While I have had some days of really getting frustrated with this game, overall I am still having fun with the game, yes! If you aren't having fun you may wonder, "How?" Well, frankly I'm playing in the Diamond ranks and I just play whatever I feel like playing while not being too concerned about how high I climb beyond Diamond 10. Diamond 5 is kind of my big goal for the month, but not Legend. I've gotten it a few times so I have my card back, and I'm not trying to go pro here, so I just play fun stuff. If I get matched up against an unfun deck? I will try but likely just concede and move on it it's unwinnable!
In all honesty, the QL Mages must be in ranks above me because I haven't noticed them much. The same for Wild and Even Locks, it's a really good deck but I'm not seeing it much. The QL Hunters are everywhere, but I've been beating them okay with my Even Totem Shaman. I've also been surprising a few people in Standard lately with a Hero Power Mage deck because they are probably basing their mulligan off of the expectation I'll be QL Mage. Overall the deck is 9-10, but after some refinement the last nine games were 6-3. Only faced two Mages so far with it and I'm 1-1. Going for a bit of a Tempo deck with few spells and a couple cards that focus on drawing spells to try and guarantee I find one or both Wildfires each game.
To summarize, fun is subjective and if the meta goes against what you find subjectively fun it's going to suck for you unfortunately. But if you try to just relax, not get too serious about grinding and ladder climbing, I bet you can still find something fun about the game. If you can't, maybe it's time to take a break.
While I may still be having a fun time overall, I'm also excited for Mercs to bring in a fresh new game mode that I might actually enjoy playing this time. Something to break up the monotony of constructed for the times I do get frustrated, because I'm not a Duels guy, I'm too cheap to risk gold on Arena runs, and BGs is also not my cup of tea (but still what I turn to when I want to play Hearthstone but need a Constructed break).
Yeah, I would agree. Especially for players who aren't too invested in the main game mode these prices are more than fine! I was more so just stating how dumb I felt having not even considered that they would have some cost associated with upgrading them... LOL!
Not sure what I expected. Maybe something tied to the Bounties or whatever would help you level up buildings... ? But how would that have ever made sense???
Can't wait for Oct 12. I even have the day off work! (The day off work is unrelated to Mercs, but still a plus!)
I had never considered that it might cost anything to upgrade these buildings... Not sure why I hadn't thought of that. Maybe because I haven't been spending a lot of time thinking about the mode other than thinking "I'll give it a try when it's out!"
So I was able to build a version of the deck in Standard, and got the combo off… kind of!
I remembered why the quest was important when I got to the turn: You run out of board space quick! So the double battlecries make the corrupted Medics into free Alexstraza the Life Binders that Bolnar keeps giving you more of.
Had to use the free Medics to clear a few minions, only sent one 4 dmg shot face. But filled my hand with corrupted Medics (full cost after my turn), had a full board, and my opponent had nothing onboard with three cards left. So it worked out!
I imagine a way around the board space issue is to try and get some corrupted Dunk Tanks going. Just hope you have at least one free Medic and a space to play it after dropping all free Tanks on their face.
After DMF released I loved running a Standard list with Y'Shaarj, Circus Medics, and Dunk Tanks combined with the quest. Never really carried it over into Wild but will have to try this one. If it works the way it should you could still do this without the quest in Standard too. Play at least one corrupted Medic, then on turn 10 Y'Shaarj, Bolnar, Bloom, the free Medic, get another free Medic (or two) and just keep doing that until you either win or you run out of time.
That's all I was seeing too, however, now I don't see any bundles... Wondering if the algorithm was bugged and not offering different bundles based on your habits so they pulled it down?
Great breakdown! I'm excited for the mode, but not excited about spending any real money on it if it can be helped. So this breakdown really helps to determine that maybe I'll hold off on any pre-purchase and just go F2P in this mode due to it having what seems to be a fairly generous rewards system (unless I'm misinterpreting something). The part about being able to farm specific coins is something I hadn't heard yet so that especially makes the rewards seem more fair and generous, even if you have to invest the time to get enough.
Maybe I'll buy an occasional bundle down the road if they offer a sweet deal or have some really nice cosmetic item. But due to spending on the main game mode already being a bit higher than I'd prefer, keeping that cash in my pocket for now.
I always enjoyed Odd Mage, continued playing it in Wild after the early Genn/Baku rotation. After Barrens I was playing a “Fire Mage” deck based around HP shenanigans that included Mordresh and Jan’alai. Something about the fantasy of being a mage with a strong hero power was fun to me.
It was never super strong in Wild in either form, but with Wildfire at 1 it intrigues me enough to at least try Odd Mage again. If only Mordresh was changed to 9 mana 9/9, and Reckless Apprentice changed to a 3 mana 3/4…
Could run Frost Lich and just save the Wildfires until after playing her too. That is, if Wild slows down enough for an Odd Elemental Mage to be viable. (Fun Fact: When Barrens released, Wildfire’s effect used to carryover to the DK hp, but at some point they patches it so it wouldn’t.)
