He is good with both orcs and demons. The Betrayer is also a master of fel magic, but that spell school doesnt seem very good at the moment. If they add more fel synergy to the game, Gul'dan will be even more versatile.
So as long as orcs, demons or fel magic is relevant, Gul'dan will be relevant. One of the best legendaries IMO.
He is the tank of the nature comp. +6/+16 per nature ability is a lot. The bench-buffing ability of Runic slam is nice and it work very well with another nature merc: Brightwing. So he is very useful in the right party, and IMO he is surprisingly strong for a rare.
On a slightly different topic: is it good to have tanks that are not "protectors"? I think yes. If you are playing against a lot of casters, either in PVE or PVP, you might not want a "red tank", but you might still want a tank in the party. So IMO its completely fine to have different roles in each color, it just adds to the strategy.
"This is a Mak'gora! You will respect our tradition! Keep fighting!"
Garrosh is the number 1 boss killer in the format. He is obviously good in any orc comp, but he can do much more. When you use Dueling Gauntlets and pair him with Tirion's Judgement of Humility, he can shred any boss into pieces. There might be a way to make this combo even stronger but Im not sure how it works, I mean Im not sure if the Gauntlets will check Garrosh's health at every attack, or it just checks it at the beginning. If we can trust the wording and it works like it should, then Rokara's Offensive rally can add up to +7/+14 PER attack to Garrosh, and its still a battle to the death.
So yeah, great potential, especially against bosses.
The Dark Wanderer, The Prime Evil, The Lord of Terror. He is here in Azeroth, and he is pretty good!
Honestly I think he is one of the best mercs in the game. Apocalypse is the best focus-fire ability in the format. Doom charge is comparable to Bru'kan's Muddy footing, so its a very good disruption. And Fire stomp is an ability thats not great in itself, but it has very serious potential when paired with the right mercs and abilities (like Cairne and Geddon). Diablo also makes the cut in the demon comp, and he is very good with fire buffs.
Im pretty sure that he is the best choice from the pre-orders.
In general, she seems boring and bad, but Seal of light with the equipment can give (permanent)+10 damage which seems pretty strong with attack based mercs, I mean mercs that can multiply the attack bonus, like Samuro, King Krush, Illidan, Sylvanas, etc.
I already asked myself why there was no Swizard deck in the "weekend of wild decks" article. Now I know the answer: you have your section now. Congrats!
Bru'kan is the "DPS" of the nature comp and he also have good disruption. Not much else to say, but the nature comp seems very good to me, and Bru'kan will be an essential part of that team.
I have nearly a 90% WR so far vs aggro decks so I'm not sure how you're playing it but it should be extremely favored. Mage, on the other hand, automatically beats any minion based deck that goes past turn 7 and this deck is no exception but Mage shouldn't be the reason we stop trying to have fun on ladder! :)
In PVE, especially in heroic it will be key to not lose your mercs between fights. And the best way to do it, is switching mercs from the bench to the frontline. Normally you cant do this, but Brightwing's unique ability allows it. The bench-buffing and healing is just the ice on the cake.
She is also full of nature abilities, and it seems like that school has the most grindy abilities, so she will fit well in a nature comp. Or in any team, really, she is so special.
Sash of Illusion seems like the obvious choice of equipment for all the synergies you can do with Samuro. For each useage of Mirror image, you can get +20 health for Diablo, +8 fel damage for Gul'dan, +truckload of damage for Sylvanas, and maybe there are some others I have missed.
He is also an orc, and while he doesnt offer any orc synergy, he can benefit a lot from other orc buffs.
He is one of the best rare mercs with a lot of endgame potential.
This guy is the key for fire comps and maybe he is even more than that. Heating up works really well with Diablo's Fire stomp, and its generally very good with any fire merc.
Living bomb seems crazy good especially with Burning Bracers. I mean 24-48 aoe damage is no joke, but when you pair it with repeated abilities, like the mentioned Fire stomp from Diablo, or even with something out of the fire school like Greater arcane missiles from Millhouse, it can deal devastating damage.
