Hearthpwn

Dear Hearthstoners,

 

My name is Phoenix Blanco (EU #22817) and I like playing hearthstone.

Last season I went to rank one playing a variety of Mech Mage, One Combo Druid, Control Warrior, Face Hunter (I know... I hate me too), Mid-range hunter, Mid-range paladin, and some Tempo Mage. 

I am excited for this new set because with new cards comes a new meta and all sorts of new lovely decks. 

Today, 3 April 2015, is the first day of EU BRM laddering for me and I've built a great new deck from an old model; Handlock. 

Handlock died last season because of the prevalence of hyper aggressive decks (MechMage and F. Hunter in particular). However, I believe that with the introduction of the Emperor Thaurrisan, the meta is going to drastically shift to a control format. 

The deckilst I have posted allows for you to deal with aggro decks with sufficient early game presence and then relies on any of Emperor T, Sylvannus, Dr. Boom, Rag, or the 4 giants to win you the game once they have been taunted up. 

The deck has too many cards to silence and is too powerful come mid/ late game.

Mulligans

Aggro

Always try to get your chow, Ancient watcher/ owl combo, or even just owl against hunter, Sunfury P, and Earthen rings against aggro decks.

Mid-range

Against mid-range decks you are looking for the above as well as Twilight drakes or even Sludge belchers.

Control

Against control you want Mountain giants, Sylvannus, and Taunters and even BGH so that you can swing the game with one big play and then you'll be so far ahead that only a lucky brawl or big blade flurry will beat you.

 

Strategy

Normal Handlock strategy applies here. Draw cards, play twilight drakes or mountain giants on turn four. Make favourable trades and then, when you think the time is right, make a big tempo play but putting down a couple of molten giants and taunting or shadow flaming your own Sylvannus to take their Cenarius, etc.

However, another big strategy here is to drop sludge belcher on turn 5 because of his stickiness followed by Emperor T, who will then reduce all of your 6+ cards in hand by one, effectively meaning you are playing a 5/5 for free! Insane!

 

Optional cards

You might want 2 Hellfires and one less of either Dr. Boom or Rag (not so many win conditions necessary perhaps) if you are facing a lot of early pressure. Also you could throw in another zombie chow.

PM me if you are looking for some tips, and feel free to comment if you want advice on card swapping. Keep in mind, if you don't have the giants. Play another deck.

 

All the best,

 

Phoenix