Just played someone who used Brann + Arcanosmith turn 7, then a second Arcanosmith turn 8. While annoying, it established no pressure. He managed to master of evolution one token, but the other 3 were killed for free and did nothing but stall. Even with the absolute best case scenario (brann on both copies, evolving one of the shields) the card did not impress and he still lost. The taunts are just taken care of way too easily, and need to be combo'd with an evolve or a buff pretty much immediately.
How is this any better than Sen'jin Shieldmasta? The 3/2 dies very easily, while the 0/5 does nothing but block one minion since it's turn 4, maybe two or three depending on the matchup. The minion(s) will still survive while Sen'jin actually damages or takes out one or two of them. Anyone enlighten me, please?
The deck is designed around stalling and shenanigans, not value and tempo.
This card takes advantage of other parts of the deck, like Brann, Shadowstep, and Vanish.
Think of it as a 3/2 heal 5. Replaces antique healbot for standard, albeit not nearly as good.
I also run Senjin as a one of as well since it does use Reno as well. Holding stable between ranks 5 and 7.
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Anger is the punishment we give ourselves for someone else's mistake.
Just played someone who used Brann + Arcanosmith turn 7, then a second Arcanosmith turn 8. While annoying, it established no pressure. He managed to master of evolution one token, but the other 3 were killed for free and did nothing but stall. Even with the absolute best case scenario (brann on both copies, evolving one of the shields) the card did not impress and he still lost. The taunts are just taken care of way too easily, and need to be combo'd with an evolve or a buff pretty much immediately.
I'm am playing brann and arcanosmith in my rogue deck and I have a very different feeling. It has won me many many games.
You know rogue's best healing option was Earthen Ring Farseer. While Arcanosmith doesn't heal, the fact that it prevents 5 damage (sometimes a lot more) while giving me board presence at the same time is absolutly life saving, and Shadowstep + Shadowcaster just make things even better.
Arcanosmith is THE card that could push slower rogue decks in standard, or simply make aggro-tempo rogue less terrible against face decks.
Also worth mentioning the taunt token survives most board clears.
Even if Antique Healbot still existed in standard I think I would not remove Arcanosmith from the deck, but add healbot on top of everything. Yes, it is that good, at least in rogue decks.
It is also absurdly good with Sword of Justice, but nobody cares about paladin it seems.
I've been messing around with Savjz's evolve shaman that plays Arcanosmith as a one-of as a break from my normal rogue deck and the card isn't as bad as I originally thought. It's certainly the first card I'd cut from the deck if I had to, but it's not totally worthless in a deck that can transform the 3/2.
I just can't see using it in my rogue though. I play a Mid/Tempo rogue of my own creation that has gotten me to top 50 legend, and while health is a MAJOR problem, I just can't picture losing that much tempo for a 0/5 token. Tons of ways to take out the 3/2 as well, or remove the minions the 0/5 is protecting. I'll probably try it just to see what happens but I'm not expecting much. I'm more excited to try Violet Illusionist, and see if attacking without taking damage on my turn helps me to stay out of the danger zone more reliably.
I can certainly see it being good with Sword of Justice though - a 1/6 is WAY more threatening than a 0/5, especially against something like Zoo.
I'm having good results with this card in reno-mill rogue as a one of.
Anger is the punishment we give ourselves for someone else's mistake.
Just played someone who used Brann + Arcanosmith turn 7, then a second Arcanosmith turn 8. While annoying, it established no pressure. He managed to master of evolution one token, but the other 3 were killed for free and did nothing but stall. Even with the absolute best case scenario (brann on both copies, evolving one of the shields) the card did not impress and he still lost. The taunts are just taken care of way too easily, and need to be combo'd with an evolve or a buff pretty much immediately.
Anger is the punishment we give ourselves for someone else's mistake.