Hearthpwn

by twitch.tv/DuckWingFace

Meta changes

2 Leper Gnome 2 Defender of Argus
1Leper Gnome 1 Defender of Argus
1 Leper Gnome 1 Polymorph

Source: http://www.liquidhearth.com/blogs/456652-a-guide-to-duckwingfaces-mage-deck

For some time now, DuckwingFACE is playing the above mage list, who went through several changes over time. He reached legend in record time on EU and NA with it, showing the viability of Mage in the current meta. The most recent addition are the violet teachers, who have been flex slots for quite some time - they replace what used to polymorph, Acidic Swamp Ooze, Pyroblast and maybe some other cards during the evolution of this deck. Personally I found violet teacher to be an essential addition, giving a great midgame versus many decks in the current meta.

The deck is fairly budget aside from Thalnos and Antonidas, so I assume most people are interested in replacements for them. I played this list with Ragnaros The Firelord instead of Antonidas, which worked decently well for me, however, it plays somewhat differently without antonidas. knowing that your Icelances can turn into Fireballs lets you use frostbolt more freely as early-midgame removal, the added value to lategame missiles is just as good. Without ever seeing Antonidas it gives the deck quite a different feel. This doesnt mean he’s impossible to replace, but you will need to adapt your play according to your decision. Pyroblast or Leeroy give you more burst, which will help in games where you have to sacrifice a fireball or 2 to get rid of scary creatures. Polymorph works similar, it saves that fireball instead of replacing it later on. Blood Knight would be an interesting replacement if you face a lot of zoo, divine paladins and other bubble-based decks (the 3/3 body is very decent either way and fits really well into the curve!). Wolfrider might be considered as a mini-leeroy without drawback, works decently well as removal too. I have somewhat of an affinity for loot hoarder, however, which would be my personal suggestion as a replacement for the 2 legendaries. A second Acolyte would be a slightly slower approach which wants to get paired with a card that gives you a reasonable lategame. There is a lot of room for personal preference, so pick any 2 of the above cards that make you play comfortably with this deck!

2) Deck Philosophy

As most mage decks in the current meta, you want start the game turn one with mana wyrm and want to topdeck a fireball on your last Turn. This deck is less To-The-Face as the more common aggro mage lists, you give up on some burst potential for a reasonably good midgame, even a dominating one if you got one of the powerful mage starts. Early on, Wyrm and Jugglers are MVP, the synergy with mirror image can be backbreaking. going into the midgame you are able to build a strong board presence with water elemental and if you are lucky enough to have a Juggler survive, every spell will grant you one free knife off of Juggler with the Violet Teacher token. After the Midgame your focus will shift from maintaining board control to actually reduce your Opponents healthpoints to zero. Flamestrike and Antonidas are your only lategame options and should not be counted on - they are there to save you in cases where you are starting to lose board control but dont have enough burn (yet) to close the game out.

3) Match Up Analysis

This is based on personal experience and my own tracked stats (I added the win loss ratio in brackets) during my climb. Please note that decks are constantly evolving and additions and removals to other decklist may greatly impact the winrate versus that decktype. For example would miracle rogue become somewhat easier if they dont run earthenring farseer. If I played less than 8 games versus a certain decktype I will refrain from commentating on that match up.

Paladins (9-0)

There really is not much to say about paladins. the currently common lists, no matter if aggressive or control, have a hopelessly bad match up versus you. Its close to a free win and I yet have to lose to a paladin.

Miracle Rogue (9-6)

Miracle Rogue is a slightly favourable match up, but you do rely on a strong early game. You are the aggro deck in this match up from Turn one. Their early game removal is strong and as soon as auctioneer hits the board the race is on. This means you dont really have time to develop a board and whenever you try expect sap. Flamestriking a concealed auctioneer can buy you a turn or 2.

Handlock (6-2)

Handlock is an amazing match up. They usually take too much damage from their slow starts and tapping, so your spells have an easy time finishing them off. If you established a decent board, you might want to consider playing around molten giants by leaving their health high enough, so they cant play giant and taunt it in one turn. Dont try to play around their hellfires and shadowflames, since you have to expect a quick giant-taunt follow up which renders your board useless anyway.

Shaman (6-8)

The stats for these match up seem closer than it felt. Their only weakness is their lack of heal, however, Shamans board presence is amazing from start to end, their removal excellent. versus shaman its a war of attrition and its hard to get out ahead in this, their keycards versus you are feral spirit and lightning storm, while flametongue totem may screw with your math. You should expect those and plan accordingly.

Control Warrior (0-8)

Your best plan is to never face them.

Druids (11-9)

All druid versions combined its close to a 50% match up. I played druid myself in many variants for a long time and in my experience thats how druid works - they can beat everything, they can lose to everything too. Midrange Druids are the most favourable match up, they arent as explosive as token, yet lack the ancients of war from ramp. Developing and securing a strong board is essential, as your burn plan might fall prey to ancients of lore heals. This is the match up where antonidas shines, their lack of hard removal will at least force a trade in your favour. Keep the Force of Nature / Savage Roar combo in mind when you make your moves.

Mage (7-2)

I played mostly versus Aggro mage where you usually have an advantage through the much higher board presence. Minimizing damage intake from the beginning is very important, in no match up does your life total matter as much as in this one. The mirror comes down to the better draw, there isnt much gimmicky play that can get you an advantage. Having the superior list and the better topdeck skills is what will yield wins.

Hunter (3-5)

This deck has a natural weakness to hunters, since Violet Teacher and mirror image may cause more doggies than you can handle. Try to avoid getting tokens from Teacher when possible if you fear unleash the hounds.

4) Mulligans

You are looking for a strong early game with Gnomes, Wyrms, Jugglers and Apprentices. Missiles are borderline and keeping them depends a lot on the match up and if you have wyrm in hand. Mirror Image is an awesome support card, if you have something to support and/or protect. Its best with Knife Juggler as a turn 3 (turn 2 with coin) play. Everything else I usually throw back, but if you want to increase the range of cards to keep, its okay to keep a 4 drop creature versus slower decks. Thalnos can be looked at as a spell more than a creature and you can mulligan him away too. In short: Get creatures, throw back spells unless that spell is Mirror Image or potentially Arcane Missiles.

5) Conclusion

In the current meta, this deck is a reasonable choice. It performs well in many of the key match ups, but underperforms a bit versus shaman, hunter and is at a “slight” disadvantage versus control warrior. If you see a rise in those decks, you might want to reconsider. Personally I found this deck to be exactly what I was looking for - I mage deck that actually does well and fits my playstyle. Its not the strongest deck in the meta, nor the easiest or fastest to rank up with. Its a mage deck that can compete and has some good match ups in this meta. This deck wont magically carry you to legendary, but if you invest some time and learn to play it properly, you have a good shot of ranking up - and if you dont, you still improve!

Thanks for reading,
JadeSC