Handlock is back with a HUGE boardclear. I think a Handlock/Questline hybrid deck could be viable and is what I want to build first in this expansion for sure.
Good to see Dreadsteed again. I wasn't a big fan of it before (especially after it got nerfed to only resummon at the end of the turn), but it gives you a target to sacrifice for all the "Deal 1 to a minion, if it kills it..." cards or other sacrifice plays. Also gives Warlock a semi-permanent ping every turn which can be helpful in either chipping away at the opponent or setting up favorable trades.
This is more handbuffing. Sure, it is big numbers, but the handbuff mechanic remains unproven. I'm skeptical until I see it work on a consistent basis.
Very good for Zoo and helps complete the Warlock Questline and continues to help by then dealing 2 additional damage to your opponent's face after it attacks. Very strong card.
It's really slow and very hard to complete. It may get refined enough to be a meme deck, but I'm sure "instant win" decks like this will be very hard to pull off. In some ways, worse than cthun the shattered.
This is actually good in shadow priest during theorycrafting streams. It makes even small 1 attack minions threatening. Will probably be cut because hunter exists with a great hero power quest, so it's a bit of a double edged sword.
Hunter got a lot of fun toys this expansion. for ZERO mana, you can remove a minion AND bounce your minions back to your hand. Supports cards that have effects on attacks like Trampling Rhino. Can let it get a kill on something to deal face damage, then play it again to remove another thing for more face damage. Definite potential here.
Largest of the mounts. However, also the weakest in terms of utility. Taunt is never bad but this may be difficult to pull off unless mana cheating/spell duplicating shenanigans are to be had.
Demon in Hunter is weird, but the do have Demon Companion I suppose. This is very sticky with such a high health total, I expect to be nerfed to 5 or 4 health somewhere down the road. Drop this early, your opponent has to remove it, or else you slam down some beats then buff them all and it becomes very hard for your opponent to get the board back.
New Rogue Minion - SI:7 Operative
This is a really strong SI:7 card that can often trade with two minions and it helps set up the payoff SI:7 cards for later in the game.
New Warlock Minion - Entitled Customer
Handlock is back with a HUGE boardclear. I think a Handlock/Questline hybrid deck could be viable and is what I want to build first in this expansion for sure.
New Priest Spell - Shard of the Naaru
How is this not super broken? It would be more fair if it wasn't tradeable
New Warlock Spell - Dreaded Mount
Good to see Dreadsteed again. I wasn't a big fan of it before (especially after it got nerfed to only resummon at the end of the turn), but it gives you a target to sacrifice for all the "Deal 1 to a minion, if it kills it..." cards or other sacrifice plays. Also gives Warlock a semi-permanent ping every turn which can be helpful in either chipping away at the opponent or setting up favorable trades.
New Paladin Minion - Highlord Fordragon
This is more handbuffing. Sure, it is big numbers, but the handbuff mechanic remains unproven. I'm skeptical until I see it work on a consistent basis.
New Warlock Minion - Bloodbound Imp
Very good for Zoo and helps complete the Warlock Questline and continues to help by then dealing 2 additional damage to your opponent's face after it attacks. Very strong card.
New Hunter Weapon - Leatherworking Kit
Need 9 beasts to die to get the full advantage from this. This is too slow and not want Hunter wants to be doing.
Darkbishop Benedictus
My new favorite card. Also in Diamond Flavor (sadly no diamond hero power....petition blizzard to make a 3D hero power!)
New Rogue Minion - Loan Shark
Beast Rogue meta will dominate.
Seek Guidance
It's really slow and very hard to complete. It may get refined enough to be a meme deck, but I'm sure "instant win" decks like this will be very hard to pull off. In some ways, worse than cthun the shattered.
Voidtouched Attendant
This is actually good in shadow priest during theorycrafting streams. It makes even small 1 attack minions threatening. Will probably be cut because hunter exists with a great hero power quest, so it's a bit of a double edged sword.
New Hunter Spell - Devouring Swarm
Hunter got a lot of fun toys this expansion. for ZERO mana, you can remove a minion AND bounce your minions back to your hand. Supports cards that have effects on attacks like Trampling Rhino. Can let it get a kill on something to deal face damage, then play it again to remove another thing for more face damage. Definite potential here.
Call of the Grave
Agreed that this is amazing. Also support for future deathrattle archetypes.
Elekk Mount
Largest of the mounts. However, also the weakest in terms of utility. Taunt is never bad but this may be difficult to pull off unless mana cheating/spell duplicating shenanigans are to be had.
Psyfiend
Really good in kibler's stream. Helps make an actual shadowpriest wincon. Also if you discover apotheosis, this card becomes insane.
New Hunter Minion - Rodent Nest
4 mana 7/7 in stats, though this takes up a lot of board space if you want to get the full potential from it.
New Hunter Spell - Defend the Dwarven District
Probably nerfed to 3 spells per benchmark.
Shadowcloth Needle
Shadowpriest support with minor aoe. Honestly not horrible...
Void Shard
really good in shadow priest, since it can go face.
Tavish, Master Marksman
Just too good
Knock 'Em Down
Just too good
Take the High Ground
Just too good
New Hunter Minion - Stormwind Piper
Demon in Hunter is weird, but the do have Demon Companion I suppose. This is very sticky with such a high health total, I expect to be nerfed to 5 or 4 health somewhere down the road. Drop this early, your opponent has to remove it, or else you slam down some beats then buff them all and it becomes very hard for your opponent to get the board back.
Twilight Deceptor
Card draw with dual conditions (shadow spells only, and damage required). Not sure this will see much play...
New Hunter Spell - Defend the Dwarven District
This is just a really really gross questline. The number of Hunter spells that deal damage, let alone at a low cost? This smells of Nerf