[Updated on August 8]
The first 24 hours after the launch of the newest expansion were pretty eventful, with dozens upon dozens of fresh decklists available for pretty much every class. Admittedly, some of them enjoyed far greater popularity than the others - a trend we have only noticed becoming stronger over the past few days that followed.
As Day 1 established the early Castle Nathria meta, we've seen some further refinement of the promising decks, and perhaps even more attempts to counter the dreadful imps or exploding skeletons. Naturally, things could still take a different turn even by the end of this first week, but there are a few rough directions to follow.
Since then, we've been continuously monitoring for all relevant updated decklists, and will continue to do so by adding more as they come up. In this new Celestial ranked season, the following options should deserve your due attention.
Murder at Castle Nathria - Notable Early Standard Decklists
By now, we are privy to some initial data via HSReplay, plus the ladder experiences of numerous top players. There is some of the usual serious analysis being done (just don't expect everyone to agree on any single take). Numerous calls for early nerfs always appear at the start of any expansion, yet a number of people would be just as happy to hear about buffs. Make no mistake, however - in general, the early impressions of the set land very much on the positive side.
As for the very early meta facts: Demon Hunters and Warriors are struggling to maintain even a 40% winrate overall, with Rogue not faring that much better (high skill cap?) despite no shortage of recordings showing huge stealthed minions or daggers with Attack value at double digits. There isn't a whole lot of appreciation for Paladin or Priest either. Expect the class sections for some of these to be notably thin.
You can find some inspiration for your ladder climbing below, ideally aligning with your current collection. As always, we advise you don't commit too heavily to crafting all the cards you don't own at the moment - the present meta landscape might shift again after the weekend! Especially if you are playing on a budget, it might be wise to hold on until the first balance patch. When would that be? As it happens, we actually talked about this already.
Quote From Aleco No standard balance changes are coming with 24.0. We are planning to patch as soon as we can after the new set is out, which is ~2 weeks.
Demon Hunter
It's been really barren and not looking too promising for the class after the Day 1 interest has faded away. It's like there was nothing more to add.
We've only just seen one new idea floating around, hailing from the stream of resident class expert and talented singer DracoCatt (with the deck being navigated by PigPen; full list below). Will some buffs still be required to take any further steps towards establishing a solid archetype, or is it only a matter of finding the right (relic) combinations? Or perhaps just waiting for the targeted nerfs to happen across the field.
Standard · Big Demon Hunter · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Dispose of Evidence x 2
- 1 Dreadprison Glaive x 2
- 1 Fury (Rank 1) x 2
- 1 Sigil of Alacrity x 2
- 2 Chaos Strike x 2
- 2 Fel Barrage x 2
- 3 Aldrachi Warblades x 2
- 3 Eye Beam x 2
- 4 Flanking Maneuver x 2
- 4 Topple the Idol x 2
- 6 Kurtrus, Demon-Render x 1
- 6 Masked Reveler x 2
- 6 Proving Grounds x 2
- 7 Xhilag of the Abyss x 1
- 8 Jace Darkweaver x 1
- 10 Neptulon the Tidehunter x 1
- 10 Stoneborn General x 2
Druid
As Lady Prestor builds quickly started fading away with the new set, Celestial Alignment remained. Cue much lamentation from many a player. The other builds rely more on the good ol' "Ramp and Big Stuff" strategy, with the Nature spell school focus due to Topior the Shrubbagazzor (a name clearly used just to make our lives more difficult).
Prince Renathal seems to be a staple nowadays, and more people are starting to embrace Theotar, the Mad Duke. We hear your Sire Denathrius is free to be borrowed for a dinner party. Otherwise the Infuse mechanic plus tutors plus tokens (and perhaps one Brann Bronzebeard with his pal Kael'thas Sinstrider) can be a downright deadly combo to have to face against.
