I'm only missing Kangor and Thekal. How valuable are they? I could craft them if needed, I have the dust.
I seem to recall some crazy Undatakah combo decks that only work if he grabs the deathrattles in the right order, but this looks like it's good to go either way. Is that right?
Sure, we run Mysterious Challenger too. There are plenty of secrets for both. I don't agree that destroying cards is automatically better than playing them. Moreover, I see Hemet as a liability because he's a dead card in hand until you draw Subdue (this happened to me once). You say you prefer to play a true highlander, rather than running Reno and duplicates because you have to draw the duplicates before you can play Reno. This is the same thing: Hemet sits in your hand, unplayable, until you draw a certain card. In the late game, after you've drawn all your cards, you usually can't afford the extra turn it will take to dump the rest of your cards, especially if they are costly cards like Hemet.
You're right about druids with the draw and sustainability, but I did see a lot of Zephrys in non-highlander paladin decks, the OTK Shirvallah one.
Anyway, I just played a few games, and came close to winning each time. Loatheb screwed me up once, and another time it was a mage who just didn't play any minions in the late game, so even though I had drawn every card and just had the 3-card combo, I had nothing to run Mecha'thun into (no way he predicted my win condition, right?).
What do you think of using Subject 9 instead of Hemet? Hemet clears your deck more powerfully, but 9 is cheaper and gives you access to the secrets instead of just destroying them.
Maybe non-Highlander one is far more successful, as I didn't explore that area, who knows?
This was my main point, wondering if the deck would be more consistent with more survival tools instead of being a highlander deck. I'm just spitballing, as I haven't tried it yet either way.
Good point about Equality and Hemet.
What I meant about Reno and Zephrys is that you can put them in the deck even if you have duplicates, then play them once you've drawn all your duplicates. Is it a good idea? Well, again, it's less consistent, but several of the pros in the current Grandmaster's Tournament are using Zephrys in non-highlander decks. I've also seen streamers play Elise in non-highlander Malygos combo decks.
I love the idea of this card. Obviously, it would be too strong if you could play the spell you discover right away. But would it? I've used it a fair bit, and it can be hard to find the right time, since it's basically 6-mana do nothing. If it was 5-mana, you could only get instant value by discovering a 5-mana spell, and there might not be one offered. Food for thought.
I will totally try this, I love making Mecha'thun work. I'm pretty dubious about it being highlander though. Wouldn't we have better survivability by doubling Time Out and adding some classic clears like Pyro/Equality. We could even keep Reno and Zephrys to use later in the game after drawing a ton of stuff.
Lost to a shaman who dropped Mogu on turn 3 and mutated into Gruul. I conceded turn 4. Felt SUPER bad for me, but this is not an incredibly common occurrence. I wouldn't mind a nerf to that guy, but I don't know if it's needed yet.
That's a great point. Wild also contains more quests you can steal, plus Justicar Trueheart, Baku and Genn, and the Death Knights. Come to think of it, unless you're running a deck that works to improve your hero power yourself, the Spelleater would likely provide good value in many circumstances in wild.
Preordered it already, but only because I had leftover Amazon coins. Otherwise, I'd probably have used in-game gold. I have really been enjoying all the adventure content they've done, and expect this to be great too.
I do really miss the original model from Naxx through Karazan. I miss building a streamlined deck designed to exploit each boss's weakness.
I guess it comes down to whether you want to go for a massive C'Thun win, or an infinite Shudderwock win. The infinite Shudder can be super fun, but also inconsistent since he might Grumble before Doppel.
I feel more drawn to completing the Quest (which is worth the slot in your opening hand, and gives huge value later), then double-buffing C'thun with all his minions, then Shudderwocking for even more C'Thun buffs, then just playing a single huge C'Thun.
I also really like the idea of Cho. Stalling with clears like Earthquake and Hagatha's Scheme would work well, and giving them to your opponent would only stall longer, which is good for you. I might swap Devolve with Plague of Murlocs, since you'd rather Cho share that one.
I always loved C'Thun shenanigans! I think DoubleSummon makes a good point about some vanilla minions. I'd add the quest (it's fun! and powerful) then cut the Twilight Elders and Crazed Worshipper, since they aren't battlecries. Add Veklor, maybe cut Grumble and Dopplegangsters as well. Just go all in on C'Thun!
