It would be used instead of cairne, black knight and even sylvanas in a heartbeat in this meta, no doubts about it too.
This is obivously the strongest 6-drop option in the entire game for an aggressive heavy meta.
While I wouldn't necessarily go so far as to say its the best 6-drop in the entire game, I agree that it's definitely going to be much stronger than most people here are giving it credit for.
A nice alternative to the Unstable Ghoul as the go-to 2 mana taunt. I could see this being really deadly in a druid or paladin deck, with all the nice buff cards.
Hmm, this could be really interesting if each minion on your side could get different effects (as in, one creature might get windfury, two might get taunt, and the other two could get divine shield). Very, very cool (and potentially dangerous) card!
For me, the "core six", based on what have stayed consistent throughout the majority of the seasons, would probably be:
Ragnaros the Firelord (this card will always be a big baddie in plenty of control decks)
Cairne Bloodhoof (just way too sticky of a card to ever be out of the running)
Sylvanas Windrunner (a little more situational, but still a very strong 6-drop)
Leeroy Jenkins (I don't care if it's been nerfed; this card is still the go-to legendary for aggro decks)
Loatheb (a fantastic body for 5 mana, when you add in it's great tempo-gaining effect)
The Black Knight (sure, it depends on whether a taunt-heavy meta is active, but with Sludge Belchers now so prominent, it's hard to deny the usefulness of this card)
I'll always enjoy a good game against Paladin, regardless of the deck. I also enjoy playing Mage, any Warlock deck minus Zoo, and probably Hunters prior to the new Naxx decks. Rogue of any kind is fun (yes, even miracle). Druids that don't rely on the Tree-Ants/Savage Roar OTK are fun to play as well.
Hate playing Priests and control Warrior. Especially hate playing Shaman (worst matchup for Paladin IMO).
I think both nerfs were certainly needed. Was the buzzard nerf a bit extreme? Sure. But was a nerf needed? Most certainly yes. And I'll take an overnerf over a no-nerf any day of the week.
I think it's a fun idea. To those who says the code would be exploitable: what about an algorithm that is constantly changing, rather than a set order for classes. That way, you'll never have to play the same class twice in a row, and it would still be randomized in all fairness.
In fact, deck-swapping could also be implemented without having to exit out of matchmaking. That way, there's even a bit of competitive edge where the player goes, "Okay, so I just played hunter. Now I can switch to my control deck." Or perhaps just have a side-deck of 10 cards that can be switched in and out of your deck between matches, as opposed to selecting a new full-blown deck.
And if you exit out of matchmaking, the process resets, so it cannot be abused.
It's stuff like this that makes me glad I play a control warrior. If more people did, this would change the meta to something else people would find OP and then again and again.... there is always going to be a deck people find to be the most powerful. It is generally the deck that counters the previous "most powerful" deck. Until someone builds a counter.
The Warrior deck is very expensive. That's the reason why although it's very strong in the meta, it sees very little play. Starters always jump between Zoo - Hunter - Miracle Rogue because those are the cheapest decks.
Gotta agree with the OP to an extent. When a player as talented as Reynad is able to create two game-challenging decks such as Zoo and Mad Scientist, it's a bit of warning that perhaps the mechanics of Hearthstone should be tweaked in favor of further balance.
That being said, I'd still rather play 50% Hunter, 30% Priest, and 20% Other than 70% Zoo from pre-Naxx.
Playing Equality with a few minions on your board and following with Kel'Thuzad and ramming the minions into your opponent seems like a great turn-10 combo for Pally. I think he's a much better option than Ragnaros the Firelord honestly. With Tirion Fordring as a massive threat with taunt, I'd say you have all the firepower you need to win late-game control matches.
0
While I wouldn't necessarily go so far as to say its the best 6-drop in the entire game, I agree that it's definitely going to be much stronger than most people here are giving it credit for.
1
Whoops, yeah, my bad. Even better then! I can't really think of a terrible 4-drop. Hell, even the 1-7 Taunt would still be some decent value.
0
Imagine if Leeroy were still 4-mana. That'd be an awesome pull!
This card screams value, regardless. Worst you could pull is, what, a big game hunter?
1
A nice alternative to the Unstable Ghoul as the go-to 2 mana taunt. I could see this being really deadly in a druid or paladin deck, with all the nice buff cards.
0
If Zoo wasn't already in trouble, then this card will certainly be the final stake in its grave.
1
Hmm, this could be really interesting if each minion on your side could get different effects (as in, one creature might get windfury, two might get taunt, and the other two could get divine shield). Very, very cool (and potentially dangerous) card!
0
For me, the "core six", based on what have stayed consistent throughout the majority of the seasons, would probably be:
Ragnaros the Firelord (this card will always be a big baddie in plenty of control decks)
Cairne Bloodhoof (just way too sticky of a card to ever be out of the running)
Sylvanas Windrunner (a little more situational, but still a very strong 6-drop)
Leeroy Jenkins (I don't care if it's been nerfed; this card is still the go-to legendary for aggro decks)
Loatheb (a fantastic body for 5 mana, when you add in it's great tempo-gaining effect)
The Black Knight (sure, it depends on whether a taunt-heavy meta is active, but with Sludge Belchers now so prominent, it's hard to deny the usefulness of this card)
0
I'll always enjoy a good game against Paladin, regardless of the deck. I also enjoy playing Mage, any Warlock deck minus Zoo, and probably Hunters prior to the new Naxx decks. Rogue of any kind is fun (yes, even miracle). Druids that don't rely on the Tree-Ants/Savage Roar OTK are fun to play as well.
Hate playing Priests and control Warrior. Especially hate playing Shaman (worst matchup for Paladin IMO).
0
I think both nerfs were certainly needed. Was the buzzard nerf a bit extreme? Sure. But was a nerf needed? Most certainly yes. And I'll take an overnerf over a no-nerf any day of the week.
0
I think it's a fun idea. To those who says the code would be exploitable: what about an algorithm that is constantly changing, rather than a set order for classes. That way, you'll never have to play the same class twice in a row, and it would still be randomized in all fairness.
In fact, deck-swapping could also be implemented without having to exit out of matchmaking. That way, there's even a bit of competitive edge where the player goes, "Okay, so I just played hunter. Now I can switch to my control deck." Or perhaps just have a side-deck of 10 cards that can be switched in and out of your deck between matches, as opposed to selecting a new full-blown deck.
And if you exit out of matchmaking, the process resets, so it cannot be abused.
Sounds good to me, at least in theory.
0
Uhhh, wait. Where did you hear this? (Not arguing what you said, I'm just curious)
0
Exactly this.
2
Gotta agree with the OP to an extent. When a player as talented as Reynad is able to create two game-challenging decks such as Zoo and Mad Scientist, it's a bit of warning that perhaps the mechanics of Hearthstone should be tweaked in favor of further balance.
That being said, I'd still rather play 50% Hunter, 30% Priest, and 20% Other than 70% Zoo from pre-Naxx.
0
Playing Equality with a few minions on your board and following with Kel'Thuzad and ramming the minions into your opponent seems like a great turn-10 combo for Pally. I think he's a much better option than Ragnaros the Firelord honestly. With Tirion Fordring as a massive threat with taunt, I'd say you have all the firepower you need to win late-game control matches.
0
Hehe... Not to brag or anything, but I'm running all of the Frostwyrm Lair cards.