Ramp/Big/Nature
Standard · Nature Druid · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Aquatic Form x 2
- 0 Innervate x 2
- 1 Druid of the Reef x 2
- 1 Living Roots x 2
- 1 Planted Evidence x 2
- 2 Capture Coldtooth Mine x 2
- 2 Composting x 2
- 2 Jerry Rig Carpenter x 2
- 2 Moonlit Guidance x 2
- 2 Natural Causes x 2
- 2 Thorngrowth Sentries x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Guff Runetotem x 1
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 4 Widowbloom Seedsman x 2
- 5 Flipper Friends x 2
- 5 Nourish x 2
- 5 Wildheart Guff x 1
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Miracle Growth x 2
- 7 Scale of Onyxia x 2
- 7 Topior the Shrubbagazzor x 1
- 9 Insatiable Devourer x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Standard · Nature Druid · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Aquatic Form x 2
- 0 Innervate x 2
- 1 Dozing Kelpkeeper x 2
- 1 Druid of the Reef x 2
- 1 Living Roots x 2
- 1 Planted Evidence x 2
- 1 Sow the Soil x 2
- 2 Capture Coldtooth Mine x 2
- 2 Jerry Rig Carpenter x 2
- 2 Moonlit Guidance x 2
- 2 Natural Causes x 2
- 2 Wild Growth x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Herald of Nature x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 4 Widowbloom Seedsman x 2
- 5 Flipper Friends x 2
- 5 Wildheart Guff x 1
- 7 Miracle Growth x 2
- 7 Scale of Onyxia x 2
- 7 Topior the Shrubbagazzor x 1
- 8 Kael'thas Sinstrider x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Standard · Ramp Druid · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Aquatic Form x 2
- 0 Innervate x 2
- 1 Druid of the Reef x 2
- 1 Planted Evidence x 2
- 2 Capture Coldtooth Mine x 2
- 2 Composting x 2
- 2 Earthen Scales x 2
- 2 Jerry Rig Carpenter x 2
- 2 Moonlit Guidance x 2
- 2 Wild Growth x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 4 Widowbloom Seedsman x 2
- 5 Flipper Friends x 2
- 5 Nourish x 2
- 5 Wildheart Guff x 1
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Miracle Growth x 2
- 7 Scale of Onyxia x 2
- 7 Topior the Shrubbagazzor x 1
- 8 Kael'thas Sinstrider x 1
- 9 Insatiable Devourer x 2
- 10 Raid Boss Onyxia x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Celestial Alignment
Standard · Celestial Alignment Druid · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Aquatic Form x 2
- 0 Innervate x 2
- 1 Druid of the Reef x 2
- 2 Earthen Scales x 2
- 2 Jerry Rig Carpenter x 2
- 2 Moonlit Guidance x 2
- 2 Wild Growth x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Smothering Starfish x 1
- 4 Blademaster Okani x 1
- 4 Park Panther x 2
- 4 Widowbloom Seedsman x 2
- 5 Nourish x 2
- 5 Spammy Arcanist x 1
- 5 Wildheart Guff x 1
- 6 Lady Anacondra x 1
- 7 Miracle Growth x 2
- 7 Scale of Onyxia x 2
- 7 Topior the Shrubbagazzor x 1
- 8 Celestial Alignment x 2
- 8 Kazakusan x 1
- 9 Alexstrasza the Life-Binder x 1
- 9 Malygos the Spellweaver x 1
- 10 Goldshire Gnoll x 2
- 10 Raid Boss Onyxia x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Standard · Celestial Alignment Druid · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Aquatic Form x 2
- 0 Innervate x 2
- 1 Druid of the Reef x 2
- 1 Planted Evidence x 2
- 2 Amalgam of the Deep x 1
- 2 Earthen Scales x 2
- 2 Jerry Rig Carpenter x 2
- 2 Moonlit Guidance x 2
- 2 Wild Growth x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Smothering Starfish x 1
- 4 Widowbloom Seedsman x 2
- 5 Nourish x 2
- 5 Wildheart Guff x 1
- 6 Lady Anacondra x 1
- 7 Miracle Growth x 2
- 7 Scale of Onyxia x 2
- 7 Topior the Shrubbagazzor x 1
- 8 Celestial Alignment x 2
- 8 Kazakusan x 1
- 9 Alexstrasza the Life-Binder x 1
- 9 Malygos the Spellweaver x 1
- 10 Goldshire Gnoll x 2
- 10 Lokholar the Ice Lord x 1
- 10 Raid Boss Onyxia x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Hunter
Good time to hunt down some suspects. One of the top classes this early on, with a number of viable routes. Nope, Questline Hunter did not go away after all. Big Beasts remain (Zeddy also hit Legend with the list from HattriK that you can find below), and the midrange Face approach has been revitalized. The Wildseed package appears in pretty much every archetype.
Sidisi took a different creative direction by embracing Sire Denathrius and some Infuse cards. If that looks tempting to you, we can recommend a very detailed Twitter thread going into the mulligan, gameplay, and matchup commentary.
Quest
Standard · Quest Hunter · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Arcane Shot x 2
- 1 Barbed Nets x 2
- 1 Defend the Dwarven District x 1
- 1 Tracking x 2
- 1 Urchin Spines x 1
- 1 Wound Prey x 2
- 2 Explosive Trap x 2
- 2 Furious Howl x 2
- 2 Quick Shot x 2
- 2 Raj Naz'jan x 1
- 2 Spirit Poacher x 2
- 3 Aimed Shot x 2
- 3 Ancient Krakenbane x 2
- 3 Conch's Call x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Shellshot x 2
- 3 Stag Charge x 2
- 3 Wild Spirits x 2
- 4 Marked Shot x 2
- 4 Piercing Shot x 2
- 4 Twinbow Terrorcoil x 1
- 5 Ara'lon x 1
- 5 Barak Kodobane x 1
- 6 Beaststalker Tavish x 1
Face
Standard · Face Hunter · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Barbed Nets x 2
