Could see some play in zoolock if the 2-drop slot isn't very contested. But between Nerubian Egg and Bonechewer Brawler (just two examples that popped into my head), the competition is too fierce for Apothecary's Caravan to see play. Pulling off a Flame Imp is nice though.
I hope tht Hearthstone’s first non-binary character, the Blood Elf Mage Varden Dawngrasp, and their bestest friend Bru’ka the Troll Shaman are having a good day.
Great find! So, I wonder if this places the Barrens before or after Mean Streets? From that one card, we know the Kabal has already been created and is operating in the Barrens.
You need at least 4 other spells for this to be better than Blessing of Kings manawise. And considering priest has a much harder time to get on board than paladin, I just don't see Power Word: Fortitude being consistent enough to warrant a deck slot. It is, however, a very unique card in priests spell pool as far as discovering spells goes.
Leyline Manipulator had a better body and was a battlecry, so its effect could stick even after death. He was much better than this guy and still didn't see play. And aside from maybe comboing this with Evocation, I just don't see a way to abuse Arcane Luminary's effect.
Never discount tiny taunts for token decks! Voidwalker was played for years, was it not? This doesn't seem amazing, but I think it'll definitely have a place. And that's before I even think about the taunt synergy that's coming along.
Unlike most removal options for priest, this leaves a body behind and we've seen in the past that tempoing out a body while using it to either kill of a couple of small targets or a bigger one is very good, as exemplified by Dyn-o-matic.
I like the idea that they're pushing with Token Druid, since it's something relatively new to the game, but I feel that this is too expensive and not impactful enough to see play. There are too many large taunts out there; against 8 attack, whether you have 6 health or 2 health doesn't matter - what matters is how much attack your minions have.
In any other class, this would be idiotic. But in Druid, which can cycle like Lance Armstrong and has gigantic spells, that 7 mana drain is worth it. You don't need a super expensive deck - those gigantic spells can boost all your minions into big ole minions. Just use the traditional Spell Druid shell and it'll be fine, frankly.
Second point, though - it's worth it... for you and your opponent. As the Druid, you can only make one board of Clowns (i.e.) a turn. As the opponent, they can clear that and THEN develop themselves. Usually they aren't left with enough mana to do so. That hamstrings the Druid somewhat. Not to mention, classes like Demon Hunter or OTK classes, provided they're holding draw, will have an absolute field day.
My initial assessment is that this will have a deck, but will be far too unstable to be competitive.
I have wanted this minion for so long. That old school taunt package with the 8-mana dude and the 4-mana spell that gives armor... this is so juicy. It all fits! It all fits! I'm so happy. I'm so glad that armor is still part of Druid's identity, weird as it feels. It's fun to play with. And beasts! Ach. This is my favorite card of the set.
It's fine, I guess. Lord Barov with this is a clear the board and gain a bunch of armor. On turn 7. That's the issue. On turn 7, against aggro, you most likely already won. Against control, armor is irrelevant. Against midrange, they want to summon a their big late game threats so single target removal is better.
This doesn't seem great. It's a cheap damage card that can be played easily with cycle, but doesn't DH have a few of those? Maybe Gadgetzan will be played in DH at some point...
I'll say it again - don't just think of the Deathrattle minions we've seen this expansion. There are a whole host of neat cards this could draw! Also, it's cheap and it draws cards - is the not good enough?
Actually, this gives me faith in the new archetype. I don't think it will be an archetype. Plop one of these guys down and the chain gets to work - meaning you can use a whole different set of cards while the deathrattles summon themselves! It's a healthy, consistent way to get stats on the board, and DH has plenty of shells that can work around that.
I also look forward to these cards being used as tutors for entirely different deathrattles. Specific tutors have almost always been played in one deck or another - being able to consistently direct a deck in a certain direction is just good.
Landscaping was used because it summoned Treants - the 2-2s themselves, even in a token deck, were just a stabling force good enough to justify the deck's strong pieces being used together. If we see some Demon support elsewhere, maybe this will be used!
New Neutral Minion - Injured Marauder
We're hitting "You smell like a Leper Gnome" levels that shouldn't be possible.
New Warlock Minion - Apothecary's Caravan
Could see some play in zoolock if the 2-drop slot isn't very contested. But between Nerubian Egg and Bonechewer Brawler (just two examples that popped into my head), the competition is too fierce for Apothecary's Caravan to see play. Pulling off a Flame Imp is nice though.
New Neutral Minion - Gold Road Grunt
Statline is not impressive, Frenzy is not only not impressive but hard to use to its full potential. Too weak to see meaningful play.
Journey to Un'Goro's Junior Explorers Have All Grown Up! Some Story of The Mercenaries Confirmed by Blizzard
<3
New Neutral Minion - Hecklefang Hyena
Just a decent (at best) arena card, nothing else.
Is Barrens Blacksmith also Alley Armorsmith?
Great find! So, I wonder if this places the Barrens before or after Mean Streets? From that one card, we know the Kabal has already been created and is operating in the Barrens.
