Hearthstone
Legendary Reno DK Mage
- Reno Mage
- Wild
- Ranked
Deadmines update of the deck is online
I strongly recommend you to read the guide before playing the deck. This deck is hard to pilot and not everyone can play it properly. In right hands this deck is unstopabble.
My list that I made is aimed to have success against anything but you can definitely improve some matchups by switiching cards. Remember to adapt the list to your local meta and if you have any further questions, ask me here in the comments under the deck. My build is aimed to be the most reactive proactive build out there. If you want any clarification how much this deck is approved by players. Check out the old thread from Hearthpwn before i moved to outofcards.com
https://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/918770-legendary-reno-dk-mage
Last update
6.11.2021 NEW CARDS: New cards.
Armor Vendor over Depth Charge: Armor Vendor is great anti Aggro tool. By giving your opponent 4 Armor it also slows down Glarelock player who is looking to discount his Giants. Overal the best 1 drop for Control decks
Keymaster Ivory over Starscryer: The new legendary is really strong. Giving Mage access to Raise Dead,Wave of Apathy and other strong dual class cards honestly boosts up the deck a ton. She shines in Aggro and Control matchup,has great synergy in the deck and is a must have. She feels like a slightly worse Zephrys,which means she is still really strong card.
Statistics below are made in late April,showing the decks winrate in legend ranks troughout 2 days.
Deck preview
This is somehow OG build of the KOTFT Reno Mage which is still updated up to this day. The approach is a Reactive Proactive shell which means that deck executes both controling strategies and both pressuring strategies. In what deck stands out compared to other Reno varriants here is decks flexibility. Singleton Legendaries like Zephrys and Kazakus are amazingly flexible cards while both Reno Jacksons are giving you survivalability in a various matchups.
Mulligan:
- Aggro+Midrange:
The goal is to drag them to the late game,where they are going to run out of resources and going to be outcontroled
So Mulligan for: Mad Scientist,Doomsayer,[Hearthstone Card (Arcanologist) Not Found], Explosive Sheep,Armor Vendor,Kazakus(Potion for 1 or 5) or Zephrys the Great
- Control:
Here we can afford a little bit slower start
Mad Scientist,Doomsayer,[Hearthstone Card (Keymaster Ivory) Not Found],Polymorph, Zephrys the Great, even Frost Lich Jaina for turn 9
- Combo:
All cards that will get you closer to your Reno,removals and Iceblock so they wont OTK you or make an Insane board. Dirty Rat, Potion of Polymorph are your cards to date.
Comboes of the deck:
- Brann Bronzebeard+Kazakus+Baleful Banker
- Ragnaros the Firelord after Frost Lich Jaina is also Ragnaros, Lightlord
- Icy Touch activators are not only enemy minions but also yours.
- Brann Bronzebeard+Baleful Banker on Brann+ Zola the Gorgon on Banker+ Baleful Banker on Banker allows your deck to go infinite if the matchup demands it.
- Barista Lynchen battlecry shennanigans
The decks win conditions:
- Proactive Control: Removing the opponents stuff. Pressuring with your own. Creating board after board and pressure after pressure in order to destroy your opponent. This usually happens in the matchups like Jade Druid and overall Reno mirrors
- Disrupt the win condition: Involves minions like Dirty Rat and battlecry shennanigans of Brann,Barista and Zola. This applies mainly against strategies like Mechathunlock,Togwaggle Druid,variations of Amara Combo Priest etc
- Exhaust your opponent aka OG Control: This applies in few different ways. Against Aggro vs Control your wincondition is to exhaust your opponent out of resources and survive his aggresive strategy. That includes matchups like Pirate Warrior,Secret Mage or Mech Paladin. Another type of exhaustion is Reactive Control vs You. That involves you going infinite before hitting the fatique in order to gain the edge over opponent. A typical example is Odd Warrior matchup. Now the final type of exhaustion strategy is matchup against Highroll decks like DH Warlock,Big Priest or Big Rogue where they have limited value but explosive tempo plays so you need to survive until the certain point where they will run out of gas
- The hybrid strategies of 1,2,3: That means your combine your ways of win conditions in order to be succesful. for example the combination of 1&2 is used against decks like OTK Reno Priest,Cubelock or Waygate Reno Mage.1&3 is used against decks like Odd Rogue,Even Shaman or Galakrond Warrior and so on and on
Matchups:
Priest: Most common: Big, Inner Fire in some Shell(Dragon,Deathlord one),Reno Priest,Tiller Priest
Big Priest: As it stands for now Reno Mage is superiour in lategame and value engines in this matchup. Also we are looking here obviously for polymorphing his threats so they appear in his ressurect options. The best Polymorph targets are value generating cards like Archmage Vargoth, [Hearthstone Card (Blood of the G'huun) Not Found].