- 1 Click-Clocker x 2
- 1 Irondeep Trogg x 2
- 1 Vicious Slitherspear x 2
- 2 Doggie Biscuit x 2
- 2 K9-0tron x 2
- 2 Quick Shot x 2
- 2 Raj Naz'jan x 1
- 2 Spirit Poacher x 2
- 3 Aimed Shot x 2
- 3 Ramming Mount x 2
- 3 Stag Charge x 2
- 3 Wild Spirits x 2
- 4 Twinbow Terrorcoil x 2
- 5 Ara'lon x 1
- 5 Barak Kodobane x 1
- 8 Collateral Damage x 1
Standard · Face Hunter · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Barbed Nets x 2
- 1 Batty Guest x 2
- 1 Click-Clocker x 2
- 1 Irondeep Trogg x 2
- 1 Vicious Slitherspear x 2
- 2 Doggie Biscuit x 2
- 2 K9-0tron x 2
- 2 Quick Shot x 2
- 2 Raj Naz'jan x 1
- 2 Spirit Poacher x 2
- 3 Aimed Shot x 2
- 3 Ramming Mount x 2
- 3 Stag Charge x 2
- 3 Wild Spirits x 2
- 5 Ara'lon x 1
- 5 Barak Kodobane x 1
- 6 Beaststalker Tavish x 1
Big Beast
Standard · Beast Hunter · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Batty Guest x 2
- 1 Click-Clocker x 2
- 1 Tracking x 2
- 1 Vicious Slitherspear x 2
- 2 Castle Kennels x 2
- 2 Doggie Biscuit x 2
- 2 Frenzied Fangs x 2
- 2 K9-0tron x 2
- 2 Quick Shot x 2
- 2 Spirit Poacher x 2
- 3 Harpoon Gun x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Ramming Mount x 2
- 3 Stag Charge x 2
- 3 Wild Spirits x 2
- 4 Azsharan Saber x 1
- 4 Blademaster Samuro x 1
- 5 Barak Kodobane x 1
- 5 Pet Collector x 2
- 6 Beaststalker Tavish x 1
- 7 Huntsman Altimor x 1
- 7 Hydralodon x 1
- 7 Mountain Bear x 2
- 9 King Krush x 1
Infuse/Beast
Standard · Beast Hunter · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Devouring Swarm x 2
- 1 Batty Guest x 2
- 1 Tracking x 2
- 2 Castle Kennels x 2
- 2 Frenzied Fangs x 2
- 2 Spirit Poacher x 2
- 3 Harpoon Gun x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Stag Charge x 2
- 3 Wild Spirits x 2
- 4 Azsharan Saber x 1
- 4 Blademaster Samuro x 1
- 4 Houndmaster Shaw x 1
- 4 Murlocula x 2
- 5 Ara'lon x 1
- 5 Defias Blastfisher x 2
- 5 Pet Collector x 2
- 5 The Rat King x 1
- 6 Beaststalker Tavish x 1
- 6 Rats of Extraordinary Size x 2
- 7 Huntsman Altimor x 1
- 7 Hydralodon x 1
- 7 Mountain Bear x 2
- 9 Insatiable Devourer x 2
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Mage
One of the most popular classes following the launch of Murder at Castle Nathria, and still holding its ground. It's all mainly built around the newest Volatile Skeleton package. Since the good takes have been established almost immediately, there haven't been any particular great shifts.
While the community cannot quite decide whether to actually call the archetype Skeleton Mage or Spooky Mage (we kind of like to alternate), there isn't nearly as much doubt when it comes to the most successful early decklists. Vicious Syndicate's ZachO has confirmed Meati's version (shown below) not to be bait, which is always very good to know.
Ping/Big Spell
Standard · Skeleton Mage · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Flurry (Rank 1) x 2
- 1 First Flame x 2
- 1 Sir Finley, Sea Guide x 1
- 1 Wildfire x 2
- 2 Amplified Snowflurry x 2
- 2 Runed Orb x 2
- 3 Arcane Intellect x 2
- 3 Nightcloak Sanctum x 2
- 4 Cold Case x 2
- 4 Commander Sivara x 1
- 4 Fire Sale x 2
- 4 Multicaster x 2
- 4 Reckless Apprentice x 2
- 4 Varden Dawngrasp x 1
- 6 Deathborne x 2
- 7 Magister Dawngrasp x 1
- 8 Kel'Thuzad, the Inevitable x 1
- 8 Mordresh Fire Eye x 1
Standard · Skeleton Mage · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 First Flame x 2
- 1 Sir Finley, Sea Guide x 1
- 1 Suspicious Alchemist x 2
- 1 Wildfire x 2
- 2 Amplified Snowflurry x 2
- 2 Spellcoiler x 1
- 3 Arcane Intellect x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Nightcloak Sanctum x 2
- 3 Solid Alibi x 2
- 4 Cold Case x 2
- 4 Commander Sivara x 1
- 4 Fire Sale x 2
- 4 Multicaster x 2
- 4 Reckless Apprentice x 2
- 4 Varden Dawngrasp x 1
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Magister Dawngrasp x 1
- 8 Mordresh Fire Eye x 1
Standard · Skeleton Mage · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Flurry (Rank 1) x 2
- 1 Shivering Sorceress x 2
- 1 Sir Finley, Sea Guide x 1
- 1 Wildfire x 2
- 2 Amplified Snowflurry x 2
- 3 Arcane Intellect x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Frostweave Dungeoneer x 2
- 3 Nightcloak Sanctum x 2
- 4 Cold Case x 2
- 4 Commander Sivara x 1
- 4 Multicaster x 2
- 4 Reckless Apprentice x 2
- 4 Varden Dawngrasp x 1
- 5 Lady Naz'jar x 1
- 6 Deathborne x 2
- 7 Magister Dawngrasp x 1
- 8 Kel'Thuzad, the Inevitable x 1
- 8 Mordresh Fire Eye x 1
Standard · Skeleton Mage · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Flurry (Rank 1) x 2
- 1 Shivering Sorceress x 2
- 1 Sir Finley, Sea Guide x 1
- 1 Wildfire x 2
- 2 Amplified Snowflurry x 2
- 3 Arcane Intellect x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Frostweave Dungeoneer x 2
- 3 Nightcloak Sanctum x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Solid Alibi x 2
- 3 Treasure Guard x 2
- 4 Blademaster Okani x 1
- 4 Cold Case x 2
- 4 Commander Sivara x 1
- 4 Multicaster x 2
- 4 Reckless Apprentice x 2
- 4 Varden Dawngrasp x 1
- 6 Blizzard x 2
- 6 Deathborne x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Magister Dawngrasp x 1
