[#39 Standard #14 Wild] Midrange!
- Last updated Oct 3, 2016 (Yogg Nerf)
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Wild
- 20 Minions
- 8 Spells
- 2 Weapons
- Deck Type: Ranked Deck
- Deck Archetype: Midrange Shaman
- Crafting Cost: 4820
- Dust Needed: Loading Collection
- Created: 9/12/2016 (Karazhan)
- Toymachine
- Registered User
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- 23
- 51
- 143
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Battle Tag:
N/A
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Region:
EU
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Total Deck Rating
1731
Update 2: After the nerfs of Rockbiter and Tuskarr that came now I changed the deck a lot. It wasn't just enough to swap Al'Akir with Rag and Rockbiters with Lighning Bolts and GG. Those changes, 1 more Mana Tide 2 less Tuskarrs and Rag instead of Al'Akir made Barnes simply good enough to justify using and I think it's for the better for the current post-nerf Midrange Shaman. Anyways if anyone cares about what I'm using right now here is the screenshot:
Update 1: Just made Legend in Wild too with this exact list, not a single wild card used!
Note: Original list that I 1st uploaded and that I used to climb to Legend had Barnes instead of 2nd Master of Evolution! After I hit the Legend I decided to make this small change and I think it was for the better. Also you will see that I had 58.5% win rate, that is mixed with 30-40 games of Aggro Shaman that had a bit under 50% win rate, so the WR of this very deck should be ~60-62% approx. The deck kept working very good on highest Legend ranks! Entered Top 50 (#39) on Sept 16. Here is the screenshot:
Hey guys,
This season was my 1st season I tried Shaman for real. Played it cos it was non-golden class and I want to make them all golden in due time and it was Shaman's turn now, and I'm surprised that I came to actually like the class. I tried Aggro at 1st but it was weak despite all the salt I've seen how it's broken. I couldn't make it past Rank 4 with it and at one point I dropped to Rank 7, it's simply weaker than most decks out there from my experience (it is quite possible that I played it wrong somehow or that I had too high expectations). It is good to R5 cos of sheer speed, cost and ease of use but it's simply not on par with the others for serious ladder from what I've seen, again might be wrong, I know many of you would disagree. Anyways, I decided to try and play with Totem/Tempo and Midrange Shamans, and after many fails both from netdecks and my own lists, I made this thing looking up to one of Loyan's lists (this is 5 cards different than that, but still worth to mention!). Here is the deck tracker for it to Legend (EDIT: Read note at the beginning of the guide) and screenshots to prove:
*** Right click and open photo in new tab to see zoomed in! ***
Game Plan
This is not an aggro deck, it doesn't even have those 6 mana 7/7 or those spells for face, and it doesn't use Doomhammer and such. It might not even be considered a tempo, but pure Midrange deck and atm Shaman can pull it off successfully thanks to the new cards - Maelstrom Portal and new weapon that is the best Shaman card next to Thing from Below in my opinion and experience - 3/3 for 1 mana if you use it only with spell power which you will usually do unless you need to remove something with 1 health on board which is also fine. You play very defensively vs aggro decks such as Zoo or Face Shaman yet you act like aggressor vs control tho you still seek value which this deck can also pull off thanks to the card draw and hero power that can be utilized more often than with other classes cos of synergies it gives to your deck.
Card Choices
Why include?
Barnes- EDIT: Swapped for 2nd Master of Evolution!- Master of Evolution - very good 4 drop and especially nice on your totems which it will very often turn into 3/2 from 0/2 or if you don't need a taunt it's especially nice on Thing from Below as it will turn 5/5 into 7 cost minion that is usually better. Never use it on Totem Golem!
- Al'Akir the Windlord - Very good finisher, combines nicely with Rockbiter so it can serve as Grom + Inner Rage, yet good card for both control of the board since it attacks twice and for defense when needed since it has divine shield and taunt. I kept Rag at 1st when I copied one of Loayn's lists but decided for Al'Akir at the end and I do not regret either crafting it or using it in this deck.
- Bloodmage Thalnos - Completely unique card with 2 effects both of which you need and use. Be it to add attack for weapon, to increase your AoE which you have 3 of in deck or just as a card cycle. Make this one of the priorities for craft, especially if you enjoy Rogue, Freeze Mage and recently it's even found in all kinds of Druid decks!