Inner Fire/Topsy Turvy Priest: Destroy any minion he plays. Combo disruptions like Rat and Potion of Polymorph are valuable. Eventually the Priest gets exhausted and is no more threatening.
Reno Priest: The best Reno deck in the game. The tricky matchup for you. However,if you play this deck well you are able to turn into Reno Priests living nightmare. You have to look out for Spawn,Penflinger,Illucia and whatever that sneaky Shadowreaper brought back from Raise Dead,Kazakus Potions etc while bursting you with discounted Hero Power. He on the other hand has to set up Zephrys for my Ice Block,face the Frostlich Jaina, and the main wincon against Reno Priest: Ton of Dirty Rat disruption. You have Brann,Zola and Barista and all those cards ensure that Dirty Rat is played multiple times resulting that once it pulls Raza or Spawn it gets Polymorphed right away so he has a Sheep in Raise Dead pool.
Mindblast Priest: Iceblock is your bigesst friend here. This Priest deck acts like a Control one with Combo wincondtion but that is not well executed against the deck with Iceblock and Reno.
Tiller Priest: Ice Block ensures that you don;t get OTKed. However the animation is so slow that it skips your turn. So make sure that once opponent plays the combo, log off and log in int the game to get your turn. The combo disruption like multiply Dirty Rat triggers and Potion of Polymorph on Tiller can win you games too.
Warlock: Most common:Cubelock,Renolock,Zoolock,Evenlock,Mechathunlock,TDH Warlock,Treacherylock
Darkglarelock: Doomsayer+Frost Nova. Well timed Potion of Polymorp for Dargklare. That being said you are slightly unfavourable in this matchup due to the fact that Darkglare as a Combo deck is that strong.
Renolock: This game will definitelly go to fatique and you will need to adapt your gameplay. He also have Hand and Deck disrupting things so adapt your gameplan to it. While this matchup involves RNG as any other matchup, the skill level and card draw of both Reno players matters a lot.
Cubelock: Cubelock is an explosive Midrange or Control deck. Drag him to the late game and make sure that his Guldan will summon only Voidwalkers. Polymorph cards are amazing in this matchup, as well as Reno and your threats like Barista and Ragnaros.
Zoolock and Discardlock: Extremely scary in early and midgame. Weak in late game. So make sure you drag him there thanks to boardclears and minions. Then apply pressure and win.
Evenlock: This deck has some oldschool Handlock vibe to it. Manage your removals right and you should exhaust him pretty succesfully. Potion of Polymorph is often played on turn 3 or 4 to prevent early Mountain Giant.
Mechathunlock: Your combo disruption tools are there to help you win the game.
Treacherylock: Hardly counterable. Your only hope is to somehow set up Potion of Polymorph or Rat his Fel Reaver. However theres not a lot of ways how to disrupt his gameplan properly for a Control deck.
Tillerlock: Ice Block ensures that you don't get OTKed. However the animation is so slow that it skips your turn. So make sure that once opponent plays the combo, log off and log in int the game to get your turn. The combo disruption like multiply Dirty Rat triggers and Potion of Polymorph on Tiller can win you games too.
Druid: Most common: AvianaKun combo Druids,Aggro/Token, Jade Druid, Hadronox Druid,Big Druid,Linecracker Druid
AvianaKun Combo Druids: Your wincondition in this matchup, is disrupt his combo. Regardless the Druid combo,this can be archieved trough Brann+Dirty Rat, Potion of Polymorph landing on Aviana. Current combo versions that are known are these ( TogAzalina,Malygos, Ragnaros OTK)
Aggro/Token: Exhausting him with your AOE spells and Reno is the key to win. Approach this matchups as you would approach the Zoolock one. Exhausting this deck is the key to win and you have the abbility to do that thanks to AOE effects and Highlander cards.
