Well, the Initiate set is supposed to supplement Classic, right? So by that rule, Basic+Classic cards are usually in the rotation by default, so it shouldnt be too much of a problem.
Well, Blizzard has said multiple times that they aren't a fan of no-counterplay OTKs (which is what basically all combos in this game are) so they've gradually decreased combo support, especially for the classes known for it.
Druid still gets some, just look at Ysiel and Imprisoned Satyr. Rogue also is able to play Malygos quite well, but they don't exactly have the tools to survive that long. Mage got basically kicked out of the combo game when they removed Ice Block, and now Priest is gone too
They did say that ... and they keep introducing cards like Kaelthas. Just because we dont see an OTK deck right now does not mean they wont rise again when tools like this exist. Just you wait.
These are the cards Sinti and I don't agree on. We'll discuss them a bit and would love to hear what you think. Which of us do you agree with, and why?
I think im most surprised about Imprisoned Scrap Imp and Bulwark of Azzinoth, why do you think the Imp is so weak? The 2 turn delay? I admit the later you get it the worse, but it can just blow up the entire game if you get it early and provide game winning advantage.
On the other hand, Bulwark while cute, warrior already has the Hero Power to gain some life and he will ideally want to use another weapon to attack, not to sit on this. And chances are, this will not stop that much damage anyway. Honestly, even if it stops like 20 damage, wouldnt you rather have another legendary that will most likely help you to actually win the game rather than just prolong it?
Players who have an active Arena run when rotation happens will have their current run retired and will receive an Arena Ticket as compensation (plus any reward for current number of wins for that run).
Play out your run to x-2 (x wins and max. 2 losses) if you want more rewards from your run, or just leave it at 0-0 if you dont want to bother playing.
Friendly Neighborhood Gladiator: if you do plan on leaving your run at 0-0, you might as well start two games and concede to two players, getting some positive karma :) You will get the identical rewards for 0-0 and 0-2 score.
FAQ
Q: When should I start my run to receive a free Arena Ticket for a retired run?
A: Ideally several hours before the rotation, arena entries are generally closed few hours prior.
Q: Where are my rewards for the retired run? I opened my arena rewards but didn't get any pack or gold/dust.
A: This is a known bug, arena rewards are actually awarded to you once you finish your last arena game, before you open up the reward boxes. When an arena reset happens, it gets even more confusing because this happens on log in; sometimes you have to restart the game.
People often see (1) pack in their inventory, don't think much about it, open it and then go collect arena rewards only to find out they didn't get anything. But the fact is, that (1) pack on log in was actually the one from the retired arena run. Same with gold/dust, it was already added to your account even before you opened the arena rewards. You didn't lose anything.
Edit: This issue shoudl be fixed now, but i will leave it here regardless.
Oh I understand they are tempo inefficient, and not saying my experience is holistic of everyone else's. I try to make sure my deck isn't top heavy, but it's just problematic when you have non-interactive, non-counterplayable components like shroom spammers. That much I think we can agree upon.
Well yeah, tho fun is relative and someone can enjoy playing that style, many do according to your post :)
I'm curious if anyone is willing to say they've had regular success going the 'shroom/Timo route. I always fiercely avoid it since I've read comments implying it was just bad.
I wanted to try, but havent been brave enough to do it yet, since pretty much all opponents i faced didnt do well. Also, PZ is not a great region for Expeditions anyway, thats more of a reason why i never comited to it.
I have the opposite experience, I lost to shrooms maybe once, and that was my own fault too. Even with 50-70 shrooms in the deck, I managed to win. Yes, you can absolutely get unlucky, but cards that put shrooms in your deck are very tempo inefficient, more so after [Hearthstone Card (Chump Whump) Not Found] got nerfed. I feel like you might not be villing to draft a deck that can deal with this, or you are just playing too slow and letting the game drag out, of course then you will be doomed. I guess only exception might be T1 Teemo, if you cant remove him, that is a BS that can snowball quickly, I agree, but then again, if you are not building your deck to be able to stop early aggression, that is a mistake on its own.