Really fun story element, too. I did one of those too, and I know how time consuming it is to plug in all those card references. Nice job!
Twice in the last day I've received a notification that a member made a comment on my thread, but when I clicked it, it took me to an error page. I also tried just going to the thread it indicated, but there was no new comment by the member indicated. This happened twice, 2 different members on two different threads. What's up with this? I love this community and want to know what they're saying!
Spending mana on later turns has become a problem. That's why I cut the Arcane Dynamo, and haven't added Medivh yet. Yet. The dragon package is pulling its weight though.
Added 2 Scaleworms, second Netherspite, one Corruptor, second Primordial. Took out Faerie, both Tyrants, Cobalt, and Arcane Dynamo. Kept Geist, and JUST NOW beat a Jade Druid. Instant concede as soon that guy hit the board.
But seriously, you make good points. At the beginning, I was considering elemental synergy instead of dragons. I just like dragons, and those early game bodies can be so good.
As for Phaoris, since I only run spells that cost 6 or more, usually holding just 3 or 4 is enough value from him.
Faerie Dragon and Nightmare Amalgam are both good tempo plays, although I guess there are better 2-drops than Faerie, since you'll probably play it before it gives you synergy with another card.
I'd be fine losing the Cobalt Scalebane, as his effect is not always that valuable in a deck like this.
I like Arcane Dynamo for the spell, and he does fine if you're ahead enough on board, which you often are by turn 6 if you've drawn well. I could see him staying or going.
I'll keep Skulking Geist simply because he counters a few different things in wild (like Jade Idols).
I'm only missing Kangor and Thekal. How valuable are they? I could craft them if needed, I have the dust.
I seem to recall some crazy Undatakah combo decks that only work if he grabs the deathrattles in the right order, but this looks like it's good to go either way. Is that right?
Sure, we run Mysterious Challenger too. There are plenty of secrets for both. I don't agree that destroying cards is automatically better than playing them. Moreover, I see Hemet as a liability because he's a dead card in hand until you draw Subdue (this happened to me once). You say you prefer to play a true highlander, rather than running Reno and duplicates because you have to draw the duplicates before you can play Reno. This is the same thing: Hemet sits in your hand, unplayable, until you draw a certain card. In the late game, after you've drawn all your cards, you usually can't afford the extra turn it will take to dump the rest of your cards, especially if they are costly cards like Hemet.
You're right about druids with the draw and sustainability, but I did see a lot of Zephrys in non-highlander paladin decks, the OTK Shirvallah one.
Anyway, I just played a few games, and came close to winning each time. Loatheb screwed me up once, and another time it was a mage who just didn't play any minions in the late game, so even though I had drawn every card and just had the 3-card combo, I had nothing to run Mecha'thun into (no way he predicted my win condition, right?).
What do you think of using Subject 9 instead of Hemet? Hemet clears your deck more powerfully, but 9 is cheaper and gives you access to the secrets instead of just destroying them.
This was my main point, wondering if the deck would be more consistent with more survival tools instead of being a highlander deck. I'm just spitballing, as I haven't tried it yet either way.
Good point about Equality and Hemet.
What I meant about Reno and Zephrys is that you can put them in the deck even if you have duplicates, then play them once you've drawn all your duplicates. Is it a good idea? Well, again, it's less consistent, but several of the pros in the current Grandmaster's Tournament are using Zephrys in non-highlander decks. I've also seen streamers play Elise in non-highlander Malygos combo decks.
I love the idea of this card. Obviously, it would be too strong if you could play the spell you discover right away. But would it? I've used it a fair bit, and it can be hard to find the right time, since it's basically 6-mana do nothing. If it was 5-mana, you could only get instant value by discovering a 5-mana spell, and there might not be one offered. Food for thought.
I will totally try this, I love making Mecha'thun work. I'm pretty dubious about it being highlander though. Wouldn't we have better survivability by doubling Time Out and adding some classic clears like Pyro/Equality. We could even keep Reno and Zephrys to use later in the game after drawing a ton of stuff.