Tech cards to counter or slow quests: unlikely. Unless they do something like “While this in play, Battlecry effects won’t trigger.” to prevent your opponent from playing the questline reward a turn. But even then how effective will it be? What’s the cost? The stat line? Too little health and it just get’s removed immediately, effectively stopping nothing. Could be a battlecry that all other battlecries won’t trigger until your next turn. At which point Rogue becomes the QL killer with Shadowsteps.
More likely approach is a nerf to the questlines that are problematic, and maybe further nerfs to problematic cards enabling the problematic QL decks. As to what those nerfs would be, not sure.
As for actual mini set speculation: I feel like they’ve telegraphed Stockades, especially with Dawngrasp’s QL art and theme. I think someone theorized a new Hogger card having potential as I believe he’s in the Heroic Stockades dungeon (right? Haven’t played WoW in the longest time.)
But overall I’m just expecting 35 more cards, a total of four new legendaries, one epic, and the rest a mix of rares and commons.
Despite the overall win rate from HS Replay being sub 47%, I've been 8-3 through the Platinum ranks as I start to really climb this month. This deck can be strong, but requires a little time for set up and some thought into how to make best use of your draw.
When this article was first posted I tried DreadEye's list that you based the budget version off of, and I had a horrible time with it. After watching BoarControl playing the list (or one very similar) yesterday I tried it again last night and this morning with a better idea of how to pilot it. I'm still making my way through the ranks this season, but nearing the end of Platinum with an 8-3 record with the deck since yesterday. Which seems crazy since I'm pretty sure HS Replay puts it around 47%. But again, I initially wasn't playing it right so I'm sure there are a lot of other people also not playing it right and bringing down the overall win rate... ??? Or maybe it'll just get way harder to win with when I reach higher ranks.
Either way, I'm actually having fun with this archetype now that I understand it better! So much fun!
It took my two tries, and I never even freed Anatheron when I beat him on the second try. Mostly just clearing the board with as few resources as possible. I actually got to the point where we were both in fatigue and his hero power wasn't pulling anything. I think my last turn I might have actually freed Anatheron right before lethal with another minion in play. Not sure how I made it work without Anatheron to help with clearing the board. I just got lucky I guess.
I love these types of articles! Great breakdown and analysis of a pro deck and how you went about making it more budget friendly for those who may not have the resources to make the existing list. Well done!
...now I can´t play control anymore in Standard nor in Wild, I am forced to play arena and duels...
I understand your frustration, but your comment is actually showcasing exactly what Flux is talking about. The game isn't necessarily ruined even if it is "ruined" for you because the deck or type of deck you like isn't particularly strong right now. Because for many other people, they might enjoy the current meta. And here in lies where Flux says your anger and toxic attitude (in game and in forums) is what is ruining the game. He's talking more about the community being "ruined" rather than the actual game and its development.
While I play everything from Aggro, to Control, to Midrange, to Combo, and straight up memes I can also get frustrated at times. Last night I was playing a Galakrond Shadow Priest that had a surprise Mind Blast combo in it if I was able to survive long enough and needed some burst, and that was frustrating as hell. But when I am having issues with one deck I just swap to another. And I think here is your biggest issue with the current state of the game: you personally don't want to play other types of decks, so if the type you enjoy is weak you feel the game as a whole is bad.
I forget how many different deck archetypes the casters mentioned people bringing to Master's Tour over the weekend, but in the Top 16, or Top 8 maybe, every class had at least one archetype represented, with some having two, and a few archetypes even having 2-3 varying builds within the same archetype. Hell, Kibler was playing Rat King Hunter yesterday, using Jewel of N'Zoth to bring back three Rat Kings, and eventually got a board that almost never didn't have at least one living Rat King and 1-2 about ready to respawn on the next death of one. Was it the most successful? No, probably not! But he was beating some of the "top tier" decks with it so it has merit.
TLDR: I'm sorry that you feel that way, but unless you absolutely hate other archetypes outside of Control there are a lot of options available in the meta right now. Handbuff Paladin is a little more Midrange, but might be an archetype you enjoy as you can play it more like a control deck in some situations.
While I have had some days of really getting frustrated with this game, overall I am still having fun with the game, yes! If you aren't having fun you may wonder, "How?" Well, frankly I'm playing in the Diamond ranks and I just play whatever I feel like playing while not being too concerned about how high I climb beyond Diamond 10. Diamond 5 is kind of my big goal for the month, but not Legend. I've gotten it a few times so I have my card back, and I'm not trying to go pro here, so I just play fun stuff. If I get matched up against an unfun deck? I will try but likely just concede and move on it it's unwinnable!
