That's also why they made ranks 50-25, where beginners with just Basic collection belong.
I do believe that too. The thing is that no one warns you about staying there for some time. I personally didn't even now, until I saw it when we played a little together. You just assume that "this is not your league" and try to find your match. Now there is no returning back to the "safe zone".
But let's concentrate on the bigger picture here. Not only completely new players suffer from that, but also low-tier decks who just don't have the resources to build a competitive deck. Rank 16-20 should be for decks like these since you can't escape once you reach that floor, or even better the devs could unlock the low-tier ranks for those who feel they belong there. That way they won't fall prey to "seasoned" players and get bullied to no end.
I hope I don't sound like I hate the game (although I hate some aspects of it), but now that I experienced that first hand, I confidently say that this situation needs some attention.
In my opinion, drop the Commanding Shout (adds nothing, you can Whirlwind before ripping the combo if you need to), both Omega Assemblies and both Dragons Roars (this is a combo deck, not a control deck, you're not looking for resource generation), and both Battle Rages (deck doesn't run enough minions to make them valuable for draw).
Replace with a second Plague of Wrath for board clearing, then a Witchwood Piper and a Baleful Banker - the latter to ensure you can still execute your game plan if you inadvertently draw all of your minions early, the former to draw the Banker more reliably to reduce your odds of hitting it with the Rippers. Remaining slots are filled with Shield Slams (important removal, not sure why they're missing) and probably Weapons Project to provide early spot-removal and some weapon destruction to improve your matchups vs Highlander decks (Tirion) and Holy Wrathadin.
While I agree that new player experience should be improved, especially considering the increasing average cost of Standard decks, you can't expect a new player to have their chances to be on par with half the playerbase after 1 month of irregular play.
That's just not how it works in a game with a collection.
That's also why they made ranks 50-25, where beginners with just Basic collection belong.
Any higher than that requires time and dedication.
PS: your friend should try Wild Ranked, where reaching rank 15 is considerably easier than in Standard.
The concept amuses me, but I feel is undermined by the inclusion of Lifedrinker and Nightblade to tip the balance in your favour. In my opinion, replace with more targeted damage effects like, say, Mad(der) Bomb(er) - it's not Russian Roulette if you're aiming at your opponent half the time. And also change the tag to 'just for fun', since it's not like you're going to be trying to make a ladder climb with a random-targeting 'wock deck.
Do you know who else is stuck on the "75%" floor of this outdated image? Players who have abandoned the game for good and those who deserted or don't climb the ladder with their quest farming/"play-a-friend" accounts etc. That 100 million milestone that Hearthstone achieved some years ago, counts those accounts too. I know for a fact that, if you ever tried deleting your Hearthstone account, you would be asked for some form of ID to send them in order to process your demand. So, not carying anymore, they just leave and unsubscribe from mailing lists, having nothing to do with the game anymore and Blizzard gets to boast about their ever-growing, loyal fan base.
What I care about, is the new people who hear about this popular CCG as well as the community that sustain it, the guides and support outside of it etc, and get super-hyped to start a fresh account only to have their expectations crashed by examples like these. I do want new people to join in and feel valuable, protected and treated with respect from the game itself most importantly. If they do feel like it, they are going to support both the devs and the community with any way possible and the game will flourish. I'm saddened to say that my friend is not going to be one of them; "To hell with him", right? "This must be a very particular case of a low-motivated folk". Or is it?
Elise Needs more Faith in herself
I thought the 3rd plague lord was much harder than the others. He's the only one I haven't been able to kill in 1 run.
Should I craft Leeroy?
But even in that case, you get a full dust refund, so you can just turn him into something else
Should I craft Leeroy?
Leeroy Jenkins is a relevant card now, he was relevant in the past, and he will be relevant in the future. Give him a craft, he is worth the dust.
Should I craft Leeroy?
Leeroy Jenkins is a staple and a safe craft for any Aggro deck.
In the worst case, it is the specific Aggro deck that fails you, in a given meta, but not Leeroy per se.
Ranking System is problemtic
I do believe that too. The thing is that no one warns you about staying there for some time. I personally didn't even now, until I saw it when we played a little together. You just assume that "this is not your league" and try to find your match. Now there is no returning back to the "safe zone".
But let's concentrate on the bigger picture here. Not only completely new players suffer from that, but also low-tier decks who just don't have the resources to build a competitive deck. Rank 16-20 should be for decks like these since you can't escape once you reach that floor, or even better the devs could unlock the low-tier ranks for those who feel they belong there. That way they won't fall prey to "seasoned" players and get bullied to no end.
