The full set of cards for Murder at Castle Nathria has been revealed a little while ago, and we're nearing the time when they can finally become a part of our collection. Still not sure what to make of Druid or what kind of decks to play? We've broken down all class archetypes for the upcoming expansion and gathered a variety of theorycraft decks from streamers, pros, and community members to guide you on Day 1.
First off, there is a lot of other relevant content that you might be interested in:
- You can find all important information about the upcoming set in our Murder at Castle Nathria expansion guide.
- You can also build decks with all these new cards in our deckbuilder.
- The new Rewards Track has been fully detailed. Get a head start on the early XP gains!
- Major Patch 24.0 (plus hotfixes) prepared the ground for the expansion with various game mode updates and features.
- Need a more detailed overview of new themes and mechanics? We've also covered the Infuse keyword.
- This time around, you'll be able to open your packs faster than before - should you wish to!
Now, onto what's right around the corner. Before we jump into a variety of potential decks, here is a quick look at the class in the upcoming expansion:
Castle Nathria Druid - Quick Impressions
- Druid be all 'bout that Nature. Nature spells, Nature synergies, and Nature payoffs with Topior the Shrubbagazzor.
- The class also received some Deathrattle support, but is there enough? Could need to wait for the Mini-Set.
- Between Topior and Widowbloom Seedsman, it may be a race to see which will receive the nerf bat first!
Castle Nathria Druid - Expansion Cards & Archetypes
For Druid, two archetypes have asserted themselves as the favorite to play on Day 1: Nature and Deathrattle.
Nature Druid
Card draw, card generation, summoning a board full of minions; Nature Druid has got all you need and more. For several Druid archetypes, you're being rewarded for playing how you already planned to play, meaning all you have to do is slot in your favorite new cards, keep calm and carry on. Topior the Shrubbagazzor is a powerful top-end to a deck, allowing you to go nearly-infinite on the board with clearing potential the Druid hasn't seen since...well, since Scale of Onyxia.
Deathrattle Druid
These seem a powerful addition to the Druid's repertoire, but three cards does not usually an archetype make. With such lacking class support in Standard, Deathrattle Druid players may have to look to the Mini-Set for help, lest they be forced to settle with what's available in the Neutral pool (or venture to Wild).
Other Druid Cards
Despite being of the Nature school, Nightshade Bud asks a high price to summon or cast...what exactly? Ultimately it is an expensive spell that doesn't currently have a home in Standard. Perhaps somebody will find one after the expansion launches!
Castle Nathria Druid - Top Neutral Cards
If anyone is going to build up Sire Denathrius into the powerhouse he believes himself to be, the class that can easily field a board (and ramp...and tutor) will be it. Capture Coldtooth Mine can readily fish him out of the deck; it's then just a matter of Infusing him, and playing him alongside Brann Bronzebeard for a paltry 13 Mana. Not a hard ask when Wildheart Guff still exists.
If Deathrattle Druid manages to see play in Standard, we expect to see Stoneborn General on the top-end. Druid has never let 10 Mana get in the way of their fun, and with cards that can help cheat him out for less like Sesselie of the Fae Court, we're saying there's a chance.
Castle Nathria Druid - Day 1 Decks to Try
Not sure what to play for the class once it's time to enter Castle Nathria? We've gathered a handful of early deck ideas from all across the Hearthstone tavern just to help you out:
Denathrius Is One With Nature
RegisKillbin made what we imagine will be a very popular setup, combining the continuous threat of Topior the Shrubbagazzor with a late-game bomb in Sire Denathrius. Capture Coldtooth Mine can grab both of them if Scale of Onyxia doesn't get in the way... but is pulling one of those really a bad thing?
Renathal Conspires With Topior
Old Guardian went a different direction, including Prince Renathal for more Health and more cards to play with. Taelan Fordring provides another means of acquiring Denathrius or Topior from the deck.
Classic Ramp, With Deathrattle Spice
Superior David rose to the challenge of creating a Standard Deathrattle Druid deck, and had some good success with it during the theorycraft streams. Cheating Mana with Kael'thas Sinstrider or Sesselie of the Fae Court can lead to very powerful swing plays, and when in doubt you can always put your faith in the Light Yogg Convoke the Spirits.
Wild Mode Take - Hadronox's Time To Shine?
nhlnjfan1 wants us to consider: what about that other time Druid received Deathrattle support? Featured on the Born to be Wild Podcast, Hadronox makes for a tantalizing use-case of Hedge Maze. Bring back wave after wave of big ol' Taunt minions until your opponent regrets their decision to play in Wild.
More Class Coverage for Murder at Castle Nathria
Want to look at what we've put together for another Castle Nathria suspect class? The navigation links below can take you there in an instant!
What do you think of Druid's card package for the upcoming expansion? Which decks are you going to take for a spin once Murder at Castle Nathria goes live on August 2? Is there something else from your favorite content creator that we didn't include here? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
Out of all the classes, I'm most looking forward to playing druid, purely thanks to Topior the Shrubbagazzor and his insane effect. He can literally fit into any druid archetype coz druid mainly uses nature spells.
On Hedge Maze though, I have a good feeling it'll see little to no play in standard just coz there's not enough support.
I was thinking about some kind of spiteful druid
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