[Legend Guide] Rastakhan Control Mage
- Last updated Dec 21, 2018 (Level Up Nerf)
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Wild
- 19 Minions
- 10 Spells
- Deck Type: Ranked Deck
- Deck Archetype: Control Mage
- Crafting Cost: 12440
- Dust Needed: Loading Collection
- Created: 11/29/2018 (Boomsday)
- Hinz
- Registered User
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- 10
- 26
- 35
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Battle Tag:
AyaHinz#4542
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Region:
KR/TW
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Total Deck Rating
165
(Dec 22, 2018) Deck Update - Meta Nerf
I replaced some cards for the new meta and updated the match-up guide.(Dec 10, 2018) Deck Update - Rastakhan Meta Stable
The mata is becoming stable. I further replaced some cards for the change of meta.(Dec 07, 2018) Deck Update - Rastakhan Launch
Introduction of Rastakhan has given this deck more flexibility. I replaced some cards.
Do not forget to upvote this deck if you find this guide useful. Your kind support is my energy to try out new decks and write detailed guides.
(Dec 09, 2018) - Rastakhan Meta Stable
I replaced a Doomsayer with Zola the Gorgon as we have quite a lot of situational Battlecry cards. It could be play on the minions depending on the tempo and opponent's type to get an extra copy. (When you would like to get an extra copy of Ragnaros the Firelord, remember to play Zola the Gorgon on Jan'alai, the Dragonhawk if it is available.) The Match-Up Guide is also written.
(Dec 07, 2018) - Rastakhan Update
The meta is still very volatile with the introduction of different decks. Some notable decks are Spell Hunter, Odd Paladin (...again), Freeze Shaman and Dragon Warrior.I replaced Acolyte of Pain with Pyromaniac as it is of better value and potential to draw more cards. Jan'alai, the Dragonhawk, as expected, is introduced because Ragnaros the Firelord has recently become an Elemental, which would have insane synergy with Frost Lich Jaina. As to fulfil the condition of Jan'alai, the Dragonhawk, I further proposed to substitute The Lich King and one Voodoo Doll with two Spirit of the Dragonhawk, which is also quite useful to play against aggro decks in the early game, draw more cards with Pyromaniac and summon multiple Water Elemental (Yes, it does!!) when Frost Lich Jaina is in play.
These substitutions make the deck even more stronger than it was. I have been reading complains about the difficulties to play against aggro decks, and sometimes you might have nothing to play from your hand - these have been all solved! With the aid of Spirit of the Dragonhawk and Pyromaniac, you can now control the board against aggro opponents. The average mana cost is also reduced which means you can play more cards in early turns. In the past, if you have noting to play, you may just ping your opponent, but now you can stake your damage to fulfil the battlecry condition of Jan'alai, the Dragonhawk.
I have been having very high win rate with this deck, from R4 to Legend this season. The idea of this deck is to control the board by your early clears and hard removals to survive until late game. Once you play the key cards in the late game, you will beat your opponent in or near fatigue stage. This deck is superior in most of the match-ups as there are counters towards those top-tier decks. The cards are concisely categorized into the following functions.
Board Clear
- Doomsayer - Play early to keep safe until you can play the following spells.
- (*) Daring Fire-Eater - To kill minions in the early game or stack for Ragnaros the Firelord. You can also summon Water Elemental when Frost Lich Jaina is in play.
- Dragon's Fury - Remember to use before your other spells are drawn.
- Blizzard - Play if you have no other options, or followed by other removals next turn.
- Flamestrike - Deal 4 damages to all enemy minions.
- Baron Geddon - If you play after Frost Lich Jaina is in play. It could heavily heal your hero.
Hard Removal
- Voodoo Doll - Play when Frost Lich Jaina is in play to give you a Water Elemental.
- Polymorph - Frost Lich Jaina is in play to give you a Water Elemental and rule out the chance that your opponent resurrects it.
When you have both, you are advised to play Polymorph because Voodoo Doll can be played with less mana and on elusive minions. However, Polymorph can bypass the Deathrattle effect of minions.
