Quick recap on the stages of design (I should really flesh this out as guide material since it is interesting)
Initial Design starts everything off. They name the cards, decide on their art, and give them their identities along with initial stats. This process takes 4 months.
Final design takes over after the initial design team gives the set a pass. They also spend 4 months on the set. The set is finished around 2 months before it gets released, though they do sometimes still make some changes closer to the set launch if they have balance concerns.
This means multiple sets are in production at the same time, with the core concepts of each one coming even before initial design. (Let's make a dark themed, old gods set!)
The December set which should release the first week of that month will have wrapped up final design at the start of October. That does give Gallon a month and a bit of time on the team during that process, but I'm willing to wager most of the time will be getting setup at Blizzard and learning about all their processes. The first set I'd expect to see any of his balance work / contributions on is April 2021. 3 sets if we count Scholomance not being released yet. Since I believe the entire team gets together to discuss themes for new sets, I don't believe he'd have any say in that until sets coming out in 2022 or possibly the last set of 2021.
This card seems to slow for Stealth Rogue (since that archetype seems to prefer aggro over tempo), and it seems too weak for Galakrond/Tempo based lists.
It's a cool idea, but I don't think it's going to make the cut in today's meta.
I do love to see more Cleave effects. I think the ability is strong enough for this to definitely see play, though it's certainly a bit clunky - it's a bit of a double-edged sword to set this up on a previous turn, because from that point on you need to want to Cleave if you're casting a spell, otherwise the effect is wasted.
I think this is a really solid 1-drop, and it will probably make the cut in many aggro lists, especially after the upcoming rotation when Blazing Battlemage leaves standard.
Generally, 1-drops with an upside do well in Hearthstone, and I expect this one to be no different.
Since he's going to be part of the Final Design, I'd imagine his influence can be seen a bit earlier than that. My guess would be bigger impact in 2-3 sets and maybe even some singular card balances in the very next expansion. But that's just my personal guess, I have no idea how things actually go behind the scenes.
Can any DMH veterans vouch for the competitiveness of this warrior deck? I'm dying to play the archetype but don't want to plough loads of dust into it and then discover I don't like it. This seems like a decent budget option - I'd only need to craft 2x DMH plus n'zoth - but I'd appreciate an expert opinion :)
This card is probably going to be an auto-include in almost every Shaman list in standard until it rotates just because of how efficient, simple, and versatile it is.
The art does feel a little "un-shaman," but it still is cool nonetheless.
This doesn't seem like it will be worth running simply because there is so much weapon removal regularly played thanks to DH existing.
In a world without DH, this card might warrant decks regularly running weapon removal; but, as it is, I don't know that this will ever get the payoff on the fourth turn before it is removed.
At first, I thought this was going to be very strong (like Murloc Tinyfin for Murloc decks).
But then I realized that demons don't really have synergy that benefit from a 0 mana 1/1. Perhaps Felosophy will love comboing with this, but not sure there's a hyper-aggro demon list that will be good enough to want that combo.
I already hate this card. Having it played against you will always suck, and it will see play in any and every priest deck and more because of Galakrond generating extra copies.
New Paladin & Priest Spell - Gift of Luminance
Use on Magnetic mech decks. Wild gets you a huge board by Turn 2 so use this to duplicate your most powerful mechs.
New Mage & Shaman Minion - Ras Frostwhisper
Control Mage gets some support but your Spell Damage better be cheap and durable.
New Demon Hunter & Warlock Spell - Soul Shear
More Soul Control support. Nothing to write home about.
Hearthstone Grandmaster Gallon Joins the Final Design Team, Cora Moves Off Battlegrounds to Initial Design
Quick recap on the stages of design (I should really flesh this out as guide material since it is interesting)
Initial Design starts everything off. They name the cards, decide on their art, and give them their identities along with initial stats. This process takes 4 months.
Final design takes over after the initial design team gives the set a pass. They also spend 4 months on the set. The set is finished around 2 months before it gets released, though they do sometimes still make some changes closer to the set launch if they have balance concerns.
This means multiple sets are in production at the same time, with the core concepts of each one coming even before initial design. (Let's make a dark themed, old gods set!)
The December set which should release the first week of that month will have wrapped up final design at the start of October. That does give Gallon a month and a bit of time on the team during that process, but I'm willing to wager most of the time will be getting setup at Blizzard and learning about all their processes. The first set I'd expect to see any of his balance work / contributions on is April 2021. 3 sets if we count Scholomance not being released yet. Since I believe the entire team gets together to discuss themes for new sets, I don't believe he'd have any say in that until sets coming out in 2022 or possibly the last set of 2021.
New Mage & Rogue Spell - Potion of Illusion
Exodia Mage is back, and in Standard nonetheless!
This card is the ultimate shenanigans enabler, so it should be interesting to see what nonsense combos people come up with using this card.
Maybe it's time to try out Mogu Cultist again...