In all honesty, the QL Mages must be in ranks above me because I haven't noticed them much. The same for Wild and Even Locks, it's a really good deck but I'm not seeing it much. The QL Hunters are everywhere, but I've been beating them okay with my Even Totem Shaman. I've also been surprising a few people in Standard lately with a Hero Power Mage deck because they are probably basing their mulligan off of the expectation I'll be QL Mage. Overall the deck is 9-10, but after some refinement the last nine games were 6-3. Only faced two Mages so far with it and I'm 1-1. Going for a bit of a Tempo deck with few spells and a couple cards that focus on drawing spells to try and guarantee I find one or both Wildfires each game.
To summarize, fun is subjective and if the meta goes against what you find subjectively fun it's going to suck for you unfortunately. But if you try to just relax, not get too serious about grinding and ladder climbing, I bet you can still find something fun about the game. If you can't, maybe it's time to take a break.
While I may still be having a fun time overall, I'm also excited for Mercs to bring in a fresh new game mode that I might actually enjoy playing this time. Something to break up the monotony of constructed for the times I do get frustrated, because I'm not a Duels guy, I'm too cheap to risk gold on Arena runs, and BGs is also not my cup of tea (but still what I turn to when I want to play Hearthstone but need a Constructed break).
*Guff ignores you and uses SPLASH because he doesn't want to hurt anyone!*
FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!
Yeah, I would agree. Especially for players who aren't too invested in the main game mode these prices are more than fine! I was more so just stating how dumb I felt having not even considered that they would have some cost associated with upgrading them... LOL!
Not sure what I expected. Maybe something tied to the Bounties or whatever would help you level up buildings... ? But how would that have ever made sense???
Can't wait for Oct 12. I even have the day off work! (The day off work is unrelated to Mercs, but still a plus!)
I had never considered that it might cost anything to upgrade these buildings... Not sure why I hadn't thought of that. Maybe because I haven't been spending a lot of time thinking about the mode other than thinking "I'll give it a try when it's out!"
Funny, I made almost this exact same deck today!
The main difference is I didn't have 3x Pyromaniac! :)
So I was able to build a version of the deck in Standard, and got the combo off… kind of!
I remembered why the quest was important when I got to the turn: You run out of board space quick! So the double battlecries make the corrupted Medics into free Alexstraza the Life Binders that Bolnar keeps giving you more of.
Had to use the free Medics to clear a few minions, only sent one 4 dmg shot face. But filled my hand with corrupted Medics (full cost after my turn), had a full board, and my opponent had nothing onboard with three cards left. So it worked out!
I imagine a way around the board space issue is to try and get some corrupted Dunk Tanks going. Just hope you have at least one free Medic and a space to play it after dropping all free Tanks on their face.
After DMF released I loved running a Standard list with Y'Shaarj, Circus Medics, and Dunk Tanks combined with the quest. Never really carried it over into Wild but will have to try this one. If it works the way it should you could still do this without the quest in Standard too. Play at least one corrupted Medic, then on turn 10 Y'Shaarj, Bolnar, Bloom, the free Medic, get another free Medic (or two) and just keep doing that until you either win or you run out of time.
Quite brilliant, really!
That's all I was seeing too, however, now I don't see any bundles... Wondering if the algorithm was bugged and not offering different bundles based on your habits so they pulled it down?
Great breakdown! I'm excited for the mode, but not excited about spending any real money on it if it can be helped. So this breakdown really helps to determine that maybe I'll hold off on any pre-purchase and just go F2P in this mode due to it having what seems to be a fairly generous rewards system (unless I'm misinterpreting something). The part about being able to farm specific coins is something I hadn't heard yet so that especially makes the rewards seem more fair and generous, even if you have to invest the time to get enough.
Maybe I'll buy an occasional bundle down the road if they offer a sweet deal or have some really nice cosmetic item. But due to spending on the main game mode already being a bit higher than I'd prefer, keeping that cash in my pocket for now.
Wildfire to 1 = low key buff to Wandmaker in HP Mage!
I don't think Wandmaker can give you the questline, so Wildfire will now be 1/8 chance to generate from Wandmaker
Other options are Brain Freeze, Devolving Missiles, First Flame, Font of Power, Primordial Studies, Shooting Star, and Snap Freeze.
Random story time:
I always enjoyed Odd Mage, continued playing it in Wild after the early Genn/Baku rotation. After Barrens I was playing a “Fire Mage” deck based around HP shenanigans that included Mordresh and Jan’alai. Something about the fantasy of being a mage with a strong hero power was fun to me.