Jade Druid: Druid decks really really do not like the pressure. Apply it and you should come out as a winner. If you dont feel like it tech in Skulking Geist. Then do what you have to do to stay alive and then Skulking Geist his wincondition.
Hadronox Druid: The crucial thing is searching for multiple boardclears thanks to Zephrys and Kazakus. In Kazakus you are searching for 10 mana spells and especially the ones that are Polymorphing the board and are summoning some threats. Also the key cards are Polymorph and Potion of Polymorph which will make a Sheep which is a beast and which will be added into poll of Witching Hour.
Big Druid: Might do some highrolly turns but with well managed removal tools and your Battlecry shennanigans you should come out of this matchup as a winner.
Linecracker Druid: Fish for Rat or you have no chance of winning at all. Potion of Polymorph is also consiredable but it has even more rng to it than Rat.
Mage: Most common: Aluneth Tempo Mage, Exodia varriations, Reno Mage, Odd Mage, Miracle Quest Mage
Miracle Quest Mage: Have you missed the good'ol days when you just didnt knew what to play around because Tempo Mage played Cabalists Tomes and Yogg? Fear not my friend. Even more of that have brough us the Mana Cyclone which allowed Mage to build a Miracle like deck with Flamewakers and Sorcerers Apprentices. Your strategy is being above 20 health while having Ice Block equipped. After they will have their power turns, you will come back into the game thanks to Reno. Potion of Polymporh is good sometimes. Dirty Rat is good to pull out the Giants and Vargoth. Keep n mind though that the matchup is really tough and we are hardly unfavoured
AlunethTempo Mage: This matchup is 50/50. The key is to play around his secrets as much as possible possible and just exhausting him trough your healing options. Renoes and Zolas and Zephryses and all the other powerfull stuff is good enough to give you the edge in this matchup.
Exodia varriations: Dirty Rat and Potion of Polymorph are here to help you. Set up them correctly and you will win.
Reno Mage: All depends on how well you pilot this build and how well your opponent pilots his build. You should be slightly more favourable because of more pressure and interaction with your opponent compared to usual value builds. If you face the Reno Quest Mage opponent multiple Rat disruption is the main key to win.
Odd Mage: New archetype formed in Rastakhan (in terms of success). Play this matchup similarly like against Control Mage or Reno Mage, it usually doesnt have enough good late game cards to keep up with our late game stage.
Rogue: Most common: Kingsbane Miracle,Mill, Tempo/Odd,Big Rogue, Thief Rogue, Galakrond Rogue
Kingsbane Miracle: No explanation needed. Just do what control deck have to do.
Mill Rogue: 99,999999% unwinabble. We are Control deck, control decks sucks against Mill Rogue. There is a slight chance where you can Dirty Rat his first Colglight, Potion of Polymorph second one but thats unlikely to happen.
Tempo/Odd: No matter what varriation (Keleseth or Baku one) just clear their board and drag them to the late game where this deck is superior. However dont be to cocky and dont let your guard down. Odd Rogue is able to pull out a good amount of value and this statement is even stronger if they run Brann. While the deck certainly is strong. Your late game with Frostlich Jaina will most likely still be far more superiour.
Big Rogue: Strongest Big deck in the game as it stands right now for DoD meta. Make sure to Potion of Polymorph him in early game. Drag him to late game and start clearing his board over and over again with Kazakus 10 mana Polymorph potions or Zephryses. This deck can run out of resources quickly especially if they are overcomitting. Or push for lethal with Zephrys and Savage Roar shennanigans
Thief Rogue: It is kinda like Tempo Rogue but stronger against Control thanks to Tess. Just make sure to get some value out of your cards and you shloud come out of this as a winner.
Galakrond Rogue: There are few comboes and builds floating around. All what they have in common is that they are vulnerable to Dirty Rat. So disruption shennanigans and Ice Block are pretty good strategy if you want to win
Warrior: Most common: Pirate, DMH Warrior, Quest Warrior, Bomb Warrior,Odd Warrior,Galakrond Warrior
Pirate: A classical Control vs Aggro matchup. Exhaust them. Be careful though because they are really explosive in early game.
