meta shaping after preemptive provision nerf?
Of course, ruining a season is better! At least it would be remembered with 11 for 4 bronze LOL, Gwent is soooo boooooring man, players leave the game.
Renfri Tactical Decision is the most plug and play deck for Slave Infantry, but one can also seize the opportunity for peak Vreemde value in a dedicated build.
-1 Provsion Decreased
Torres var Emreis: Founder (15 -> 14)
(-) Nerfed a good card from one of the most popular netdecks? Deck feels worse? REVERT!!! One of many examples of nerf barrier in practice this patch.
Sihil (11 -> 10)
(+) Good buff. I’m one of the main Sihil players, yet I’m not that big enthusiast of provision buffing directly this card. The reason is that Sihil decks are very specific. The bottleneck is always getting deathblows in order to transform Sihil into Masterful Sihil. Patricidal Fury Sihil is the superior variant and about as strong as it should be. Other spicy variants (I played Bounty, Assimilate, Soldiers Ivo…) are wishful and less stable. Buff is deserved, but benefits would be limited to players who enjoy Sihil playstyle and are okay with fast forfeiting some games.
Sigvald (11 -> 10)
(–) Absolutely no reason to bring Sigvald back to 10-cost. Self-wound with Blob is weaker than before Gwentfinity, but still full playable and strong enough. Also Sigvald is a very binary card, single handedly winning some matchups. I really don’t like how Balance Council voters are entitled to bring decks back exactly to the form from the past rather than to try new directions.
Ulfhedinn (10 -> 9)
(+) Very deserved buff, but Ulf would still be unplayed in my opinion.
Philippa: Blind Fury (10 -> 9)
(/) Okay buff, but with a scent of powercreep / inviting non-archetypical play amongst golds. While unplayed right now, Philippa at 9-cost would be just a good midrange card and quite easy inclusion in Golden Nekker decks, especially in the ones running Kaedweni Revenants.
Miruna (9 -> 8)
(++) Explanations
Priscilla (9 -> 8)
(++) Cool combo card and since King Demavend release also a mean to tactically play for short round point outburst. I used to play War Elephant + King Henselt + Priscilla combo and it was very satisfying at the time. Looking forward to try combo decks like this again.
Hammond (8 -> 7)
(++) Explanations
Open, Sesame! (6 -> 5)
(/) Put in every midrange SY with OtB/Lined Pockets leader ability. No Vice cards. Complain on Vice being killed whenever Sesame at 6.
Half-Elf Hunter (5 -> 4)
(+) Very deserved buff – Half-elf was very understated at 5-cost, completely obsolete. At 4-cost Hunter becomes a decent filler bronze for decks playing Scoia’tael units of different tags.
While buffed Half-elf Hunter may be included in many decks, its value wouldn’t rather be distinctive. In Harmony, the Elf tag is not very precious and Saskia: Commander versions would have small antisynergy with Half-elf Hunter. In pure Elves, Half-elf Hunter would be a worse version of Vrihedd Saboteur. The highest distinctive value I can see would be in multi-tag decks with R1 Sticky Situation or non-Saskia Harmony. Deadeye spawned Half-elf Hunter can be a nice target for Antherion infusion.
Summary
All changes ordered by number of votes and attributed to factions and voting coalitions could be found in the BALANCE COUNCIL RESULTS SHEET.
The November 2025 Gwent patch is full of surprises, starting from Nauzicaa Sergeant not being ping-ponged for the first time in the history! (after 24 councils). Most surprises are of negative character though and come from an overlooked Chinese coalition. It seems like:
- Any nerf can be reverted sooner or later with full disrespect to the part of the community who suggested it in the past.
- Community thinks in categories of decks they already know. If a known deck isn’t in temporary meta, then must be buffed to the old, pre-nerf form.
- Buffs = more variety > nerfs = less variety. Very common way of thinking. If a deck sees less play, nerfs are blamed rather than lack of nerfs to other decks. Also doesn’t matter if other decks see more play instead – it is always tunnel vision whether deck X is as popular on ladder as before. If not, then its assumed nerfs destroyed variety.
The perspective then are years of roughly the same meta as always with impact driven changes jumping in and out every month (this season it is Slave Infantry). Leader abilities would inflate in provision cap, buffs to weaker cards would be of little relevance because top wouldn’t move down in power. Quite grim.
Thanks to everyone who supported the suggestions of our coalition with Shinmiri – 11/12 recommendations got through! The one card which missed the cut is Adriano the Mink.
What New To Try?
MO | Arachas Swarm with She-Troll and Glustyworp, Fruits Consume Nekker with She-Troll, Fruits Microdeathwish with buffed Giant Toads and Archespores, maybe Miruna.
NG | Midrange Infantry #1, Midrange Infantry #2, Midrange Infantry #3,…, Garrison Vreemde Affan Infantry, Shaelmaar Double Cross Assimilate with Anna Henrietta
NR | Golden Nekker with Philippa: Blind Fury, Free Company / War Elephant + Priscilla piles, Master Mirror Pincer Maneuver decks
SK | High Alchemy Otkell with Heymaey Protectors, Master Mirror Lippy / Golden Nekker, Ragh-naar-Roog Patricidal Fury with Hammond.
ST | Non-Saskia Devo Harmony with Half-Elf Hunter, Invigorate
SY | Old stuff
Closure
November 2025 Gwent Balance Patch is worth giving a ride, although likely all roads lead to Nilfgaard. There are many good changes, which are overshadowed by reverts and random overbuffs as usual. Nobody can force you to go meta though, Master Mirror or Sihil underground is more fun 🙂
When it comes to overall Balance Council direction: it moves forward in circles by consuming own tail.
See you on ladder!