New Priest Spell - Power Word: Fortitude
You need at least 4 other spells for this to be better than Blessing of Kings manawise. And considering priest has a much harder time to get on board than paladin, I just don't see Power Word: Fortitude being consistent enough to warrant a deck slot. It is, however, a very unique card in priests spell pool as far as discovering spells goes.
New Druid Spell - Celestial Alignment
One of the strongest cards in the set, couple this with guardians package and some mana growth and you can dominate. 5/5
New Warrior Minion - Whirling Combatant
Nice 3/1 stealths you got there. Would be a shame if something happened to them. Twice.
New Mage Minion - Arcane Luminary
Leyline Manipulator had a better body and was a battlecry, so its effect could stick even after death. He was much better than this guy and still didn't see play. And aside from maybe comboing this with Evocation, I just don't see a way to abuse Arcane Luminary's effect.
New Druid Spell - Thorngrowth Sentries
Never discount tiny taunts for token decks! Voidwalker was played for years, was it not? This doesn't seem amazing, but I think it'll definitely have a place. And that's before I even think about the taunt synergy that's coming along.
New Priest Minion - Void Flayer
Unlike most removal options for priest, this leaves a body behind and we've seen in the past that tempoing out a body while using it to either kill of a couple of small targets or a bigger one is very good, as exemplified by Dyn-o-matic.
New Druid Spell - Pride's Fury
I like the idea that they're pushing with Token Druid, since it's something relatively new to the game, but I feel that this is too expensive and not impactful enough to see play. There are too many large taunts out there; against 8 attack, whether you have 6 health or 2 health doesn't matter - what matters is how much attack your minions have.
New Druid Spell - Celestial Alignment
In any other class, this would be idiotic. But in Druid, which can cycle like Lance Armstrong and has gigantic spells, that 7 mana drain is worth it. You don't need a super expensive deck - those gigantic spells can boost all your minions into big ole minions. Just use the traditional Spell Druid shell and it'll be fine, frankly.
Second point, though - it's worth it... for you and your opponent. As the Druid, you can only make one board of Clowns (i.e.) a turn. As the opponent, they can clear that and THEN develop themselves. Usually they aren't left with enough mana to do so. That hamstrings the Druid somewhat. Not to mention, classes like Demon Hunter or OTK classes, provided they're holding draw, will have an absolute field day.
My initial assessment is that this will have a deck, but will be far too unstable to be competitive.
New Warrior Spell - Bulk Up
Nice value option for taunt warrior, Mor'shan Elite will love this.
New Neutral Minion - Burning Blade Acolyte
Not good enough in standard, even as the payoff for DR DH, decent but not gamebreaking in arena.
New Druid Minion - Thickhide Kodo
YES! YES! YES!
I have wanted this minion for so long. That old school taunt package with the 8-mana dude and the 4-mana spell that gives armor... this is so juicy. It all fits! It all fits! I'm so happy. I'm so glad that armor is still part of Druid's identity, weird as it feels. It's fun to play with. And beasts! Ach. This is my favorite card of the set.
New Warrior Spell - Rancor
It's fine, I guess. Lord Barov with this is a clear the board and gain a bunch of armor. On turn 7. That's the issue. On turn 7, against aggro, you most likely already won. Against control, armor is irrelevant. Against midrange, they want to summon a their big late game threats so single target removal is better.
New Demon Hunter Spell - Fury (Rank 1)
DH get attack card. Woop.
This doesn't seem great. It's a cheap damage card that can be played easily with cycle, but doesn't DH have a few of those? Maybe Gadgetzan will be played in DH at some point...
New Demon Hunter Weapon - Tuskpiercer
I'll say it again - don't just think of the Deathrattle minions we've seen this expansion. There are a whole host of neat cards this could draw! Also, it's cheap and it draws cards - is the not good enough?
the hidden extra barrens pack experiment
Honestly, they should give a Classic AND most recent pack.
New Demon Hunter Minion - Razorboar
Actually, this gives me faith in the new archetype. I don't think it will be an archetype. Plop one of these guys down and the chain gets to work - meaning you can use a whole different set of cards while the deathrattles summon themselves! It's a healthy, consistent way to get stats on the board, and DH has plenty of shells that can work around that.
I also look forward to these cards being used as tutors for entirely different deathrattles. Specific tutors have almost always been played in one deck or another - being able to consistently direct a deck in a certain direction is just good.
New Demon Hunter Spell - Vile Call
Landscaping was used because it summoned Treants - the 2-2s themselves, even in a token deck, were just a stabling force good enough to justify the deck's strong pieces being used together. If we see some Demon support elsewhere, maybe this will be used!
New Neutral Minion - Burning Blade Acolyte
would be nice to get this from Jandice
Blizzard is Giving Away Forged in the Barrens Bundles & Twitch Subs Today! Theorycrafting Streams Day
If a staff member comments and says it's ok happy to do so. Otherwise I'll just assume not.