DMH Warrior: Now thats actually a winnable Mill matchup BUT doent get your hopes that high. If the DMH is piloted by a skilled player your chances of winning are close to zero. Its not the fault of your piloting. More of a fact that Mill decks are preying on other slower decks.
Quest Ragnaros Warrior:The weakest spot of the deck is its unabilitty to Armor Up after the Sulfuras is played. Make sure you have some minions on the board and just start pushing face damage.
Bomb Warrior: Not so powerfull deck is quite powerfull against Reno decks because of bomb shuffling mechanic. The key here is to play Frostlich Jaina, then heal trough Elementals and then overwhelm the Warrior with far more superior late game. And also dodge all the bombs in your deck which is hard really hard.
Odd Warrior: One of the only succesfull reactive control deck left on the Wild ladder. However we are reactive-proactive control deck and if we go full greedy with our comboes mentioned above, Warrior stands no chance at all.
Galakrond Warrior: A slower version of Pirate Warrior with longer potential making it one of the strongest Midrange decks right now. The most common wncondition is exhaustion of your opponent
Paladin: Most common: Anyfin,Control Exodia, Mech Buffadin, Call to Arms varriations, Odd Dude Paladin,Odd Mech Paladin
Anyfin: Your goal is to survive 2 Anyfin Can Happen. Polymorphing his Murclos really hburts him a lot.
Control Exodia: Kill him, kill him before he plays the combo. In Wild with access to Emperor Thaurissan he don't need to run Burgly Bully . [Hearthstone Card (Skulking Geist is your MVP here. Dirty Ratting his combo pieces is game winning thing to do
Mech Buffadin: Another explosive mech deck. However, you cant go wrong if you treat it the same ways as SN1Plock aka clear their board until they are exhausted
Call to Arms varriations: Clear his board, and again, and again, and again. You need to exhaust them. Choose your boardclears wisely, draw cards and drag him to the late game to outheal his damage with Jaina and Reno
Odd Paladin in general: Same strategy as Call to Arms varriations. Even tho its weakened it is still powerfull enough. Im seeing some lists adding greedier Mech package and Paladins legendary spell. So watch out for Quatermaster,Leeroy,Fungalmencer and pootentially Kangors Army if you see some mechs played
Hunter: Most common: Spell Hunter, Mecha Hunter, Big Beasts Hunter, Reno Hunter
Spell Hunter: .Deathstalker Rexxar together with Zul'jin are really amazing hero cards and will ensure that this matchup will go into fatique. Manage your resources right and go for greedy comboes. Its a little bit longer matchup but you should come out as a winner.
Mecha Hunter: Boomsday brought a new deck for Hunter. With new Mechs in the pool Midrange Hunter have been ressurected and it is actually slaying. General strategy is to exhaust him. Our value and heals and boardclears are superior. The only thing that he does better is Tempo Plays. Make sure to deny that with your cards and you will come out as a winner.
Big Beast Hunter: Watch out for Cube turns and Dire Frenzys. Removing his big beasts is the key to come out of this as a winner.
Reno Hunter: Looking for a kinda longer game than against a typical Hunter. Embrace the true power and value of your deck and you should come out of this fight as a winner. Watch out for Dinotammer Brann and Zephrys since those 2 cards are enabling lethal quite consistently and well.
Shaman: Most common: Malygos Shaman, Control Ressurect Shaman, Shudderwock Shaman, Reno Shaman, Even Shaman,Evolve Shaman
Malygos Shaman: Potion of Polymorph hitting his Emperor Thaurissan or Dirty Ratting his Malygos = win
Control Ressurect Shaman: We are far more stronger Control deck than him. Easy matchup as long as you manage your aoe resources and single target removal right.
Shudderwock Shaman: There are currently 2 versions of this deck. If we are talking about Jade version, go for Hero Jaina as soon as possible while picking up polymorph potion from Kazakus for his Shudderwock turn. If we are talking about OTK version, pressure them as hard as you can. Brann Bronzebeard+Coldlight Oracle or Dirty Rat might be game winning here.
