Control Priest 83% WR (UPDATED)
- Last updated Feb 19, 2024 (Anniversary Patch)
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Wild
- 17 Minions
- 22 Spells
- Deck Type: Ranked Deck
- Deck Archetype: Control Priest
- Crafting Cost: 16120
- Dust Needed: Loading Collection
- Created: 1/11/2024 (Winter Veil Buffs & Nerfs)

- Mortimerty
- Registered User
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Total Deck Rating
47
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Intro
Hello! Want to share my deck I was playing to Legend with 62% winrate this season. Previous season deck was with 83% winrate and could be found under the spoiler. The deck has lost 20+% winrate because of OP warlocks and warriors. But I've tried my best to keep it up!
Overview
This deck variation has common control base plus a couple of very good replacements, that help a lot.
- Armor Vendor - good 1-mana drop, helps vs aggro and otk
- Crimson Clergy + Fan Club - amazing 1-mana drop, helps vs aggro + lots of draw + heal
- Shard of the Naaru - must-have vs Token Druids
- The Light! It Burns! - cheap and effective removal
- Creation Protocol - very flexible and powerful card. You can get Rat vs OTK, Aman'Thul or Ignis vs Control, Crimson Clergy for lots of draw, etc.
- Dirty Rat - amazing card vs Odyn, Sif, Taddius etc. Use it wisely and be prepared to remove pulled minion
- Power Chord: Synchronize - very flexible card. Copy Aman'Thul or Ignis vs Control, buff and copy Armor Vendor or Crimson Clergy vs aggro, Rat vs OTK, or even enemy Titans!
- ⭐Gold Panner - one of the dark horses of this deck. Amazing card, it helps vs aggro, and give a huge boost to draw! Control decks sometimes struggle with draw, so this one really helps
- ⭐Benevolent Banker - Thrive in the Shadows with good 2/4 body. Moreover sometimes you can steal something useful from the enemy deck like Symphony of Sins or Blackrock 'n' Roll
- Cathedral of Atonement - very good draw tool + useful buff. Sometimes you can even buff an enemy target to draw or easy kill with The Light! It Burns!
- Holy Nova - helps a lot vs aggro, especially vs Token Druid
- Cannibalize - hard-removal + heal. Can be combined with Crimson Clergy for additional draw
- E.T.C., Band Manager - contains Rustrot Viper vs Ignis weapon mostly, Steamcleaner vs Plague DK and Theotar, the Mad Duke vs OTK. There is an idea to add Fizzle instead of Viper. It can be used for making infinite with Power Chord: Synchronize, but I haven't tried it out
- Ignis, the Eternal Flame - one of the wincons. Try to roll for armor vs OTK, summon 8-mana vs Control. Sometimes you want to create 5-mana or even 1-mana weapon, depends on a situation
- ⭐Invasive Shadeleaf - one of the dark horses of this deck. Very good and flexible control tool. Can trade with 2 middle minions or 1 big, helps a lot in midgame
- ⭐Swarm of Lightbugs (optional) - one of the dark horses of this deck. Can help vs aggro. Sometimes enemy players get scared of this tiny bugs for some reason and start to trade with them. Can be replaced with Astalor, Flint Firearm or Cult Neophyte (good vs Token Druid and Excavate Rogue), or Lightbomb
- Clean the Scene + Harmonic Pop + Whirlpool - standart control aoe tools
- Aman'Thul - one of the best Titans. Puff pesky deathrattles, summon taunt with lifesteal, or copy something like Blackwater Behemoth for huge heals
- Blackwater Behemoth - strong life saver and control tool. Most of times don't use it when the enemy player has no minions on the board
FAQ
- What's inside ETC? - Rustrot Viper, Steamcleaner, Theotar
- Why no Love Everlasting? - most of the times I included this card it did nothing. It's clunky 3-mana do-nothing card. Moreover when it's active it pushes you to make unoptimal turns and use spells to maintain the effect only. It could be good only with Svalna
- Why no Svalna? - too greedy for the meta. Even control match-ups winnable without it. Free from Love Everlasting as a side-effect
- Why no Reno? - the Reno variation seemed to me not so consistent as this one. Second copies helps a lot sometimes and easier to be found
- Why no <minion's name>? - every minion in this deck is strongly helpful, no need to add something else because of Creation Protocol messing