It was never super strong in Wild in either form, but with Wildfire at 1 it intrigues me enough to at least try Odd Mage again. If only Mordresh was changed to 9 mana 9/9, and Reckless Apprentice changed to a 3 mana 3/4…
Could run Frost Lich and just save the Wildfires until after playing her too. That is, if Wild slows down enough for an Odd Elemental Mage to be viable. (Fun Fact: When Barrens released, Wildfire’s effect used to carryover to the DK hp, but at some point they patches it so it wouldn’t.)
Wildfire at (1)?!?! Revival of my Odd Mage deck?!?! Not sure if it’s going to be viable or not but maybe!
Just noticed this page still shows the old art from when it was nerfed instead of the un-nerfed card.
Tech cards to counter or slow quests: unlikely. Unless they do something like “While this in play, Battlecry effects won’t trigger.” to prevent your opponent from playing the questline reward a turn. But even then how effective will it be? What’s the cost? The stat line? Too little health and it just get’s removed immediately, effectively stopping nothing. Could be a battlecry that all other battlecries won’t trigger until your next turn. At which point Rogue becomes the QL killer with Shadowsteps.
More likely approach is a nerf to the questlines that are problematic, and maybe further nerfs to problematic cards enabling the problematic QL decks. As to what those nerfs would be, not sure.
As for actual mini set speculation: I feel like they’ve telegraphed Stockades, especially with Dawngrasp’s QL art and theme. I think someone theorized a new Hogger card having potential as I believe he’s in the Heroic Stockades dungeon (right? Haven’t played WoW in the longest time.)
But overall I’m just expecting 35 more cards, a total of four new legendaries, one epic, and the rest a mix of rares and commons.
Despite the overall win rate from HS Replay being sub 47%, I've been 8-3 through the Platinum ranks as I start to really climb this month. This deck can be strong, but requires a little time for set up and some thought into how to make best use of your draw.
When this article was first posted I tried DreadEye's list that you based the budget version off of, and I had a horrible time with it. After watching BoarControl playing the list (or one very similar) yesterday I tried it again last night and this morning with a better idea of how to pilot it. I'm still making my way through the ranks this season, but nearing the end of Platinum with an 8-3 record with the deck since yesterday. Which seems crazy since I'm pretty sure HS Replay puts it around 47%. But again, I initially wasn't playing it right so I'm sure there are a lot of other people also not playing it right and bringing down the overall win rate... ??? Or maybe it'll just get way harder to win with when I reach higher ranks.
Either way, I'm actually having fun with this archetype now that I understand it better! So much fun!
It took my two tries, and I never even freed Anatheron when I beat him on the second try. Mostly just clearing the board with as few resources as possible. I actually got to the point where we were both in fatigue and his hero power wasn't pulling anything. I think my last turn I might have actually freed Anatheron right before lethal with another minion in play. Not sure how I made it work without Anatheron to help with clearing the board. I just got lucky I guess.
Garrote Rogue was kind of fun for this! Only tried it twice so far, won against Ignite Mage and Mana Burn DH.
I love these types of articles! Great breakdown and analysis of a pro deck and how you went about making it more budget friendly for those who may not have the resources to make the existing list. Well done!
I understand your frustration, but your comment is actually showcasing exactly what Flux is talking about. The game isn't necessarily ruined even if it is "ruined" for you because the deck or type of deck you like isn't particularly strong right now. Because for many other people, they might enjoy the current meta. And here in lies where Flux says your anger and toxic attitude (in game and in forums) is what is ruining the game. He's talking more about the community being "ruined" rather than the actual game and its development.
While I play everything from Aggro, to Control, to Midrange, to Combo, and straight up memes I can also get frustrated at times. Last night I was playing a Galakrond Shadow Priest that had a surprise Mind Blast combo in it if I was able to survive long enough and needed some burst, and that was frustrating as hell. But when I am having issues with one deck I just swap to another. And I think here is your biggest issue with the current state of the game: you personally don't want to play other types of decks, so if the type you enjoy is weak you feel the game as a whole is bad.
I forget how many different deck archetypes the casters mentioned people bringing to Master's Tour over the weekend, but in the Top 16, or Top 8 maybe, every class had at least one archetype represented, with some having two, and a few archetypes even having 2-3 varying builds within the same archetype. Hell, Kibler was playing Rat King Hunter yesterday, using Jewel of N'Zoth to bring back three Rat Kings, and eventually got a board that almost never didn't have at least one living Rat King and 1-2 about ready to respawn on the next death of one. Was it the most successful? No, probably not! But he was beating some of the "top tier" decks with it so it has merit.
TLDR: I'm sorry that you feel that way, but unless you absolutely hate other archetypes outside of Control there are a lot of options available in the meta right now. Handbuff Paladin is a little more Midrange, but might be an archetype you enjoy as you can play it more like a control deck in some situations.