Four cards buried under the sand,
Waiting to see the light,
Let's just give them a hand,
To enlighten our mind.
Words couldn't summarize the main content better than this poetry. Let's start the action by finding out those missing four cards beneath the depths of sands to build up a perfect combination of 30 cards for another installment of "The Forgotten Wilds of Hearthstone" series. If you lost your way to the previous article due to the sandstorm, click right here. All can be found under the "The Forgotten Wilds of Hearthstone" tag at the end of the article.
Imp...or...Pimp?
As a staple card for Zoolock before its evident rotation, Imp Gang Boss was an auto-pick since it was printed out. Roots of this card comes from the Blackrock Mountain adventure, which was released on April 2nd, 2015. The reason it was an auto-include until its rotation was the summoning of Imps with every trade, which would proc Knife Juggler to deal more damage. If needed, Power Overwhelming allowed these little Imps to be more threatening Imps, trading up to a level that would tackle Savannah Highmanes.
It's disheartening to see that Imp Gang Boss isn't as favored as it used to be. Once as a staple, now lost under the sandstorm due to gigantic pool of Zoo cards and some of these cards do the job better than Imp Gang Boss such as EVIL Recruiter. However, it doesn't stop us to find a befitting deck for it and it seems that eradicus crafted a Mech Zoolock deck, giving Imp Gang Boss a welcoming place.
Want to see your Imps Ganged Up? Well, look no further, gather up your Imps and click right here.
Consult your Dragons to Consort all Dragons!
Another card from the Blackrock Mountain adventure. Discounting your next Dragon by two was so amazing that its ability was abused hard into Midrange Dragon Paladin decks to play as many minions as possible. Say, on turn 6, you could play Azure Drake and Blackwing Technician. Or, your board is full of minions and the lethal has been spotted by turn 7 thanks to Alexstrasza.
The reason why this card doesn't see much play in Wild is the lack of support for Dragon Paladin archetype compared to how it was in 2015. Sure, Rise of Shadows expansion added new toys such as Dragon Speaker and Bronze Herald but they didn't push the old-school Dragon Midrange Paladin as much as it was in 2015. However, it doesn't stop the OoC community playing with this yellow dragonflight as DreadKill wrote up a good article to reminiscence the good old days of Dragon Paladin.
Want to fly above the sky with Dragon Consort? More can be found right here.
Shadows aren't Fiends, They are Friends!
First of all, credit where credit's due, I thank frostheart for his interesting suggestion. Its ability is somewhat unique, yet when it was printed alongside The Grand Tournament expansion, it didn't see much play at all except during the first weeks of TGT-era in 2015, where everybody was theorycrafting/testing their Control Priest decks. Ultimately though, Hearthstone players decided that Shadowfiend was a bad card, simply because of Emperor Thaurissan being a better and viable choice when it comes to mana-reduction.
Despite being a trash card, I found a place for Shadowfiend, where Emperor Thaurissan could never be a choice due to the nature of the deck I made: Odd Priest. If Shadowfiend isn't dead or transformed by any means, it will act as a bridge, closing the mana-gap between odd-costed cards: You play it on turn 3, you draw 5-Mana card on turn 4, then you can play that card right away if possible.
If you didn't dust Shadowfiends, try these decks.
Nexus, Champion of Ethereals!
Time to negotiate with Nexus for more spells. Originated from The Grand Tournament set, which came out on August 24th, 2015, Nexus was played from time to time since his release. His popularity skyrocketed when Razakus Priest, known as Machine Gun Anduin, and as a variant of Highlander Priest that dominated Standard and Wild until the nerf of Raza the Chained. Rather than OTK variants done with Spawn of Shadows or Velen+Mind Blast combo, Nexus was here to refill your arsenal: Play cheap cards to replenish them with possibly useful spells while shooting at your opponent's face while in "Machine Gun" form.
Even after Razakus Priest was nerfed, it looks like that OoC community is tinkering with new decks around him. A deck from BaconPortal should be an ideal example to boost the elements of RNG thanks to the assistance of Nexus-Champion Saraad, and the king of RNG, Yogg-Saron.
Let's negotiate, you find a deck for him here, and he will let you live.
