There are a lot of differences between the up and coming Artifact and the juggernaut that is Hearthstone. These range from features and functionality to gameplay and strategy. Perhaps one of the main differences between them could be the fact that Artifact seems less about building a deck that can execute a well-thought strategy with pinpoint precision, but more of a turn-by-turn battle with the other player’s decision.
Nevertheless, here are some similarities and differences between the two games.
- Price
Hearthstone is free-to-play and you can further improve your card collection by purchasing packs with in-game currency which you can easily acquire through daily quests and winning games. You also have the option to buy some on their game with real money as well if you’re under time constraints. Artifact, however, will set you back $20 to purchase. But for that cost, you will get two base decks with 54 cards each deck and 5 sealed packs of cards, each that include 12 random cards. You can earn free packs via the in-game progression system but it isn't much, so you’ll need to buy packs or cards from the official marketplace if you want to complete your collection.
- Artifact’s Marketplace vs Hearthstone’s Crafting System
Hearthstone has a Crafting System where you can buy or sell new cards directly from the game through the in-game currency called Dust. You can sell any card you want for 25% of its value in Dust, and you can purchase any card you want as long as you have enough of the currency. While in Artifact, you won’t be able to craft the cards you don’t need anymore, but instead, buy them from other players in Steam. This enables players to determine the price or the worth of each card for themselves instead of relying solely on Valve.
- Functionality & Features: What Artifact Has That Hearthstone Doesn’t
When it comes to the features and functionality department, it’s safe to say that Hearthstone is a bit lacking. Although players have complained about it, Hearthstone still doesn’t have much of the basic features that a TGC should have. While Hearthstone does have a few in-game features such as friends and spectate mode, emotes, and deck importing with the use of codes, Artifact brings a lot more essential features to the table—things that everyone wants to see in Hearthstone.
- Replays
Replays are a huge deal for any competitive game, especially for card games because every move counts. Being able to watch a replay to see what you could have done differently is an awesome feature as it can help you formulate more effective strategies in the future. While in replays are supported only by a third party in Hearthstone, Artifact will most likely feature it in the future, just as in DotA 2.
- Deck Tracker
A Deck Tracker is included in the game for Artifact since the decks there might be over more than 40 cards, this feature is definitely going to be helpful in order to keep track of the cards have already been played and those that remain in the deck. Hearthstone players, on the other hand, will have to use a third-party program in order to have access to a tracker which can be rather inconvenient.
- Chat
Artifact clearly has the upper hand here. Besides emotes, which the only thing that Hearthstone has when it comes to communication within the game, Artifact also have the use of in-game chat. While flaming is very rampant these days, the added convenience is much appreciated.