# The Hearthstone Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 28, 2014, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172 "2014-04-28T07:42:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 116
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2301 "2017-08-13T15:36:47Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Do you really need gadget in that list? Almost feels like you could put in the 4-mana ramp dude in his place. I need Auctioneer because he’s the reason I just autowin against control. By the time the game is over, I have drawn my entire deck, and Auctioneer lets me pump out like 5 jades per turn even without Fandral. Maybe I should drop it to one. > [@Aghris](#): > > Just ran into a very similar deck. It was a close call, but in the end I managed to outlast him with my DK Alduin and well-timed N’Zoths and Amara. Well _that_ shouldn’t happ- > [@](#): > > It helped that I pilfered an Ultimate Infestation with the Death Knight card that I got from Arfus. _That would explain why that would have happened_. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2302 "2017-08-13T20:11:59Z")
I’m trying out a farseer evolve deck. It’s pretty fun. Very random and swingy - the obvious RNG of the results of the evolve, but it’s also dependent on hitting 3 cards or you can spend all game with a board full of 1/1 or 1/2 minions. Also whether the opponent can draw their board clear. Sometimes they’re helpless, sometimes a priest pulls out a double shadow word horror when I build my board twice. I’m fine with crazy RNG swingy decks though, I actually like yogg quite a bit. I’m something like 20-4 with the deck so far but I was starting at level 20. Weirdly enough it seems like the competition at level 20 was much harder and more netdecky than the competition is at 19-15. Or maybe everyone is just trying something new now and that’s why it seems different. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2303 "2017-08-13T21:15:04Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > I’m trying out a farseer evolve deck. It’s pretty fun. Very random and swingy - the obvious RNG of the results of the evolve, but it’s also dependent on hitting 3 cards or you can spend all game with a board full of 1/1 or 1/2 minions. Also whether the opponent can draw their board clear. Sometimes they’re helpless, sometimes a priest pulls out a double shadow word horror when I build my board twice. > > I’m fine with crazy RNG swingy decks though, I actually like yogg quite a bit. I’m something like 20-4 with the deck so far but I was starting at level 20. Weirdly enough it seems like the competition at level 20 was much harder and more netdecky than the competition is at 19-15. Or maybe everyone is just trying something new now and that’s why it seems different. I miss pre nerf Yogg. I like high RNG as well. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2017, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2304 "2017-08-13T21:40:53Z")
Yeah, I had some 70% spells deck I would use with yogg that were a lot of fun. This deck has a lot of win conditions, when you’ve got a board full of tokens you’ve basically set the table for bloodlust or evolve working well to win it. The worst is when you’ve got a full board for 4 turns and you haven’t managed to draw any of your evolve/thrall/bloodlust cards. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2017, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2305 "2017-08-14T00:01:56Z")
One nice trend I’m seeing is that aggro deck archetypes are pretty much dead this xpac. I’ve run into only a couple pirate Warriors, and had no problem beating them with my DK Mage control deck that I somewhat haphazardly threw together. Lost to a few semi-aggressive Hunter decks, but I’m pretty sure they would still be classified as “mid-range” rather than “aggro”. Hooray for more longer (but more satisfying) control matches! ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2017, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2306 "2017-08-14T00:16:19Z")
No one has time for more than 5 rounds, game sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2017, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2307 "2017-08-14T01:01:31Z")
On the flipside, I can no longer play on the toilet. I crafted DK Valeera, and I’m enjoying HS again. Fits perfectly into the “controlly” Rogue that I love, and in particular Jade Rogue baby yeeaaaaahhh. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2017, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2308 "2017-08-14T08:28:04Z")
I can’t decide if Nerubian Prophet belongs in my farseer/evolve deck. On one hand it can slow building a board early on, but on the other hand I can wait for it to hit 0 on turn 6 (or 5 with coin) and combo it with thrall to get an instant 7 mana minion. ---
**Author:** ![Aghris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecccb3/32.png) [@Aghris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aghris)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2309 "2017-08-14T14:52:58Z")
I’m rank 10 now with my own crafted deck. Never been this high without a net deck. I’m pretty pleased with myself. I noticed that Reddit is praising DK Hunter and Shaman in particular, but I’ve yet to encounter a hunter, and Shaman only once or twice. It’s mostly Warlocks now, which I beat with ease. Have the others risen so high that they far outrank me now? What are your experiences on ladder? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2017, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2310 "2017-08-14T23:10:04Z")
> [@Aghris](#): > > I’m rank 10 now with my own crafted deck. Never been this high without a net deck. I’m pretty pleased with myself. > > I noticed that Reddit is praising DK Hunter and Shaman in particular, but I’ve yet to encounter a hunter, and Shaman only once or twice. It’s mostly Warlocks now, which I beat with ease. Have the others risen so high that they far outrank me now? > > What are your experiences on ladder? I think Rexxar and Thrall get more discussion because they’re more meme-y with more lol randomness. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2017, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2311 "2017-08-15T07:38:59Z")