- 8 Kael'thas Sinstrider x 1
- 8 Kel'Thuzad, the Inevitable x 1
- 8 Mordresh Fire Eye x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Standard · Big Spell Mage · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Flurry (Rank 1) x 2
- 1 Shivering Sorceress x 2
- 1 Sir Finley, Sea Guide x 1
- 1 Wildfire x 2
- 2 Amplified Snowflurry x 2
- 3 Arcane Intellect x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Frostweave Dungeoneer x 2
- 3 Murloc Holmes x 1
- 3 Nightcloak Sanctum x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 4 Cold Case x 2
- 4 Commander Sivara x 1
- 4 Deepwater Evoker x 2
- 4 Reckless Apprentice x 2
- 4 Varden Dawngrasp x 1
- 6 Blizzard x 2
- 6 Deathborne x 2
- 6 Grey Sage Parrot x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Magister Dawngrasp x 1
- 8 Kael'thas Sinstrider x 1
- 8 Kel'Thuzad, the Inevitable x 1
- 8 Mordresh Fire Eye x 1
- 9 Rune of the Archmage x 2
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Infuse
Standard · Skeleton Mage · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Shivering Sorceress x 2
- 1 Suspicious Alchemist x 2
- 2 Frozen Touch x 2
- 2 Ram Commander x 2
- 2 Volatile Skeleton x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Frostweave Dungeoneer x 2
- 3 Nightcloak Sanctum x 2
- 4 Cold Case x 2
- 4 School Teacher x 2
- 4 Varden Dawngrasp x 1
- 5 Famished Fool x 2
- 5 Lady Naz'jar x 1
- 5 Taelan Fordring x 1
- 6 Deathborne x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 8 Kael'thas Sinstrider x 1
- 8 Kel'Thuzad, the Inevitable x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Tempo/Secret
Standard · Secret Mage · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Irondeep Trogg x 2
- 1 Shivering Sorceress x 2
- 2 Anonymous Informant x 2
- 2 Arcanologist x 2
- 2 Frozen Touch x 2
- 2 Runed Orb x 2
- 2 Sketchy Stranger x 2
- 3 Counterspell x 2
- 3 Explosive Runes x 2
- 3 Forensic Duster x 2
- 3 Nightcloak Sanctum x 2
- 3 Oasis Ally x 2
- 4 Fireball x 2
- 4 Orion, Mansion Manager x 1
- 4 Scuttlebutt Ghoul x 2
- 5 Queen Azshara x 1
Paladin
There wasn't a great interest in Paladin on Day 1, and that hasn't really changed. A few stalwart players are doing their thing, the rest is pretending the class more or less doesn't exist.
A lot of the gameplay here remains fairly familiar and reliable; perhaps because of this also not particularly exciting. The early hopes for a full blown killer Questline/Dude Paladin haven't manifested so far.
Holy/Control
Standard · Holy Paladin · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Holy Maki Roll x 2
- 1 Knight of Anointment x 2
- 1 Sinful Sous Chef x 2
- 2 Battle Vicar x 2
- 2 City Tax x 1
- 2 Equality x 2
- 2 Flash of Light x 2
- 2 Great Hall x 1
- 2 Wild Pyromancer x 2
- 3 Alliance Bannerman x 2
- 3 Muckborn Servant x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Righteous Defense x 2
- 3 Service Bell x 2
- 3 Shimmering Sunfish x 2
- 3 Smothering Starfish x 1
- 4 Blademaster Samuro x 1
- 4 Cariel Roame x 1
- 5 Elitist Snob x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Mr. Smite x 1
- 7 The Leviathan x 1
- 8 Lightforged Cariel x 1
- 9 Lightray x 2
- 10 The Garden's Grace x 2
Standard · Holy Paladin · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Holy Maki Roll x 2
- 1 Knight of Anointment x 2
- 1 Sinful Sous Chef x 2
- 2 Battle Vicar x 2
- 2 City Tax x 2
- 2 Equality x 2
- 2 Flash of Light x 2
- 2 Great Hall x 2
- 2 Vitality Surge x 1
- 2 Wild Pyromancer x 2
- 3 Alliance Bannerman x 2
- 3 Muckborn Servant x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Righteous Defense x 2
- 3 Shimmering Sunfish x 2
- 4 Blademaster Samuro x 1
- 4 Cariel Roame x 1
- 5 Elitist Snob x 2
- 7 Mr. Smite x 1
- 7 The Leviathan x 1
- 8 Lightforged Cariel x 1
- 8 Varian, King of Stormwind x 1
- 9 Lightray x 2
- 10 The Garden's Grace x 2
Pure/Dude
Standard · Pure Paladin · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Conviction (Rank 1) x 2
- 1 Knight of Anointment x 2
- 1 Righteous Protector x 2
- 1 Sinful Sous Chef x 2
- 2 Great Hall x 2
- 2 Noble Mount x 2
- 3 Alliance Bannerman x 2
- 3 Muckborn Servant x 2
- 3 Righteous Defense x 2
- 3 Stewart the Steward x 1
- 4 Blessing of Kings x 2
- 4 Buffet Biggun x 2
- 4 Cariel Roame x 1
- 6 Highlord Fordragon x 1
- 7 The Countess x 1
- 7 The Leviathan x 1
- 8 Lightforged Cariel x 1
- 9 Lightray x 2
Standard · Pure Paladin · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Knight of Anointment x 2
- 1 Righteous Protector x 2
- 1 Sinful Sous Chef x 2
- 2 Battle Vicar x 2
- 2 Great Hall x 2
- 2 Seafloor Savior x 2
- 3 Alliance Bannerman x 2
- 3 Muckborn Servant x 2
- 3 Shimmering Sunfish x 2
- 3 Stewart the Steward x 1
- 4 Cariel Roame x 1
- 5 Elitist Snob x 2
- 7 Divine Toll x 2
- 7 The Countess x 1
- 7 The Leviathan x 1
- 8 Lightforged Cariel x 1
- 9 Lightray x 2
- 10 The Garden's Grace x 1
Priest
A ton of interest in the class on the launch day hasn't translated into any greater momentum. In fact, players seem to have dropped most Priest variants as soon as they could. If variety is your desire, then the Day 1 decks are still your best bet.