I think you can do it in lot less, if you are good at expeditions, well, maybe not now since in a few days, the xp from expeditions will be nerfed 2nd time, but could have done it, i guess. Also depends on many other things, one person can max out on daily XP with a slower deck and win 80% of their games and another might max out with a faster deck where they win 50% of the games and do it faster than the first person.
I have no real idea how relative 600 hours is in this scenario, but i guess CG to a full collection anyway, lets hope you still like the game and can have fun. I know many ppl get fatigued out, if they grind just for the grind. So, good luck to you ;-)
If you completed your champions just don't. It gives 600 cards instead but there is still chances that it can be upgraded to champion wildcard tho. I've played mine, got 1200 shards + 1 champion wildcard + shards from my wins which i really don't remember. Since I also finished all of my regional rewards and those experiences only gives me vault level (There is not another reward tree; you can see this thread of me), expeditions gives me nothing but shards now.
So, if you completed regions and champions like me, just save your tokens for future.
Well, I really don't know after new changes, They will activate those season road level or not because it now gives unlimited vault levels so it might be possible to be activated it right now.
Right, good point, only worth doing for those without a full champcollection ;-)
Yeah, good idea. Expedition started before the patch should have the old reward system still, so even if you dont finish it, it is good to start it.
And if you have more than one token, it is probably even worth just going for 0-0, since a random champion is going to be worth more shards than the 7win reward after the patch. I guess they said that they would compensate anyone with an active token, what that means tho, i dont know. Would you get full entry fee value? Would you get just the difference between the old and new one? Not sure.
Yes, i know, but that is another card on top for mere 10 dmg. Yes, it is a thing that can happen and it might even happen in a deck running all these cards from time to time, but i very much doubt that it will be the finisher you strive for. But hey, maybe it will happen, who knows.
A 3 card combo to deal 10 damage that can be blocked by Taunt? eh .. but Kael'thas is going to open some insanity for every class, that is true. Not sure what they were thinking honestly, wouldnt be surprised if his cost was increased after a month or two
Seems to me like it is overtuned on purpose, otherwise no one would play it after a week. It is something new, i guess we'll see how big of an offender it ends up being
Probably one 9/9 with both Taunt and Rush. But they could possibly be two different minions, so summoning 2 is a possibility. Will have to wait until we see the tokens at least.
Well, the Initiate set is supposed to supplement Classic, right? So by that rule, Basic+Classic cards are usually in the rotation by default, so it shouldnt be too much of a problem.
Yeah, that is some nasty stuff!
They did say that ... and they keep introducing cards like Kaelthas. Just because we dont see an OTK deck right now does not mean they wont rise again when tools like this exist. Just you wait.
Not usually, no. But there is an Arena article coming up soon :)
I think im most surprised about Imprisoned Scrap Imp and Bulwark of Azzinoth, why do you think the Imp is so weak? The 2 turn delay? I admit the later you get it the worse, but it can just blow up the entire game if you get it early and provide game winning advantage.
On the other hand, Bulwark while cute, warrior already has the Hero Power to gain some life and he will ideally want to use another weapon to attack, not to sit on this. And chances are, this will not stop that much damage anyway. Honestly, even if it stops like 20 damage, wouldnt you rather have another legendary that will most likely help you to actually win the game rather than just prolong it?
1st Arena rotation for Ashes of Outland is coming on April 7.
Drafting Pool
"Free" Arena Ticket
Players who have an active Arena run when rotation happens will have their current run retired and will receive an Arena Ticket as compensation (plus any reward for current number of wins for that run).
Friendly Neighborhood Gladiator: if you do plan on leaving your run at 0-0, you might as well start two games and concede to two players, getting some positive karma :) You will get the identical rewards for 0-0 and 0-2 score.
