Its hard to evaluate since team5 have said before that Excess Mana is given so Wild Growth isnt a dead card at 10, which is why Nourish for mana at 10, and Jade Blossom doesnt work the same way (they both have secondary effects)
I'm fairly certain they will give an excess mana at 10, but its not certain if it would be 1 or 2.
Tried 4 times. Did not win. My opponent was playing well, but we did not manage. When boss goes face too often (and it does), you don't stand a chance. This might be first brawl ever that I will not complete. Shame.
I personally found spell hunter interesting on paper but uncreative in practice: it worked because so many of the spells summoned minions that it basically played like a normal deck, just with a couple of super strong cards making up for not having any true minion cards.
I imagine the same happens with mage. If it works it will be off the back of the minions the spells summon/generate, at which point it won't feel much different to normal. That said, I agree with others that mage spells just don't summon enough minions at the moment, and when you aren't in control of the board you often can't afford to throw spells at the opponent's face.
So I don't expect it to work, at least for now. And then my own opinion is that even if it does ever work, it won't be as interesting as the fantasy of a lone mage casting spells left, right and centre makes it sound.
That being said though, I doubt this card sees play regardless. It's a powerful deathrattle for sure, but it's no Leeroy for Aggro decks. People have mentioned Necrium Apothecary, but a 7/5 with Stealth is probably not that much better than Anibusath Warbringer or Mechanical Whelp. Granted, this card is better as standalone than either of those options, but Rogue likely never wants to play the card they draw off of Necrium Apothecary anyways.
Does this go in Stealth decks? Honestly maybe not, since it doesn't have strong synergies with the stealth minions, given that all the stealth synergy cards want the stealth to be on the board and the opponent can play around that by not giving you a way to kill off your Cursed Vagrant.
Is there some kind of lategame Rogue that's looking for big threats? Again, probably not, because lategame Rogue has never existed.
Regardless, I think it's a cool card that will see experimentation.
I totally agree that it's probably not as good as it looks, but do remember that if the only 'problem' is that your opponent doesn't give you a way to kill it off, you get to hit his face (or whatever board he's trying to set up) for 7 which is pretty hard to ignore for long. As far as downsides go it's not the worst. Of course, silence and the fact it does nothing when it hits the board a both pretty big downsides by themselves. Transform I don't see as too big of a negative as you still have a 7 drop for them to deal with
Just wanted to check. You only get one of the decks, correct?
I'm a little torn about arrangements like this. On one hand it provides returning players with an incentive, on the other hand, why wouldn't FTP players just unpack their packs day 1, play a little, then go on a 4 month hibernation just so they can get the free cards? Some of the legendaries do look very very good.
Turn 1 with 3 attack is pretty interesting. Definitely as powerful as the good old Tunnel Trogg. I welcome these high powerlevel cards, I don't think they will break the game.
I have a sad little chuckle thinking about the players that have been away for only 3 months and 20 days. Is there even a way to check how long it's been since you were online? That would be very, very helpful right now for some...
It wrecks nobody. Maybe slightly annoys res priest but not much more. I once played as a control shaman against a res priest. I transformed two of his minions into frogs, three minions into murlocs. He resurrected only his good minions anyway, mass res gave him 2\3 normal minions and only one frog. It's useless. Thank god they didn't print any new res cards for priest. Maybe this archetype will finally die.
thats my version much the same I think, but uses raid the sky temple which IS sort of your win condition as you get cheaper burn spells etc
it's also possible to have only a few minions and use the "only spells in deck" later when you've drawn the minions.
Likely this deck type will get better as more sets come out with mage spells to support it, by the end of the year it could be very strong, spell only hunter was strong from day one not sure about this one yet.
Its not limited to only hero power. It essentially allows more mana per turn with a small condition. Too bad its limited by the fact that it refreshes, not give mana crystals for that turn. At some point in the next two years this will be disgustingly good. For now, just no.
I really feel that they have to make the Excess Mana more consistent. I remember playing Jade Blossom on turn 10 in the past, thinking that it will give me an Excess Mana since Wild Growth has the same effect with an additional minion summoning. To my surprise, it doesn't. I was a new player back then.
Hence, in theory and according to how Wild Growth works, you should get two Excess Mana when played on turn ten. However, it is very likely you will only get one Excess Mana.
