# 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:** 69
**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:** [January 30, 2016, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1361 "2016-01-30T09:59:33Z")
Finally pulled off a decent arena run… 11 wins with a rogue deck, and I have _no idea_ why. Abusive Sergeant Buccaneer x 2 Zombie Chow Betrayal Blade Flurry Eviscerate Defias Ringleader Nerub’ar Weblord Patient Assassin Ship’s Cannon Undercity Valiant x 2 Fan of Knives Harvest Golem Ogre Brute x 2 Silent Knight Tinkertown Technician Tinker’s Sharpsword Oil Kezan Mystic Tomb Pillager x 2 Dark Iron Skulker Recruiter Shado-Pan Rider x 2 Force-Tank MAX North Sea Kraken Frost Giant I honestly cannot say why this deck worked as well as it did. I mostly got the board and kept it, often cementing my lead with the help of a turn 4 Shado-Pan rider (probably either that or Tinker’s Oil was the deck MVP). But can someone help me out here? I just really don’t get why this deck works as well as it did. I feel like I’ve piloted _way_ better decks to far lesser victories. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1362 "2016-01-30T18:21:35Z")
Well, that’s 3 really amazing 1-drops, especially against classes other than rogue/druid/mage. Buccaneer turn 1 is close to unbeatable for a lot of decks. You’ve got three decent answers to a weenie rush, three very good late-game cards (giant, kraken, max), and basically all of your cards except the weblord are good. (Patient assassin isn’t normally a great card, but it covers one of the weaknesses of rogue, which is monsters that are too big for you to want to knife down). ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1363 "2016-01-31T10:04:17Z")
Yeah, you have the typical rogue early game curve, which aims to get tempo and not give it up, board clear to back that up and just enough but good late game. I’ve taken significantly weaker decks to 12. The only way the deck would be better is if you had backstab and maybe an assassinate/sap. ETA : Tom he has four great one drops. Two buccaneers, abusive and chow ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1364 "2016-01-31T10:25:41Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > ETA : Tom he has four great one drops. Two buccaneers, abusive and chow I assume his meaning was that Abusive Sergeant is a good card, but not as a 1-drop. It gets more value if you can use it as a combo enabler or buff card than if you just play it as a 2/1 on turn 1. ---
**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:** [January 31, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1365 "2016-01-31T18:23:40Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > I assume his meaning was that Abusive Sergeant is a good card, but not as a 1-drop. It gets more value if you can use it as a combo enabler or buff card than if you just play it as a 2/1 on turn 1. And with the possible exception of the Chow his one drops are pretty good filler/curve smoother cards. This is not a deck that hangs any mana. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1366 "2016-01-31T21:14:40Z")
I just crafted the last few cards I needed for Oil Rogue. It’s a fun deck, but my god is it hard to play! Every time I get into a game with it I feel like my brain is going to explode. ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1367 "2016-01-31T22:32:40Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Yeah, that’s precisely why this brawl is shit. I can name two turn 2 kills off the top of my head - Alexstraza into Malygos, Soulfire, Coin, Soulfire and Onyxia into Alexstraza, Cenarius - and what they have in common is that they are entirely Legendary-based strategies. I grant you that there are some superawesome combos, but I will take the reliability of cheap decks over taking chances to draw into one of those combs. And if my opponent did sacrifice kittens to the deck gods to draw into it, I know it will be over quickly and I can try again in two minutes. The warrior deck I’m running has one elite (Elise Starseeker, because shes simply fun) and two purples (Shade of Naxxramas). Both are adventure cards, so they can be fairly easily and consistently obtained. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1368 "2016-01-31T22:34:42Z")
This brawl has me much more frustrated with mages than with any specific cards. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2016, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1369 "2016-02-01T00:08:52Z")
> [@Trepa\_Mayfield](#): > > I just crafted the last few cards I needed for Oil Rogue. It’s a fun deck, but my god is it hard to play! Every time I get into a game with it I feel like my brain is going to explode. Yeah, it’s a hard deck to play. I stalled out at rank 8 mid month and never pushed past rank 8 with Oil Rogue. Guess I’m still not smart enough to play this deck 😛 ---