I hope I don't sound like I hate the game (although I hate some aspects of it), but now that I experienced that first hand, I confidently say that this situation needs some attention.
Dimensional Ripper OTK!
I've also thought of Piper, but it is also a target of ripper, and decreases ripper consistency.
[Tavern Brawl] Secret Mage
Thanks for making the deck!
Swampqueen Hagatha
Very interesting, I never noticed that before. Will definitely pay attention next time I play it.
Dimensional Ripper OTK!
In my opinion, drop the Commanding Shout (adds nothing, you can Whirlwind before ripping the combo if you need to), both Omega Assemblies and both Dragons Roars (this is a combo deck, not a control deck, you're not looking for resource generation), and both Battle Rages (deck doesn't run enough minions to make them valuable for draw).
Replace with a second Plague of Wrath for board clearing, then a Witchwood Piper and a Baleful Banker - the latter to ensure you can still execute your game plan if you inadvertently draw all of your minions early, the former to draw the Banker more reliably to reduce your odds of hitting it with the Rippers. Remaining slots are filled with Shield Slams (important removal, not sure why they're missing) and probably Weapons Project to provide early spot-removal and some weapon destruction to improve your matchups vs Highlander decks (Tirion) and Holy Wrathadin.
Ranking System is problemtic
While I agree that new player experience should be improved, especially considering the increasing average cost of Standard decks, you can't expect a new player to have their chances to be on par with half the playerbase after 1 month of irregular play.
That's just not how it works in a game with a collection.
That's also why they made ranks 50-25, where beginners with just Basic collection belong.
Any higher than that requires time and dedication.
PS: your friend should try Wild Ranked, where reaching rank 15 is considerably easier than in Standard.
Shudderwock
Loved playing with this when it first came out
Bloodreaver Gul'dan
Oh how I miss playing this in Cube Warlock
Knights of the Frozen Throne
This is definitely my favorite expansion so far
Frost Lich Jaina
Loved playing elemental decks with this card
Russian Roulette Shudderwock!
The concept amuses me, but I feel is undermined by the inclusion of Lifedrinker and Nightblade to tip the balance in your favour. In my opinion, replace with more targeted damage effects like, say, Mad(der) Bomb(er) - it's not Russian Roulette if you're aiming at your opponent half the time. And also change the tag to 'just for fun', since it's not like you're going to be trying to make a ladder climb with a random-targeting 'wock deck.
Chapter 3 of Tombs of Terror Unlocks Today!
So close to having enough gold to buy this chapter
Thrall
Hope they make card backs for the other game characters too
Frostwolf
Wish they would've included some form of a wolf on this one
120,000+ Damage Shudderwock!
Looks like a fun deck to try out
[Rank 1 Legend] LvGE Reno Shaman
Highlander Shaman*, since there's no Reno or Wild card.
Did they call it Reno Shaman on HSReplay or streams?
Ice Block
This card was definitely frustrating to play against when it was in Standard
Ranking System is problemtic
Do you know who else is stuck on the "75%" floor of this outdated image? Players who have abandoned the game for good and those who deserted or don't climb the ladder with their quest farming/"play-a-friend" accounts etc. That 100 million milestone that Hearthstone achieved some years ago, counts those accounts too. I know for a fact that, if you ever tried deleting your Hearthstone account, you would be asked for some form of ID to send them in order to process your demand. So, not carying anymore, they just leave and unsubscribe from mailing lists, having nothing to do with the game anymore and Blizzard gets to boast about their ever-growing, loyal fan base.
What I care about, is the new people who hear about this popular CCG as well as the community that sustain it, the guides and support outside of it etc, and get super-hyped to start a fresh account only to have their expectations crashed by examples like these. I do want new people to join in and feel valuable, protected and treated with respect from the game itself most importantly. If they do feel like it, they are going to support both the devs and the community with any way possible and the game will flourish. I'm saddened to say that my friend is not going to be one of them; "To hell with him", right? "This must be a very particular case of a low-motivated folk". Or is it?
Hall of Fame
I remember it was such a pain trying to get all the needed dust to craft the golden versions for the year of the Dragon rotation
Winter Veil Treat
Wonder if they'll release another holiday card back for this upcoming December
Winter Veil Wreath
Hope they release more holiday themed cardbacks