Q: When should I start my run to receive a free Arena Ticket for a retired run?
A: Ideally several hours before the rotation, arena entries are generally closed few hours prior.
Q: Do Arena Tickets stack?
A: Yes. (proof)
Q: Do Arena Tickets expire?
A: No.
Q: Where are my rewards for the retired run? I opened my arena rewards but didn't get any pack or gold/dust.
A: This is a known bug, arena rewards are actually awarded to you once you finish your last arena game, before you open up the reward boxes. When an arena reset happens, it gets even more confusing because this happens on log in; sometimes you have to restart the game.
People often see (1) pack in their inventory, don't think much about it, open it and then go collect arena rewards only to find out they didn't get anything. But the fact is, that (1) pack on log in was actually the one from the retired arena run. Same with gold/dust, it was already added to your account even before you opened the arena rewards. You didn't lose anything.
Edit: This issue shoudl be fixed now, but i will leave it here regardless.
Well yeah, tho fun is relative and someone can enjoy playing that style, many do according to your post :)
I wanted to try, but havent been brave enough to do it yet, since pretty much all opponents i faced didnt do well. Also, PZ is not a great region for Expeditions anyway, thats more of a reason why i never comited to it.
I have the opposite experience, I lost to shrooms maybe once, and that was my own fault too. Even with 50-70 shrooms in the deck, I managed to win. Yes, you can absolutely get unlucky, but cards that put shrooms in your deck are very tempo inefficient, more so after [Hearthstone Card (Chump Whump) Not Found] got nerfed. I feel like you might not be villing to draft a deck that can deal with this, or you are just playing too slow and letting the game drag out, of course then you will be doomed. I guess only exception might be T1 Teemo, if you cant remove him, that is a BS that can snowball quickly, I agree, but then again, if you are not building your deck to be able to stop early aggression, that is a mistake on its own.
Congratulations to the winners!
LOVED Felwing Hatchling! Congratulations :)
I think you can do it in lot less, if you are good at expeditions, well, maybe not now since in a few days, the xp from expeditions will be nerfed 2nd time, but could have done it, i guess. Also depends on many other things, one person can max out on daily XP with a slower deck and win 80% of their games and another might max out with a faster deck where they win 50% of the games and do it faster than the first person.
I have no real idea how relative 600 hours is in this scenario, but i guess CG to a full collection anyway, lets hope you still like the game and can have fun. I know many ppl get fatigued out, if they grind just for the grind. So, good luck to you ;-)
Right, good point, only worth doing for those without a full champcollection ;-)
Yeah, good idea. Expedition started before the patch should have the old reward system still, so even if you dont finish it, it is good to start it.
And if you have more than one token, it is probably even worth just going for 0-0, since a random champion is going to be worth more shards than the 7win reward after the patch. I guess they said that they would compensate anyone with an active token, what that means tho, i dont know. Would you get full entry fee value? Would you get just the difference between the old and new one? Not sure.
Yes, i know, but that is another card on top for mere 10 dmg. Yes, it is a thing that can happen and it might even happen in a deck running all these cards from time to time, but i very much doubt that it will be the finisher you strive for. But hey, maybe it will happen, who knows.
He would replace us with turtles. Thats how you know Shadows is at the helm :)
A 3 card combo to deal 10 damage that can be blocked by Taunt? eh .. but Kael'thas is going to open some insanity for every class, that is true. Not sure what they were thinking honestly, wouldnt be surprised if his cost was increased after a month or two
Seems to me like it is overtuned on purpose, otherwise no one would play it after a week. It is something new, i guess we'll see how big of an offender it ends up being
Did you mean mage?:)
Probably one 9/9 with both Taunt and Rush. But they could possibly be two different minions, so summoning 2 is a possibility. Will have to wait until we see the tokens at least.
Pretty much. They nerfed Power Word: Shield cause it just made every Priest deck to have 28 cards. This card will do that for Paladin.