**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:** [February 1, 2016, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1370 "2016-02-01T09:39:06Z")
Hit rank 9 with my Dragon Priest deck in January, so that’s pretty good. It’s still a woefully inconsistent deck, though. 😕 There are a lot of games that see me playing nothing until turn 3, and a few that see me playing very few creatures until turn 5 - not great for a tempo deck. I feel like I need more card draw, or maybe just 4 Northshire Clerics. :V @Tom/blyd: apparently I’ve been underestimating early-game board dominance. Which is funny, because my last run was with Shaman and I got completely stomped by early-game board dominance three times in a row. 😃 I’ll have to keep that in mind while drafting. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2016, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1371 "2016-02-02T00:53:26Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Hit rank 9 with my Dragon Priest deck in January, so that’s pretty good. It’s still a woefully inconsistent deck, though. 😕 There are a lot of games that see me playing nothing until turn 3, and a few that see me playing very few creatures until turn 5 - not great for a tempo deck. I feel like I need more card draw, or maybe just 4 Northshire Clerics. :V > > @Tom/blyd: apparently I’ve been underestimating early-game board dominance. Which is funny, because my last run was with Shaman and I got completely stomped by early-game board dominance three times in a row. 😃 I’ll have to keep that in mind while drafting. Huh. That’s kind of odd. Dragon Priest runs LOADS of early drops - 2 Twilight Whelp, 2 Northshire, 2 Wyrnrest Agent, 2 Museum Curator. I did find myself only being able to drop Blackwing Tech or Dark Cultist as my first minion some games, but it’s mostly ok, and I certainly wouldn’t call it most games. Are you running museum curator? It’s actually a really good card for dragon priest, especially if you’re also running brann. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1372 "2016-02-02T05:31:22Z")
I don’t do arena all that often, and my highest run so far has only been 8 wins. But now I’m in a run where so far I’m **8-0** with a Paladin deck! Last 2 games were super intense where I was in a position that the opponent had low health but board dominance, and I was very likely to lose but drew _exactly_ the card I needed on the last round to cinch the win (Consecration the first time, Hammer of Wrath the second time). I’m nervous about playing further because I just know I’m somehow going to screw it up and probably lose the next 3 in a row. Think I’ll just bask in the glory of it for tonight and resume the run tomorrow. 🙂 ---
**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:** [February 2, 2016, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1373 "2016-02-02T07:35:40Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > Huh. That’s kind of odd. Dragon Priest runs LOADS of early drops - 2 Twilight Whelp, 2 Northshire, 2 Wyrnrest Agent, 2 Museum Curator. I did find myself only being able to drop Blackwing Tech or Dark Cultist as my first minion some games, but it’s mostly ok, and I certainly wouldn’t call it most games. Are you running museum curator? It’s actually a really good card for dragon priest, especially if you’re also running brann. I’m not running Curator or Brann, actually. My problem is often that I feel uncomfortable dropping Twilight Whelp without another dragon (because if get that Wyrmrest Agent, I will feel very silly). I would make room for Curator, but I don’t know what to cut for it. 😕 Maybe one of my countless anti-control tools? Hm… I’ll post my list when I get home. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1374 "2016-02-02T08:47:51Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > I don’t do arena all that often, and my highest run so far has only been 8 wins. But now I’m in a run where so far I’m **8-0** with a Paladin deck! Last 2 games were super intense where I was in a position that the opponent had low health but board dominance, and I was very likely to lose but drew _exactly_ the card I needed on the last round to cinch the win (Consecration the first time, Hammer of Wrath the second time). > > I’m nervous about playing further because I just know I’m somehow going to screw it up and probably lose the next 3 in a row. Think I’ll just bask in the glory of it for tonight and resume the run tomorrow. 🙂 Something that may help is to _expect_ good cards and plays from the opposition when you’re 8-0. At lower win levels I’ll often take greater risks against the opponent having board clears and good cards. At 8-0 I take it almost for granted that rogues will have backstabs, mages a flamestrike, paladins a shielded mini-bot opening etc. It can help choose between alternative plays. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2016, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1375 "2016-02-02T09:44:20Z")
So something weird is happening. I’m playing Raptor Rogue, and somehow I’m streaking up the ranks. Like, I’m sitting on rank 12 right now, and still streaking. Raptor rogue is like secretly OP in this meta or something? ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1376 "2016-02-02T20:23:28Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > Don’t worry, I just crafted him so the nerf is sure to be coming in the next month or so. Well, maybe not in a month, but looks like I called it: he’ll be unavailable for play except in “Wild” mode, which is sure to begin dropping down on the curve soon after the new modes are released. > **[A New Way to Play](https://hearthstone.blizzard.com/en-us/news/19995505)** > > We’re introducing formats to Hearthstone! Whether you’re just getting into Hearthstone or you’re a seasoned veteran, the new Standard format will help keep Hearthstone fresh, exciting, and accessible for years to come, while the Wild format will... ---
**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:** [February 2, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1377 "2016-02-02T20:25:49Z")
New [playmode](http://us.battle.net/hearthstone/en/blog/19995505) for Hearthstone on the way! They’ll be rotating out old adventures/expansions every year starting this spring in the new ‘Standard’ ranked play (‘Wild’ ranked play with all expansions will still be available). This year Naxx and GvG will be rotated out. Imagine a ladder with now Zombie Chow, Mad Scientist, or Dr Balanced! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1378 "2016-02-02T20:47:18Z")
> [@The\_Lurker\_Above](#): > > Imagine a ladder with now Zombie Chow, Mad Scientist, or Dr Balanced! :eek: What difference does it make, if they’re going to keep making the same stupid mistakes and not fix them? And whatever idiot decided old adventures should not be available for purchase should be shot. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1379 "2016-02-02T20:52:25Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > So something weird is happening. I’m playing Raptor Rogue, and somehow I’m streaking up the ranks. Like, I’m sitting on rank 12 right now, and still streaking. Raptor rogue is like secretly OP in this meta or something? Anything fast and aggressive is generally good near the start of the season. Lots of people trying out experimental stuff that may fall prey to a simple deck with a lot of stick, obnoxiously high-damage midrange minions. I just went from 19 to 13 on a streak with my Mech Mage build. Got like 2-3 wins against Secret Paladin by just having lethal plus what it took to get around Noble Sacrifice on turn 6. Pretty hilarious stuff. 😃 Btw, any thoughts on Fel Reaver in Mech Mage? I just pulled one, and would probably drop either Loatheb or a Clockwork Knight for it. I know it’s great in aggro druid, but is it similarly good in Mech Mage? It feels like with my strong board position, it’s a bit of a “win more” option… Oh yes, and as promised, my Dragon Priest list. AKA: “What the hell were _this guy’s_ tech choices?!” Power Word: Shield Northshire Cleric x 2 Twilight Whelp x 2 Shadow Word: Pain x 2 Wyrmrest Agent x 2 Shadow Word: Death x 2 Velen’s Chosen Blackwing Technician x 2 Twilight Guardian x 2 Holy Nova x 2 Azure Drake x 2 Blackwing Corruptor x 2 Entomb x 2 Holy Fire Lightbomb Dr. Boom Rend Blackhand Chromaggus Ysera Yes, that Holy Fire is there on purpose. 😃 ---
**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:** [February 2, 2016, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172/1380 "2016-02-02T21:01:50Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Btw, any thoughts on Fel Reaver in Mech Mage? I just pulled one, and would probably drop either Loatheb or a Clockwork Knight for it. I know it’s great in aggro druid, but is it similarly good in Mech Mage? It feels like with my strong board position, it’s a bit of a “win more” option… I ran a mech mage with 2x Fel Reaver up to rank 5 a few seasons ago. They were kind of my win condition if I couldn’t stick all my small stuff. Fel Reavers are an ‘answer or die!’ card and since I wasn’t running any draw or was going to win a long game anyway there was no real downside to the burn. But when you lose with em, you _lose_. > [@Grumman](#): > > And whatever idiot decided old adventures should not be available for purchase should be shot. I don’t know, it’s almost delightfully evil. To craft those old cards cost even more in dust than buying old packs/adventures. Wild is probably going to die in a few years as old players retire and the few remaining old players with ‘complete’ collections drive everyone else away. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172.md?page=68) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hearthstone-thread/687172.md?page=70)