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Heroic Chromaggus - Priest's control deck

  • Last updated Dec 21, 2018 (Level Up Nerf)
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Wild

  • 15 Minions
  • 14 Spells
  • Deck Type: PvE Adventure
  • Deck Archetype: Control Priest
  • Boss: Chromaggus
  • Crafting Cost: 5080
  • Dust Needed: Loading Collection
  • Created: 10/7/2018 (Boomsday)
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  • Total Deck Rating

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Heroic Chromaggus - Priest's control deck

Consistency: Reliable (expected number of tries 1-3)

Introduction:

Chromaggus is widely considered to be a very difficult boss and this is certainly true. But I actually like this boss. He has interesting mechanics and unlike some other difficult bosses (I am looking at you, high justice Grimstone) his challenge actually has a relatively consistent solution. Finding this solution, however, is not a trivial task.

Before I made this deck, I tried several other decks and these tries let me understand this boss better. I think I saw just a couple of priest decks with somewhat similar idea, but before I'll explain what this deck does, let me talk a bit about Chromaggus' strengths and weaknesses.

Why this boss is so difficult?

When people create decks for this boss, they mostly focus on countering his afflictions. But I want you to understand, that afflictions is not the only problem with him. In fact, it is arguably not even the main problem. So decks, which are built around countering afflictions (like an average discard warlock deck) will be crushed in most cases.

It is pretty much impossible to beat this boss with aggro because of green affliction, which heals the boss. You MUST discard it and that alone loses too much tempo. Then other afflictions come, and if you will ignore them, then the boss will play his entire hand next turn. You have to be defensive from the start and prepare for a long trading game.

So the main strength of this boss is value of his deck. You see, he has Onyxia, Alexstrasza, Ysera, Drakonid Crushers, some other high-stat dragons. Also some of these cards will be duplicated because of black afflictions. That's a LOT of stuff to handle and don't expect to grab the board fast, because afflictions (and Flamestrike) will not let you to do it. So you will have to fight his high-stat minions.

Discard decks just don't have enough value to overcome Chromaggus' dragons, especially since they will discard their own cards. Maybe Lakkari Sacrifice can help here a bit, but I didn't want to craft it just to try. In any case discard mechanic is too luck based. Half of affictions are not really dangerous, so every time you only have like 30% chance to discard something, that you really want to. That's just not gonna fly, guys. Anyway, value problem actually affects a lot of decks for this boss, so my deck is built around late game value to counter high-stat dragons.

What about Chromatic Dragonkins?

Yes, control uses a lot of spells and these guys are really difficult to deal with if you don't have the board. So, do you need a minion-based defense?

Well, not really. Minion based defense is always much weaker, than mixed defense and actually spells of this deck can deal with Chromatic Dragonkins quite well. Shadow Word: Pain, Psychic Scream, Entomb (bad value choice, but if it is strong already, you may have to do it). Dragonslayers can kill them on the spot. You can mute them or convert with Cabal Shadow Priests. In fact, Chromatic Dragonkins are just as difficult to kill for the boss, so if stolen, they may become a great asset to you.

General strategy:

So, this deck has upper hand in the late game over the boss. But before you can Mind Control his dragons, you have to survive initial pressure, which usually becomes most dangerous around turns 6-8.

Your cheap cards are good at protecting you in the early game. But eventually the boss will unload his hand on the table anyway, so just cast Psychic Scream to reset it. Too bad, I can't include Dragonfire Potion as well, since almost entire enemy army is immune to it. It would be such a great card for this deck otherwise.

Anyway, that's the plan. But you still need to execute it right, and dealing with afflictions is probably the most important part of it.

About afflictions:

You should know what afflictions are dangerous and what are not. If you don't handle afflictions right, then you have no chance against this boss. First five afflictions always come in this particular order. After this they become random.

Brood Affliction: Green - it protects the boss from aggro, but your deck is not aggro. So it can be ignored until you have the board and are going for the kill.

Brood Affliction: Red - very dangerous at all times. Try to discard it whenever possible, since your health is a valuable resource in this battle.

Brood Affliction: Blue - second least dangerous after the green one. It is mildly threatening in the early game and can be ignored in the late game.

Brood Affliction: Bronze - super dangerous in the early game. Discarding it is pretty much mandatory on your turn 5. In the late game, when the boss is playing the top deck game, it can be ignored, since the boss has enough mana for anything he wants to play anyway.

Brood Affliction: Black - this one is bad. People mostly underestimate how dangerous this affliction is. You basically should discard it after the red one (and the bronze one in the early game). It gives additional value to the boss. In some cases insane value (like additional Ysera or Onyxia), so removing it is priority. You may run out of answers, if you will ignore it.

Deck composition:

Your cheaper cards mostly protect you in the early game. Zombie Chow, Shadow Word: Pain for Chromatic Dragonkins, Doomsayer is great for stalling the game and buying you some time.

Radiant Elemental is your way for discarding afflictions.

Dragonslayer is an auto-include for a boss, who has 17(!!!) dragons in his deck.

Cabal Shadow Priest is used for converting Chromatic Dragonkins.

Your late game tools are Free From Amber, Mind Control, Entomb, Obsidian Statue. All of them are very strong. And of course Psychic Scream, which is the key card of the deck.

Mulligan:

Zombie Chow, Mistress of Mixtures, Doomsayer, Radiant Elemental, Shadow Word: Pain, maybe Dragonslayer.

Also I think, that Psychic Scream is so important, that I suggest to keep it as well. I did it myself and I think, that it paid off.

Tactic tips:

If you have a chance to cast Psychic Scream on Onyxia and her brood, then certainly do it. Preferably after killing Onyxia herself. Putting five or six 1/1 minions into Chromaggus deck is a really big deal. It may win you a game.

Shadowreaper Anduin is mostly put into your deck because of battlecry. Don't play him just because you can, since healing is more important in this battle.

At some point you may have a lot of afflictions, so make sure, that you have at least two free spots in the hand in the end of your turn or you will burn your next draw.

Consistency notes:

Chromaggus has reputation of a quite challenging boss. Many people are struggling with him. Sometimes (in extreme cases) for few days. So I am really proud, that this deck is able to beat him in almost every second game.

My final test result is 4 wins out of 10 games. But before I started counting I think I played 2 or 3 additional games with another win.

Keep in mind, that deck's quality is not everything. Proper usage will affect your win rate a lot. So read carefully my comments about afflictions.

Blacktiger's Blackrock Mountain deck collection:

Provided win rates are approximate. They are based on my tests and so partially depend on how lucky/unlucky I was during my testing. Also keep in mind, that you need a bit of experience with a deck to use it to its full potential. So first attempts usually have lower win rates, than suggested in this list.

Check my profile for updates and plans.