The full set of cards for March of the Lich King 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 Warrior or what kind of decks to play? We've broken down the class archetypes for the upcoming expansion, discussed the new cards, 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 full information about the upcoming set in our March of the Lich King expansion guide.
- You can create and share your own decks featuring all these new cards via our deckbuilder.
- The new Rewards Track has been fully detailed. Get a head start on the early XP gains and stay prepared for launch!
- Major Patch 25.0 (plus hotfixes) has prepared the ground for the expansion with various game mode updates and features.
- Need a more detailed overview of March of the Lich King themes and mechanics? The initial announcement coverage has it all.
- Expect special Signature cards to add to your collection, and improved duplicate protection coming with the new Reroll Feature.
- Remember, you are able to open your packs faster than usual - should you wish to!
Now, onto what's approaching ever closer. Before we jump into a variety of potential decks, here is a quick look at the class in the upcoming expansion:
Lich King Warrior - Quick Impressions
- For teasing a new archetype, Fire Warrior is a disappointment. A hodge-podge of pieces that don't go together, it needs help.
- The spell-hate cards could be just what the doctor ordered...if you're looking to make enemies out of friends.
- Overall, the class did not get the assistance it so badly needs to pull it up off the mat. Things are not lookin' good for Garrosh & Co.
Lich King Warrior - Expansion Cards & Archetypes
For Warrior, two archetypes have asserted themselves as the favorite to play on Day 1: Fire Enrage and Spell-Hate Control.
Fire Warrior
A fiery new archetype was mentioned back in the original teaser reveal for March of the Lich King, and now that we've seen everything, we're not sure what Blizzard is selling. That or they honestly expect us to make this work, with cards that don't mesh particularly well. What is our end-game plan? What are we hoping to achieve? Embers of Strength, Sunfury Champion and Thori'belore imply a defensive package to stall for a late-game, and yet such a thing does not currently exist outside of older concepts. You could piecemeal some of these cards into existing archetypes - Sunfire Smithing for Handbuff, for example - but that's not the same thing as truly playing "Fire Warrior".
We'll have to see whether Blizzard supports this "archetype" further in the next Hearthstone Year, but with the way things have gone in the past, it could just as easily be a one-and-done for a couple years or longer. As it stands now, there's simply not enough here.
Spell-Hate Warrior
Some have suggested these cards break the flavor and gameplay identity of the Warrior, and while the latter could be true, lore-wise we've had elven "spellbreakers" for ages now, since before World of Warcraft. They could combust the Mana of enemy spellcasters, steal buffs and summoned units, and were immune to opposing magic. All-in-all, this is a solid interpretation.
Gameplay-wise, these pieces could find a home in a Control deck where their disruption and/or value can be realized. Asvedon, the Grandshield wants to wait for that perfect play, so a slower deck would be a natural fit. However, much like the Spellbreakers of Warcraft III, these minions are not the main attraction of an army: they are supporting units, and should be treated as such. They won't necessarily lift up Control Warrior by themselves, but they'll be ready for when such a deck arises once more.
Other Warrior Cards
Alongside the above packages, we have these spells as well. Blazing Power and Light of the Phoenix have the Fire spell school too, so they'll be included in Fire Warrior because they have to be, but make no mistake - they are Enrage Warrior cards first and foremost. A hybrid deck could be in the works, with Enrage incorporating some Fire spells into its repertoire for additional card draw and the like, but don't expect the entire package. Last Stand also exists; presumably there to combo with Silverfury Stalwart, it is frankly too expensive to be used as a tutor.
Lich King Warrior - Top Neutral Cards
Astalor is an incredibly powerful card, providing a ping for removal, Armor for stalling with Astalor, the Protector, and finally a big payoff with Astalor, the Flamebringer. He's everything you could want in a card; expect to see him everywhere.
The rest of the Neutral set is a mixed bag for Warrior. "Big" decks might like Lor'themar Theron, although that wasn't a theme this expansion. Enchanter makes for easier removal, but does the Warrior need it? And lastly, Silvermoon Sentinel is a decent Taunt minion. What the class needed was a Fire equivalent of Herald of Lokholar, or Ice Revenant: more card draw, and/or a threat to end the game with. Hard-pressed to do that in the Neutral set, however, considering the Mage and the Shaman and all their Fire tools.
