(Budget) Zad + Combo - Legend Grinder - Guide

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(Budget) Zad + Combo - Legend Grinder - Guide

Last updated Jul 23, 2015 (Blackrock Launch)
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Wild

19 Minions
11 Spells

Deck Type: Ranked Deck
Deck Archetype: Unknown
Crafting Cost: 1900
Dust Needed: Loading Collection
Created: 6/27/2015 (Blackrock Launch)

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wingsofwaxiii
Deck Architect
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Battle Tag:

WingsOfWax
Region:

US
Total Deck Rating

7351

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Druid Cards (17)

Name	Cost
Innervate × 2	0
Wild Growth × 2	2
Wrath × 2	2
Savage Roar × 2	3
Swipe × 2	3
Keeper of the Grove × 2	4
Force of Nature × 1	5
Druid of the Claw × 2	6
Ancient of Lore × 2	7

Neutral Cards (13)

Name	Cost
Acidic Swamp Ooze × 1	2
Earthen Ring Farseer × 1	3
Shade of Naxxramas × 2	3
Kezan Mystic × 1	4
Sen'jin Shieldmasta × 2	4
Loatheb × 1	5
Sludge Belcher × 2	5
Sunwalker × 2	6
Kel'Thuzad × 1	8

Latest Changes - Jun 27, 2015

Hey there everyone!

I am a 14x Legend Player with 2x Top 100 finishes who goes by the battletag WingsOfWax or WingsOfWaxIII on other social media (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Twitch, and YouTube).

If you enjoyed the decklist/guide don't forget to +1. It's the easiest way to say thank you!

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Currently I will be starting up a series of guides to help newer or budget players develop decks that can be purchased for under 2,000 Dust each (also Requires Naxxramas Unlocked) and compete with the current Meta enough to help you achieve your goal of High Ranks or even Legend.

As of right now, these are the guides I have available:

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**Budget not a problem? Check out the original deck list at: http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/267362-zad-combo-druid-legendary-deck

Along with this deck list, I have wrote up a small guide to help any new players understand how to choose Mulligans/Opening-Hands, Play-style, and adapting to your current Meta.

Here is a "Rough" Guide to help you on your quest to Ranking Up/Legend

Mulligans/Opening Hand Keepers:

Vs Warriors - 2x Innervate, 1x Wild Growth, Acidic Swamp, 2x Shade of Naxxramas, Earthen Ring Farseer, and 2x Sen'jin Shieldmasta. (If Wild Growth or Innervate = Yes: 1x Loatheb, 1x Druid of the Claw, and 1x Sludge Belcher)

Vs Mages - 2x Innervate, 1x Wild Growth, Acidic Swamp, 2x Wrath, 2x Shade of Naxxramas, Earthen Ring Farseer, Kezan Mystic, 1x Keeper of the Grove, and 2x Sen'jin Shieldmasta. (If Wild Growth or Innervate = Yes: 1x Loatheb, 1x Druid of the Claw, and 1x Sludge Belcher)

Vs Druid - 2x Innervate, 1x Wild Growth, 2x Shade of Naxxramas, Earthen Ring Farseer, and 2x Sen'jin Shieldmasta. (If Wild Growth or Innervate = Yes: 1x Loatheb, 1x Druid of the Claw, and 1x Sludge Belcher)

Vs Paladin -2x Innervate, 1x Wild Growth, Acidic Swamp, 1x Wrath, 2x Shade of Naxxramas, Earthen Ring Farseer, 1x Swipe, and 2x Sen'jin Shieldmasta. (If Wild Growth or Innervate = Yes: 1x Loatheb, 1x Druid of the Claw, and 1x Sludge Belcher)

Vs Hunter - 2x Innervate, 1x Wild Growth, Acidic Swamp, 2x Wrath 2x Shade of Naxxramas, Earthen Ring Farseer, 1x Swipe, Kezan Mystic, 2x Keeper of the Grove and 2x Sen'jin Shieldmasta. (If Wild Growth or Innervate = Yes: 1x Loatheb, 1x Druid of the Claw, and 1x Sludge Belcher)

Vs Shaman - 2x Innervate, 1x Wild Growth, Acidic Swamp, 2x Wrath, 2x Shade of Naxxramas, Earthen Ring Farseer, 1x Keeper of the Grove, and 2x Sen'jin Shieldmasta. (If Wild Growth or Innervate = Yes: 1x Loatheb, 1x Druid of the Claw, and 1x Sludge Belcher)

Vs Warlock -
Opp Kept 2 cards or more (Aggro)?
2x Innervate, 1x Wild Growth, Acidic Swamp, 2x Wrath, 2x Shade of Naxxramas, Earthen Ring Farseer, 1x Swipe, 2x Keeper of the Grove, and 2x Sen'jin Shieldmasta. (If Wild Growth or Innervate = Yes: 1x Loatheb, 1x Druid of the Claw, and 1x Sludge Belcher)

