I think this is a solid card. Not that good, but not too bad either. It's been confirmed that killing this with "destroy" effects (like Twisting Nether and other straight-up removal cards) don't count as Honorable Kills, so this could be a nuisance for decks that don't play much minions. Still, it's a 4-mana do nothing, so it won't be as impactful.
Its pretty much always going to fit into big spell mage, simply because it reads copy, not draw. One of the main problems with the old big spell mage was running out of fuel and depending entirely on an early Frost Lich Jaina, but with this card you can safely just play on and on until the opponent dies.
But make no mistake that its still pretty much a control deck at the end. Which means, most mages are going straight back to quest or spell mage and mozaki mage. Why not? Siphon Mana is the best card in mage right now, because team5 just cant help themselves. And that deck straight up demolishes this one
This can actually be decent in something like Token Druid that can buff low cost cards. Functions similarly to Crossroads Watch Post, but summon another minion instead of buffing what you already have.
Its good but inconsistent, and that's usually a clue for whether it'll be a viable card for ranked.
In standard at least there's really not too many things you can do with cheaper beasts. You can get mama Mountain Bear early on 5, which is great, but since this card is also a deathrattle it pretty much messes up the pool for both Revive Pet and Jewel of N'Zoth, so what's the end game here? Even mama bear can't win entire games on her own.
But it does have rush, and if there was ever more big beasts, this might just make the cut. And hey, it makes good ol' King Krush 7 mana, so if you squint just a little you'll see the old highlander hunter in standard again.
1 mana 2/2 with upside might be good in something.
If it wasn't from the Mage class, a 1 mana 2/2 alone would be good - but then, it is not a minion heavy class we are talking, so it is just a "might be good". Still, the effect seems useful and aligned with Big Spell - cheating mana and discount is essentially part of the class identity at this point!
At first I got excited, then I saw the caveat. The bonus +1+1 only applies to beast. And whereforth will druid fill the board with these things? Just play Frostwolf Kennels and wait for 2 turns? because those cute little cubs do have stealth.
Looks good in theory, but honestly, I think its safe to say you'd much rather just play Power of the Wild or wait a turn for Pride's Fury, which is likely infinitely better.
4 mana Nourish is bad enough. Playing Pathmaker on 5, gaining back 2 mana, that's downright illegal.
It deserves high rating on this alone, but probably too inconsistent for it to ever happen. Still its very close to when Guardian Animals was 7 mana. Highrolling is practically a druid sport.
Arena card. Personal Opinion, but not a big fan of Honorable Kill effects that can only trigger once. It's almost as if this was made to rush into two things, in which case it probably doesn't live. At 5 mana, that makes it a worse Restless Mummy, and that card was power crept this expansion.
Its yet another one of those minions that properly powerful in its own right, but in druid is mostly a mismatch, if not an outright none card. It requires druid to play a midrange style, of which the class doesn't (for now anyway) excel too much in. Its the same problem with Druid of the Plains, being a very strong minion in a class that cant appreciate it.
The problem is that this card requires quite a good deal to be good. Being able to essentially give all minions Soul of the Forest until this is removed is great but this require your opponent conveniently having a board for you to honor kill your stuff. Also, its a 4 mana 2/5 rush, which means unless you can at least guarantee one honor kill somewhere its a completely subpar minion.
There's lots of talk of this being able to clear an entire board of 2 health minions on its own. Well, that's a stretch in of itself. Surely if it does it consistently the meta will just warp around it. Let's also not forget that there are plenty of honor kill cards triggering on 2 health minions, so this card might get countered without even being guilty for it.
New Neutral Minion - Korrak the Bloodrager
I think this is a solid card. Not that good, but not too bad either. It's been confirmed that killing this with "destroy" effects (like Twisting Nether and other straight-up removal cards) don't count as Honorable Kills, so this could be a nuisance for decks that don't play much minions. Still, it's a 4-mana do nothing, so it won't be as impactful.
New Warrior Spell - Iceblood Garrison
Great for Control Warrior to stall against Aggro decks while they build up whatever they are trying to do.
New Mage Spell - Arcane Brilliance
Its pretty much always going to fit into big spell mage, simply because it reads copy, not draw. One of the main problems with the old big spell mage was running out of fuel and depending entirely on an early Frost Lich Jaina, but with this card you can safely just play on and on until the opponent dies.
Iceblood Tower, Rune of the Archmage, Deep Freeze, and Mass Polymorph/Flamestrike. Yeah that pretty much sums it up. Properly getting you fuel for your Celestial Ink Set to do work.
But make no mistake that its still pretty much a control deck at the end. Which means, most mages are going straight back to quest or spell mage and mozaki mage. Why not? Siphon Mana is the best card in mage right now, because team5 just cant help themselves. And that deck straight up demolishes this one
New Neutral Minion - Troll Centurion
Unless there was to be at least 1 8/8 dominating the meta, then this would make for a decent side board - but that seems farfetched
New Warrior Minion - Axe Berserker
Really good with Blacksmithing Hammer, being able to grow it and tutor it out quickly.