Why not include?
- Flamewreathed Faceless - 6 mana for 7/7 without effect seems too much for me, I did keep it at first but it simply always backfired and unless it's T4 and opponent doesn't have any form of defense it's simply a worse card than others. I saw Loyan not using it on stream, give my own deck a try without them and boom it was better. It's very overrated card and it can look OP to new players when they see "4" mana 7/7 but it's 6 mana and it's not so OP as you'd think. Still decent for Face Shaman tho where you don't seek value nor any form of control but just go face asap before opponent gets to do anything. But for Midrange? It's not good.
- Doomhammer - Again, one of the most overrated cards, just like Faceless it is good in Face Shaman cos of Rockbiter combo and pure face but in this slower deck that also has 2 other weapons it's simply not worth paying 7 mana for such a weapon. Again, a good card but not for this deck.
- Lightning Bolt - I kept this at 1st instead of Rockbiter but 1 mana less Rockbiter simply proven better, especially with Al'Akir in the deck, if you opt for example for Rag instead of Al'Akir you might wanna reconsider but in this setup Rockbiter all the way!
- Argent Squire - I used them at 1st but the deck didn't have enough aggressive moment to rush them down so it didn't matter much yet it didn't have enough late game fuel for slower decks, it basically lacked identity, so these little things only good if you go full face - or you can use them instead of Trogg which I wouldn't recommend, but I wouldn't go for 4x 1 drop in Midrange deck like this.
Mulligan
Without coin:
- Tunnel Trogg - Keep always
- Spirit Claws - Keep always
- Totem Golem - Keep always
- Rockbiter Weapon - Keep if you don't have other stuff to fil the whole in curve and remove something on board
- Tuskarr Totemic - Keep if you have a turn 1 at least
With coin:
- Tunnel Trogg - Keep always
- Spirit Claws - Keep always
- Totem Golem - Keep always
- Rockbiter Weapon - Keep if you don't have other stuff to fill the whole in curve and remove something on board and keep always if you have Totem Golem (1st turn coin Golem, 2nd turn Rockbiter
- Tuskarr Totemic - Keep always
- Master of Evolution - Keep vs Priest always
- Azure Drake - Keep vs Priest only if you have 1-2 turns already
Matchups
Tempo Mage - 13-24 (35.1%) - By far the worst matchup but still not worth giving up on. Play around Flamestrike if possible cos they keep it usually in their decks, so don't overdo board too much if you don't think it's absolutely necessary. You must remove Flamewaker even if it looks like very unfavorable trade, it's the card that will win them the game, especially vs board heavy Midrange Shaman like you. The same stands for Sorcerer's Apprentice. You basically play this matchup defensively, try to control the board rather than seek too much tempo/value by attacking to face.
Token/Yogg/Maly Druid - 25-16 (61%) - This is from my experience favorable but not like Zoo or Hunter. You should save Hex only for huge minions like Malygos, 8/8 Arcane Giant, 5/10 Ancient of War, Cenarius etc. Use it only on those or if you have no other way to kill Fandral that is primary target just like Flamewaker is vs Mage - it must die at all costs, even tho it might look like unfavorable trade at first glace, it can backfire and it will if you keep it alive, it's a game winning card that must be removed. Other than that not too many specific pieces of advice, just follow the curve, seek for both value and pressure/tempo and you should win most of these games.
Secret/Midrange Hunter - 48-21 (69.6%) - Second easiest matchup after Zoo/Discard Warlock. You basically counter them, too many value cards yet too much tempo for them to keep up. If it's secret Hunter try to play around all the secrets, for example 1st attack then summon cos of Explosive Trap, 1st attack with weaker minion in case of Freezing, use some other spell before AoE if possible in case it's Cat Trick, summon weaker minions 1st in case it's Snipe etc. Using some sort of deck tracker might help here cos it will automatically write off possible secrets so you don't have to think too much, but it shouldn't be hard and I personally did it without tracker. Save Hex for Savannah Highmane for sure and if you have two feel free to throw one on his Infested Wolf or something else before, but one must be ready for his Savannah Highmane and it's the card that will win you the game most likely.