Reno Shaman: This is the type of matchup where you will use all your powerfull comboes. Reno Shaman is extremely good against Control because it never runs out of steam thanks to Shudderwock which might be brought back by Grumble,Baleful Banker or Zola. So simply what you are looking here for is to destroy him trough your board presence and value. Best picks for Kazakus Potions are board clears, Summonings on the board and adding some Demons to your hand. Pressuing and trying your luck with Dirty Rat is your chance to win. This is one of the matchups where you are an agressor and youre looking to finish the game fast.
Even Shaman: Even Shaman is Midrange type of deck and it should be treated that way. Drag him to the late game with clearing his board and using your Highlander legendaries. In late game your Frostlich Jaina Hero Power as well as Ragnaros are far more stronger than his late game.
Card replacements
Hex Lord Malacrass is an Odd choice but I see him being played as a replacement for some of the threats like Barista or Keysmith.
Siamat seems like good addition as well. However I don't know over what card he can be played because of his 7 mana which is quite expensive for what is he doing on average.
Echo of Medivh over Barista Lynchen
Overall you can switch some cards and adapt the list to your local meta. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
Why no *insert card name* in the deck?
Pyros: Mad Scientist is just waaay more usefull.
Inkmaster Solia : Because she is one of the worst highlander cards and the worst Kabal one. All Kabal class legendaries are about mana cheating. And Raza or Kruul can cheat out waaay more mana with their effects than Solia can. In 90% of the cases she is nothing more thank Arcane Tyrant type of effect which is not impresive at all. Also anti synergy with Atiesh
[Hearthstone Card (Dragonqueen Alextrasza) Not Found]. Too slow of an effect for 9 mana. Does nothing against big amount of meta
) Not Found]
Vote On This Deck!
Enjoy this deck guide? Help others find it and show your support to the author by giving it an upvote!
12Update #2
Card changes 2 years, 10 months ago (Battlegrounds Buddies)
Update #1
Card changes 3 years, 1 month ago (Deadmines)
- Varden Dawngrasp 1
- Devolving Missiles 1
- Fire Sale 1
- Mutanus the Devourer 1
- Ignite 1
- Starscryer 1
- Loatheb 1
- Sphere of Sapience -1
- Gluttonous Ooze -1
- Blizzard -1
- Polymorph -1
- Baleful Banker -1
- Rolling Fireball -1
- Emperor Thaurissan -1
- 00
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
- 06
- 07+
- 1 Devolving Missiles x 1
- 2 Arcanologist x 1
- 2 Book of Specters x 1
- 2 Ignite x 1
- 2 Starscryer x 1
- 3 Flame Ward x 1
- 3 Frost Nova x 1
- 3 Ice Block x 1
- 3 Potion of Polymorph x 1
- 4 Fire Sale x 1
- 4 Kazakus x 1
- 4 Varden Dawngrasp x 1
- 5 Keywarden Ivory x 1
- 6 Reno the Relicologist x 1
- 8 Deep Freeze x 1
- 9 Frost Lich Jaina x 1
- 1 Armor Vendor x 1
- 2 Dirty Rat x 1
- 2 Doomsayer x 1
- 2 Explosive Sheep x 1
- 2 Mad Scientist x 1
- 2 Zephrys the Great x 1
- 3 Brann Bronzebeard x 1
- 3 Zola the Gorgon x 1
- 5 Barista Lynchen x 1
- 5 Loatheb x 1
- 5 Zilliax x 1
- 6 Reno Jackson x 1
- 7 Mutanus the Devourer x 1
- 8 Jepetto Joybuzz x 1
More Reno Mage Decks
More Decks From FirePaladinHS
Leave a Comment
You must be signed in to leave a comment. Sign in here.
Comments
Im not fully convinced with your updates this expansion. Depth Charge seems really iffy and not nearly as flexible as Volcanic Potion.
Polymorph’s removal generally scares me since it’s such a potent removal card and removes the largest of threats, and synergizes with Jaina.
Vulpera I think I could be convinced but I’m still hesitant due to the number of times Keysmith won me games, and it’s generally more consistent.
Now some theorycrafting:
Potential dragon package? Utilizing new Alex, new malygos, and maybe azure drake? Just a though.
