GayPirate's Spell Damage Shaman [Legend]
- Last updated May 13, 2020 (Second DH Nerfs)
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Wild
- 19 Minions
- 11 Spells
- Deck Type: Ranked Deck
- Deck Archetype: Midrange Shaman
- Crafting Cost: 5680
- Dust Needed: Loading Collection
- Created: 5/8/2020 (Second DH Nerfs)
- GayPirate
- Registered User
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- 1
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- 20
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Battle Tag:
GayPirate#2407
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Region:
EU
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Total Deck Rating
103
This deck feels like a mix between Aggro Shaman and classic Midrange Shaman. Your aim is to play your massive minions as early as possible while utilizing all the spell damage synergy to activate Arcane Watcher. The insane amount of burst available to shaman really synergizes with the archetype. I currently have a 60% winrate with this deck in Legend.
Against Aggro, you can control board pretty easily (especially if you draw Lightning Storm, but it isn't necessary). Against more control-oriented decks, you can gather enough spells and spell damage to burst them from quite healthy life totals after playing your big minions early.
Core Cards:
Arcane Watcher: a 3 mana 5/6 on curve is just too big for most classes to disrespect, especially with the threat of Squallhunter on turn 4. There are so many other ways of activating it as well (including rolling a spell damage totem), so playing it on curve has its merit.
Ethereal Augmerchant: Allows for early minion removal to play for tempo, and it's the cheapest activator for Arcane Watcher. 1 mana for 1 extra spell damage has won me the game on more than one occasion.
Squallhunter: Remember the infamous 4 mana 7/7? This guy is his little brother, with 2 less damage but much more deck synergy. On the coin? Squallhunter on 3 and Spellbook Binder the turn after. Arcane Watcher on 3 and this guy on 4. Squallhunter on 4 and Serpentshrine Portal for 5 on 5. All these situations are extremely powerful.
Lady Vashj: I'm still unsure what I think about this card. The Lady is okay since it has spell damage, but drawing the prime is insane. There are 8 spells in deck that can go face (and two Far Sights), so getting 3 spell damage on board (which is quite easy after turn 7, especially with Ancient Mage) could mean anywhere from 14 and 23 spell damage as burst. It's not your main win condition by any stretch, but a well-timed Vashj Prime draw can swing any matchup (mainly control) in your favor.
Tech choices:
Lightning Storm: Great against Demon Hunters and Spell Druid. you can also discover AoE by using Marshspawn, which is why I only run one copy. If you are not concerned with aggro, you can replace this with a Cobalt Spellkin or an Earth Shock or something.
Cobalt Spellkin: Rolling Lightning Bolt and Frost Shock really extends your reach, making it better against control. However, this is interchangeable with Lightning Storm if you are facing more aggro matchups. The 5 mana is a bit hefty when you are overloaded all the time, so I feel one copy is usually enough.
Optional Additions:
Rustworn Initiate: Can be played on turn 2 to contest board and set up early spell damage synergy, but I don't like the unreliability of the deathrattle effect. Can replace Lightning Storm, Cobalt Spellkin, or both.
Vulpera Scoundrel: I don't like this card much because I would rather have the decent stats of Marshspawn. However, it is an option you can seriously consider.
Sandstorm Elemental: Not a bad minion, but I don't like being overloaded on turn three in this deck. Could be a replacement for Lightning Storm.
Mulligan Guide:
Against Aggro: Sludge Slurper, Arcane Watcher, Lightning Storm
Against Tempo: Sludge Slurper, Arcane Watcher, Serpentshrine Portal, sometimes Squallhunter and Lightning Storm.
Against Control: Sludge Slurper, Squallhunter, Arcane Watcher, Lady Vashj.
This deck is still in its infancy, so any improvements and suggestions are always welcome!
EDIT:
The list I'm running now is as follows:
-1 Cobalt Spellkin
-2 Mana Tide Totems
+1 Lightning Storm
+2 Escaped Manasabers
The Manasabers are there to provide a safe way to buff your board with spell damage, and occasionally you need that 1 extra mana for lethal. I added a second Lightning Storms for consistency.
Can't get this deck to work either. Come to think of it, all shaman decks I've tried aren't doing well at all. It's fun to play, but not that fun.
If you can't get any deck to work, are you sure it's the deck that's the problem? ;)
I did not say "any" deck, I said "all shaman decks". I did say it was fun to play. Thanks for the passive aggressive response though...
Well you did say "this deck" in particular. Thanks for the aggressive comment though :)
seems good for OTK :P~~~
You can use it for OTK, but it's more reliable to win board and constantly chip away at the opponent's HP, playing your burst when you get 2-4 spell damage.
A few changes I've made that I've found to be extremely helpful:
-2 mana tide totem
-1 Cobalt Spellkin
-1 Ancient Mage
-1 frost shock
+2 Unbound elemental
+1 Witch's Brew
+1 Cumulo Maximus
+1 surging tempest
Rationale
Surging Tempest and Unbound Elemental provide a lot more bulk in the early game, and with the amount of overload in this deck are consistently buffed. Unbound Elemental in particular requires the opponent to deal with it, or it can snowball especially if you have it down when Vashj Prime comes around. Witch's Brew compensates for a lack of taunt minions and can frustrate face hunters and demon hunters. Cumulo Maximus is also practically guaranteed to be activated and provides a bit more swing then Cobalt Spellkin since it can instantly deal 5 to face or a minion as opposed to hoping for lightning bolts.
I gave these some thought, but I thought Escaped Manasaber was more versatile. Thanks for the input, I'll give your changes a try :)
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i really cant get this deck to work... can anyone how is successful with this.. post a video?
It doesnt work. But shaman players are despreatly upvoting any deck which gives them a glimpse of hope.
It works to some extent, maybe you don't have the capacity to pilot it.
You have to balance your burst and minion damage. Whenever you get enough spell power on board, try and go face with your spells while pushing as much minion damage as possible. Against control classes you need Lady Vashj (or running Jepetto Joybuzz might be an option for control matchups), and against aggro you need to focus on minions sticking.
So then i guess this is a Spell Damage Burn Shaman?
Edit: also is there any replacement for Lady Vashj? I know you put it as a 'core card', but i feel its kinda slow in general. I'd like a replacement if possible, cos I don't want to craft a meh to bad legendary
There aren't any cards like the Lady in slower matchups. Maybe you could try another Cobalt Spellkin, Jepetto Joybuzz or even Malygos or Alextrasa, but they will not have the same impact at all.
hey does anyone know if i can safely replace thalnos and if so for what card
The closest thing to that card is probably a choice between Rustsworn Initiate , Loot Hoarder , Mana Reservoir , Kobold Geomancer or whatever you find works best for you depending on if you're looking for more +spell damage or more draw. Bloodmage Thalnos is one of a kind for covering all of the above!
thank you
Such an amazing and fun deck! Kinda wish I had come up with the idea now, lol. Just wanted to say that I crafted Lady Vashj and the reason for that is not only because of the DR effect but it's also great if you got the coin and an Arcane Watcher, you can coin AW and then play Vashj on the next turn which is an incredibly powerful opener. Again, thanks for the deck idea!
No worries! Glad you're enjoying it :)