Opp Kept 1 card or less (Control)?
2x Innervate, 1x Wild Growth, Acidic Swamp Ooze, 2x Shade of Naxxramas, Earthen Ring Farseer, 2x Keeper of the Grove, and 2x Sen'jin Shieldmasta. (If Wild Growth or Innervate = Yes: 1x Loatheb, 1x Druid of the Claw, and 1x Sludge Belcher)

Vs Rogue - 2x Innervate, 1x Wild Growth, Acidic Swamp, 1x Wrath, 2x Shade of Naxxramas, Earthen Ring Farseer, and 2x Sen'jin Shieldmasta. (If Wild Growth or Innervate = Yes: 1x Loatheb, 1x Druid of the Claw, and 1x Sludge Belcher)

Vs Priest - 2x Innervate, 1x Wild Growth, Acidic Swamp, 1x Wrath, 2x Shade of Naxxramas, Earthen Ring Farseer, Kezan Mystic, and 2x Sen'jin Shieldmasta. (If Wild Growth or Innervate = Yes: 1x Loatheb, 1x Druid of the Claw, and 1x Sludge Belcher)

Basic Play-Style:

**Plan A is to get a Wild Growth (Plan B is time Innervate based on hand) on T2 and setup your plays to stay on curve (plan out your future turns to prevent missing out on casting a something).

Vs Warriors -

Control Warrior: Try to deal with opposing minions with On-Board minions before using spells. Try not to overextend into Brawl. Ancient of Lore is extremely important late game to help you find your combo or refill your hand with gas. Hold Acidic Swamp Ooze for Death Bite preferably otherwise use on a Firey War-Axe. Kel'Thuzad should be used whenever you can find value from cashing in your minions, try to save Zad for after Brawl if possible.

Patron Warrior: Try to deal with opposing minions with On-Board minions before using spells. Swipe before T8 to prevent Patron issues (use on either Gnomish Inventor, Dread Corsair, Emperor Thaurissan, or any minion you see fit outside of Grim Patron). Try to save Acidic Swamp Ooze for Death Bite to take a Whirlwind effect away from their potential Patron Combo. Combo (Force + Savage) or Kel'Thuzad + Taunt usually wins the game, so try to get your opponent to use their Executes early. If possible, Deny as much Acolyte Pain draws as you can, even if that means using Keeper of the Grove to silence it.

Vs Mages -

Tempo Mage: Try to keep the board as clear as possible. Kezan Mystic is your friend no matter what the matchup. Use Keeper of the Grove to silence Mad Scientist. Hold Swipe for Flamewaker, since this is a Tempo Mage's engine.

Freeze Mage: Build a board presence asap. Try to hold Kezan Mystic for when you can Lethal your opponent, otherwise cast on Curve (with value of course) if no other play. Time Loatheb for when you have a decent board presence and can push for Damage for an additional turn without getting board cleared. Save Keeper of the Grove for Doom Sayer. Try to get your opponent to 1 Life, then pop their Ice Block that way you can Hero Power them on the following turn (in case you don't have Charge Minions or Burn Spells).

Vs Druid - Typically Wild Growth determines this matchup, but Innervate can swing Tempo in your favor. Keeping Shade of Naxxramas stealthed until he can kill a 5-drop or better is usually correct unless you have enough Charge and Burn to start racing your opponent. Kel'Thuzad + Taunt wins games in this matchup frequently. Try to use Earthen Ring Farseer to Heal a Damage Minion for supreme value. If you have combo in hand, try to setup for lethal by turn 9.

Vs Paladin -

Aggro: Try to keep your hand as empty as possible to deny Divine Favor value. Keep your opponents board position clear at all times. Taunts are your friends, Kel'Thuzad seals the deal in the end if a Taunt Survives. Use Force of Nature to clear your opponents board if necessary. If you can get Value from Acidic Swamp Ooze from any weapon, take it.

Control: Use your hero power to remove Bubbles from minions. Try to Save Swipe for Muster For Battle turns. Save Keeper of the Grove for Sylvannas and Tirion, these are usually the only two minions that need to be silenced. Do not cast Kel'Thuzad until at least 1x Equality has been cast. Try to save Acidic Swamp Ooze for Truesilver Champion.

Vs Hunter - Prepare for Face Hunter since Midrange Hunter takes time to kill you and is much harder to prepare for. Innervate is much stronger than Wild Growth, so much that typically I mulligan Wild Growth against most hunters. If you can cast Acidic Swap Ooze for value, take it, otherwise he's a 3/2 that clears a minion asap. You can't afford to take too much damage in this matchup so prevent as much damage as possible. Having a ton of Taunts in this deck tends to be pretty helpful. Using Lore to gain 5 life is almost always correct against Face Hunters unless you are above 15 life and your opponent can't kill you on the following turn somehow. Swipe typically removes Animal Companion minions and a few 1 health minions.