Lich King Warrior - Day 1 Decks to Try
Not sure what to play for the class while we fight against the March of the Lich King? We've gathered a handful of early deck ideas from all across the Hearthstone tavern just to help you out:
Edelweiss' Fire Enrage Warrior
Edelweiss decided to spice up an existing Enrage Warrior list with some new Fire cards; even including Asvedon, the Grandshield, to boot. Her confidence level with this deck is set to "High", so we expect great things!
Kranich's Fire Enrage Warrior
Kranich has his own interpretation of Fire Enrage, focusing a bit more on buffing with the inclusion of Dredger Staff and Sunfire Smithing. Leaving out Blademaster Samuro is an interesting decision; I guess we'll see!
Wild: Linkblade91's Dragon-Fire Warrior
And now for a creation of my own making, combining Dragons with the Fire spells. Molten Breath is the thematic glue that holds it all together, at least until Kazakusan is ready. Am I expecting this deck to light the world on fire? Well, yes, actually!
More Class Coverage for March of the Lich King
Want to look at what we've put together for another March of the Lich King contender? The navigation links below can take you there in an instant!
What do you think of Warrior's card package for the upcoming expansion? Which decks are you going to take for a spin once March of the Lich King goes live on December 6? Is there something else from your favorite content creator that we didn't include here? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
While I see your point. I like them pushing multiple directions in a class. Better than pushing one archetype that falls short. I agree there is no real pay-off nor enough fire spells to make anything an actual "fire" warrior. Still pushing that line and making spell school matters cards for the warrior is important. Just look at this more of a small step. Most of the fire cards lean toward improving a already good deck in Enrage Warrior so they have a home. For a more dedicated "fire" spell deck we may have to wait a bit longer for the spell school to build up cards (and a better payoff).
Also I see Last Stand kind of like a Suffocating Shadows. It's something they'll push in the future (taunt warrior) and are just placing a basic spell here to free up a future card slot. The shadow spell kinda went with Darkvein but the discard aspect was off an expansion.
I do love all of what warrior got, incomplete as it may be. Asvedon, the Grandshield is a real fun card and has a badass name. Win win! Love spell reflect in WoW, was hilarious killing a mage with their fireball back in the day.
Good luck pack opening tomorrow all!
Oh boy I can't wait to use a net deck from a random non-professional forums mod.
and don't forget to press the down arrow if me sharing my honest opinion is too much to handle...
Charmin Ultra Soft
We get it, too high of a skill cap might be rather intimidating. 'tis fine, just as long as you don't get badly burned.
No just too many poor card choices.
Then I would just debate those along with some potential alternatives and suggestions, instead of trying to get personal for no good reason.
I didn't get personal I said I can't wait to use these decks.
If you'd like you can consider my goofy inclusion to be a commentary on the state of the class. We needed a third deck for the article, I could not find one that wasn't yet-another Fire Enrage Warrior, so I made something flavorful. If you are able to share a deck that contains a respectable amount of new cards and you deem to be good, we would be very much appreciative :)
I've learned that when Team 5 markets a class's 'fun new archetype', you've got a 50/50 on playable or pure shite. Fire Warrior, Deathrattle Shaman, Freeze Shaman, Deathrattle Rogue (how many times now?), Shuffle Rogue, Attack Druid, etc...
It genuinely confuses me. Do they have data that shows players enjoy putting together these half-baked (and never fully baked) archetypes? I have to believe they purposely set out to design bad cards, because they have months to do so - why is Last Stand not 3 mana? If it would have been overpowered at 3 mana, why is it in the set? Why print a card that would never be included in ANY deck, even the most fundumb crap?
They've gotten somewhat better about this through the years, but still, here we've got a whole expansion themed around Undead minions and by the community's best reckoning, most of the epics and legendaries which interact with them are pretty bad - High Cultist Basaleph, Wither, Elder Nadox, Rotgill, Amorphous Slime. Why?
Anyway, sorry. Rant over. I love this game, but the card design philosophy - without touching disruption and overpowered costly minions - grinds my gears sometimes.