I didn't create this class for anything in particular; just had the idea and kept the ball rolling long enough to get something concrete made haha. Last time, I made Kel'Thuzad the Lich class...and got some flak for using an already-existing, popular character (because that could theoretically be seen as a means of gaining bonus points in the eyes of the voters). Well, that won't be a problem this time around, as my class is completely new and original. I am assuming this class existed from the start, so it will not follow the Demon Hunter model. So without any further ado:
Alraunes are beautiful plant-women, who often use said beauty to lure men to their deaths. I toned down the "sexiness" and made her an angry force of Nature: as an Alraune, you will control life itself, bringing to bear the plants and the trees of this world as you seek to reclaim Azeroth from the filthy humans and orcs who have done it harm. You will grow new forces from the earth, sweep across the land as a cleansing balm, and tear down the mammals' structures to make way for your new world. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and this woman is hell-a pissed.
Gameplay Summary
Aisha's gameplay reflects her status as a being of Nature. She can flood the board with new life, or empower her minions into superior constructs. She can poison her enemies, or wrap them up in vines. The possibilities seem endless when you can quite literally grow what you need to win the war against the mammals.
- Growing new/better minions - Aisha uses her powers to cultivate life, enhancing minions with bonus stats and new abilities. The Druid likes minions that are big; the Alraune likes to make her minions big, or grow new ones.
- Board control - Whether through her weapons, her minion effects, Poisonous, etc.; the Alraune is strong at contesting the board.
- 1-Durability Weapons - Extensions of herself, Aisha's weapons come and go as quickly as she desires. In exchange for their lacking Durability, her weapons often come with powerful effects on them.
- Seedlings - A mechanic unique to the Alraune, Seedlings function like a cross between Animal Companion and Nithogg's eggs. Summon a Seedling, defend it for a turn, and watch it grow into one of two kinds of plants.
However, all classes need a weakness. Aisha's power comes mainly through her physical attributes, and not from spells or clearing abilities. She needs a force she can nurture and grow; repeatedly destroy her plants, and the Alraune will become helpless.
Seedlings
As I alluded to above, Seedlings are the Alraune's special thing, like Totems (and Overload) for the Shaman. Many spells and minions come with an additional effect of summoning a Seedling, which are helpless 0/3 minions. However, if you can defend the Seedling, it will turn into either a 3/3 Thorn Spitter or a 3/3 Moon Blossom, both of which come with their own end-of-turn effect. You can tell what they'll turn into the moment the Seedling is summoned, so both players understand what's about to happen.
The Cards
Each of the sets can be found in their own spoilers below, with everything that doesn't have a home yet in "The Rest" section. Let me know what you think, and I'll keep workin' on it. Considering how early I am in the design process, keep in mind that everything here is up for debate balance-wise.
Classic
Common
Rare
Epic
Legendary
Journey to Un'Goro
In Journey to Un'Goro, Aisha seeks to claim another area for the Scourge the Swarm her garden. Her plants are hungry, ready to devour the poor Tortollans and anyone else who stands in her way. If they're not eaten, they might become infected instead; one way or another, this land and its creatures will come to serve their new queen.
- The Quest requires that your minions survive damage, instilling a flavor of inevitability into the proceedings. Your minions are coming in like a wave; no one can stop you. Irlek hungers for more, and the doubled-Attack will help your minions destroy the opposition. Let the feast begin!
- The giant Rakan watches over the jungle, and protects his own. But whose side is he really on? (Hint: it's yours.)
Common
("Barkskins" are vanilla 3/3 tokens.)
Rare
Epic
Legendary
Knights of the Frozen Throne
In Knights of the Frozen Throne, Aisha has been struck down by the Lich King, becoming a Death Knight. Having lost her connection to her plants, she has fallen into despair and become an instrument of desolation. If her fate was not to bring about a flora paradise, then that must mean her destiny is to simply destroy it all. If she can't have this planet, no one can!
- Aisha's Hero card replaces her minions with Grave Shamblers, who benefit from seeing your weapon destroyed. This runs parallel to the theme of the set: benefiting from self-destruction.
- An additional theme is the "next turn" cards, powerful effects that might need to be timed well.
Common
Rare
("Conifer Whelp" is a vanilla 2/1 Dragon token.)