Depth Charge being the second Doomsayer is a great update to highlander decks. By removing the Volcanic Potion it boosted up Dragons Fury to have higher damage in more cases. It proved to be great in a variety of matchups like Odd Rogue,Pirate Warrior,Secret Mage and even in Control V Control like Renolock. I stay behind this change
I agree with the confusion about Polymorph removal. And if you feel like you need it more than Rolling Fireball feel free to remove it. I added rolling Fireball into the deck because of the fact that it acted as both single target removal in Even Shaman matchup and both as AOE in matchup like Odd Rogue. Which is great flexibility, That being said polymorphing the large Demon from Guldan or Magnetised mech abomination feels great as well. So feel free to run it
Vulpera proved to me that she is more flexible than Keysmith,she ads unexpctancy moment, costs 1 mana less, has better stats and actually doesnt get countered by Secret Tech which I greatly appreciate. That being said I also toy around with Bad luck Albatross instead of her and that card just singlehandedly slows reno decks so much that Im actually considering adding this card to the deck. Keysmith may be strong but some Reno Mage players are abandoning her for better options Im not th only one in that regard and Element91 removed the Keysmith from his build as well
Dragon package from 3 Dragons only wouldnt be consistently triggered. I've tried it with 5 Dragons and even then I got pretty unlucky with the draws. Activating Dragon package for new Malygos only also sounds pretty questionable. Because it may appear to you as another Kazakus or Zephrys but it is actually far more rng dependant and not all of his options are good
http://imgur.com/twfBZDK
http://imgur.com/gallery/M9Dfm3c
https://imgur.com/gallery/g3CHi8R
I use a similar deck, but use Unseen Saboteur instead of Dirty Rat.
You have no idea how many Warlocks quit after Cataclysm, Bloodbloom or other OTK enabler spell goes off too early for their tastes, or get saved by someone's pocketed Hagatha's Scheme/Plague of Death/DOOM! cards. Actually used Brann with it one time against a Druid ... can't Malygos win if you ain't got spells.
I agree that Saboteur is a good tech card but Rat has still more vertisality and is more relevant. Pulling out minions like Shudderwock or Elysianna is the thing which Saboteour can't do
I'm not really an expert on reno mages and I have a couple questions regarding some of the cards.
[Hearthstone Card (Jan'alai, the Dragonhawk) Not Found] - my reservation is getting enough pings in in time to not just get a useless card in hand for a long while. Do you feel you are able to play it in a timely fashion? Feels a tad greedy at first glance.
Blast Wave - it's a pretty weak AOE and since your hand (I assume) is rather full most cases, does the cost worth it?
Skulking Geist - I assume the card is mainly to combat Jades and Linecracker combos? Do you feel you get enough mileage out of this compared to for example a Siamat that essentially able to remove 2 minions?
Medivh, the Guardian - that's the other card I feel it being somewhat greedy. I would probably need to see this in action.
Hi)
1. Janalai comes later in the game but the card is nuts. Frostlich synergy,Brann synergy,second Ragnaros to Kazakus ressurect pool is pretty good. The cards ads another pressure tool in Control v Control games which is crucial because we are winning trough becoming more powerful Big Priest in late game against Control. Not with Elysiana
2. Blast Wave is a good clear against aggro. The synergy with clears like Volcanic Potion or Explosive Sheep is huge as well. Also it enables Dragons Fury hitting 5 damage which is good option. In Control Vs Control its a way to generate resources and adds unexpetency moments because those resources are random. Aside from Odd Warrior matchup your hand floats around 6 cards so you will get your spells without overdrawing pretty consistently.
3. Skulking Geist is necessary evil. Because yes in some matchups he is a weak 6 drop but in others he shines. Druid decks,Inner Fire Priest,Odd Warrior,Evolve Shaman,Miracle Quest Mage, all these decks hate this card. You can replace him with Siamat but the matchups like Odd Warrior or Jade Druid will get harder. A lot.
4. Medivh the Guradian is one of the more underrated legendaries overal. Because in some specific decks he shines a lot. For example in this one. Card is flexible and adds proactive element to your reactive plays like clearing the board. Atiesh has big variety of spells to work with from Secrets(eventually playing 3 drop an Secret is strong,ask some Secret Mage for clarification) to 10 mana Kazakus potions(which is enabling power play + random 10 drop to contest the board). You can replace him with something like Malacrass for more value however,I think he makes Proactive Reactive strategy far more viable.