That's all for today for The Forgotten Wilds of Hearthstone. Let us know in the comments which cards you feel don't get the time of day anymore and until next time, peace out and stay tuned for more!
Comments
(Leaving comment because I can't seem to find a PM function on the site)
I'll get back to you with a reply later this week - I posted my previous comment via my work machine which really, REALLY dislikes the scripts used for commenting on here! My PC is currently busted, but my new one arrives Thursday or Friday so will be able to give a more considered response then.
Without meaning to be overly critical, I'm a little confused as to the selection of cards here - and the point of the article series. Are you looking to highlight interesting cards? Underrated cards?
The reason I'm unclear is the three cards in the article are very different in terms of position:
Imp Gang Boss - Simply a good value card which has fallen out of play due to circumstances (the fall of generic zoo vs more 'gimmicky' zoo builds), which has seen significant play in the past. Not an interesting card by any means, just an old one which was once great and is no longer.
Nexus-Champion Saraad - A value-generating card which has never been significantly played simply because it's horribly unreliable and awkward, and yet occasionally sees niche play. Not an especially interesting card in terms of mechanics, but a fun one to play with.
Dragon Consort - A much more interesting card, but one which has never been good due to being positioned in a rarely played archetype - but also because it's somewhat schizophrenic in what it's trying to do. It provides no permanent advantage, and is instead a tempo play - but is, itself, a tempo loss due to being basically vanilla statted and slow. Primarily interesting for what it COULD do with more support, but also because I don't believe any other example exists of a single-use benefit persisting across multiple turns.
Shadowfiend - Not particularly interesting, and in fact simply a bad card in general. It wasn't considered bad because of Thaurissan - it was considered bad because Thaurissan does what you WANT it to do. In other words, it discounts the cards you want discounted. Thaurissan rarely stuck on board, but that was fine because he didn't need to - you played him when you had the cards you wanted discounted, or simply because you had a big hand. By contrast, Shadowfiend can't be targeted at specific cards, and indeed, without draw support (or it somehow sticking - even less likely than Thaurissan) does absolutely nothing. It's a card you play to generate future tempo by reducing mana costs in future, but you can't do anything to ensure you can actually USE that tempo without knowing what it'll hit. Not interesting, not underrated, and can't be profitably built around - it's honestly just bad.
My confusion, therefore, is that all four cards seem to have different reasons for being brought up. Maybe the article's just about discussing randomly-chosen Wild cards (which is fine, don't get me wrong) but I can't help but feel the article could be improved with more focus. Apologies for being critical!
First of all, let's make one thing clear: You are not overly critical in any matter. Besides, I love every critic/feedback given so that "The Forgotten Wilds" series can be improved for better, as long as there are no personal attacks in any way possible.
I mentioned the aim of "The Forgotten Wilds" series below but I will mention here anyways: The aim of these series is to give you insight regarding forgotten cards -and their respective archetypes if possible- to encourage you by trying these decks and even helping you come up with your own deck if possible.
As for the cards I'm narrating, I look for both interesting and underrated cards that wasn't played much. Thus, I won't spotlight highly popular cards such as Kazakus and Reno Jackson due to the reasons I explained just above.
Regarding four cards you criticized, that's your opinion, I respect that. However, why feel so harsh on Shadowfiend for being not interesting and not underrated? I mean, read the article thoroughly one more time, it's frostheart's idea to give it a spotlight and I thanked/gave credit to frostheart. Just, be gentle to community's card-choices and decks while commenting and don't try to sound like this (I know you didn't by any means but just wanted to give my warning) because I care opinions of OoC community, whether it's a bad card or not. That's one thing I won't tolerate, if one oversteps the mark.
Your confusion is resolved within 2nd paragraph of mine, please have a look and feel free to object if I wasn't clear enough.
Not at all. Chosen cards are picked carefully with the help from the community, if they are interesting and reasonable enough to spotlight but also not being a super-popular card. It's like I repeated myself again (3rd paragraph of mine) but that's how four cards will be picked for spotlight.
Then, I will do my best. If you have anything in-mind, be it critic or feedback, I will gladly take all to improve these series for better. For starters, why don't you offer a characteristic cards but not a dull one such as Puddlestomper?