Edit: I just saw a Archmage Vargoth+Spell Damage+Sinister Strike combo, and I'm excited to see how long this card stays un-nerfed!
New Priest Spell - Initiation
It's just bad. With 5 damage it could be a Sylvanas, but that it get it Hall'd.
New Rogue Minion - Shifty Sophomore
This card seems to slow for Stealth Rogue (since that archetype seems to prefer aggro over tempo), and it seems too weak for Galakrond/Tempo based lists.
It's a cool idea, but I don't think it's going to make the cut in today's meta.
New Warrior Weapon - Reaper Scythe
I do love to see more Cleave effects. I think the ability is strong enough for this to definitely see play, though it's certainly a bit clunky - it's a bit of a double-edged sword to set this up on a previous turn, because from that point on you need to want to Cleave if you're casting a spell, otherwise the effect is wasted.
New Priest & Warlock Minion - Brittlebone Destroyer
Turn 6 minion removal, but I hope you had something solid on Turn 5 to back this weak 3/3 up.
New Neutral Minion - Intrepid Initiate
I think this is a really solid 1-drop, and it will probably make the cut in many aggro lists, especially after the upcoming rotation when Blazing Battlemage leaves standard.
Generally, 1-drops with an upside do well in Hearthstone, and I expect this one to be no different.
New Paladin Minion - Argent Braggart
This card is good in pretty much every situation, and it has synergy with multiple Paladin draw cars (e.g. Salhet's Pride and Crystology).
I expect we will see this card for years to come.
New Mage & Shaman Spell - Primordial Studies
I'm loving the spell damage support for both Mage and Shaman, and this card will help those archetypes out wonderfully.
Spell damage Mage will likely include this, and any other Mage will be happy to get this off of random/discover effects for a spell damage minion.
Shaman is likely going to use this mostly for OTK setups, but it also just enables tempo spell damage plays.
I think this will be one of the better studies cards this expansion.
Hearthstone Grandmaster Gallon Joins the Final Design Team, Cora Moves Off Battlegrounds to Initial Design
Since he's going to be part of the Final Design, I'd imagine his influence can be seen a bit earlier than that. My guess would be bigger impact in 2-3 sets and maybe even some singular card balances in the very next expansion. But that's just my personal guess, I have no idea how things actually go behind the scenes.
New Neutral Minion - Sneaky Delinquent
Seems very strong to me.
Obviously, Spymistress is faster and probably better, but the deathrattle makes this worth it.
I expect stealth Rogue will have a great time with this card.
New Paladin & Warrior Spell - Shield of Honor
As many have mentioned, this is arguably just better than Rampage.
I expect this to see play until it's nerfed, and hopefully that comes soon before the 20+ charge damage combos become the best meta deck.
New Neutral Minion - Headmaster Kel'Thuzad
Does Spellburst work with Secrets activating? Mage and Hunter revive any minions killed.
New Paladin Spell - Blessing of Authority
Seems good, and might be strong enough to make buff Paladin an archetype all on its own.
Minions will be a nightmare to remove after this, and putting this on a low cost rush minion will be horrifying to deal with.
Not to mention the synergy with High Abbess Alura.
New Warlock Minion - Boneweb Egg
Discard Beast Warlock. Find ways to copy this card and you have a full board of spiders.
New Druid & Shaman Spell - Runic Carvings
Shaman Treant Totems build will be interesting.
At least we have a superior Treant card for Druid. Overload Druid might also be a thing!
A Wild Hearthstone Weekend Featuring Pirate Paladin, Control Mage, Libram Anyfin Paladin, and More!
Can any DMH veterans vouch for the competitiveness of this warrior deck? I'm dying to play the archetype but don't want to plough loads of dust into it and then discover I don't like it. This seems like a decent budget option - I'd only need to craft 2x DMH plus n'zoth - but I'd appreciate an expert opinion :)
New Shaman Minion - Instructor Fireheart
We love breaking class identities!
This card is probably going to be an auto-include in almost every Shaman list in standard until it rotates just because of how efficient, simple, and versatile it is.
The art does feel a little "un-shaman," but it still is cool nonetheless.
New Warlock Minion - Archwitch Willow
That demon better be worth it, like a
or something with Face Damage.
New Rogue Weapon - Self-Sharpening Sword
This doesn't seem like it will be worth running simply because there is so much weapon removal regularly played thanks to DH existing.
In a world without DH, this card might warrant decks regularly running weapon removal; but, as it is, I don't know that this will ever get the payoff on the fourth turn before it is removed.
New Neutral Minion - Desk Imp
At first, I thought this was going to be very strong (like Murloc Tinyfin for Murloc decks).
But then I realized that demons don't really have synergy that benefit from a 0 mana 1/1. Perhaps Felosophy will love comboing with this, but not sure there's a hyper-aggro demon list that will be good enough to want that combo.
New Priest Minion - Mindrender Illucia
I already hate this card. Having it played against you will always suck, and it will see play in any and every priest deck and more because of Galakrond generating extra copies.