Deck Filter
- Raven Familiar - To draw a spell in the early game. You can replace this card with Doomsayer and Voodoo Doll.
- (*) Pyromaniac - Card-drawing tool with 3/3/4 value (much better than 3/1/3). Value of this card can be magnified by Spirit of the Dragonhawk.
Anti-Deck
- Gluttonous Ooze - It is a very strong card to play against Druid, Rogue and Warrior. See Match-Up section below to know more about how to play this card.
- (*) Zola the Gorgon - You can play this card for an extra copy of your minion on the board, depending on the situation. You can always copy a Doomsayer or Stonehill Defender to survive against aggro decks. When you would like to get an extra copy of Ragnaros the Firelord, remember to play Zola the Gorgon on Jan'alai, the Dragonhawk if it is available.
- Stonehill Defender - Save your life in the early game. It could also be very useful if you discover some overpowered cards like The Lich King in the late game.
- (*) Arcane Keysmith - It is a very strong card to play against a lot of meta decks. See Match-Up section below to know more about how to play this card. Splitting Image is discoverable in Rastakhan.
Key Card
- Arcane Artificer - Armor up your hero into late game.
- (*) Jan'alai, the Dragonhawk - You can stake your damage by pinging your opponent in the early game. With Spirit of the Dragonhawk or Daring Fire-Eater, you can stake faster. Please note that Ragnaros the Firelord is an elemental.
- Dragoncaller Alanna - Provide stressful board for your enemy in the late game, especially during fatigue stage.
- Frost Lich Jaina - This deck would be meaningless without this card.
Match-Up (Last Updated: Dec 22, 2018)
If you play this deck for a long time, you will find that there are counters towards each top-tier deck.
- Malygos / Togwaggle / Taunt Druid
You can always use your Gluttonous Ooze for Twig of the World Tree to prolong your opponents' time for their combo. You are advised to put early board pressure to your opponent.
(1) For Malygos Druid, you can use your Arcane Keysmith to discover Explosive Runes for Flobbidinous Floop, and Counterspell for Malygos.
(2) For Togwaggle Druid, you can use your Arcane Keysmith to discover Frozen Clone, Counterspell and Mana Bind for King Togwaggle.
(3) For Taunt Druid, Polymorph and Counterspell can dilute your opponent's chance to resurrect a Hadronox by Witching Hour. Polymorphing the big taunt minions can also prevent them being summoned by Hadronox Of course, you can store your board clears in case they are lucky enough to resurrect the Hadronox. - Deathrattle Hunter
Simply control the board and Polymorph the Deathrattle cards of your opponent. - Spell Hunter
Utilize your Dragon's Fury for the Spellstone. You will usually have to survive the early game and defend your opponent until they were killed by fatigue. However, you could replace some removals with card like Astromancer, Pyros, Pyroblast or any early minions that could control the board. - Zoo / Discard / Even Warlock
(1) For Zoolock and Discard Warlock, mulligan for the early drops.
(2) For Even Warlock, do not overdraw your deck. Keep a buffer of three more cards than your opponent to survive in the fatigue stage. - Mecha'thun Decks
Do draw your deck quickly to find the card you need as follow.
(1) For Priest, you will notice that they will draw up their deck and start their OTK combo when they have 5 cards left in their hand. When your opponent has 5 cards in hand and no card in their deck, play Arcane Keysmith to discover Explosive Runes for Reckless Experimenter.
(2) For Warlock, play Arcane Keysmith to discover Counterspell for Bloodbloom when their deck is empty and both Galvanizer are played.
(3) For Warrior, play Arcane Keysmith to discover Counterspell when their deck is empty. - Resurrect Priest
Simply Polymorph Malygos and Prophet Velen and play Arcane Keysmith to discover Counterspell when you feel that your opponent's combo is ready. - Control Mage
Do not overdraw and be cautioned of the cards your opponent has not played. - Other Aggro and Mid-Range Decks
Survive in the early game by board removals and mid game by hard removals. If you reach late game, the game will be yours. Arcane Artificer would be a good companion. You can also consider replace a Voodoo Doll with Doomsayer. When you play Stonehill Defender, remember to discover the minions that are the most essential in the situation but not the strongest.