Epic
("Snow Elemental" is a vanilla 1/1 Elemental token.)
Legendary
Kobolds and Catacombs
While Aisha is off terrorizing the world with her plans for global floral domination, her daughter Lucia has been left to wander. Much more sympathetic to the ways of the mammals, she travels around seeking adventure and knowledge. In Kobolds & Catacombs, she has discovered a group of dungeon-delvers in need of assistance, and has decided to aid them. Will her control of the catacomb's plants and the Staff of Life be enough to help them reach the bottom?
- It's been a while since we've seen new Seedling cards (literally never, since I haven't done the pre-Un'Goro sets lol), so it's time for more! Lucia's gifts for tending to life come in the form of Seedlings, draws with special conditions, and buffs. As the team makes it way down into the dungeon depths, she can also call upon her Overgrown Bodyguard to aid her.
Common
Rare
Epic
Legendary
The Witchwood
In The Witchwood, Aisha has teamed up with Hagatha the Witch against the people of Gilneas! Commanding the swamp to come alive, the Alraune is a dire threat to the worgen and their brethren. She'll eventually betray Hagatha and take the land for herself, but Hagatha doesn't need to know that, now does she?
- Hearkening back to the roots of the class (roots, get it?), this set is all about going wide and/or going tall. Do you build out a large board of smaller minions, or do you make a few gigantic minions?
- I noticed that most of my Seedling-producers in Classic are even-costed, so why not lean into that for an "Even Seedling" archetype? Hence: Seed Tender.
Common
Rare
Epic
Legendary
The Boomsday Project
Deep down in the Boom labs, Sera Bramblethorn is busy jamming to tunes in her workshop. Maybe not the safest thing to do when you're experimenting with deadly poisons and venoms, but being naturally immune certainly helps. Music, as you may know, helps plants grow, and this plant-lady is looking to grow into the best and brightest researcher in the Netherstorm!
- Despite the above paragraph, there is nothing in the set related to sound/music. I thought about it, but couldn't find art I liked :/ Instead, we see the first appearance of Sera and her obesession with Poisonous things, as well as some light Seedling support.
Common
Rare
Epic
Legendary
Rastakhan's Rumble
Laugh all you want, patrons of the arena. Sophi doesn't heed your sneers. In Rastakhan's Rumble, the spirit dancer will show everyone that there's a beauty and grace to fighting, and the smallest hearts can hold the toughest champions. The very earth is her ally, and with the plants by her side she's going to win it all!
- Hummingbirds are naturally associated with the plants they interact with, pollinating them as they seek the nectar in the flowers. Teek, the Hummingbird is the smallest Loa by far, but he is also the fastest, and the most beautiful. Use your team's disarming appearance to your advantage, and out-maneuver these bullies with proper technique, healing and speed.
Common
Rare
Epic
Legendary
Rise of Shadows
In Rise of Shadows, Sera Bramblethorn has taken a turn to the dark side! No longer content to experiment in solitude, she is joining E.V.I.L. alongside her boss Dr. Boom to further her own ends. Rafaam has given her a special task: to sow chaos in Dalaran's Runeweaver square, to draw the attention of the heroes while the others fulfill their tasks.
- To maximize chaos, Sera's plan is to pile on the damage! Collect some Leaf Shots, then use the leaves to barrage your opponent. When you get them low enough, play Sister Acacia for a bunch of stats and finish them off!
Common
Rare
Epic
Legendary
Thorny Lackey courtesy of Demonxz95 :D
Saviors of Uldum
Under the harsh desert sun of Uldum, the forces of E.V.I.L. get ready to unleash madness and death. Sera Bramblethorn is right there with them, only she's prepping for the future: after the plagues drive the mammals from this land, it will be ripe for reclaiming for the plants. If they require an additional push to leave, Sera's forces are more than equipped to do it.
- Grow an Oasis is all about Seedlings: summon them to acquire a new Hero Power, one that then doubles up on the effect of your Thorn Spitters and Moon Blossoms. When it comes to a Seedling-based deck, you're being rewarded for doing what you already planned on doing :D
Common
Rare
Epic
Legendary
Descent of Dragons
Common
Rare
Epic
Legendary
Kranak's weapon only has 1 Durability, like all Alraune weapons.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read through all of this, and thanks in advance for leaving a comment :)