Also, don't apologize for something good: Any feedback or critic is valuable for improving "The Forgotten Wilds" series for better. Thanks for taking your time with your awesome feedback. I hope next article will give you more satisfaction than current one 😃
I appreciate the content that you create, and I did enjoy this article very much, but your responses to the comments below are off-putting. I'll explain why.
In this reply, for instance. You mention three times that you'll take all criticism for the sake of improving your piece, which isn't necessary. The commenter wasn't rude, I don't believe, but you mention twice that you won't tolerate any rude comments. As opposed to you asking for no rudeness, your tone during certain parts - "Just be gentle to community's card choices and decks while commenting.", "For starters, why don't you offer a characteristic cards but not a dull one such as Puddlestomper?" - borders on rudeness to the original commenter: the first implies that he was rude, when he wasn't, and the second implies that he would be so dumb as to suggest a card like [Hearthstone Card (Puddlestomper.) Not Found] Finally, your response was unnecessarily lengthy and the italics used feel overly dramatic.
Overall, the impression this comment gives is one of a defensive person who has rushed to defend his article, has perceived more rudeness in the comment above than what is actually there, and as a result ends up being verbose, dramatic, and slightly rude. I don't say this to be hurtful - this is a very understandable thing to do, and I don't respect your enjoyable writing or yourself less because of it - but to bring attention to something that I don't believe most people would take the time to point out to you. If you're going to be putting yourself and your work in front of large numbers of people, correcting this is important. In the future, I would recommend taking a moment to simplify your thoughts before you reply to something - Is responding to this worth it? What are the important points to respond to here? What impression do I want to give?
Glad to see a well-written response but sadly there are some flaws regarding your thought-process. First of all, let it be known that I'm not a native English speaker. If there were any flaws of mine, or any bad-mouth towards you, apologies within the depths of my heart. Without further ado, let's start.
For me, it is needed; for you, it's not, which is fine by me. Maybe one time would be sufficient but still, it must be done. Why? It's a sign from me asking for collaboration of improving these series, that's why.
With all due respect, I wasn't rude to anybody or humiliating anyone. 1st sentence of mine was a nod to people not act like this one (I'm sure you didn't check the linked content, otherwise you wouldn't have made that comment) and I even mentioned this: "I know you didn't (act rude) by any means but just wanted to give my warning". You can see it within brackets of my post above, just read the whole paragraph clearly. As for 2nd sentence of mine, I can't believe you are stirring up a trouble for such an innocent word: "dull". Here, I meant as "bad, uncharacteristic", can't people really think abstract or have no idea what "figurative meaning" means? I used "dull" to a card as figure of speech, not mentioning "dumb" to a person like you stated, in all honesty.
About your final statement, italics were used for emphasizing my wording, nothing more. As for my response being unnecessarily lengthy, if I had to clarify something for good, I need to explain in full detail and I don't think it's too long by any means.
If defending an article means talking honestly/friendly/freely but not manipulating my thoughts into a different matter, I guess you are right. My writings might be verbose due to the fact that I'm not a native English speaker but the reason is: I want to clarify myself as best as possible, no offense. However, I believe they are not dramatic and rude, if you check the paragraph above.
So, if I understood correct from your statements bolded, you think I love bringing attention, stating "Hey, whatever I said is a rule" or "Look, I'm so fabulous" and such? You may not like me, which I don't care, but clarifying myself doesn't mean I'm bringing attention -or a dictator- in any matter.
I believe I already corrected myself by a huge margin thanks to your misunderstanding of wording of "dull" and not looking at linked comment. Also, I would like you to show empathy towards someone before commenting such as "What if (s)he mentioned this way?", "While writing, did I offend a person in any matter?", "What would I respond regarding that comment if I were here?". Your questions are on the mark while I think about writing comments every time but please think mine as well.
TL;DR: I am a kind person. If I meant anything bad, I'm truly sorry. If you wish, we can continue discussing on Discord via PM. I really would like to discuss with someone such a level-headed person
That fun rng mage doesn't even run Yogg's box... You cannot run Yogg and not run his box.... What a travesty
Whoops. You got me pants down, Trimitus 😅
Dragon paladin was NEVER played don't spread misinformation, dragon consort didn't spawn any deck, the reason why dragon paladin is never good is because blizzard prints 2 dragon paladin cards per year that are rarely ever good.