What remains is the Elwynn Boar Priest a.k.a. same-as-always (no, really, no new cards to be found in here), and perhaps the only thing that can carry the class for now - Nagas and their Serpent Wigs. According to HSReplay's data, it's actually overperforming as the meta contender with nearly 60% winrate.
Off Curve navigator and devoted Priest follower WickedGood came up with a list that Dcon most recently piloted to Top 10 Legend. Murder at Castle Nathria might've delivered just the right tools that the deck was previously lacking (whenever it couldn't snowball off early buffs and board presence).
More recently, the likes of Thijs and Bunnyhoppor have been seen dabbling in larger Quest/Thief packages.
Naga/Wig Priest
Standard · Tempo Priest · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Priestess Valishj x 1
- 1 Serpent Wig x 2
- 1 Shadow Word: Devour x 2
- 1 Shard of the Naaru x 1
- 1 Vicious Slitherspear x 2
- 2 Amalgam of the Deep x 2
- 2 Bless x 2
- 2 Murkwater Scribe x 2
- 2 Radiant Elemental x 2
- 2 Thrive in the Shadows x 2
- 3 Cathedral of Atonement x 2
- 3 Handmaiden x 2
- 3 Pelagos x 1
- 3 Treasure Guard x 2
- 4 Blademaster Samuro x 1
- 4 Boon of the Ascended x 2
- 4 Najak Hexxen x 1
- 4 School Teacher x 1
Standard · Tempo Priest · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Priestess Valishj x 1
- 1 Serpent Wig x 2
- 1 Shadow Word: Devour x 2
- 1 Shard of the Naaru x 1
- 1 Vicious Slitherspear x 2
- 2 Amalgam of the Deep x 2
- 2 Bless x 2
- 2 Murkwater Scribe x 2
- 2 Queensguard x 1
- 2 Radiant Elemental x 2
- 2 Thrive in the Shadows x 2
- 3 Cathedral of Atonement x 2
- 3 Handmaiden x 2
- 3 Pelagos x 1
- 3 Treasure Guard x 2
- 4 Blademaster Samuro x 1
- 4 Najak Hexxen x 1
- 4 Partner in Crime x 2
Thief/Quest
Standard · Control Priest · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Desperate Prayer x 2
- 1 Psychic Conjurer x 2
- 1 Seek Guidance x 1
- 1 Shard of the Naaru x 2
- 1 The Light! It Burns! x 1
- 2 Mysterious Visitor x 2
- 2 Serena Bloodfeather x 1
- 2 Sketchy Stranger x 2
- 2 Thrive in the Shadows x 2
- 3 Cathedral of Atonement x 2
- 3 Devouring Plague x 2
- 3 Identity Theft x 2
- 3 Murloc Holmes x 1
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 The Harvester of Envy x 1
- 4 Lightmaw Netherdrake x 2
- 4 Najak Hexxen x 1
- 4 Xyrella x 1
- 5 Clean the Scene x 2
- 5 Spirit Guide x 2
- 6 Lightshower Elemental x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 6 Undying Disciple x 1
- 7 Blackwater Behemoth x 1
- 7 Mutanus the Devourer x 1
- 8 Whirlpool x 1
- 8 Xyrella, the Devout x 1
Standard · Control Priest · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Desperate Prayer x 2
- 1 Psychic Conjurer x 2
- 1 Seek Guidance x 1
- 1 The Light! It Burns! x 2
- 2 Condemn (Rank 1) x 2
- 2 Mysterious Visitor x 2
- 2 Sketchy Stranger x 2
- 2 Thrive in the Shadows x 2
- 3 Amulet of Undying x 2
- 3 Cathedral of Atonement x 2
- 3 Identity Theft x 2
- 3 Murloc Holmes x 1
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Smothering Starfish x 2
- 3 The Harvester of Envy x 1
- 4 Partner in Crime x 2
- 4 Xyrella x 1
- 5 Clean the Scene x 2
- 5 Spirit Guide x 2
- 6 Lightshower Elemental x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Blackwater Behemoth x 1
- 7 Mutanus the Devourer x 1
- 8 Whirlpool x 2
Rogue
Obligatory 'high skill cap' warning. Or at least that's the line we always hear whenever a deck that's supposed to be strong-yet-complicated to navigate (especially when racing against the clock on certain turns) presents less-than-stellar winrate. Thus far, Miracle(-s) aren't happening often enough. But you are still bound to see some reports of crazy minion stats or Attack values.
