Doesn't seem very good; "in your hand" holds back cards from being playable most of the time.
Maybe some kind of swarm decks can make this work, but 5 mana is a steep cost to pay.
Usually having to spend resources to gain equivalent or worse resources somewhere else doesn't work out well in Hearthstone (see Feast of Souls, Nethrandamus, etc.).
Reminiscent of Cumulo-Maximus, but I think this card will actually live up to the hype since the Soul Fragment package seems very strong. Maybe it's too slow for DH, but since all of the DH nerfs, it might create an aggro/burst Soul Fragment deck list.
I'm not sure if this is going to be a sleeper like Corridor Creeper or meh-to-bad like Jumbo Imp. I suspect it will be somewhere in-between because the effect is defensive in nature and doesn't have the evolve potential. I doubt this will see much play this expansion.
Animal Companion is still a card run in Hunter because it provides over-statted minions for the cost; this does the same, but a little better, so I expect to see this played everywhere.
This card is good; in fact, so good it can even be run in decks without the Soul Fragment package. I suspect that this will be in almost every Warlock deck in standard, replacing Unstable Felbolt as the early single target removal card.
5/5 card to me, and it definitely is going to be a frustrating one to deal with thanks to the 4 healing.
I think this card is absurdly strong because it works in so many different situation. Many have said that Consume Magic makes this card irrelevant, but the abundance of Evasive minions and minions with annoying effects but not Consume Magic worth effects is ubiquitous.
Being able to invalidate more taunt, deathrattle, and healing minions is really strong for a class that looks to aggro the opponent down quickly.
This effect is obviously ridiculously strong, but I don't think this will actually see much play simply because Demon Hunter prefers to have tempo minions on board, and this card ruins that game plan.
In the future when a control archetype is competitively viable for DH, I see this card being a nightmare to play against since it is arguably a better version of Duskbreaker. Until then, I don't think this will be used in Soul Fragment decks for DH since DH stills wants that tempo game plan.
As many others have shared, I don't like this card.
The effect has no counter-play, and it is not going to be enjoyable to be on the receiving end of this card. Moreover, other cards that don't have counter-play in Hearthstone don't usually feel as bad as this one likely is going to feel. For example, Bombs had no counter-play for quite some time, but they don't feel as bad psychologically simply because the effect is delayed and possibly never even experience throughout the game.
Hopefully this card is not very good in actual play, but it feels like it is going to be a very high-skill card that sees tons of play at high levels (sort of like a Loatheb.) Only time will tell, but here's hoping this card doesn't ruin Hearthstone.
After seeing the rest of the expansion's cards, this card doesn't seem like it's going to make the cut for Demon Hunter. The effect is strong, but I think the damage is too low, cost is too high, and payoff is too easily punished that late in the game.
Cool idea, but not something I expect to see anytime soon.
I don't think this is going to be desirable in either class because of the forced minion attacks. Both classes have weapons that are much more desirable for the current play-styles of each class, and this weapon's effect doesn't seem good enough to create its own archetype (unlike Stormhammer).
Obviously, this is very strong with Ace Hunter Kreen, but that combo isn't going to happen every time you attack with this weapon (and it might kill Kreen).
This cards seems like it will be really nifty and cute when it works or when it is randomly added/discovered. It probably won't make it into any lists on its own, but maybe an aggro-demon list will make this playable, especially since Frenzied Felwing has ridiculously strong synergy with this card (even without the outcast effect).
This card feels a lot like Imprisoned Antaen and Priestess of Fury to me: obviously strong and weird that it was printed in its current state. Maybe I'm off, but the fact that this can kill minions by sucking away health, prevent lethal by taking away 7 damage, be cheated out by multiple different cards, AND has great stats for the cost with an upside seems like an obviously overpowered card to me.
The fact that it is 9 mana is holding it back from being busted, but it seems like it is good enough that it's mana cost is irrelevant.
Initially, I was really thrown by this card; however, since seeing the rest of the expansion, I think this card will be really useful in years to come for future DH archetypes, but pretty meh in standard for the current DH.
I think the effect being based on Outcast is what is holding it back. Leaving it in your leftmost slot prevents your hand from moving around and cycling outcast cards, and top-decking this probably isn't when you want to play it.
Also not looking forward to having 3 classes with hand/deck disruption be a regular mechanic in standard.
Great summary page with all the cards easily accessible. Looking forward to this expansion for many reason--flavorful theme, strong cards, new ideas and mechanics, and a shake up in the meta.
After seeing all of the cards, I am most excited to experiment with spell damage archetypes because it is one of my favorite mechanics to play with since the Rise of Shadows support.
I decided to follow up on my own post earlier about a visual for Transfer Student. Not the best quality, but hopefully it helps others in this discussion.
Any chance this article will include a screenshot/image or hover-over-text-pop-up of the boards associated with each effect (in addition to the names already listed)? For example:
I know that it isn't necessary, but it would be super helpful for players of all kinds. I understand that it may be difficult/inundating, so I respect that if it doesn't happen.
Nevertheless, great summary of all of the effects, and kudos for the expedient write-up!
Doesn't seem very good; "in your hand" holds back cards from being playable most of the time.
Maybe some kind of swarm decks can make this work, but 5 mana is a steep cost to pay.
Usually having to spend resources to gain equivalent or worse resources somewhere else doesn't work out well in Hearthstone (see Feast of Souls, Nethrandamus, etc.).