Very good damage dealer, the Fireball storm can deal insane damage with the right party and equipment. Im not sure if repeated abilities (like Diablo's Fire stomp) count for Fireball storm, but it still has very high damage potential, especially in boss fights.
Anduin is a very good "protector" even if he is a caster. Strong human synergy, and there are a lot of human mercs, but right now there is a lot more synergy between orcs.
Ragnaros for the equipment giving 20Pvp if it works on all party.
I'm almost positive that Ragnaros' Sulfuras passive Health-gain is only for himself; the "cannot be Frozen" is the part that's for everyone, and it's phrased the way it is to differentiate the two effects. As for whether or not the Passive works from the bench I seriously doubt that: that would make Blazing Rune better than Sulfuras 'cause then you've got +3 Fire Damage hidden away on the bench, buffing all Fire abilities whilst being safe from removal.
That's not to say Rag would be bad for the comp - far from it - but I don't believe he can contribute while on the bench.
Alex is reasonable in fire comps, and she has some dragon synergy. Right now she is one of the weaker legendaries but that might change when they introduce more dragons in the format.
It works when opponents die too, so its good sustain without any combos. It also works well with summons (like when you use Diablo in a demon comp), and its really good with Samuro, +20 life per Mirror Image yes please.
next arena rotation
when it will be ?
Miniset launch or next expansion? Thanks
Gul'dan
He is good with both orcs and demons. The Betrayer is also a master of fel magic, but that spell school doesnt seem very good at the moment. If they add more fel synergy to the game, Gul'dan will be even more versatile.
So as long as orcs, demons or fel magic is relevant, Gul'dan will be relevant. One of the best legendaries IMO.
Guff Runetotem
He is the tank of the nature comp. +6/+16 per nature ability is a lot. The bench-buffing ability of Runic slam is nice and it work very well with another nature merc: Brightwing. So he is very useful in the right party, and IMO he is surprisingly strong for a rare.
On a slightly different topic: is it good to have tanks that are not "protectors"? I think yes. If you are playing against a lot of casters, either in PVE or PVP, you might not want a "red tank", but you might still want a tank in the party. So IMO its completely fine to have different roles in each color, it just adds to the strategy.
Welcome Back Party - Card Design Competition Discussion Thread
Finally got a card.
He's rough. He's rowdy. He's also super super tipsy and can barely stand up straight.
Gruul
The only merc without a race. Maybe he is useful in Blackrock Mountain because there are a lot of dragons and fire skills?
Body Building
Opponent conceded on turn 2 thanks to a 3/7 Reliquary of Souls. Deck approved.
Grommash Hellscream
Oh boy he is bad. Probably the worst legendary. I wouldnt even use him in a full-orc comp.
Garrosh Hellscream
"This is a Mak'gora! You will respect our tradition! Keep fighting!"
Garrosh is the number 1 boss killer in the format. He is obviously good in any orc comp, but he can do much more. When you use Dueling Gauntlets and pair him with Tirion's Judgement of Humility, he can shred any boss into pieces. There might be a way to make this combo even stronger but Im not sure how it works, I mean Im not sure if the Gauntlets will check Garrosh's health at every attack, or it just checks it at the beginning. If we can trust the wording and it works like it should, then Rokara's Offensive rally can add up to +7/+14 PER attack to Garrosh, and its still a battle to the death.
So yeah, great potential, especially against bosses.
Diablo
The Dark Wanderer, The Prime Evil, The Lord of Terror. He is here in Azeroth, and he is pretty good!
Honestly I think he is one of the best mercs in the game. Apocalypse is the best focus-fire ability in the format. Doom charge is comparable to Bru'kan's Muddy footing, so its a very good disruption. And Fire stomp is an ability thats not great in itself, but it has very serious potential when paired with the right mercs and abilities (like Cairne and Geddon). Diablo also makes the cut in the demon comp, and he is very good with fire buffs.
Im pretty sure that he is the best choice from the pre-orders.
Cornelius Roame
Blessing of Sacrifice with Shield of Dawn seems like a good tanking strategy. And thats it. Cornelius is one of the least interesting mercs.