As expected, nobody seems to be particularly interested in the Secret package. Beyond that, there just isn't much more left. A handful of players are still trying and sometimes even getting decent results (Jesse Alexander revisited that Questline concept, where Door of Shadows seemingly belongs). Furyhunter doesn't even think the deck he used is any good (fun matters!), but when did that ever stop him from climbing.
Deathrattle/Miracle
Standard · Deathrattle Rogue · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Preparation x 2
- 1 Blackwater Cutlass x 2
- 1 Gone Fishin' x 2
- 1 Shattershambler x 2
- 1 SI:7 Extortion x 2
- 2 Forsaken Lieutenant x 2
- 2 Serrated Bone Spike x 2
- 2 Tooth of Nefarian x 2
- 2 Wicked Stab (Rank 1) x 1
- 3 Loan Shark x 2
- 3 Shroud of Concealment x 2
- 3 Sinstone Graveyard x 2
- 4 Edwin, Defias Kingpin x 1
- 4 Sketchy Information x 2
- 5 Necrolord Draka x 1
- 5 Snowfall Graveyard x 2
- 8 Shadowcrafter Scabbs x 1
Standard · Miracle Rogue · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Backstab x 2
- 0 Preparation x 2
- 1 Blackwater Cutlass x 2
- 1 Door of Shadows x 1
- 1 Gone Fishin' x 2
- 1 Shattershambler x 2
- 1 SI:7 Extortion x 1
- 2 Forsaken Lieutenant x 2
- 2 Serrated Bone Spike x 2
- 3 Loan Shark x 2
- 3 Shroud of Concealment x 2
- 3 Sinstone Graveyard x 2
- 3 Smothering Starfish x 1
- 4 Edwin, Defias Kingpin x 1
- 4 Sketchy Information x 2
- 5 Necrolord Draka x 1
- 5 Snowfall Graveyard x 2
- 8 Shadowcrafter Scabbs x 1
Thief
Standard · Thief Rogue · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Preparation x 2
- 0 Shadowstep x 2
- 1 Blackwater Cutlass x 2
- 1 Door of Shadows x 2
- 1 Gone Fishin' x 1
- 2 Jackpot! x 2
- 2 Maestra of the Masquerade x 1
- 2 Reconnaissance x 2
- 2 Serrated Bone Spike x 2
- 2 Sketchy Stranger x 1
- 2 Tooth of Nefarian x 2
- 2 Vanessa VanCleef x 1
- 2 Wicked Stab (Rank 1) x 2
- 3 Murloc Holmes x 1
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Shroud of Concealment x 2
- 3 Smothering Starfish x 1
- 4 Swiftscale Trickster x 2
- 5 Contraband Stash x 2
- 5 Queen Azshara x 1
- 6 Blood in the Water x 2
- 6 Crabatoa x 1
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 6 Wildpaw Gnoll x 2
- 7 Tess Greymane x 1
- 8 Shadowcrafter Scabbs x 1
SI:7/Questline
Standard · SI:7 Rogue · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Shadowstep x 2
- 1 Door of Shadows x 2
- 1 Filletfighter x 2
- 1 Find the Imposter x 1
- 1 SI:7 Extortion x 2
- 2 Inkveil Ambusher x 2
- 2 SI:7 Skulker x 2
- 3 SI:7 Agent x 2
- 3 SI:7 Operative x 2
- 3 SI:7 Smuggler x 2
- 3 Sinstone Graveyard x 2
- 4 Edwin, Defias Kingpin x 1
- 4 SI:7 Informant x 2
- 6 Battleground Battlemaster x 1
- 6 Crabatoa x 1
- 7 Mr. Smite x 1
- 7 SI:7 Assassin x 2
- 8 Shadowcrafter Scabbs x 1
Secret/Tempo
Standard · Tempo Rogue · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Preparation x 2
- 1 Blackwater Cutlass x 2
- 1 SI:7 Extortion x 2
- 2 Double Cross x 2
- 2 Kidnap x 1
- 2 Maestra of the Masquerade x 1
- 2 Reconnaissance x 2
- 2 Serrated Bone Spike x 2
- 2 Sticky Situation x 2
- 2 Tooth of Nefarian x 2
- 2 Wicked Stab (Rank 1) x 2
- 3 Shroud of Concealment x 2
- 4 Edwin, Defias Kingpin x 1
- 4 Private Eye x 2
- 5 Necrolord Draka x 1
- 6 Crabatoa x 1
- 6 Wildpaw Gnoll x 2
- 8 Shadowcrafter Scabbs x 1
Standard · Tempo Rogue · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 0 Preparation x 2
- 1 Blackwater Cutlass x 2
- 1 Door of Shadows x 2
- 1 Filletfighter x 2
- 1 Gone Fishin' x 2
- 1 SI:7 Extortion x 2
- 2 Maestra of the Masquerade x 1
- 2 Reconnaissance x 2
- 2 Serrated Bone Spike x 2
- 2 Wicked Stab (Rank 1) x 2
- 3 Shroud of Concealment x 2
- 4 Edwin, Defias Kingpin x 1
- 5 Azsharan Vessel x 2
- 5 Necrolord Draka x 1
- 6 Crabatoa x 1
- 6 Wildpaw Gnoll x 2
- 7 Mr. Smite x 1
- 8 Shadowcrafter Scabbs x 1
Shaman
Lots of options at our disposal, the class seems to be in good standing.
