Oh hey it's Inspire. I really wish they'd keep using the keywords they've created (e.g. "Inspire" vs. "After you use your hero power...; "Echo" vs. "Repeatable this turn."; "Recruit" vs. "Summon from your deck."; etc.). Otherwise, why bother making the keyword in the first place?
Didn't they explain it to make the game more accessible to general casual players? So they don't have to remember many keywords and gave up in the process
They did, but I don't really agree with that justification. Here's why:
1) For a brand new player, the mode they are heavily encouraged to play first is standard. In standard, the maximum amount of sets you'll be exposed to is 8 (basic, classic, and 6 expansions). Putting aside the basic and classic keywords (since those have to be learned regardless), most expansions have 1-2 keywords. Meaning you have 6-12 extra keywords to learn. Since they tend not to print a ton of cards with old mechanics that lack their keyword (such as Inspire and Dragonbane) you're looking at only a handful of "old" keywords to relearn to play standard (maybe on average 1 per set, so ~6 keywords). Is going from 6-12 keywords to AT MOST 12-18 keywords really too much complexity for a new player that it justifies losing consistency?
2) If you're playing wild, arena, dungeon run, or tavern brawl (and also now likely battleground), you have to learn all the keywords anyways. In those environments, random card outliers that don't have the keywords hurt text consistency at literally no benefit.
3) If I'm a casual player who played the game, left the game for a while, and now decided to return, reusing the keywords is actual a benefit to me. It could give me a bit of familiarity with the new cards because I already know those mechanics from when I used to play (e.g. "Oh hey, that new card has inspire. I remember inspire from when I used to play this game, so I know what that does.").
Remember it activates Galakrond's hero power for warlock which immediately summons 2 imps which immediately give it +2 attack. It's not incredible but a whole lot better than Magma Rager.
Regardless of power level, I strongly dislike the design of these new Galakrond cards. It seems to combine all the worst design aspects of C'thun, (being forced to play meh cards to power up your big win condition), Spellstones (balance issues with weak uncharged versions and OP supercharged versions) and hero cards. Worst of all, the card itself tells you next to nothing about what it does, which has always been a peeve of mine, but Galakrond takes it to new heights. At the very least they ought to have printed the invoke effects onto the cards, because it's ridiculous that you have to watch the expansion trailer to learn what invoking Glakrond actually does.
I thought Blizzard was moving away from this type of single-card-centric playstyle after their KotFT experiment, but I guess we're doubling down now.
It looks really interesting, definitely not what I expected an auto battler from Hearthstone to look like. If anything, I expected one from Overwatch, because they already had 3D models and abilities that could be used. I think this is a very unique take on the auto battler genre, and I hope Blizzard develops this further if it continues to be popular. They'll probably introduce new cards and mechanics as sets rotate alongside Hearthstone. That's 135 cards per 4 months, of which a portion of those cards will likely come into Battlegrounds, introducing new mechanics and keywords.
However, I don't see the same level of strategy as other auto battlers like Auto Chess or TFT. If it's true that the attack patterns are random (aside from taunts), there is no incentive to change positioning except for positional cards like Dire Wolf Alpha or Defender of Argus. In other auto battlers, positioning your units differently could have an entirely different outcome on the game, while in this game it appears to make no difference.
Are the hero powers revealed yet for the Galakronds?
The ones revealed so far are all on the blizzard card page. Rogue one adds a lackey to your hand, Warlock summons two 1/1 imps, Priest adds a random priest minion to hand
This looks really cool, a new way to play auto chess. Everyones been doing it the same way, this is unique. I was watching Kripparian play it and it looks pretty good. Hope theirs a ranking system and rewards in the future :D
New Hunter Minion - Dragonbane
They did, but I don't really agree with that justification. Here's why:
1) For a brand new player, the mode they are heavily encouraged to play first is standard. In standard, the maximum amount of sets you'll be exposed to is 8 (basic, classic, and 6 expansions). Putting aside the basic and classic keywords (since those have to be learned regardless), most expansions have 1-2 keywords. Meaning you have 6-12 extra keywords to learn. Since they tend not to print a ton of cards with old mechanics that lack their keyword (such as Inspire and Dragonbane) you're looking at only a handful of "old" keywords to relearn to play standard (maybe on average 1 per set, so ~6 keywords). Is going from 6-12 keywords to AT MOST 12-18 keywords really too much complexity for a new player that it justifies losing consistency?
2) If you're playing wild, arena, dungeon run, or tavern brawl (and also now likely battleground), you have to learn all the keywords anyways. In those environments, random card outliers that don't have the keywords hurt text consistency at literally no benefit.
3) If I'm a casual player who played the game, left the game for a while, and now decided to return, reusing the keywords is actual a benefit to me. It could give me a bit of familiarity with the new cards because I already know those mechanics from when I used to play (e.g. "Oh hey, that new card has inspire. I remember inspire from when I used to play this game, so I know what that does.").
New Warrior Minion - Deathwing, Mad Aspect
We're gonna need more Stubborn Gastropods
New Rogue Minion - Waxadred
Necrium Vial will shuffle two Candles in your deck and, if you draw them while Waxadred is still alive, they won't do anything.