Reminiscent of Cumulo-Maximus, but I think this card will actually live up to the hype since the Soul Fragment package seems very strong. Maybe it's too slow for DH, but since all of the DH nerfs, it might create an aggro/burst Soul Fragment deck list.
I'm not sure if this is going to be a sleeper like Corridor Creeper or meh-to-bad like Jumbo Imp. I suspect it will be somewhere in-between because the effect is defensive in nature and doesn't have the evolve potential. I doubt this will see much play this expansion.
Yikes!
Can't wait to take 2 damage to face turn 1.
Animal Companion is still a card run in Hunter because it provides over-statted minions for the cost; this does the same, but a little better, so I expect to see this played everywhere.
This card is good; in fact, so good it can even be run in decks without the Soul Fragment package. I suspect that this will be in almost every Warlock deck in standard, replacing Unstable Felbolt as the early single target removal card.
5/5 card to me, and it definitely is going to be a frustrating one to deal with thanks to the 4 healing.
I think this card is absurdly strong because it works in so many different situation. Many have said that Consume Magic makes this card irrelevant, but the abundance of Evasive minions and minions with annoying effects but not Consume Magic worth effects is ubiquitous.
Being able to invalidate more taunt, deathrattle, and healing minions is really strong for a class that looks to aggro the opponent down quickly.
This effect is obviously ridiculously strong, but I don't think this will actually see much play simply because Demon Hunter prefers to have tempo minions on board, and this card ruins that game plan.
In the future when a control archetype is competitively viable for DH, I see this card being a nightmare to play against since it is arguably a better version of Duskbreaker. Until then, I don't think this will be used in Soul Fragment decks for DH since DH stills wants that tempo game plan.
As many others have shared, I don't like this card.
The effect has no counter-play, and it is not going to be enjoyable to be on the receiving end of this card. Moreover, other cards that don't have counter-play in Hearthstone don't usually feel as bad as this one likely is going to feel. For example, Bombs had no counter-play for quite some time, but they don't feel as bad psychologically simply because the effect is delayed and possibly never even experience throughout the game.
Hopefully this card is not very good in actual play, but it feels like it is going to be a very high-skill card that sees tons of play at high levels (sort of like a Loatheb.) Only time will tell, but here's hoping this card doesn't ruin Hearthstone.
After seeing the rest of the expansion's cards, this card doesn't seem like it's going to make the cut for Demon Hunter. The effect is strong, but I think the damage is too low, cost is too high, and payoff is too easily punished that late in the game.
Cool idea, but not something I expect to see anytime soon.
I don't think this is going to be desirable in either class because of the forced minion attacks. Both classes have weapons that are much more desirable for the current play-styles of each class, and this weapon's effect doesn't seem good enough to create its own archetype (unlike Stormhammer).
Obviously, this is very strong with Ace Hunter Kreen, but that combo isn't going to happen every time you attack with this weapon (and it might kill Kreen).
This cards seems like it will be really nifty and cute when it works or when it is randomly added/discovered. It probably won't make it into any lists on its own, but maybe an aggro-demon list will make this playable, especially since Frenzied Felwing has ridiculously strong synergy with this card (even without the outcast effect).
This card feels a lot like Imprisoned Antaen and Priestess of Fury to me: obviously strong and weird that it was printed in its current state. Maybe I'm off, but the fact that this can kill minions by sucking away health, prevent lethal by taking away 7 damage, be cheated out by multiple different cards, AND has great stats for the cost with an upside seems like an obviously overpowered card to me.
The fact that it is 9 mana is holding it back from being busted, but it seems like it is good enough that it's mana cost is irrelevant.
This card seems very strong for both classes. Not sure if it is an auto-include in Highlander, but mid-range and tempo seem like the best fit for it.
Mid-range Hunter can now take value trades and possibly bring the archetype back alive.
Demon Hunter plus weapons are even more threatening than before. Thank goodness we got nerfs to most of the weapons that were available to DH.
Initially, I was really thrown by this card; however, since seeing the rest of the expansion, I think this card will be really useful in years to come for future DH archetypes, but pretty meh in standard for the current DH.
I think the effect being based on Outcast is what is holding it back. Leaving it in your leftmost slot prevents your hand from moving around and cycling outcast cards, and top-decking this probably isn't when you want to play it.
Also not looking forward to having 3 classes with hand/deck disruption be a regular mechanic in standard.
This card seems really strong because of it's stats and versatility.
1 Soul Fragment = eh
2 Soul Fragments = solid
3+ Soul Fragments = great
Great summary page with all the cards easily accessible. Looking forward to this expansion for many reason--flavorful theme, strong cards, new ideas and mechanics, and a shake up in the meta.
After seeing all of the cards, I am most excited to experiment with spell damage archetypes because it is one of my favorite mechanics to play with since the Rise of Shadows support.
I decided to follow up on my own post earlier about a visual for Transfer Student. Not the best quality, but hopefully it helps others in this discussion.
Transfer_Student.gif (August 2020)
Great summary of the champions' cards--short, sweet, and to the point.
Beautiful! Can't wait for this to come out with the expansion.
Any chance this article will include a screenshot/image or hover-over-text-pop-up of the boards associated with each effect (in addition to the names already listed)? For example:
I know that it isn't necessary, but it would be super helpful for players of all kinds. I understand that it may be difficult/inundating, so I respect that if it doesn't happen.
Nevertheless, great summary of all of the effects, and kudos for the expedient write-up!