Evolve shenanigans came back once again, trying to break the meta - supposedly in a 'less toxic' fashion than what we might recall from the past. Various Control variants can't complain either, often relying on that small Murloc package with a dash of new evolve cards sprinkled in. Primordial Wave occasionally becomes just a single copy inclusion, with Theotar, the Mad Duke enjoying even greater recognition.
Habugabu's greedy version (as shown below) apparently paid off for another player. And yes, there is a Murloc Holmes in there. I don't know about yours, but my copy has been dusted for the time being. Serves him well for crashing our games, it's a crime that cannot be so easily forgiven.
Evolve
Standard · Evolve Shaman · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Convincing Disguise x 2
- 1 Muck Pools x 2
- 1 Schooling x 2
- 1 Windchill x 2
- 2 Frostbite x 2
- 2 Maelstrom Portal x 2
- 3 Far Sight x 2
- 3 Primordial Wave x 1
- 4 Baroness Vashj x 1
- 4 Wildpaw Cavern x 2
- 5 Bloodlust x 1
- 5 Command of Neptulon x 2
- 6 Masked Reveler x 2
- 6 Tiny Toys x 2
- 7 Glugg the Gulper x 1
- 8 Bru'kan of the Elements x 1
- 10 Goldshire Gnoll x 2
- 10 Neptulon the Tidehunter x 1
Standard · Evolve Shaman · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Convincing Disguise x 2
- 1 Muck Pools x 2
- 1 Schooling x 2
- 2 Bolner Hammerbeak x 1
- 2 Sleetbreaker x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Brilliant Macaw x 2
- 3 Primordial Wave x 2
- 4 Crud Caretaker x 2
- 5 Command of Neptulon x 2
- 5 Famished Fool x 2
- 6 Snowfall Guardian x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 6 Tiny Toys x 2
- 7 Mutanus the Devourer x 1
- 8 Bru'kan of the Elements x 1
- 10 Goldshire Gnoll x 2
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Standard · Evolve Shaman · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Convincing Disguise x 2
- 1 Muck Pools x 2
- 1 Schooling x 2
- 2 Bolner Hammerbeak x 1
- 2 Ram Commander x 2
- 2 Sleetbreaker x 2
- 3 Brilliant Macaw x 2
- 3 Primal Dungeoneer x 2
- 3 Primordial Wave x 2
- 3 Twin-fin Fin Twin x 2
- 4 Baroness Vashj x 1
- 4 Crud Caretaker x 2
- 4 School Teacher x 2
- 4 Wildpaw Cavern x 2
- 6 Snowfall Guardian x 2
- 10 Goldshire Gnoll x 2
Control
Standard · Control Shaman · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Muck Pools x 2
- 1 Schooling x 2
- 2 Amalgam of the Deep x 2
- 2 Bolner Hammerbeak x 1
- 2 Sleetbreaker x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Brilliant Macaw x 2
- 3 Clownfish x 2
- 3 Cookie the Cook x 1
- 3 Murloc Holmes x 1
- 3 Primal Dungeoneer x 2
- 3 Primordial Wave x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 4 Firemancer Flurgl x 1
- 5 Command of Neptulon x 2
- 5 Famished Fool x 2
- 5 Gorloc Ravager x 2
- 6 Snowfall Guardian x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Glugg the Gulper x 1
- 7 Mutanus the Devourer x 1
- 8 Bru'kan of the Elements x 1
- 8 Kael'thas Sinstrider x 1
- 9 Insatiable Devourer x 2
- 10 Goldshire Gnoll x 2
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Standard · Control Shaman · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Schooling x 2
- 1 Windchill x 2
- 2 Amalgam of the Deep x 2
- 2 Bolner Hammerbeak x 1
- 2 Sleetbreaker x 2
- 3 Brilliant Macaw x 2
- 3 Clownfish x 2
- 3 Cookie the Cook x 1
- 3 Smothering Starfish x 1
- 4 Blademaster Okani x 1
- 4 Firemancer Flurgl x 1
- 4 Wildpaw Cavern x 2
- 5 Command of Neptulon x 2
- 5 Gorloc Ravager x 2
- 5 Taelan Fordring x 1
- 6 Snowfall Guardian x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Mutanus the Devourer x 1
- 8 Bru'kan of the Elements x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Standard · Control Shaman · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Schooling x 2
- 2 Amalgam of the Deep x 2
- 2 Bolner Hammerbeak x 1
- 2 Sleetbreaker x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Brilliant Macaw x 2
- 3 Clownfish x 2
- 3 Cookie the Cook x 1
- 3 Primordial Wave x 1
- 4 Blademaster Okani x 1
- 4 Firemancer Flurgl x 1
- 4 School Teacher x 2
- 4 Wildpaw Cavern x 2
- 5 Gorloc Ravager x 2
- 6 Snowfall Guardian x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Glugg the Gulper x 1
- 7 Mutanus the Devourer x 1
- 8 Bru'kan of the Elements x 1
- 8 Kael'thas Sinstrider x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Standard · Control Shaman · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Scalding Geyser x 2
- 1 Schooling x 2
- 1 Windchill x 1
- 2 Bolner Hammerbeak x 1
- 2 Frostbite x 2
- 2 Maelstrom Portal x 1
- 2 Sleetbreaker x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Brilliant Macaw x 2
- 4 Blademaster Okani x 1
- 4 Multicaster x 2
- 4 School Teacher x 2
- 4 Wildpaw Cavern x 2
- 5 Command of Neptulon x 2
- 5 Taelan Fordring x 1
- 6 Snowfall Guardian x 2
- 6 Theotar, the Mad Duke x 1
- 7 Mutanus the Devourer x 1
- 8 Bru'kan of the Elements x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Warlock
The undisputable Imp King Rafaam of the early Murder at Castle Nathria meta, and the prime candidate for the first round of nerfs. Hearthstone's most renowned (?) original villain can enjoy his current superiority. Apparently Imps were the key, even though technically they aren't being considered a (new) tribe. And yet, we are going to get a way to search for the relevant imp-ish subset cards in our Collection Manager.