Just like when you shuffle more than three Candles with The Darkness and your opponent draws them when it's already awakened.
Descent of Dragons
In the announcement video it showed Nazdormu for Pally being a 8 manna 8/8 that gives both players 10 mana crystals.
BlizzCon 2019 Community Bingo
When was the HK stuff?
Descent of Dragons - Who is Galakrond and How Does It Work?
Only Galakronds for E.V.I.L. classes:
All cost 2 mana. All cards with Invoke keyword get these free hero power 'activations', even if Galakrond is in deck or hand.
Dragonblight Cultist
Remember it activates Galakrond's hero power for warlock which immediately summons 2 imps which immediately give it +2 attack. It's not incredible but a whole lot better than Magma Rager.
Time Rip
Strictly better Assassinate for Priest.
New Priest Hero - Galakrond, the Unspeakable
Regardless of power level, I strongly dislike the design of these new Galakrond cards. It seems to combine all the worst design aspects of C'thun, (being forced to play meh cards to power up your big win condition), Spellstones (balance issues with weak uncharged versions and OP supercharged versions) and hero cards. Worst of all, the card itself tells you next to nothing about what it does, which has always been a peeve of mine, but Galakrond takes it to new heights. At the very least they ought to have printed the invoke effects onto the cards, because it's ridiculous that you have to watch the expansion trailer to learn what invoking Glakrond actually does.
I thought Blizzard was moving away from this type of single-card-centric playstyle after their KotFT experiment, but I guess we're doubling down now.
Everything We Know About Hearthstone Battlegrounds - Upcoming Autochess Game Mode
It looks really interesting, definitely not what I expected an auto battler from Hearthstone to look like. If anything, I expected one from Overwatch, because they already had 3D models and abilities that could be used. I think this is a very unique take on the auto battler genre, and I hope Blizzard develops this further if it continues to be popular. They'll probably introduce new cards and mechanics as sets rotate alongside Hearthstone. That's 135 cards per 4 months, of which a portion of those cards will likely come into Battlegrounds, introducing new mechanics and keywords.
However, I don't see the same level of strategy as other auto battlers like Auto Chess or TFT. If it's true that the attack patterns are random (aside from taunts), there is no incentive to change positioning except for positional cards like Dire Wolf Alpha or Defender of Argus. In other auto battlers, positioning your units differently could have an entirely different outcome on the game, while in this game it appears to make no difference.
Everything We Know About Hearthstone Battlegrounds - Upcoming Autochess Game Mode
Holy crap I am stoked!
Descent of Dragons - Who is Galakrond and How Does It Work?
Yes, Invoke keyword will also trigger after you've played Galakond, say, 'add a random lackey to your hand' if you are a rogue, for example.
"whenever you play an Invoke card, Galakrond (wherever he may be) will also grant an activation of his Hero Power."
But it may 'flip' your hero power button. If so, tap first then play an invoke card to get 2 lackeys.
New Rogue Minion - Waxadred
Good card but i wonder how it will interact with Necrium Vial.
New Mage Minion - Malygos, Aspect of Magic
It's great. Cheap Polymorph, Stronger Fireball or tons of card draw. Highly flexible card and flexible cards see lots of play (Siamat comes to mind).
Descent of Dragons - Reveal Season Community Bingo
Is the bingo board shared in forum so that the cards that qualify can be shown?
New Warrior Minion - Deathwing, Mad Aspect
Pretty good. A board clear on a stick.
Here's some art, make a card! [Legacy Game]
A mini Nozdormu to break out whenever you need it. Not too powerful, but could tech against certain combo decks.
Next up: in honor of Descent of Dragons, make your own Galakrond for one of the non-E.V.I.L. classes.
Descent of Dragons
so e.v.i.l. gets galakrond and the "good guys" get side quests?
New Neutral Minion - Devoted Maniac
No good.
Descent of Dragons
The ones revealed so far are all on the blizzard card page. Rogue one adds a lackey to your hand, Warlock summons two 1/1 imps, Priest adds a random priest minion to hand
Hearthstone What's Next Panel with 12 New Cards! BlizzCon 2019
There will be. Please see https://outof.cards/hearthstone/432-everything-you-need-to-know-about-descent-of-dragons-blizzcon-reveal
New Priest Minion - Fate Weaver
Combo enabler. Mindblast was Hall of famed cause of this
Hearthstone What's Next Panel with 12 New Cards! BlizzCon 2019
Will there be solo content or not?
Everything You Need to Know About Descent of Dragons - BlizzCon Reveal
I'm kinda surprised Hunter is receiving poisonous dragons, but Brann is shown riding a red dragon in the trailer.
The Hunter legendary is yet to be revealed, but it would be weird if it was Alex, given the other Hunter cards revealed so far.
It's a shame, since giving the Explorer classes all four good Aspects would've been quite neat.
Hearthstone What's Next Panel with 12 New Cards! BlizzCon 2019
This looks really cool, a new way to play auto chess. Everyones been doing it the same way, this is unique. I was watching Kripparian play it and it looks pretty good. Hope theirs a ranking system and rewards in the future :D