Its not going to work. I've been jamming quest mage for two expansions now and can confirm that you cannot win without a win condition. Basing it all on RNG isnt going to work most of the time.
So that's at least 8 cards that can generate minions.
Now the RNG ones:
Magic Trick - you can create additional copies of Font of Power, Learn Draconic, and Evocation.
Evocation - fill your hand with random spells which can include minion generation cards
Another problem I see is draw. AI and (to some extent) Ancient Mysteries, are the only draw spells for mage. There might not be enough time to dig for the burn spells.
I feel that the Augmerchant cards could have been the new Lackey. Their effects are pretty interesting deal 1 damage to your friendly minion for a benefit. I feel that concept could have been an interesting gameplay.
Plus, I am surprise that the commons in this set are pretty descent. Usually, they have terrible effects and just plain stats to put in your deck as a new/FTP. However, they are descent enough to be played and be replaced with better cards when you have the resourced to do so.
Overall, I feel that this set, the first Phoenix set, is looking to have the same or slightly higher power level of that to the Dragon sets. I'm glad it is not another Raven power level.
New Neutral Minion - Magtheridon
Wild: is this the tech card we needed against Darkest Hour?
Does the board clear activate AFTER DH summons its minions?
New Priest Spell - Soul Mirror
Well done, @brownhackwtf, well done.
https://outof.cards/hearthstone/fan-creations/competitions/8-do-you-copy/
(look for the last card in the gallery)
New Druid Spell - Overgrowth
Its hard to evaluate since team5 have said before that Excess Mana is given so Wild Growth isnt a dead card at 10, which is why Nourish for mana at 10, and Jade Blossom doesnt work the same way (they both have secondary effects)
I'm fairly certain they will give an excess mana at 10, but its not certain if it would be 1 or 2.
Return of Mechazod!
Tried 4 times. Did not win. My opponent was playing well, but we did not manage. When boss goes face too often (and it does), you don't stand a chance. This might be first brawl ever that I will not complete. Shame.
New Neutral Minion - Waste Warden
Probably doesnt work with treants but still good
New Demon Hunter Spell - Skull of Gul'dan
I think this card will carry a lot of DH decks.
Spell Mage? Will the Archetype work?
You guys forgot Power of Creation it's still in rotation
New Demon Hunter Spell - Skull of Gul'dan
Thrall, did you teach Illidan how to use far sight? Because you made him broken now.
Spell Mage? Will the Archetype work?
I personally found spell hunter interesting on paper but uncreative in practice: it worked because so many of the spells summoned minions that it basically played like a normal deck, just with a couple of super strong cards making up for not having any true minion cards.
I imagine the same happens with mage. If it works it will be off the back of the minions the spells summon/generate, at which point it won't feel much different to normal. That said, I agree with others that mage spells just don't summon enough minions at the moment, and when you aren't in control of the board you often can't afford to throw spells at the opponent's face.
So I don't expect it to work, at least for now. And then my own opinion is that even if it does ever work, it won't be as interesting as the fantasy of a lone mage casting spells left, right and centre makes it sound.
New Rogue Minion - Cursed Vagrant
I totally agree that it's probably not as good as it looks, but do remember that if the only 'problem' is that your opponent doesn't give you a way to kill it off, you get to hit his face (or whatever board he's trying to set up) for 7 which is pretty hard to ignore for long. As far as downsides go it's not the worst. Of course, silence and the fact it does nothing when it hits the board a both pretty big downsides by themselves. Transform I don't see as too big of a negative as you still have a 7 drop for them to deal with
Free decks for new and returning players
Just wanted to check. You only get one of the decks, correct?
I'm a little torn about arrangements like this. On one hand it provides returning players with an incentive, on the other hand, why wouldn't FTP players just unpack their packs day 1, play a little, then go on a 4 month hibernation just so they can get the free cards? Some of the legendaries do look very very good.
New Rogue Minion - Spymistress
Turn 1 with 3 attack is pretty interesting. Definitely as powerful as the good old Tunnel Trogg. I welcome these high powerlevel cards, I don't think they will break the game.
Murloc Highlander
ah yeah good catch! looks like I missed a couple, but updated to be relevant for next expansion :)
Free decks for new and returning players
The Mage or the Rogue, for sure.