Mogu Fleshshaper into Hir'eek, the Bat totally OP, Blizzard please nerf.
Sorry guys, I had to.
Lost to a shaman who dropped Mogu on turn 3 and mutated into Gruul. I conceded turn 4. Felt SUPER bad for me, but this is not an incredibly common occurrence. I wouldn't mind a nerf to that guy, but I don't know if it's needed yet.
That's a great point. Wild also contains more quests you can steal, plus Justicar Trueheart, Baku and Genn, and the Death Knights. Come to think of it, unless you're running a deck that works to improve your hero power yourself, the Spelleater would likely provide good value in many circumstances in wild.
I freaking LOVE this idea. Partly because of how terrible a win condition it is. I mean, doesn't Chameleos always start as himself?
Will I try this? No, probably not, but I congratulate you on building and sharing this!
Preordered it already, but only because I had leftover Amazon coins. Otherwise, I'd probably have used in-game gold. I have really been enjoying all the adventure content they've done, and expect this to be great too.
I do really miss the original model from Naxx through Karazan. I miss building a streamlined deck designed to exploit each boss's weakness.
I guess it comes down to whether you want to go for a massive C'Thun win, or an infinite Shudderwock win. The infinite Shudder can be super fun, but also inconsistent since he might Grumble before Doppel.
I feel more drawn to completing the Quest (which is worth the slot in your opening hand, and gives huge value later), then double-buffing C'thun with all his minions, then Shudderwocking for even more C'Thun buffs, then just playing a single huge C'Thun.
I also really like the idea of Cho. Stalling with clears like Earthquake and Hagatha's Scheme would work well, and giving them to your opponent would only stall longer, which is good for you. I might swap Devolve with Plague of Murlocs, since you'd rather Cho share that one.
I always loved C'Thun shenanigans! I think DoubleSummon makes a good point about some vanilla minions. I'd add the quest (it's fun! and powerful) then cut the Twilight Elders and Crazed Worshipper, since they aren't battlecries. Add Veklor, maybe cut Grumble and Dopplegangsters as well. Just go all in on C'Thun!
Really fun story element, too. I did one of those too, and I know how time consuming it is to plug in all those card references. Nice job!
Why is the mage deck called a Reno Mage? It contains 0/2 available Renos. And it's not even a Highlander.
Great article though, will probably try these out. I really want Dr. Boom's Scheme to be good, but... It's just not.
Oh, that makes sense. Thanks for the quick response!
Twice in the last day I've received a notification that a member made a comment on my thread, but when I clicked it, it took me to an error page. I also tried just going to the thread it indicated, but there was no new comment by the member indicated. This happened twice, 2 different members on two different threads. What's up with this? I love this community and want to know what they're saying!
Spending mana on later turns has become a problem. That's why I cut the Arcane Dynamo, and haven't added Medivh yet. Yet. The dragon package is pulling its weight though.
Added 2 Scaleworms, second Netherspite, one Corruptor, second Primordial. Took out Faerie, both Tyrants, Cobalt, and Arcane Dynamo. Kept Geist, and JUST NOW beat a Jade Druid. Instant concede as soon that guy hit the board.
Dude, dragons.
But seriously, you make good points. At the beginning, I was considering elemental synergy instead of dragons. I just like dragons, and those early game bodies can be so good.
As for Phaoris, since I only run spells that cost 6 or more, usually holding just 3 or 4 is enough value from him.
Hey, thanks for the suggestions!
Faerie Dragon and Nightmare Amalgam are both good tempo plays, although I guess there are better 2-drops than Faerie, since you'll probably play it before it gives you synergy with another card.
I'd be fine losing the Cobalt Scalebane, as his effect is not always that valuable in a deck like this.
I like Arcane Dynamo for the spell, and he does fine if you're ahead enough on board, which you often are by turn 6 if you've drawn well. I could see him staying or going.
I'll keep Skulking Geist simply because he counters a few different things in wild (like Jade Idols).
When I cut the Grand Archivist, I think added the second Blackwing Technician.
Love the idea of Scaleworm and Blackwing Corruptor.
Between Overflow and Ultimate Infestation, you draw a lot. I would not run a second UI.
I think I'll do some tinkering later tonight and then update it.