It's not a bad board clear, if you want to try the new fel warlock archetype that's the focus for this expansion. It's flexible enough to be 15 damage for 9 mana or you can find some mana cheat to make it a lot more. It's not going to be busted, but it's a nice random board clear that affects the opponent's side only
I'd have to replay the Rokara story (and maybe the Guff and Kurtrus ones too since I think Varden appears in those) before I can counter to your first paragraph, so for now I'll assume you're right that the apparent inconsistency exists. Though I suppose we do know they were spying on Kazakus, so we can infer they are adept at putting on a behavioural mask, which might be a wise thing to do in the middle of a band of Horde-supporting characters. We also know they are non-binary. I have no idea what prejudices exist on Azeroth over that, but if it mirrors our world that's another reason they might be good at masking what they really feel.
The thing with masking, is it leads to outwardly inconsistent behaviour in the very real people who do it for various reasons (e.g. to hide sexuality, gender non-conformity or autism). Make a character wear a mask and handle it well, and that's great character design, but it is easy for it to just appear inconsistent. As of yet we haven't had the chance to see Varden from their own point of view, which is the only time we'd be able to tell if they are masking or are just badly written.
As for whether it is believable that Varden would be central to uniting the two sides, I'd say it's plausible on the assumption that it isn't held together by Varden's charisma alone. They are clearly more academic than charismatic, which is fine (I'm a physicist so I know plenty of those people!), though it means they are probably better at convincing a handful of people via logic than 2 warring armies. Luckily for Varden, we have 8 such mercs (I'm discounting Tamsin for obvious reasons) they can convince, and who between them possess more charisma and sway among the Frostwolves and Stormpikes to make up the difference. We'll have to see if it happens that way, but if it does, there is no problem here :)
This is the card that shaman needed to get freeze shaman off the ground. Freeze shaman might even consider running Wandmaker just for the chance at getting another Windchill.
You'd have to play Cavalry Horn before Lightforged Cariel or it's a dead card in hand, coz no sane person would destroy The Immovable Object. The stats for the mana cost are also a bit lackluster, so if big paladin does rise from the ashes, this weapon might not even make the cut
Basically a one-use Skull of the Man'ari, which I don't think people should underestimate. Yes, there is no Carnivorous Cube in Standard, but that doesn't mean that is card can just fly under the radar.
As someone who loves priestess of fury or the big dormant guy (can't remember name at the moment) this makes me happy. Anything other than deathrattle or smorc DH is good.
I would agree with you but in Rokara's book Dawngrasp is all "hell yeah, for the Horde." which kinda goes aagainst the whole "neutral party" idea. I wish that was a stronger part of their character, something that would have come up more during the books.
Hell, Scabbs is more outspoken about this when he says "the SI:7 told me to hate the Horde but these guys seem alright".
I'm not upset about them being rational, I just don'T buy that this flavorless cardboard cutout of a character would be the one to unite the tribes and save the world. I guess we'll see how it turns out.
Wasn't sure if I wanted to enter due to the theme being quite harsh from the art side, but there I am. So U-lA-lA is a reference to the music video game Space Channel 5's main character - Ulala - and costs 2 so that if played five items, it's a nod to 5 on the game's name. Song of Accord is much more straightforward in its flavor, but gives flexibility on when you want to buff it.
So the problem here is that all the other mercs have gotten a lot of characterization even before their dedicated books. Cariel got a lot of character in Kurtrus' book, both Tavish and Scabbs, despite being relatively simple characters overall, have been quite well established in both Xyrella's and Kurtrus' book. Bru'kan is similarly established and Guff arguably received more characterization in all the other books rather than his own.
Meanwhile I barely know how I would describe Dawngrasp. I guess the best description would be the as an "academic" type, focussed on research and such? They come off as way more off a plot device than a character. They show up with Kazakus (for reasons not yet revealed) only to get captured by the Alliance and sent to Stormwind to kick off the Horde gang's journey there and then in Stormwind they're yet another plot device to help Scabbs break out of prison and later assist in the Deadmines.
Now it seems like they're going to be the big "uniter" against the greater evil and...I just don't buy it. From what we have so far Dawngrasp doesn't have the charisma to believably end the fucking race war. They're just...bland, which would be fine if they remained a supporting character with little personal agency (like Scabbs and Rokara to some extent) but when they are apparently the centerpiece of the grand finale...that just kinda worries me.