Hi Smiley,
Thank you for supporting. Please consider replacing them with Sindragosa or Lich King.
Hinz :)
Thanks, btw ive been using this deck for a while and pushing through ranks fast so thank you! Im even beating druids :)))))))
fucking druids
Thanks Hinz, btw whats your twitch i might watch you sometime.
The Baku deck is absolute trash. Half the amount of aoe spells for 1 extra hero power damage, which does absolutely nothing in control match ups as you want to play Jaina ASAP anyway. On top of that no skulking Geist means Druid also wrecks you.
I really want to ask him to show me how to play against druid by using Baku deck.
trash without baku
sure thing... a control deck is trash without 2 dmg ping...
back to Rank 50 face hunter
Yeah lol, funny deck!
Have you considered Doomed Apprentice as a possible card to deal with Spell Hunter? I've been having rather solid success with the card myself. It buys you a turn so you're closer to your deck coming online.
Which card did you change out for apprentice?
Having a great time with this deck. Currently 10-2 on ladder with the losses being to a spell hunter and da undatakah taunt druid.
Any idea how to handle taunt druid? It's so strong now.
Thanks for posting this list, mage is one of my least played and this is the most fun I've had with the class.
Do you mean Taunt Druid with Hadronox or Taunt Druid with Power of the Wild (Token Taunt Druid)?
For Hadronox Druid, I guess Polymorph is devastating them already. Remember to leave your Polymorph for Lich King, Oondasta and Hadronox. Then when they resurrect a beast, the chance of resurrecting a Hadronox will be halved or 1/3-ed, and even if they could resurrect Hadronox, they cannot summon Lich King again.
And as for Spellhunter, I guess I would have to propose some card substitution to play against them given it is the most popular and strongest deck in the current meta.
Thank you for your support!
Hinz
Thanks for the reply,
hadronox is the one I was referring to, sorry for being unclear
But after playing a bit more last night and facing a couple more druids I started to get it together just needed to be even more patient and save those polymorphs as you said lol. Token druid is easy enough with all the removal in this deck.
Spell Hunter still seems like it may just be a tough matchup in general. But i have managed to edge out a some wins so it is possible. Unsure what would be the most viable sub to help tbh.
Thanks again for the awesome deck.
I love this deck, my kind of style, even though i'm playing at rank 20 or so people are still bringing control decks, most interesting matches. I rarely get to use Allana, either too slow or waiting for enemy to drop heavy aoes. Against aggro decks I tend to keep arcane artificer, helps a lot mid game. Keep updating deck, wanna see how well can this deck evolve, cheers.
Hi Teddy,
Thank you for your support. I think Allana is excellent in or near the fatigue state when we play against control decks. Or in some situations, you feel your opponent is going to OTK you soon and you can play Allana to attempt a final attack. I will update the deck as to follow the meta :)
Hinz
Hello Gabilack28,
It is true that in Hearthstone there is a high-expectation-of-losing situation to all decks. This deck works against every deck except Combo Shaman and Spellhunter. Unfortunately, Spellhunter is currently high on the meta, I am still pondering the way to play against it. One of the most feasible solutions is to replace some removals with minion drops such that we could control the board and deal more damage during early turns. I would suggest Astromancer, Pyros and Pyroblasts in this situation.
Hope this helps you!
Hinz
Have you tried astromancer with this version? It’s such a good card that I’m tempted to take some aoe out for it.
Zola is also pretty amazing here as you can normally copy Dragonhawk which is a serious threat.
True. Zola can also copy Ragnaros in the late game or Stonehill against aggro. I would assess the feasibility of replacing any card in this deck in the next update. Thank you so much Hearthbeat :)
Hinz
Need a replacement for Spirit of the Dragonhawk I think they are situational and overall weak. Any sugestions ?
Hi Metallixro,
Please try Daring Fire-Eater as suggested by buddy Polynucleotid. Hope this helps you!
Hinz
Yay I'm upvote 100!!!