Many of the successful lists have already been found on Day 1 (Shady Bartender certainly had to wait for this moment), so instead we saw some more creative mixing and matching in the recent days. You can always count on Ike in that regard.
Imp/Zoo
Standard · Zoolock · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Flame Imp x 2
- 1 Flustered Librarian x 2
- 1 Irondeep Trogg x 2
- 1 Shadowblade Slinger x 2
- 1 Voidwalker x 2
- 1 Wicked Shipment x 2
- 2 Bloodbound Imp x 2
- 2 Impending Catastrophe x 2
- 2 Vile Library x 2
- 3 Fiendish Circle x 2
- 3 Imp Gang Boss x 2
- 4 Blademaster Okani x 1
- 4 Mischievous Imp x 2
- 5 Shady Bartender x 2
- 6 Imp King Rafaam x 1
- 10 Sea Giant x 2
Standard · Zoolock · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Flame Imp x 2
- 1 Flustered Librarian x 2
- 1 Voidwalker x 2
- 1 Wicked Shipment x 2
- 2 Bloodbound Imp x 2
- 2 Impending Catastrophe x 2
- 2 Vile Library x 2
- 3 Fiendish Circle x 2
- 3 Imp Gang Boss x 2
- 3 Smothering Starfish x 1
- 4 Blademaster Okani x 1
- 4 Demonic Assault x 2
- 4 Mischievous Imp x 2
- 5 Felfire in the Hole! x 2
- 5 Shady Bartender x 2
- 6 Battleground Battlemaster x 1
- 6 Imp King Rafaam x 1
Imp/Curse
Standard · Curse Warlock · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Flame Imp x 2
- 1 Flustered Librarian x 2
- 1 Voidwalker x 2
- 1 Wicked Shipment x 2
- 2 Bloodbound Imp x 1
- 2 Impending Catastrophe x 2
- 2 Vile Library x 2
- 3 Dragged Below x 2
- 3 Fiendish Circle x 2
- 3 Imp Gang Boss x 2
- 3 Sira'kess Cultist x 2
- 3 Tamsin Roame x 1
- 4 Blademaster Samuro x 1
- 4 Mischievous Imp x 2
- 5 Lady Darkvein x 1
- 5 Shady Bartender x 1
- 5 Za'qul x 1
- 6 Dreadlich Tamsin x 1
- 6 Imp King Rafaam x 1
Standard · Curse Warlock · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Grave Defiler x 2
- 1 Touch of the Nathrezim x 2
- 1 Wicked Shipment x 2
- 2 Drain Soul x 2
- 2 Impending Catastrophe x 2
- 2 Imp Swarm (Rank 1) x 2
- 2 Vile Library x 2
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Dragged Below x 2
- 3 Fiendish Circle x 2
- 3 Prince Renathal x 1
- 3 Sira'kess Cultist x 2
- 3 Tamsin Roame x 1
- 3 Zola the Gorgon x 1
- 4 Demonic Assault x 2
- 4 Spice Bread Baker x 2
- 5 Lady Darkvein x 1
- 5 Shadow Waltz x 2
- 5 Taelan Fordring x 1
- 5 Za'qul x 1
- 6 Abyssal Wave x 2
- 6 Dreadlich Tamsin x 1
- 6 Entitled Customer x 2
- 8 Gigafin x 1
- 10 Sire Denathrius x 1
Mine/Phylactery
Standard · Control Warlock · by Aesan · 3 years, 7 months ago
- 1 Grimoire of Sacrifice x 2
- 1 Mortal Coil x 2
- 1 Touch of the Nathrezim x 2
- 1 Wicked Shipment x 2
- 2 Bloodmage Thalnos x 1
- 2 Drain Soul x 2
- 2 Impending Catastrophe x 2
- 2 Naval Mine x 2
- 3 Fiendish Circle x 1
- 3 Hellfire x 2
- 3 Tamsin Roame x 1
- 4 Spice Bread Baker x 2
- 4 Tamsin's Phylactery x 1
- 5 Queen Azshara x 1
- 5 Runed Mithril Rod x 2
- 6 Dreadlich Tamsin x 1
- 6 Entitled Customer x 2
- 10 Goldshire Gnoll x 2
Warrior
As it begins, so it ends. So far nothing new, really. Only the ideas that've already been shared before.
How are your own very early impressions of the meta and the Castle Nathria expansion in general? Anything that's been working for you in particular, maybe there's something we're still sleeping on? Let us know in the comments!
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