Hearthpwn

Hi guys, Xaphire here with a new deck for priests, which is amazingly fun to play. 

Use this N'zoth deck to get to rank 5! or read right ahead!

Short Explanation

Right after launch of WotOG a lot of C'thun decks appeared, which made me fall back on control, a way to last all the good C'thun minions such as Twin Emperor Vek'lor, which brought me on a deck that controls the early game, but becomes very agressive later on.

If you find any trouble facing aggro decks, be sure to read what replacements you can take in order for you to let this deck work. This deck is very variable and you can give it your own twist!

- Wild version of this deck below! 
- Updated! Now more viable against zoo and aggro!

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Card Choices

There's a lot of cards to debate about depending on what rank you play, but the ones showed here is what I used most in this exact combination. 

Shifting Shade - Proper 4/3 and one of the only Priests early-game minions. Even without N'zoth in the deck, it applies pressure and it might give you just what you need to push board control. 

Shadow Madness - Because there aren't quite good low-cost minions that suffice against most C'thun decks, Shadow Madness is able to mostly clear 2 minions by the cost of one spell, if played right. 

Wild Pyromancer - Along with cards like Forbidden Shaping and Power Word: Shield this helps you clearing the board in early stages against Murloc Paladins, Zoo Locks etc. 

Acolyte of Pain - As if you are not getting enough cards from Thoughtsteal, Northshire Cleric and Shifting Shade, this guy should help you get a few more. If you feel like you're drawing enough, this one can be replaced.

Entomb, Holy Nova, Shadow Word: Pain and Shadow Word: Death - As you see, I used them 2x, 1x, 2x, 2x. But depending on what decks you face you might switch through these & Shadow Word: Horror. The reason I don't use Horror is because I think SWP can handle it fine like it is. 

Infested Tauren A new, cheaper version of the Sludge Belcher. It gives you a taunt and board stickyness, while this taunt also gets pulled back by N'zoth keeping your other minions save behind him, saving you from C'thun. 

N'Zoth, the Corruptor - Not sure if I need to explain this one.. :)

Forbidden Shaping - Fills up any turn where you don't have a play. Try to use it at turn 8 for maximum outcome. Avoid to use it at turn 10 because of giants and a 6/6 C'thun.

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Mulligan

The mulligan is pretty straight forward. If you can play another minion than Museum Curator, go for that other minion. Museum Curator can help you out with cards you will need at certain stages, which you don't know yet at turn 2.

Overall cases:
Northshire Cleric, Shadow Word: Pain. Acolyte of Pain and Wild Pyromancer is ideal. If you get 3 high cards and one Museum Curator, you can keep the Curator aswell. 

Against Aggro/Zoo:
Wild Pyromancer. preferably Power World: Shield but Forbidden Shaping, Auchenai Soulpriest and/or Shadow Word: Pain are also good. Keep an Excavated Evil for immediate boardclear at turn 5.

 

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Museum Curator choices

I've often seen the question in different topics and decks about what to take. Obviously, it is very depending on what the opponent has, but in most cases, I would aim for these atleast. Keep in mind that they are not only chosen for when you drop them the first time, but also for when N'zoth comes in play. Try to avoid smaller minions because that will make the power of N'zoth a bit worse, eventho it will still be strong.

1. Sylvanas Windrunner 
2. Cairne Bloodhoof
3. Chillmaw - Strong 6/6 taunt, esp. for when N'zoth comes back.
4. Deathwing, Dragonlord. 12/12. Twice. Instaconcede.
5. Shifting Shade. Your first choice if no early play.

 

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Card Replacements

There is a whole lot of cards that can be replaced, some a little bit easier then the others. First, I will show you which cards can be used in this deck, if you scroll down a little you can see which cards are not thát necessary to use. 

Flame Juggler - 2/3 drop that also kills small minions with it's battlecry. Strong versus Jugglers, Tidehunters, Disciples and Zoo lock's Dire Wolf. I would only put this card in if you don't have Forbidden Shaping or Wild Pyromancer. 

C'Thun - Wait, what? Yep. Back at rank about rank 10 I faced a LOT of C'thun decks. After a few games or so, I saw that I kept stealing minions and just rarely a C'thun, which made me put in a C'thun only. Through Thoughtsteal and Shifting shades I fed on their tears. If you run my old deck with 2x thoughtsteal, you can. 

Reno Jackson - No. Just kidding. 

Cards that you can leave out of your deck:

Acolyte of Pain - As said above, you might find yourself some games where your hand is really full. This is absolutely nowhere near a key-card to the deck, so you can leave it out if you wish.

Forbidden Shaping - The one and foremost reason that I included this in my deck is that at some starting turns, either 2, 3 or sometimes 4, I cannot find a proper play. Forbidden Shaping can help me at these times so that I don't just use my hero power to waste some mana. Also a card to help you boardclear along with Wild Pyromancer. Mind you, some minions summoned by it can die right with the AoE of Pyro. 

Herald Volazj - Allthough it can be a key-card to the deck, it is not necessary to have. It's a card to boost the ammount of deathrattle-minions for N'zoth. Sometimes a little bit of a slow play. 

 Justicar Trueheart She makes a good difference against control, but if you're facing aggro it's save to keep it out.

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Video's

Kristophesaurus made a video about the deck, which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMD1UJ7xOu4

Shissan also made a nice video, another link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4To1mQvmySY

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Wild Version

On request, I made a wild deck. I haven't fully tested this yet, but it sure is fun to play! 

http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/533835-wild-xaphires-nzoth-priest

 

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Updates & final things

Update 3rd of May: Took out one SWP for an Excavated Evil, Paletress for Justicar Trueheart. Also trying Doomsayer. 

Update 6th of May: Making a video with explanations. - Still busy with it because my PC doesn't let me really.

Update 8th of May: Saw ALOT of people facing zoo and aggro. I took out 2x thoughtsteal, 1x Cleric, 1x Nova and 1x Cabal, put in 2x Auchenai, 2x Circle and 1 more Excavated Evil. Also -1 Herald and +1 Cairne. See deck revisions if you want the old version(s).

As soon as I've received some upvotes, I'll be explaining you more and even adding some video's as to how to play this deck. 

+10 upvotes: Card Replacements and Explanations
+25 upvotes: Mulligan guide 
+75 upvotes: Extra's
+99 upvotes: Video + How to.

Thanks for the read, I hope you'll enjoy. If there's any questions, shoot!

- Do share your ranks with me!
- Got an idea? Post it!
- Planning on adding me on Battlenet? Please message me first here!