Lack of card draw in some classes is a problem, yet Acolyte of Pain rotated because it was used too often in those classes with poor card draw.
So either they replace it with another auto-include draw engine for those classes when the replacements are out, or (I hope) they re-tool some of the classic/basic class cards like the Priest overhaul. There are some useless class cards out there, after all. Warsong Commander comes to mind...
There's an old saying "assume the best intentions of those who engage in discourse with you. Respond to the STRONGEST possible argument that they would present, not the weakest...otherwise you are talking past each other, not to each other."
Your math is correct but the scenarios you postulated aren't. A card showcasing a high winrate doesn't mean that it's always played, only that when it's played it produces a higher winrate.
Hunters card produce the SAME winrate as Priestess of Fury.
Don't believe me, here are the statistics. (as of 4/15/2020 on HSreplay)
Priestess of Fury
67.0% - Number of Decks it's in
56.6% - Deck winrate
520,000 - # of times played
55.9% - Card played winrate
Imprisoned Antaen
55.0% - Number of Decks it's in
55.9% - Deck winrate
370,000 - # of times played
51.2% - Card played winrate
Now let's look at some hunter cards for comparison. We'll start off with your comparison card, phase stalker and StormHammer
StormHammer
27.7% - # of decks it's in
57.4% - Deck winrate
38,000 - # of times played
55.8% - Card played winrate
Phase Stalker
70.2% - # of decks it's in
55.6% - Deck winrate
140,000 - # of times played
53.1% - Card played winrate
So using this information what can we logical draw? First and foremost we can see that DH cards have such a higher number of played cards that the statistics for them are naturally FAR more conclusive. I mean that's how statistics work. The larger the sample size, the less uncertainty there is. Should be pretty obvious, right?
Now let's look at some interesting numbers. Priestess of Fury a 7 cost, versus stormhammer. A 3 cost. Despite stormhammer being in only 27% of decks versus PoF's very intimidating 67%, the decks that include them both sport very similar winrates, with stormhammer decks (aka dragon decks) actually having a higher winrate.
Now the card played winrate shows that they are both...yes. EQUAL. PoF has a played winrate of 55.9. Stormhammer is 55.8. This means that when the card is played, that player is favored to win. But for a dose of reality. Stormhammer can come out as early as turn 3. That meas in a hunter vs DH matchup. The hunter has had the chance to attack for 12 total damage by the time PoF comes down. That's not counting damage from hero powers, other spells/effects or minions.
Now let's look at a comparison with a card that has a much higher playrate, the Phase Stalker. Compared to Antaen.
Phase stalker has a higher card winrate than Antaen. Phase stalker is seen in almost every hunter deck (given it's 70% deck inclusion rate, I think that's a fair assumption). Despite this, both are sporting similar deck winrates, but phase stalker clearly edges out a few more percent on the card playrate.
What does this mean? Despite the personal bias people have that DH is this "trouble" class that needs serious nerfing, it's nothing more than bias. I've played as DH, and I've played against Demon Hunter. As someone who despised face hunter decks since day 1 of Hearthstone, I can assure you that DH may have a few new tools that people aren't used to, and may have more chip damage available to them late game than hunters, but they are no different than hunters are.
The stats don't lie. DH has lots of early aggression tools, but the meta has already stabilized away from Antaen and PoF. The current most popular DH deck with the highest winrate doesn't even use Antaen or PoF and eschews those high cost demons in favor of Warglaves of Azzinoth and Battlemage for more early aggression. (IMO "Tempo" isn't the proper name, it's an aggro deck if it's including that many low cost 1-3 drops but that's most likely semantics)
So in short: No. While Antaen and Pof may feel like powerhouse cards, and may feel strong, and may win some games. They are not the problem cards of DH. They are often the cards that people see and sometimes feel slightly helpless against, but they aren't "winning" the game for them.
If you're dying to Antaen's unleashed 10 damage or PoF's unleashed 6 damage. What happened to the rest of your 20 health or 24 health respectively? You died because of battlefiend's ramp damage, a frenzied felwings free cost, or a satyr's overwhelming board with chip damage.
I'm not saying DH doesn't need some nerfs or adjustments, but people are focusing on the wrong cards. This is why Felwing is going to be nerfed. It's the 2nd highest winrate card in the DH decks, despite being a neutral card.
I changed my response seeing how I had forgotten the Sn1p-sn4p tragedy, among other things. I was hoping you would at least read a post before quoting it. My bad.
Check out vicioussyndicate.com.
You now know what an actual meta report looks like. You're welcome.
As someone who was F2P until Un’Goro, and is still on a budget, I am someone who dusts all goldens unless they are a legendary I want, or I need the golden copy/copies to have two of a non-legendary card. I’ve always been of the mindset that golden cards don’t make the cards better in terms of power level and the extra dust is more valuable to me than a cool animation.
In other words, all their hard work is sadly wasted on players like me.
I do want to know which one of the team did Heistbaron Togwaggle, Hooktusk, Priest’s new Homunculus, etc. Whoever it is, they really seem to like jiggle physics.
Instead of many classes using the same card draw, they can print class appropriate card draw tailored to each class without worrying about giving some classes too much card draw.