Control/Dragon Warrior - 29-32 (47.5%) - Both Dragon and Control are not so good matchups. Unlike Aggro Shaman this one basically play more of a control role vs Dragon Warrior, you basically play defensively and clear board whenever you can. Try to align cards for the most value, for example leaving his 5/4 on 5/3 with 1/1 so next turn you can kill it with Fire Elemental that would deal 3 dmg to it and such. Board control is the key here, once they run out of steam you win by far the value game, more card draw, a lot of taunts and buffed totems will lead you to victory. Of course - note that it isn't good matchup but it isn't disaster either, you should be able to get 45-50% with it like I did. As for Control it's a bit different and you should play around Brawl as much as possible (so don't throw down 0 mana 5/5 just for the sake of having it if you know Brawl is coming), use Hexes smart on his Sylvanas and other big stuff and don't trade as aggressively as you'd do vs aggro but rather hit face more often and force him to answer to you.
Zoo/Discard Warlock - 23-9 (71.9%) - The easiest matchup with any deck you choose, including this Shaman. Not a single living deck loses to Zoo anymore and I have no clue how did I face any at all ranked so high. Supreme mystery for me. No comment here, just clear his board non-stop, play very defensively, seek value with AoEs - often leave them in hand for spell dmg bonus or for him to flood the board even more and GG. Of course it's not 100% wr it's impossible but you lose only if he has godlike luck and you have very bad hand!
Miracle Rogue - 10-6 (62.5%) - This is one of the easier matchups and this is the only game where Aggro Shaman is actually better than Midrange - vs Rogue. You basically play classic tempo/value game here, clear things when favorable hit face when not, use Hex on his Tomb Pillagers so they don't get fuel for Auctioneer/Combos and you should be fine.
Midrange/Aggro Shaman - 48-33 (59.3%) - Midrange Shaman is naturally close to 50% and there is not much you can do here, it will go automatically and you will have to answer eachother always so there is no particular gameplan needed. Note that often they use 4x AoEs unlike my deck with 3, so don't flood board way too much, especially if opponent has spell dmg totem! Aggro Shaman is very easy matchup and all you should do is simply keep the board clean like with Zoo for example, you will outvalue him by far and very soon he will be left with no cards in hand, save Hexes for Thing from Below and 7/7 as those are his best minions. You have a lot of removals, aoe and taunts yourself so you will be more than fine vs Aggro ones!
Murloc/Other Paladin - 12-8 (60%) - From 5+ I have only seen Murloc Paladins so I'll comment on them: use Hex on 3/3 Murloc Warleader that buffs other and on Tirion ONLY! Do not use Hex on anything else at any cost or you will lose 100% this game. The only way he can win is with those two cards, and if you Hex them it's GG cos his Anyfin 10 mana won't revive at all those buffing murlocs. it is favorable if you play it like that - otherwise Paladin will wipe floor with you. That's about it, the rest of the game comes naturally, value/tempo game, nice trades face when possible and that's about it.
Priest - Priest in 2016 LUL
Replacements & Options
Al'Akir the Windlord - This is Shaman's Grommash Hellscream and it is very unique card in it's own way yet it can be completely replaced by Ragnaros the Firelord if you already have it. Many players even use it mainly and not Al'Akir tho I disagree with it, Al'Akir does wonders in this deck with 2x Flametongue Totem and 2x Rockbiter. Anyways, if you miss Both Al'Akir and Ragnaros you might wanna put second Fire Elemental as basically 0 dust very decent substitute.
Bloodmage Thalnos - First options that come to mind if you miss this card are another Mana Tide Totem, Argent Squire or maybe even Kobold Geomancer since it's spell power that you use Thalnos for always and kinda decent body. Of course Thalnos is hardly replaceable in it's respective decks such as Freeze Mage, Miracle Rogue and now this Shaman, so consider it one of the priorities to craft, but until then try those 3 options and decide for yourself. I will test the other options myself so I can tell you my personal opinion as well! Also if anyone has idea or another suggestion please tell in comments so we can make the guide more complete!
Good luck and for Doomhammer Spirit Claws!