I think people are overrating Unstoppable Force. It's an arcanite reaper that you can either go face with, or you can use the 5 damage to hit a bigger minion into the opponet's face. It's a huge risk/reward card. (you still take the damage and either damage or kill the minion, but then the opponent takes the same amount of damage. I'm not sure if it's "great", but the hero power is half decent so I'm sure it will be in some decks.
I think it would have been better if it said "...in addition your hero is immune while attacking minions. But lower the damage of the weapon to 2 attack. That way the weapon is encouraged to be used as minion control/anti minion damage. And not just used as a weird arcanite reaper.
It has been confirmed by Bliz that Sketchy Information will summon a copy of Korrak. With Forsaken Lieutenant if you hit some with 3 attack it will summon a new Korrak
New Druid Minion - Pride Seeker
Obviously good with any choose one card. Or at least, I'm pretty sure even the worst one is pretty good if it's 2 mana cheaper.
New Warlock Spell - Full-Blown Evil
It's not a bad board clear, if you want to try the new fel warlock archetype that's the focus for this expansion. It's flexible enough to be 15 damage for 9 mana or you can find some mana cheat to make it a lot more. It's not going to be busted, but it's a nice random board clear that affects the opponent's side only
All Card Flavor Text for Hearthstone's Fractured in Alterac Valley Expansion Which Releases December 7
I'd have to replay the Rokara story (and maybe the Guff and Kurtrus ones too since I think Varden appears in those) before I can counter to your first paragraph, so for now I'll assume you're right that the apparent inconsistency exists. Though I suppose we do know they were spying on Kazakus, so we can infer they are adept at putting on a behavioural mask, which might be a wise thing to do in the middle of a band of Horde-supporting characters. We also know they are non-binary. I have no idea what prejudices exist on Azeroth over that, but if it mirrors our world that's another reason they might be good at masking what they really feel.
The thing with masking, is it leads to outwardly inconsistent behaviour in the very real people who do it for various reasons (e.g. to hide sexuality, gender non-conformity or autism). Make a character wear a mask and handle it well, and that's great character design, but it is easy for it to just appear inconsistent. As of yet we haven't had the chance to see Varden from their own point of view, which is the only time we'd be able to tell if they are masking or are just badly written.
As for whether it is believable that Varden would be central to uniting the two sides, I'd say it's plausible on the assumption that it isn't held together by Varden's charisma alone. They are clearly more academic than charismatic, which is fine (I'm a physicist so I know plenty of those people!), though it means they are probably better at convincing a handful of people via logic than 2 warring armies. Luckily for Varden, we have 8 such mercs (I'm discounting Tamsin for obvious reasons) they can convince, and who between them possess more charisma and sway among the Frostwolves and Stormpikes to make up the difference. We'll have to see if it happens that way, but if it does, there is no problem here :)
New Shaman Spell - Windchill
This is the card that shaman needed to get freeze shaman off the ground. Freeze shaman might even consider running Wandmaker just for the chance at getting another Windchill.
New Paladin Weapon - Cavalry Horn
You'd have to play Cavalry Horn before Lightforged Cariel or it's a dead card in hand, coz no sane person would destroy The Immovable Object. The stats for the mana cost are also a bit lackluster, so if big paladin does rise from the ashes, this weapon might not even make the cut
Meta Predictions?
My Freeze Galakrond Shaman theorycraft will be a Tier 1 deck, because...I wish it so? It'll be a true Christmas miracle!
...I just want it to be fun. Please be more than a meme.
New Hunter Hero - Beaststalker Tavish
Can't wait to see you on the ladder with Secret Hunter 2.0 ^^
New Paladin Spell - Protect the Innocent
Pretty good card if you're behind on board against aggro, only thing is you need to heal and there's only 13 cards in standard that do that atm: https://outof.cards/hearthstone/cards/?hsclass=12&hsclass=5&text=restore&collectible=yes&standard=yes
Maybe Vitality Surge and Snack Run?
New Demon Hunter Minion - Ur'zul Giant
As if there was anything wrong with memes ^^
Sigil of Reckoning
Basically a one-use Skull of the Man'ari, which I don't think people should underestimate. Yes, there is no Carnivorous Cube in Standard, but that doesn't mean that is card can just fly under the radar.
New Demon Hunter Spell - Sigil of Reckoning
As someone who loves priestess of fury or the big dormant guy (can't remember name at the moment) this makes me happy. Anything other than deathrattle or smorc DH is good.