Libram Paladin with Infectious Sporelings
Instead of Infectious Sporeling you could use Replicat-o-tron
Need help!
New article out since you posted this:
https://outof.cards/hearthstone/1176-playing-ashes-of-outland-on-a-budget-check-out-these-5-decks-you-must-try
Great timing assuming lack of expensive cards is a limitation for you which seems likely if you are new :)
Quest Mage and Darkest Hour Warlock Changes Coming! Expect Changes to Open the Waygate and Bloodbloom
Nerfed or not, I will always run the albatross against that deck.
Hearthstone Class Identity is Constantly Evolving - Card Draw to Be More Universal
Lack of card draw in some classes is a problem, yet Acolyte of Pain rotated because it was used too often in those classes with poor card draw.
So either they replace it with another auto-include draw engine for those classes when the replacements are out, or (I hope) they re-tool some of the classic/basic class cards like the Priest overhaul. There are some useless class cards out there, after all. Warsong Commander comes to mind...
Why the Hearthstone Animations Have Stepped Up a Notch Recently
What a good lad!
Swamp Light
Continuing the glowing mushroom/swamp vibes from last month. Love it!
Blushroom
I'm a huge fan of the glowing mushroom aesthetic. Lovely Ballonlea vibes (from Pokemon Sword/Shield).
Playing Koi
This is such a cool and unique cardback!
Desert Bloom
The flower cardbacks are among the best in Hearthstone; this one maintains that beautiful standard.
Shoring Up
Starting 2020 off with an awesome design complimented by a pleasing color scheme.
Cake of the Dead
Day of the Dead aesthetic is awesome. It works wonderfully on this cardback.
Lemonade
This cardback is as satisfying to look at as lemonade is to drink.
Year of the Mammoth
The best "Year of the _____" cardback in my opinion.
Rainbow!
One of the best cardbacks ever released.
Hallow's End
I love Halloween, so I hope they make this cardback available in the future.
Dame Hazelbark
I love the wood/nature/lantern feel of this cardback. Such a comforting energy.
Candle King
I have the utmost respect for anyone who wields this cardback.
Good Cheer
I had the opportunity to get this with the associated bundle, but I hedged on it. I regret it to this day.
Blizzard Events 2018
This is the best Blizzcon card back so far.
Hearthstone Class Identity is Constantly Evolving - Card Draw to Be More Universal
I mean I get that as was the case with Azure Drake, but does warlock really need help drawing cards? Or Demon Hunter ?
An whatever classes they print them for, will need consistent replacements each rotation if it's something they want to stick around
Blizzard Believes Sacrificial Pact is Not Fun - Looking at Potential Changes to It and More Cards in Hearthstone's Standard Format
Maybe in Demon Hunter or in platinum & legend ranks ? I've rarely seen it played. Definitely not in Warlock, Priest or Rogue.
Blizzard Believes Sacrificial Pact is Not Fun - Looking at Potential Changes to It and More Cards in Hearthstone's Standard Format
There's an old saying "assume the best intentions of those who engage in discourse with you. Respond to the STRONGEST possible argument that they would present, not the weakest...otherwise you are talking past each other, not to each other."
Your math is correct but the scenarios you postulated aren't. A card showcasing a high winrate doesn't mean that it's always played, only that when it's played it produces a higher winrate.
Hunters card produce the SAME winrate as Priestess of Fury.
Don't believe me, here are the statistics. (as of 4/15/2020 on HSreplay)
Priestess of Fury
Imprisoned Antaen
Phase Stalker
Phase stalker has a higher card winrate than Antaen. Phase stalker is seen in almost every hunter deck (given it's 70% deck inclusion rate, I think that's a fair assumption). Despite this, both are sporting similar deck winrates, but phase stalker clearly edges out a few more percent on the card playrate.
What does this mean? Despite the personal bias people have that DH is this "trouble" class that needs serious nerfing, it's nothing more than bias. I've played as DH, and I've played against Demon Hunter. As someone who despised face hunter decks since day 1 of Hearthstone, I can assure you that DH may have a few new tools that people aren't used to, and may have more chip damage available to them late game than hunters, but they are no different than hunters are.
Quest Mage and Darkest Hour Warlock Changes Coming! Expect Changes to Open the Waygate and Bloodbloom
I changed my response seeing how I had forgotten the Sn1p-sn4p tragedy, among other things. I was hoping you would at least read a post before quoting it. My bad.
Check out vicioussyndicate.com.
You now know what an actual meta report looks like. You're welcome.
Why the Hearthstone Animations Have Stepped Up a Notch Recently
As someone who was F2P until Un’Goro, and is still on a budget, I am someone who dusts all goldens unless they are a legendary I want, or I need the golden copy/copies to have two of a non-legendary card. I’ve always been of the mindset that golden cards don’t make the cards better in terms of power level and the extra dust is more valuable to me than a cool animation.
In other words, all their hard work is sadly wasted on players like me.
I do want to know which one of the team did Heistbaron Togwaggle, Hooktusk, Priest’s new Homunculus, etc. Whoever it is, they really seem to like jiggle physics.
Hearthstone Class Identity is Constantly Evolving - Card Draw to Be More Universal
Instead of many classes using the same card draw, they can print class appropriate card draw tailored to each class without worrying about giving some classes too much card draw.