Hearthpwn

I've been using secrets in my highlander mage deck recently too, which I posted about a little less than a month ago, but I' not sure it's the one you say because you are running Kalecgos and Puzzle-box, which I cut for Netherwind Portal and Frostbolt, to better counteract Demon Hunter early on. How have those cards been doing for you?

Ah then it's a different author then since I never changed those. I just enjoy Kale and Puzzlebox too much, win or lose :)

Oh, don't worry, I get it. I flip-flop between having Box in the deck or not. Unfortunately, I don't have enough dust for Kalecgos yet, but I'm glad you're enjoying it! Have fun on ladder!

Hi, I have been using this deck for the last 3 months and even if I have positive win rate it is nowhere near 76%. How can you have such a high WR when legit 80% of my opponents are hunters or DHs which kill me by turn 6?

It feels like it is almost impossible to win vs aggro decks and even vs other kind of decks since you have almost no tempo play (apart from reno).

one sec, trying to add images from Tracker (never added images before)

Ok, I don't know how to embed images.  Maybe I can do it in the deck description

Hey there! I don't have Siamat and Astromancer Solarian, are they replaceable in any way or a must-have? Can I at least only craft one of them? Don't feel like spending dust right before an expansion comes out.

Honestly, bro-- I'm no pro by any means (never hit legend) and you are probably more capable of figuring out an alternative than me, however I can give some insight into how I have utilized both cards and based on what are now about 60 games (my WR is still at 76%) and you can decide if there are worthwhile alts for these two, or if you need to figure out a way to scrounge up dust and craft them. Your point about dust before an expansion makes sense, however, Siamat and Astromancer are pretty solid cards. Without any other considerations, the fact that Siamat can be used in basically any deck makes it a safe craft. If the expansion destroys Mage, well, then the opposite might be true for Solarian.

So, my thoughts on the two cards:

Siamat- I thought I was going to be using this card in the traditional way.  Turn 7, last grasp shot at stopping aggro decks (taunt, divine shield). That really hasn't been the case, however. I've been using this card with most effectiveness when I am preparing to set up a surprise Alexstraza turn, with a threatening board. This has been huge against priests, who think they are sitting pretty at 30 health and only have to worry about me posing a threat on the board, and against Demon Hunters and Hunters after I have been able to put down a taunt or two. So, divine shield and windfury, usually. This has worked to my advantage in more ways than one. With priests I learned that you aren't going to get through them with a traditional game of value trades and board management. I wait until I have a decent board (even better when you have minions on board that won't die to Soul Mirror), I drop Siamat with WF and DS and "OTK" them on the next turn with Alexstraza. Generally speaking, putting a windfury Siamat on board is going to accomplish 1 of 2 things: opponent focuses on it and leaves your already threatening board alive and maintains your tempo, or, an opponent that thinks they're safe in health leaves Siamat up because they think they'll kill you in 1 or 2 turns from there anyway and force YOU to trade, thereby opening the door the the Alexs play. Siamat is more versatile than I expected. Prior to this Mage deck, I almost exclusively used him with DS and Rush, or WF and Rush to clear the board or to clear a high health minion. It worked of course, but it didn't always enable me to keep tempo since after Siamat you only have 3 mana left to mess with.

Solarian- I like Solarian, but I don't think it's THAT strong that I protect it at all costs. So, I like to get it in hand early game to serve as bait- basically, keeping demon hunters from going face for a turn or two.  Same with hunters. Against priests, if I drop a Solarian early I leave him up and try not to play minions after wards-- Priests LOVE to try and trap you with a shadow madness, thus stealing your solarian and popping the deathrattle for themselves. It's a nice, early way to contest Setthek and almost every opponent you play is going to go expend resources killing it, which helps mess with their card options for future turns, and it also gives us a strong 7/7 back into our deck with an RNG, but fun battlecry. The battle cry of the 7/7 has won me a few games with some key frost novas and stuff, but it's not something I try to rely on with this deck. Good card, though..does a job.

Hope this helped provide some perspective.

Dude, i swear i was not expecting such a complex answer! Great insight! Now I feel bad for the time you put into writing this xD.

I'll see how I manage my dust maybe i'll craft them both. If not, i'll try some alternatives and see how it goes. I'll let you know if i "discover" something.

Thanks again!

Nah, no worries at all man. Have fun.

4 dragons only and you have to have dragons in hand to activate 2 cards, i think is not that great, I would rather remove Manasaber instead

Not a bad idea re: Manasaber.  I've gotten some use out of him, but +1 dragon synergy might be nice.

Interestingly, it's been a rarity for me to find myself lacking a dragon as an activator. In the later game, Alexs helps with adding 2 more dragons to hand, and unless I have coin or an active Manasaber, I almost have to always keep one in my hand on turn 10 post-nerf. But yeah, your suggestion makes sense and I might give it a shot.