- Control Priest is so boring, why not <deck's type>? - I'm really tired of Control Priest to be honest. I've tried a lot of decks like Automatons, Ogres, Infinite, Reno, but only this one shows such a high winrate. So if you want to climb the Ladder and reach Legend, this deck is the best choice
Match-ups
- Deathknight
- Plague DK - Steamcleaner is the wincon. Play it when DK uses most of his plague-generating cards. Try to puff their 8/5 minions. Sometimes you can use Synchronize for their Titan
- Blood DK - play greedy and try to not use draw tools a lot because of fatigue. Try to multiple copy Mograine with Synchronize
- Cimatic Explosion DK - try to snatch it with Theotar
- Demon Hunter
- Naga DH - try to generate as big board as you can. Also Rats can be used to try to pull their pew-pew Naga
- Relic DH - try to use Whirlpool only on the biggest Spirits. Also try to place one Whirlpool to the most-left side because of Prosecutor Mel'tranix
- Reno DH - kinda easy control match-up
- Druid
- Token Druid - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene
- Dragon Druid, Reno Druid - hold aoes for 3/4 dragons wave
- Hunter
- Arcane Hunter - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova. Try to not use all your mana when his secrets are active and you can't afford to trigger it
- Mage
- Sif Mage - hold your Rats and Theotar until he uses spells of at least 5 different magic schools. Try to roll Armor weapon for Ignis
- Paladin
- Pure Paladin - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene. Try to kill every minion because of buffs
- Earthen Paladin - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene. Use silence only on Earthen targets. Try to puff Disciple of Amitus and Earthens to perent their ressurection
- Reno Paladin - play greedy, don't make huge board because of Reno and Anachronos
- Priest
- Control Priest - play greedy, Ignis is the wincon, try to make a copies of it but use it on the same turn you copied because of Whirlpool
- Automaton Priest - mullgan for removals, try to puff his Automatons or Ra'den
- Infinite Priest - try to disrupt his Fizzle
- Ogre Priest - try to disrupt or Whirlpool his Kingpin Pud
- Shadow Priest - mullgan for removals, use silence on Undying Allies
- Shaman
- Reno Shaman - play greedy, use Rustrot Viper for Doctor Holli'dae
- Totem Shaman - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene
- Elemental Shaman - mullgan for removals, 1-mana drops
- Rogue
- Excavate Rogue - mullgan for removals, 1-mana drops, try to snatch his supreme excavate minion or Queen Azshara
- Mech Rogue - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Shard of the Naaru, Cannibalize
- Warlock
- OTK Warlock - mulligan hard for Rats or E.T.C., Band Manager, try to pull Thaddius or Amorphous Slime before turn 6 (turn 5 with coin)
- Control Warlock - play greedy, use Steamcleaner for Symphony or Rustrot Viper for Ignis, try to copy Titan, try to steal Symphony of Sins with Benevolent Banker
- Snake Warlock - try to snitch it with Rats or Theotar
- Warrior
- Odyn Warrior - mulligan hard for Rats or E.T.C., Band Manager, try to pull Odyn before turn 8 (turn 7 with coin)
- Taunt Warrior - play greedy, try to steal Blackrock 'n' Roll with Benevolent Banker
Overview
This deck variation has common control base plus a couple of very good replacements, that help a lot. I've made a couple of replacements since the last season because of new marvelous meta: two Armor Vendors was replaced with Astalor and Shadow Word: Ruin. Check the further info why.
- Crimson Clergy + Fan Club - amazing 1-mana drop, helps vs aggro + lots of draw + heal
- Shard of the Naaru - must-have vs Token Druids
- The Light! It Burns! - cheap and effective removal
- Creation Protocol - very flexible and powerful card. You can get Rat vs OTK, Aman'Thul or Ignis vs Control, Crimson Clergy for lots of draw, etc.
- Dirty Rat - amazing card vs Odyn, Sif, Taddius etc. Use it wisely and be prepared to remove pulled minion
- Power Chord: Synchronize - very flexible card. Copy Aman'Thul or Ignis vs Control, buff and copy Armor Vendor or Crimson Clergy vs aggro, Rat vs OTK, or even enemy Titans!
- Astalor NEW! - added because of Brann Warrior. If you manage to play it and use Whirlpool, their Astalor will be destroyed as well. In other cases it's a good control/pressure tool with a little help to survivability.