Cariel Roame
In general, she seems boring and bad, but Seal of light with the equipment can give (permanent)+10 damage which seems pretty strong with attack based mercs, I mean mercs that can multiply the attack bonus, like Samuro, King Krush, Illidan, Sylvanas, etc.
Cairne Bloodhoof
Cairne, the ultimate disruptor. He will be very good in PVP and probably even in PVE.
He is also a very good friend of Diablo.
I've Got the Beast in My Sights - A Full Guide to Piloting Beast Hunter on the Wildest of Wednesdays
I already asked myself why there was no Swizard deck in the "weekend of wild decks" article. Now I know the answer: you have your section now. Congrats!
Big Demon Warlock!
It has both board removal and health generation! but this deck is more meant as a fun meme deck rather than a deck to seriously climb ladder :)
Bru'kan
Bru'kan is the "DPS" of the nature comp and he also have good disruption. Not much else to say, but the nature comp seems very good to me, and Bru'kan will be an essential part of that team.
BIG Warrior [75% WR - Legend]
I have nearly a 90% WR so far vs aggro decks so I'm not sure how you're playing it but it should be extremely favored. Mage, on the other hand, automatically beats any minion based deck that goes past turn 7 and this deck is no exception but Mage shouldn't be the reason we stop trying to have fun on ladder! :)
Brightwing
I just love Brightwing.
In PVE, especially in heroic it will be key to not lose your mercs between fights. And the best way to do it, is switching mercs from the bench to the frontline. Normally you cant do this, but Brightwing's unique ability allows it. The bench-buffing and healing is just the ice on the cake.
She is also full of nature abilities, and it seems like that school has the most grindy abilities, so she will fit well in a nature comp. Or in any team, really, she is so special.
Blink Fox
Mind thief is fun and Mana blink could be very useful. Blink fox is also one of the few Beast mercs, which could be important in some comps.
I can see him being used outside of arcane/beast builds, just because Mana blink is so strong.
Blademaster Samuro
Sash of Illusion seems like the obvious choice of equipment for all the synergies you can do with Samuro. For each useage of Mirror image, you can get +20 health for Diablo, +8 fel damage for Gul'dan, +truckload of damage for Sylvanas, and maybe there are some others I have missed.
He is also an orc, and while he doesnt offer any orc synergy, he can benefit a lot from other orc buffs.
He is one of the best rare mercs with a lot of endgame potential.
Baron Geddon
This guy is the key for fire comps and maybe he is even more than that. Heating up works really well with Diablo's Fire stomp, and its generally very good with any fire merc.
Living bomb seems crazy good especially with Burning Bracers. I mean 24-48 aoe damage is no joke, but when you pair it with repeated abilities, like the mentioned Fire stomp from Diablo, or even with something out of the fire school like Greater arcane missiles from Millhouse, it can deal devastating damage.
Antonidas
Very good damage dealer, the Fireball storm can deal insane damage with the right party and equipment. Im not sure if repeated abilities (like Diablo's Fire stomp) count for Fireball storm, but it still has very high damage potential, especially in boss fights.
Anduin Wrynn
Anduin is a very good "protector" even if he is a caster. Strong human synergy, and there are a lot of human mercs, but right now there is a lot more synergy between orcs.
Fire compo burst to hell
I'm almost positive that Ragnaros' Sulfuras passive Health-gain is only for himself; the "cannot be Frozen" is the part that's for everyone, and it's phrased the way it is to differentiate the two effects. As for whether or not the Passive works from the bench I seriously doubt that: that would make Blazing Rune better than Sulfuras 'cause then you've got +3 Fire Damage hidden away on the bench, buffing all Fire abilities whilst being safe from removal.
That's not to say Rag would be bad for the comp - far from it - but I don't believe he can contribute while on the bench.
Alexstrasza
Alex is reasonable in fire comps, and she has some dragon synergy. Right now she is one of the weaker legendaries but that might change when they introduce more dragons in the format.
Diablo
It works when opponents die too, so its good sustain without any combos. It also works well with summons (like when you use Diablo in a demon comp), and its really good with Samuro, +20 life per Mirror Image yes please.