I have a sad little chuckle thinking about the players that have been away for only 3 months and 20 days. Is there even a way to check how long it's been since you were online? That would be very, very helpful right now for some...
New Neutral Minion - Infectious Sporeling
It wrecks nobody. Maybe slightly annoys res priest but not much more. I once played as a control shaman against a res priest. I transformed two of his minions into frogs, three minions into murlocs. He resurrected only his good minions anyway, mass res gave him 2\3 normal minions and only one frog. It's useless. Thank god they didn't print any new res cards for priest. Maybe this archetype will finally die.
Spell Mage? Will the Archetype work?
https://outof.cards/hearthstone/decks/12920-spell-only-mage
thats my version much the same I think, but uses raid the sky temple which IS sort of your win condition as you get cheaper burn spells etc
it's also possible to have only a few minions and use the "only spells in deck" later when you've drawn the minions.
Likely this deck type will get better as more sets come out with mage spells to support it, by the end of the year it could be very strong, spell only hunter was strong from day one not sure about this one yet.
New Warlock Minion - Darkglare
Its not limited to only hero power. It essentially allows more mana per turn with a small condition. Too bad its limited by the fact that it refreshes, not give mana crystals for that turn. At some point in the next two years this will be disgustingly good. For now, just no.
Spell Mage? Will the Archetype work?
What about the new Netherwind Portal for this style of deck?
Maybe its too slow but isnt having a reactive card that create a Minion perhaps as a response to them using a removal useful??
New Druid Spell - Overgrowth
I really feel that they have to make the Excess Mana more consistent. I remember playing Jade Blossom on turn 10 in the past, thinking that it will give me an Excess Mana since Wild Growth has the same effect with an additional minion summoning. To my surprise, it doesn't. I was a new player back then.
Hence, in theory and according to how Wild Growth works, you should get two Excess Mana when played on turn ten. However, it is very likely you will only get one Excess Mana.
Spell Mage? Will the Archetype work?
Its not going to work. I've been jamming quest mage for two expansions now and can confirm that you cannot win without a win condition. Basing it all on RNG isnt going to work most of the time.
Better to allow at least a few winning minions like Archmage Antonidas or Kael'thas Sunstrider or even Khadgar. Apexis Blast and Font of Power is good, but not that good.
Historically, even spell hunter needed Y'Shaarj, Rage Unbound along with Barnes as a win condition. On its own the win rate tanks hard.
Spell Mage? Will the Archetype work?
I am also uncertain, but I think there is a shot.
Currently, we have Font of Power, Apexis Blast, Learn Draconic, and Deep Freeze.
So that's at least 8 cards that can generate minions.
Now the RNG ones:
Another problem I see is draw. AI and (to some extent) Ancient Mysteries, are the only draw spells for mage. There might not be enough time to dig for the burn spells.
New Shaman Spell - Vivid Spores
Some amazing Kael'thas Sunstrider moves:
Eye of the Storm into Vivid Spores
Let's go concede shaman.
Hearthstone Ashes Of Outland Final Reveal Stream Live Recap
I feel that the Augmerchant cards could have been the new Lackey. Their effects are pretty interesting deal 1 damage to your friendly minion for a benefit. I feel that concept could have been an interesting gameplay.
Plus, I am surprise that the commons in this set are pretty descent. Usually, they have terrible effects and just plain stats to put in your deck as a new/FTP. However, they are descent enough to be played and be replaced with better cards when you have the resourced to do so.
Overall, I feel that this set, the first Phoenix set, is looking to have the same or slightly higher power level of that to the Dragon sets. I'm glad it is not another Raven power level.
New Neutral Minion - Blistering Rot
So no, it doesnt snowball.
Kill the original and that's it.
* Awwww...Look at how happy this little guy is...AAAA!!! get it off! get it off!
New Druid Spell - Overgrowth
t2 breath
t3 overgrowth
t4 overflow into zero mana stuff (defender / bog beam), or winged gaurdian, or marsh hydra + ironbark
t5 do one of the above again
t6 ysera, maybe with an ironbark on it
put some dragons in there, kaelthas and some innervates, nourish
idk maybe its a deck. probably not but it would be nutty.