Vs Shaman - Prepare for Mech Shaman, since beating Control Shaman is usually a pipe dream. Keep your opponents minions off the board and develop a board presence. If you can hold a presence on board, you will win the game whether it's Mech Shaman or Control Shaman.

Vs Warlock -

Aggro: Use Keeper of the Grove on either killing a Knife Juggler, silencing a Nerubian Egg, or silencing a Void Caller. Try to setup for Swipe turns to gain an edge in this matchup. If you can survive to Kel'Thuzad + Taunt you will typically win this matchup. This is an extremely tough matchup, but keep their board as clear as possible and try to stabilize with Taunts.

Control: Because this list doesn't have a BGH in it (for budget reasons), you will struggle hard here. Just hope your opponent has Twilight Drakes and you have Keeper of the Grove, that way you can easily deal with one of their large threats. Most of the time, try not to give your opponent Molten Giants + Taunts, hold your position until you can attempt lethal with combo pieces or burn.

Vs Rogue - In this matchup, I try to be as aggressive as possible, while making as many profitable trades as I can. Wrath is for the 3/3s and Swipe is for the Azure Drakes or Violet Teachers (usually Hero Power to finish teacher). If your opponent gets an early Prep + Sprint off, you are probably losing that game. Just try to be as aggressive as possible to get their life total low and hold Druid of the Claw for charge duty later in the game if you don't have Force of Nature.

Vs Priest - This can be a tough matchup, but most Priest strategies are built to defeat Aggro matchups. Rule of Thumb is Keep Opponents Board Clear ALWAYS. Priests can only get value from their Hero Power if you allow them to untap with minions. Play around LightBomb & Shadow Madness since this can end up swinging the game in their favor if you over extend with minions. I typically won't cast a Keeper of the Grove until my opponent gives me a good silence Target (Voljin, Sylvanas, Velen's Chosen Target, etc...) to avoid being blown out by a Cabal Shadow Priest.

Adapting to your Meta:

If Warrior becomes less popular - replace Acidic Swamp Ooze with either Zombie Chow, Mad Bomber, or Ironbeak Owl to help out the Aggro Matchups.

If Mage becomes less popular - replace Kezan Mystic with Chillwind Yeti, Piloted Shredder, Violet Teacher, or other tech cards to help improve matches against your current Meta.

Make other changes as you see fit or if you just have the urge to try something new.

Card Choices:

Acidic Swamp Ooze - This helps have a tech tool against matchups that rely on Weapons to acquire value. Mostly here to help the ever so popular Patron Warrior by killing a Death Bite to stem the bleeding from its Whirlwind effect. However finding value against Rogues, Paladins, Hunters, and Control Warriors also seems to be a bonus.

Kezan Mystic - I feel there will be Hunters and Mages floating around your Meta no matter what Rank you are currently. Kezan Mystic alleviates one of the most broken cards in the game: Mad Scientist. Druid especially has a tough matchup against Secrets like Freezing Trap or Mirror Entity, so having an additional tool to fight these matchups can be game breaking.

Kel'Thuzad - One of the best tools a Druid can use if the deck is built correctly. Kel'Thuzad wins you most games if you get to untap with him in play behind a Taunt. Otherwise he is a tool that rewards you for staying slightly ahead on board. A downside is if you are behind on board, he does nothing for you outside of a 6/8 body, but there are plenty of sturdy minions and taunts to help gain value from Zad.

Sunwalker - Since Sylvanas is an expensive card, Sunwalker is a fine replacement for now. This card is an additional taunt to help out your Kel'Thuzad and be another road block for Aggro decks.

Earthen Ring Farseer - Big Game Hunter would be his replacement, however I'm considering the budget side of things and your dust should be focused more on obtaining 2x Ancient of Lore and 1x Force of Nature to keep this deck as competitive as possible without breaking the bank. Benefits to Farseer include an early minion to cast against Aggressive decks and a heal to gain additional value from a damaged-larger minion.

FAQ:

Q - What would be the first upgrade to this decklist?
A - This deck is lacking in an easy way to deal with Dr. Boom or any large minion, so I feel like Big Game Hunter would be the next upgrade to improve more matchups. -1 Earthen Ring Farseer + 1 Big Game Hunter

Q - Budget not a Problem?
A - Here is my current Druid deck without limitations. http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/267362-zad-combo-druid-legendary-deck

Q - 2k Dust and Naxx? That seems like an expensive "budget."
A - These guides are intended for people looking to spend some Dust/Gold and have the ability to acquire at least the bare essential Adventure Mode, Naxxramas. Budget is much different than F2P, which is why I don't label my decks and guides as F2P to cause confusion. Budget means you are willing to spend a little, where as F2P means ...well....Free.

Videos:

Budget Druid Game play videos:

Non-Budget Gameplay & Commentary (7/22/2015)

Interested in learning more? Feel free to stop by my stream, in which I play a variety of decks and try to help educate players on making better decisions and improving their game play. Here's to hoping this deck/guide is in some way beneficial to your Grinding Experience!