- ⭐Gold Panner - one of the dark horses of this deck. Amazing card, it helps vs aggro, and give a huge boost to draw! Control decks sometimes struggle with draw, so this one really helps
- ⭐Benevolent Banker - Thrive in the Shadows with good 2/4 body. Moreover sometimes you can steal something useful from the enemy deck like Symphony of Sins or Blackrock 'n' Roll
- Cathedral of Atonement - very good draw tool + useful buff. Sometimes you can even buff an enemy target to draw or easy kill with The Light! It Burns!
- Holy Nova - helps a lot vs aggro, especially vs Token Druid
- Cannibalize - hard-removal + heal. Can be combined with Crimson Clergy for additional draw
- E.T.C., Band Manager - contains Rustrot Viper vs Ignis weapon mostly, Steamcleaner vs Plague DK and Theotar, the Mad Duke vs OTK. There is an idea to add Fizzle instead of Viper. It can be used for making infinite with Power Chord: Synchronize, but I haven't tried it out
- Ignis, the Eternal Flame - one of the wincons. Try to roll for armor vs OTK, summon 8-mana vs Control. Sometimes you want to create 5-mana or even 1-mana weapon, depends on a situation
- Shadow Word: Ruin NEW! - really helps versus Sludge warlocks with their huge minions on turn 4, as well as with Rainbow deathknights.
- ⭐Invasive Shadeleaf - one of the dark horses of this deck. Very good and flexible control tool. Can trade with 2 middle minions or 1 big, helps a lot in midgame
- ⭐Swarm of Lightbugs (optional) - one of the dark horses of this deck. Can help vs aggro. Sometimes enemy players get scared of this tiny bugs for some reason and start to trade with them. Helps versus Sludge. Can be replaced with second Shadow Word: Ruin or Lightbomb
- Clean the Scene + Harmonic Pop + Whirlpool - standart control aoe tools
- Aman'Thul - one of the best Titans. Puff pesky deathrattles, summon taunt with lifesteal, or copy something like Blackwater Behemoth for huge heals
- Blackwater Behemoth - strong life saver and control tool. Most of times don't use it when the enemy player has no minions on the board
FAQ
- What's inside ETC? - Rustrot Viper, Steamcleaner, Theotar
- Why no Love Everlasting? - most of the times I included this card it did nothing. It's clunky 3-mana do-nothing card. Moreover when it's active it pushes you to make unoptimal turns and use spells to maintain the effect only. It could be good only with Svalna
- Why no Svalna? - too greedy for the meta. Even control match-ups winnable without it. Free from Love Everlasting as a side-effect
- Why no Reno? - the Reno variation seemed to me not so consistent as this one. Second copies helps a lot sometimes and easier to be found
- Why no <minion's name>? - every minion in this deck is strongly helpful, no need to add something else because of Creation Protocol messing
- Control Priest is so boring, why not <deck's type>? - I'm really tired of Control Priest to be honest. I've tried a lot of decks like Automatons, Ogres, Infinite, Reno, but only this one shows such a high winrate. So if you want to climb the Ladder and reach Legend, this deck is the best choice
Match-ups
-
Deathknight
- Rainbow DK NEW! - keep Shard of the Naaru for reborn minions, try to steal Climatic Explosion with Benevolent Banker or Theotar
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/epVNNvBXnGMiftdTWDwRgf
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/f9Pa972HiHrYnUd58jCBZi
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/NtVjqegQdLdmnyvpb6YRHx
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/UCTMJUqsZ7DCt2wCYg8ftk
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/nbtsNd52QiPCDMpHQxsnXM
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/RnShzTE7UkiEZBfXZ2FjqX
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/ev9fWR3bKAPz6KyrdV3VBT
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/ccKpUWk9cfWrGZBQgRM6vy
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/VdES49xzeb4A8wY3Tvbt2a
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/NbE8QQoTKqiJd5XvPPKEhw
- Plague DK - Steamcleaner is the wincon. Play it when DK uses most of his plague-generating cards. Try to puff their 8/5 minions. Sometimes you can use Synchronize for their Titan
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/m4rLBQ5iCQXbCQCPsAeDXb
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/gn5CNWD9fhaYtd2HX4piQq
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/T4MnMLHm4x9AApeVkQhhJh
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/T9V29S94ETm7Jra3BwUXEx
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/QBiEPFJ3crGUiQdtdf6u7q