All Card Flavor Text for Hearthstone's Fractured in Alterac Valley Expansion Which Releases December 7
I would agree with you but in Rokara's book Dawngrasp is all "hell yeah, for the Horde." which kinda goes aagainst the whole "neutral party" idea. I wish that was a stronger part of their character, something that would have come up more during the books.
Hell, Scabbs is more outspoken about this when he says "the SI:7 told me to hate the Horde but these guys seem alright".
I'm not upset about them being rational, I just don'T buy that this flavorless cardboard cutout of a character would be the one to unite the tribes and save the world. I guess we'll see how it turns out.
Battle Of The Bards - Card Design Competition Discussion Thread
Wasn't sure if I wanted to enter due to the theme being quite harsh from the art side, but there I am. So U-lA-lA is a reference to the music video game Space Channel 5's main character - Ulala - and costs 2 so that if played five items, it's a nod to 5 on the game's name. Song of Accord is much more straightforward in its flavor, but gives flexibility on when you want to buff it.
All Card Flavor Text for Hearthstone's Fractured in Alterac Valley Expansion Which Releases December 7
So the problem here is that all the other mercs have gotten a lot of characterization even before their dedicated books. Cariel got a lot of character in Kurtrus' book, both Tavish and Scabbs, despite being relatively simple characters overall, have been quite well established in both Xyrella's and Kurtrus' book. Bru'kan is similarly established and Guff arguably received more characterization in all the other books rather than his own.
Meanwhile I barely know how I would describe Dawngrasp. I guess the best description would be the as an "academic" type, focussed on research and such? They come off as way more off a plot device than a character. They show up with Kazakus (for reasons not yet revealed) only to get captured by the Alliance and sent to Stormwind to kick off the Horde gang's journey there and then in Stormwind they're yet another plot device to help Scabbs break out of prison and later assist in the Deadmines.
Now it seems like they're going to be the big "uniter" against the greater evil and...I just don't buy it. From what we have so far Dawngrasp doesn't have the charisma to believably end the fucking race war. They're just...bland, which would be fine if they remained a supporting character with little personal agency (like Scabbs and Rokara to some extent) but when they are apparently the centerpiece of the grand finale...that just kinda worries me.
New Demon Hunter Minion - Warden of Chains
It really speaks to the level of powercreep when a 4 mana 3/8 taunt (situational) is considered bad. Oh how far we've fallen.
All Card Flavor Text for Hearthstone's Fractured in Alterac Valley Expansion Which Releases December 7
Sacrificial Summoner
A Fullmetal Alchemist reference.
New Demon Hunter Spell - Field of Strife
Definitely one of the weaker and also most uninspiring designed landmark card we've seen so far.
New Demon Hunter Minion - Flag Runner
It's stickier than flesh-eating ghoul but requires more setup. May be decent in arena but for now I'm writing it off.
New Demon Hunter Minion - Battleworn Vanguard
Slightly better than umberwing since it can synergize with your base hero power. May see play in aggro/token decks.
All Card Flavor Text for Hearthstone's Fractured in Alterac Valley Expansion Which Releases December 7
I did know that Sacrificial Summoner relates to Dr.Boom...
All Card Flavor Text for Hearthstone's Fractured in Alterac Valley Expansion Which Releases December 7
just can't wait to start opening my 145 card packs!
New Demon Hunter Weapon - Dreadprison Glaive
Bad weapon card considering alternates that DH has available. May see next rotation.
New Warrior Spell - Iceblood Garrison
Whirlwind on every turn will be very useful to stop aggro and make use of enrage mechanic
New Warrior Hero - Rokara, the Valorous
I think people are overrating Unstoppable Force. It's an arcanite reaper that you can either go face with, or you can use the 5 damage to hit a bigger minion into the opponet's face. It's a huge risk/reward card. (you still take the damage and either damage or kill the minion, but then the opponent takes the same amount of damage. I'm not sure if it's "great", but the hero power is half decent so I'm sure it will be in some decks.
I think it would have been better if it said "...in addition your hero is immune while attacking minions. But lower the damage of the weapon to 2 attack. That way the weapon is encouraged to be used as minion control/anti minion damage. And not just used as a weird arcanite reaper.
New Neutral Minion - Korrak the Bloodrager
What about Xyrella, the Devout?