So are there any must-crafts this expansion? Lich King maybe? There are a lot fewer neutrals than usual. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2017, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2312 "2017-08-15T07:48:35Z")
I just ran into defile for the first time. It’s a ridiculous card for 2 mana. I’m not sure how they can justify it vs 4 mana for hellfire. The 4/5 5-mana that does 1 damage to all enemies at the end of the turn also seems too good, and the 6/5 5 mana that summons a demon at the end of the turn too. I guess their solution for warlock is to push it towards an impractical disco deck and then give them a few OP cards and hope it makes them viable. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2313 "2017-08-15T15:58:45Z")
Ugh, so close. 11-win Priest run. Draft was really good with lots of taunt and beefy control minions/Free From Amber, plus Mind Control and Cabal Shadow Priest for some key swings. Plus actual dragon synergy, that came in handy more than a few times. First loss was a super aggressive Rogue deck that I just couldn’t get on top of, second was a Paladin with massive value minions, and the last one was a Warlock with way too much removal and a [Necrotic Geist](http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/62850-necrotic-geist) that really fucked me over before I could get him off the board. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2314 "2017-08-15T16:31:47Z")
Also, though I didn’t have any that run, I think [Bonemare](http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/61834-bonemare) is the new MVP of arena. Common neutral at that. Though I’m sure they’ll end up doing an “update” where they nerf its offer rate specifically (I wish they wouldn’t do so much mucking around with individual card probabilities and set rarities more appropriately during the design process. Lots of weak epics in this set, for example). ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2315 "2017-08-16T01:24:40Z")
I’m pretty sure we’ll see Bonemare in a constructed deck by the middle of the season. It’s a really good midrange card. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2316 "2017-08-16T01:57:51Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > I’m currently 6:0 with a Jade Druid variant that plays really greedy. Lich King, double Ultimate Infestation, double Auctioneer, Malfurion the Pestilent… Maybe it’s just lucky openings, but so far I’ve never been aggroed down, and once I hit endgame there is not a single deck in the game that can beat me. The only time it was even close was against a Jade Rogue abusing the “extra card” hero power for more jades, but even then my jades were bigger faster. To be fair: I have not run into Pirate Warrior, traditional Token Druid, or Evolve Shaman yet. Mulligan hard for ramp. > > I _might_ cut the second infestation. I often end games stuck with one or both in my hand. The deck has _way_ too much card draw and reload, and playing Infestation on curve often results in me burning a few cards. However, I’m loathe to drop one, because when you need an Infestation and get an Infestation, you are going to win that game. The value is just way too insane. Thanks for this. I had all of the components except for the Litch King and while I didn’t go 6:0 I did manage to move up from 20 to 13 and I’ve never been higher than 14 before. I think if I get the King I could make it to 10 at least. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lurker\_Above](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@The\_Lurker\_Above](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lurker_Above)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2317 "2017-08-16T04:23:48Z")
I just had the best ‘winning from a really unfavourable boardstate’ [arena game](https://hsreplay.net/replay/CYMF8VrwhXmLZ534Lfg2oV) that I can ever remember. I was 4-0 going into game 5 and I was up against a paladin. I mulliganed my whole hand and only ended up with a Glacial Shard playable before turn 4. And the Pally had his 1 drop :(. Then even tapping twice I didn’t find a card lower than 4 mana. I risked it all on a T4 Arcanosmith; praying to be able to clear/mostly clear him on T5 with my Shadowflame. IT worked and I manged to kill him through a buffed Tirion _and_ a buffed and Redemptioned Wickerflame (T9 came down to the rope cutting me off before my final intended attack, and I’m still not thrilled with how I played it and T10). :eek: I wanted to friend him, and normally would have. But I don’t think he’d be too interested. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2318 "2017-08-16T05:26:02Z")
Anyone else feel that Blizzard missed a good opportunity to add another few tribes to the game. The main one I’m thinking of is undead. ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2319 "2017-08-16T18:30:47Z")
Build-a-Beast is crazy powerful. My miracle rogue deck just won thanks to it. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/2320 "2017-08-17T10:13:13Z")
I’ve gotten terrible at arena lately and I don’t know why. I used to average 4-5 wins a run with 7+ win runs not being uncommon, but over my last 50 I would guess my average win rate is 2-2.5. I don’t think I’ve gotten any worse, so I guess either other players have gotten better or only the players who are good at arena stick around. Any general advice for improving my game? Should I be using one of those arena value calculators to draft? Which one? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172.md?page=115) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172.md?page=117)