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/b35WqxqpRq9vRGovkj5C8U
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/Ta7NjH734gzSewPVruZfb6
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/nunWAe27fCf7FE9tVYYG9Z
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/cdc574P34SNG8W2LDAfQ5z
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/AqHMeqg9zaGqMb8snNsyh4
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/2jZQP3fCBwgVFfNPX6FjqE
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/i5BvDJtJvuWY3v8GWWjikt
- Blood DK - play greedy and try to not use draw tools a lot because of fatigue. Try to multiple copy Mograine with Synchronize
- Frost DK NEW! - kinda easy match-up, just control the board
- OTK DK NEW! - off-meta deck with Cage Head. Try to disrupt it
- Rainbow DK NEW! - keep Shard of the Naaru for reborn minions, try to steal Climatic Explosion with Benevolent Banker or Theotar
-
Demon Hunter
- Naga DH - try to generate as big board as you can. Also Rats can be used to try to pull their pew-pew Naga
- Relic DH - try to use Whirlpool only on the biggest Spirits. Also try to place one Whirlpool to the most-left side because of Prosecutor Mel'tranix
- Reno DH - kinda easy control match-up
- Big DH NEW! - try to puff their Illidari Inquisitors, be prepared for Xhilag
-
Druid
- Token Druid - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene
- Dragon Druid, Reno Druid - hold aoes for 3/4 dragons wave
- Beetle Druid NEW! - try to snatch their Death Beetles, keep Whirlpool for multiple copies via Shattered Reflections
-
Hunter
- Arcane Hunter - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova. Try to not use all your mana when his secrets are active and you can't afford to trigger it
-
Mage
- Sif Mage - hold your Rats and Theotar until he uses spells of at least 5 different magic schools. Try to roll Armor weapon for Ignis
-
Paladin
- Excavate Paladin NEW! - maximum board control. Even 1 minion can be lethal. Mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/nrQ963E8aYNZombvhUgtqB
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/7MnH2doKNziaf4Mv5zktTa
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/6e6mUPsjHFbmCrQf2MijYY
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/GbJgyEDG7NghmLKHLQYH7p
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/guXLnqmKwfjrMeoqajEukH
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/Bw3uGYc6ypZSo7AiTvyivE
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/XPB5Ua29xpWsqD6JggEid4
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/KaPoHst8LGshKy2aRb4u2Z
- Pure Paladin - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene. Try to kill every minion because of buffs
- Earthen Paladin - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene. Use silence only on Earthen targets. Try to puff Disciple of Amitus and Earthens to perent their ressurection
- Reno Paladin - play greedy, don't make huge board because of Reno and Anachronos
- Excavate Paladin NEW! - maximum board control. Even 1 minion can be lethal. Mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene
-
Priest
- Reno Priest NEW! - play greedy, Ignis is the wincon, try to make a copies of it but use it on the same turn you copied because of Whirlpool. Keep your Whirlpool for Elise, you destroy all the minions in the deck as well
- Control Priest - play greedy, Ignis is the wincon, try to make a copies of it but use it on the same turn you copied because of Whirlpool
- Automaton Priest - mullgan for removals, try to puff his Automatons or Ra'den
- Infinite Priest - try to disrupt his Fizzle
- Ogre Priest - try to disrupt or Whirlpool his Kingpin Pud
- Shadow Priest - mullgan for removals, use Shard of the Naaru on Undying Allies
-
Shaman
- Reno Shaman - play greedy, use Rustrot Viper for Doctor Holli'dae
- Totem Shaman - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene
- Elemental Shaman - mullgan for removals, 1-mana drops
-
Rogue
- Excavate Rogue - mullgan for removals, 1-mana drops, try to snatch his supreme excavate minion, Queen Azshara or Tess
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/Jv4qdMRfzohhYLX2zoVnya
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/AHziVY93sqDqaUUFhkc8GE
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/gWWqjzmmzxmMLGZbkYfov8
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/4jd7fYPReqTHYe3XsPvsQj
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/NKmvbgnL2i45aWeWmZPh7a
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/Mr4GLHXGzC6nn9SH7S8c9h