Are you certain of your statement bolded above? Because I'm pretty sure I saw this golden Dragon since May 2015, that's when I started this game. Maybe, the reason why you stated as such must be the fact that you started Hearthstone late. Also...
Better you don't spread your misinformation, otherwise these decks from Hearthstone community would have never made. Come to think of it...
How come did I find these decks, one from a community member and one from Kibler, if Dragon Consort didn't spawn any deck? Up until now, I thought that you accused me of spreading misinformation without researching but...
This proves otherwise, so I'm not sure how to judge you. I look forward to hear a response from you, explaining your accusation of "spreading misinformation" in full detail, as if you are writing "The Forgotten Wilds" series for this card-only.
I am playing since 2014, I never saw a dragon paladin above tier 4 it was always inferior to any other dragon deck,
the fact that people can make decks via searching "dragon" and adding all cards (as in the featured deck btw) doesn't mean the deck is anywhere near good, the maker of the featured deck claimed it's a "just for fun" rank 20~15 deck.
I am talking about a viable deck that has a niche btw not the option to actually play a deck cause I can play murloc priest for some reason but is it good? nah, why not play dragon rogue while you are at the argument people can make decks of anything and it's an argument.
Brian Kibler almost never play good decks he plays thief rogue, quest warlock, dragon paladin all sub 50% win rate deck but he is an exceptional player so he does well with any deck.
the misinformation here is that in may 2015 dragon paladin was a thing, it was tried but quickly thrown away and paladin returned to playing their GVG deck until secret paladin came out in august 2015, and then dragon consort wasn't even a consideration.
I wish dragon paladin was ever good but it wasn't I am 100% certain of this cause I really wanted the deck to be good but it never was and won't be until blizzard actually releases actually good dragon paladin cards, that are not decent arena cards. looking back at the dragon paladin card (just search dragon in the deck builder) I am so underwhelmed by them why do they make them so underpowered? why do they release them so far apart?
I agree with you because Hunter/Warrior/Priest decks are better than Paladin ones for Dragon decks.
Do you really think I choose this deck just because "dragons" were added "randomly"? The reason why I shared this deck was the fact that Dragon Consort started all by emerging a new archetype itself: Dragon Paladin. It's like I shared an Elemental Priest deck and you tell me its a "trash deck" because Shaman/Mage classes are known as their Elemental archetypes but not for "unique Elementals" of Priest class.
So be it. While sharing decks, I don't care whether a deck hit Legend or not. The aim of these series is to give you insight regarding forgotten cards -and their respective archetypes if possible- to encourage you by trying these decks and even helping you come up with your own deck if possible.
Glad you clarified the "misinformation" because this must be done. Now, all became as clear as a crystal.
That I really wish to know myself. Thanks for your feedback btw, it was a pleasure discussing with you 😃
Great content. You guys inspire with your hardhard work, hope you also have fun of it as much as us, readers do! :)
Don't you worry, we all have fun preparing our articles to share the beauty of Hearthstone in every possible aspect 😃
These articles presented here at Out of Cards continually get better. When will it stop??!!
Thank you for a great read before the ZZZs
They will never stop and move forward for better.
If you have any forgotten cards you wish to see, feel free to write here.
(P)Imp Gang Boss
*chuckle*
Really cool decks. Wish I had the cards to play Wild.
As a side-note, I'm pretty sure his name is "Saraad", "Nexus" is just where he comes from
Oh, you are right. It's just that I get used to name it Nexus. Thus, I didn't notice Saraad. Good catch, Nirast 👌
As a side note, I love these entries in the main feed, made with card arts in the preview, the higher resolution really makes those artworks shine. Many of them would deserve to be in posters or other items.
HS truly includes a little treasure in all those arts, that are largely wasted in the little resolution of cards, even moreso in mobile gaming.
I loved Saraad, I remember putting him in every control deck I've had. Wasn't that good, but was really fun.