New Warrior Minion - Glory Chaser
Forces removal from your opponent. Unfortunately that's not a tall order with only 3 Health.
New Neutral Minion - Irondeep Trogg
STOP AGGROING MORE!
New Neutral Minion - Kobold Taskmaster
Basically Spare Parts. This only sees play in the new Inner Fire Priest deck.
New Neutral Minion - Snowblind Harpy
3 cost 3/4 that heals 5? Amazing!
Also some niche uses in classes like Warrior that had a couple Frost spells and can make use of the armor in other ways.
New Neutral Minion - Irondeep Trogg
This can actually be decent in something like Token Druid that can buff low cost cards. Functions similarly to Crossroads Watch Post, but summon another minion instead of buffing what you already have.
New Hunter Minion - Stormpike Battle Ram
Its good but inconsistent, and that's usually a clue for whether it'll be a viable card for ranked.
In standard at least there's really not too many things you can do with cheaper beasts. You can get mama Mountain Bear early on 5, which is great, but since this card is also a deathrattle it pretty much messes up the pool for both Revive Pet and Jewel of N'Zoth, so what's the end game here? Even mama bear can't win entire games on her own.
But it does have rush, and if there was ever more big beasts, this might just make the cut. And hey, it makes good ol' King Krush 7 mana, so if you squint just a little you'll see the old highlander hunter in standard again.
For now, its just a maybe, very small maybe.
New Mage Minion - Shivering Sorceress
If it wasn't from the Mage class, a 1 mana 2/2 alone would be good - but then, it is not a minion heavy class we are talking, so it is just a "might be good". Still, the effect seems useful and aligned with Big Spell - cheating mana and discount is essentially part of the class identity at this point!
New Neutral Minion - Troll Centurion
Sounds great until you realize you'll never get an Honorable Kill with this thing.
New Neutral Minion - Humongous Owl
That's a big Beast! Basically a weaker Ragnaros the Firelord, that only has one shot. Trash.
New Mage Spell - Arcane Brilliance
For anyone who wonder how to make Big Spell Mage work, this is a pretty straight forward answer.
Blizz is being very subtle this time of the year
New Druid Spell - Heart of the Wild
At first I got excited, then I saw the caveat. The bonus +1+1 only applies to beast. And whereforth will druid fill the board with these things? Just play Frostwolf Kennels and wait for 2 turns? because those cute little cubs do have stealth.
Looks good in theory, but honestly, I think its safe to say you'd much rather just play Power of the Wild or wait a turn for Pride's Fury, which is likely infinitely better.
New Hunter Minion - Stormpike Battle Ram
If Mountain Bear cost (5), then it may be good
New Neutral Minion - Icehoof Protector
Comparable to Voodoo Hexxer, and I think this only sees play in the same class as that card.
New Druid Spell - Heart of the Wild
I want this to be good, but it does sounds limiting and conditional - still, I want to believe
New Neutral Minion - Legionnaire
Way too slow for Handbuffs, and not to mention much too weak. +2/+2 to your hand for 6 mana, locked behind actually dying, is awful.
New Druid Minion - Pride Seeker
4 mana Nourish is bad enough. Playing Pathmaker on 5, gaining back 2 mana, that's downright illegal.
It deserves high rating on this alone, but probably too inconsistent for it to ever happen. Still its very close to when Guardian Animals was 7 mana. Highrolling is practically a druid sport.
New Druid Minion - Pride Seeker
Yup indeed, 4 mana nourish - gain crystal and draw cards - thank you Pathmaker
New Neutral Minion - Frantic Hippogryph
Arena card. Personal Opinion, but not a big fan of Honorable Kill effects that can only trigger once. It's almost as if this was made to rush into two things, in which case it probably doesn't live. At 5 mana, that makes it a worse Restless Mummy, and that card was power crept this expansion.
New Druid Minion - Wing Commander Mulverick
Its yet another one of those minions that properly powerful in its own right, but in druid is mostly a mismatch, if not an outright none card. It requires druid to play a midrange style, of which the class doesn't (for now anyway) excel too much in. Its the same problem with Druid of the Plains, being a very strong minion in a class that cant appreciate it.
The problem is that this card requires quite a good deal to be good. Being able to essentially give all minions Soul of the Forest until this is removed is great but this require your opponent conveniently having a board for you to honor kill your stuff. Also, its a 4 mana 2/5 rush, which means unless you can at least guarantee one honor kill somewhere its a completely subpar minion.
There's lots of talk of this being able to clear an entire board of 2 health minions on its own. Well, that's a stretch in of itself. Surely if it does it consistently the meta will just warp around it. Let's also not forget that there are plenty of honor kill cards triggering on 2 health minions, so this card might get countered without even being guilty for it.
New Neutral Minion - Blood Guard
Not even good in Arena. Way too expensive and slow to be useful, and the benefit of the card is miniscule.