To be honest, I actually love playing this deck. But I can totally see what you mean. The metagame is so unbearably stale right now, and it's only going to get worse with the balance changes. Thanks for the advise; that was more or less what I was figuring as well.
is Al'Akir the Windlord any good without rockbiter? (considering the incoming nerf, i'd like to craft it, but i'm not sure anymore)
First time legend. Thank you! Deck is really good, I got 59% WR with 1 faseless and Ragnaros instead of 1 Master of Evolution and Alakir.
Crap deck. Gets wrecked by mages and lots of other decks. Cant get past rank 20 with it. Pure bullshit
sorry ur just a crap player im 43-11 with this deck all the way to rank 3 almost legend now learn how to play it before you bash it.
I am a very casual player and I played from Rank 18 to Rank 11 in just a few days. Maybe you just suck with this deck. Try something that goes better with your gameplay style. Also you can watch tutorials online that really help a lot.
I'm sorry to say, but you might have a skill problem, you are at rank 20 so probably a little of a newer player. There is no denying that this deck is top tier. You might just want to spend a little more time playing this deck and reading guides from other players with different opinions and perspectives because this deck is obviously not confirmed best deck because not deck really is and this guide is also not the perfect guide because some things are just hard to explain and are just feelings. What you should mainly do is get some friends to play hearthstone too or make some online friend so you can help each other and most importantly have some fun. And indeed tempo mage is a bad matchup but every deck has bad matchups and the ladder is most certainly not only tempo mage, and certainly not at rank 20.
Update: First time legend! Thank you, Toymachine, for sharing your decklist and for guide!
Argh! Great deck and great guide, Toymachine, but I've been stuck between ranks 2 and 1 for like... 4 days. I got as close as 1 star away, but I'm just not breaking through. Any other tips?
I do not have bloodmage or al'akir, do you think those two will get me past rank 2?
Yeah I use rag, but i guess it's time to graft Thanos.. Cheerio golden yogg!
And why did you choose to not add primal fusion?
The same reason as thunder bluff just without the body OR as an Al'Akir combo, as well as stopping the opponents tempo
Great deck! thanks for posting it and for all your helpful info. Made legend for the first time with the double master of evolution list. I messed up lethal on one game by attacking a taunt minion with my spell damage minion, reducing my spirit claws attack to1. The double masters are fun to play and sometimes make people rage quite if you get an op minion. although, I did get a doomsayer once and wipe my whole board. Basically I made a lot of mistakes, but deck was powerful and still made push to legend.
Started using this deck at rank 3, lost a few games learning the deck and then started going well. Encountered a lot of aggro on the ladder, so switched 2*Thunder Bluff Valiant and 2*Master of Evolution for 2*Flamewreathed Faceless, 1*Lightning Bolt and the second Lightning Storm.
Got to legend with a 30-12 win/loss rate from there, with 7 of the 12 losses to Shaman. Beat all warriors, almost all warlocks, and had 70% win-rate against hunters and a 50% win rate against Shaman. Didn't play many of the other classes.
Started climbing today(i know a bit late) with this deck, currently at 9 and i feel poeple really try to counter this deck. Haven't seen so much freeze mage since start of standard. Still a good list to climb but i could use some tipps against mage in general. ty in advance
Loving this deck. Streaked from 13 to 8.
Control Warriors were a problem for me - so much armor gain. Also other Shamans who got a better start with Trogg / Feral / Totem Golem.
But otherwise, this deck was amazing for me. Thank you!
As someone who's loved Shaman for years, even running it to a positive winrate against Secret Paladin, it's really great to see this. Aggro Shaman is just no fun, and many midrange decks just... don't have the same appeal as the "bad" Shaman decks were in the past. Ranked up a lot with Maly Druid before finding this, and I love it. Mainboarded Flametongues! Crushing boards with Fire Elemental! The fun RNG (as opposed to relying on Tuskarr - Golem) of the hero power totems leading to Spirit Claws buffs! Shaman's back baby!
Just reached legend for the first time, thank you OP! Here is a small adjustment I made and which I think works perfectly well: 1 Harrison Jones instead of Fire Elemental. Good in mirror, good vs hunter, good vs warrior, ok vs rogue.
Got to Rank 5 dude. Vouch deck
season 30 ...