Introduction

Greetings. My name is Nanoks, and I like to optimise existing off-meta decks. I am not a deck builder, that makes completely new archetypes or anything like that. But I like to not just netdeck the most popular decks. As one of many, the most early days in a new expansion, and even the days before it launches, are the most exciting for me. And also as one of many, I got extra hyped when I saw Team 5 finally decided to give Priest a win-condition.

Darkbishop Benedictus starts you off in Shadow mode if your deck only contains Shadow spells, effectively turning you into Hunter. With the added possibility of targeting minions, which gives Priest the early survival it needs. However, the added support targeting Shadow Priest, in the form of Psyfiend, Voidtouched Attendant and Twilight Deceptor, did not impress me. In terms of the younger crowd, I believe it to be 'bait'. 

As a deck builder, optimising existing ones, I like to think of decks existing out of packages. For example, Clown Druid consists of the Corrupt package and the Ramp Package, while Control Priest consists of a Control/Healing shell and the N'Zoth package. With that in mind, I sought after a package to combine with the Shadow package, and to my honest surprise, the meme-like Corrupt package features only Shadow spells.

General gameplan

And with the above, a new optimisation of an existing archetype is born. It's completely possible it's a big meme, I have no idea. But I did play with Corrupt Priest for the past months, and it's not all that bad. And with the stronger inclusions that come with United in Stormwind, it might be all it needs to become semi-viable.

The general gameplan is pressure on board into a potential burst with Y'Shaarj, the Defiler and N'Zoth, God of the Deep. I like to think of playing decks is like going through a few phases. Please note that every deck requires 'on-your-feet-thinking', in case of bad draws for example. In general however, I like to think of this deck playing out in these phases:

1. Early board development;
2. Controlling their board with your HP and your own minions;
3. Discounting Corrupt(ed) cards or reactivity;
4. Big boys;
5. Burst with Y'Shaarj and N'Zoth.

Key cards and choices

As said above, the deck is built out of 2 packages. If you plan on playing this deck, I would recommend using all of the cards in those packages. Cards not listed are not must haves by default, and can be swapped out for other cards of the same power-level.

Corrupt Package

• Dark Inquisitor Xanesh
• Insight
• Auspicious Spirits
• Y'Shaarj, the Defiler
• Fleethoof Pearltusk
• Fairground Fool

Shadow Package

• Darkbishop Benedictus
• Shadowcloth Needle
• Palm Reading
• Void Shard
• Soul Mirror

Again, cards not mentioned here can potentially be swapped out. The only exception to that rule might be N'Zoth, God of the Deep, as he poses a potentially extra win condition. As for some of the cards of the new set that you might be eager to try out, I have put some serious thought into including them or not.

• Psyfiend - I just don't believe in this card for this particular deck. It relies on a more Spell-heavy build, which I specifically did not want for Priest.
• Voidtouched Attendant  - Very specific reason for not including, and it's Hunter. I just think it's going to bite us in the ass when they get there HP online for 0. 
• Twilight Deceptor - This might be swapped in for Circus Medic after some play-testing, but for now, I don't see it being that good.
• Call of the Grave - Cool card, might test with it a bit. But I typically see us doing other things instead. It could be nuts with Lightshower Elemental though.

Closing statement

Obviously we have no idea what the new meta will be like. But I did make my own assumptions as to what decks might become prevalent in the first week. Namely Pirate Quest Warrior and Spell Quest Hunter, both of which will have problems dealing with big boards. The all-remaining question will be: will the meta be semi-slow enough for this deck to work?

Let us find out!