Thanks for the explanation. I am content with most of your explanations. Except one.
1. Janalai - so this card only viable in one type of matchup? Control vs Control. Isn't that a bit greedy? I don't have much experience with the deck yet but "charging up" Jan'alai takes 10+ turns. It's a fine late game option if you ever get to that. Before that it's a dead card for too many turns in my view.
Yes Janalai is against slower decks and I will give you some examples why I kept this card in the deck and how she can be possibly replaced.
So basically. She is against slower matchups meaning those are : Renolock,Reno Mage, Reno Priest,Shudderwock battlecry decks,Reno decks in other classes,ocasional Big Priest,Arcibishop Priest,Odd Warrior,Big Shaman and others.
Most of the time she has 3 ways how she can be played.
1. Against other Kabal Reno decks: This is the race of you 2 who will have better Rat. Who will reach fatique faster. And who will clear the board and eventually either wins the board or outvalues the opponent. In toe to toe matchups like this Janalai is extremely powerful minion providing another Ragnaros in late game,which as I mentioned above is powerfull,improves your Kazakus ressurection pool and puts both proactive and reactive minion into play which has synergy with your DK form. At worst cases it helps you dodge the Rat meaning that more important minions like Brann,Zephrys or Kazakus are protected.
2. Against so called outgrinders aka Odd Warrior or Arcibishop Priest: Those deck want to outgrind all the resources,greed and value that you have. Too bad for them, the deck is capable of winning trough huge boards as well. Janalai coming online in later stages of the game can be comboed with Brann or as standalone pushing more damage and demanding more answers from your opponent.
3. Anti Control decks like Shudderwock battlecry Shaman or Big Priest: Again. She can be droped as standalone. Or she can be comboed with Brann to push 16 damage the turn she is played putting your opponent on the clock. Against Shudderwock Shamans this is crucial. Because against that deck you either Rat their Shudderwock,or you kill them before Shudderwock turn. You simply can't outvalue or kill him once the infinite Shudder chain starts going off. With the amount of clears and proactive plays that this Reno Mage offers you,you are becoming the aggressor and Shamans which usually don't run a big amount of healing(especially Jade variants) are forced to clear your board every turn. In a games like this, Freezing the opponents board with Atiesh equipped and going face or putting Janalai into play is the key to win.
Those matchups are the reason why I kept her and I have no plans on replacing her. However,if you are unsatisfied with the results of this card there are some replacements which are definitely good. To name a few: Siamat aka slightly worse Zilliax but still good card. Dr. Boom which is okayish play on turn 7 and whose Boombots have synergy with Zilliax and Frostlich Hero Power. If you want to go into more value oriented approach, go for Malacrass or Barista Lynchen which are both good in Reno Mage or go for value and body which is Sindragosa(she used to be in older versions of the build)
For Saviors of Uldum I am making the followings changes:
-Zilliax
-Meteor
-Saronite Taskmaster
-Ice Barrier
+Reno the Relicologist
+Zephrys the Great
+Siamat
+Flame Ward
So far I'm seeing great results from Reno2 + Brann
I'm currently experimenting an I've cut these card and added those
-Research project + Zephrys
-Oooze + New Reno
-Ice Barrier +Flame Ward
-Soulcaster +Banker
Sadly I dont have Siamat yet to experiment with but so far those changes were reaaaly good and pushed this reactive-proactive build quite a lot. You can expect the guide update in a few days ^^. Also i wouldt cut the Zilliac due to his powerlevel and Explosive Sheep Reno like effect when combined. He is really good.
I actually don't have Siamat either, heh. Still working on rounding up Uldum's key legendaries.
On reflection, I think I'll be keeping Zilliax and dropping Ooze as I don't see weapons nearly as popular. I'm keeping Research Project and dropping Saronite Taskmaster as I believe the card draw is more valuable than a 1 drop. I'll see how swapping out Soulcaster for Banker goes. And I entirely agree that Uldum was great for this deck, and I'm excited to see where you go with it.