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/ifstSqnyoKoaFz75FJrq6x
- Mech Rogue - mulligan hard for 1-mana drops, Shard of the Naaru, Cannibalize
- Excavate Rogue - mullgan for removals, 1-mana drops, try to snatch his supreme excavate minion, Queen Azshara or Tess
-
Warlock
- Sludge Warlock NEW! - this bullsh*t has to die. Mulligan for Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene, The Light! It Burns!, Cannibalize and Shadow Word: Ruin. Also Swarm of Lightbugs can be helpful for Sludge absorb. The hardest match-up. You have to clear the board, fill the board and watch for the health at the same time. With this deck thousands of players have reached Legend they never managed to
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/bGEU59Hb24JVBrnDb646mV
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/g3Pt9ZvxctTLVHgSHwvWcB
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/aLpen9jGMYyLxtfHCNCLUW
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/fJqgss8F5mJsbhZUyryAGr
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/EvyBx6M5cyUsddh5rrtC3H
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/c8Qiec5gYvQcExVkyEX2bT
- OTK Warlock - mulligan hard for Rats or E.T.C., Band Manager, try to pull Thaddius or Amorphous Slime before turn 6 (turn 5 with coin)
- Control Warlock - play greedy, use Steamcleaner for Symphony or Rustrot Viper for Ignis, try to copy Titan, try to steal Symphony of Sins with Benevolent Banker
- Snake Warlock - try to snitch it with Rats or Theotar
- Sludge Warlock NEW! - this bullsh*t has to die. Mulligan for Holy Nova, Shard of the Naaru, Clean the Scene, The Light! It Burns!, Cannibalize and Shadow Word: Ruin. Also Swarm of Lightbugs can be helpful for Sludge absorb. The hardest match-up. You have to clear the board, fill the board and watch for the health at the same time. With this deck thousands of players have reached Legend they never managed to
-
Warrior
- Brann Warrior NEW! - hard match-up. There is two strategies to win: 1) try to pull Brann or Astalor; 2) Try to play your Astalor and use Whirlpool, their Astalor will be destroyed as well
- Odyn Warrior - mulligan hard for Rats or E.T.C., Band Manager, try to pull Odyn before turn 8 (turn 7 with coin). Try to steal armor cards with Benevolent Banker. Sometimes you steal so many of them you don't need to pull Odyn
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/86rotaYdAgXfQMj6fbYJ3a
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/ESNpmQmTbrSF3nkfpHuHtB
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/UZxCb4FGE7uEwruHEbBZ7U
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/fjjFgC5ZuWn2A6mZrPDPE9
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/CfXpQwwgi5rGrZ2vwMMV5P
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/fncLJ6G2aJmUdbe7AkWsmu
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/8oYkfQeKqzMnnrKhEi5nQU
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/jHHtvHV8z85SuDBSv3qYwy
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/h8sSeaR4DBEphcWm9eyPGq
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/YFH6HAPfYDpMN4gKyvLdab
- https://hsreplay.net/replay/CdLmPcR3g9qHwcg3C5V2EV
- Taunt Warrior - play greedy, try to steal Blackrock 'n' Roll with Benevolent Banker
I usually don't bother reading or even trying those (REACH LEGEND EASILY WITH THIS DECK) kinda decks. But this is so well done, it's clear that a lot of thoughts and love went into making this guide, I just have to give it a try
Thank you for your kind words and wish you luck with this Control Priest deck!
How are you only facing 4% rogue?
Due to VS report there is 40% of Rogues in top-1000 only. So while you are on the way to Legend, there is much more Druids and DKs.
You have set the benchmark for how guides should be done. Thank you!
I legit just created an account for the sole purpose of saying that this is an awesome deck guide! I’m definitely going to be taking the deck out for a spin as well. Priest is my primary class and Ive been obsessively playing Automation Priest for too long now - this will be a nice change of pace. I think I’ll have a lot more success with this deck as well. Cheers!
Thank you! Automation Priest is kinda like Naga Priest - very dependent on 1 card. Wish you luck with the Control Priest deck!
i think it's the best written guide i ever seen.
gonna try you deck, gonna get used to emptying my hand for all the card draw.
Thank you! Previous iterations of this deck was too slow without Panner and Banker. Now with these cards it's much smoother. Wish you luck with the Control Priest deck!