Hearthpwn

So I thought it was time I brought you guys a brew of my own :D Welcome to QuietPenguin’s primer for ‘The Molten Man’!

Molten Paladin is a control deck that aims to take damage in the early game, then drop a Molten Giant or two and then heal right back up! It also has plenty of board clears to ensure that no field is insurmountable.

So I’ve done things a little bit differently for this deck tech, and decided to group cards together rather than just following the deck list from the top down. If you’re looking for the explanation on a specific card, just use CTRL + F :) And as always, here's the video version for a more in-depth discussion:

Molten Giant x2

The main man!! This guy just screams value, getting an 8/8 for 4 or less mana is just such a sick deal, and if you’re opponent wants to win then he’s going to need to activate this at some point! And if not? Then you’re probably going to win that game with just about anything XD

Our primary game plan revolves around taking damage early game, then either clearing the board + Molten Giant, or Molten Giant plus a heal card such as Antique Healbot.

Also, unlike in Handlock, nobody is going to expect you to suddenly drop Molten Giant, leading to some sick, sick blowouts.

Sunfury Protector x1
Coghammer x1

To get a little bit of extra value from our Molten Giants, we play one copy of each of these cards. Getting through an 8/8 taunt is EXTREMELY difficult for any aggressive deck such as MechMage or Hunter.

It’s worth noting though that these cards are perfectly acceptable plays with all the other minions in the deck too. Coghammer in particular has been very impressive, as even giving a Piloted Shredder Divine Shield + Taunt can be backbreaking for our opponent.

Equality x2
Wild Pyromancer x2
Consecration x2

These cards together allow us to easily decimate an opponent’s board. Playing more board wipes than traditional Paladin lists allows this deck to come back from insane board positions multiple times in a single game if necessary (just check out the video against Paladin for a perfect example of this!).

Truesilver Champion x2
Bomb Lobber x1

Rounding out our removal options are two copies of Truesilver Champion and a single copy of Bomb Lobber.

Truesilver Champion is my favourite weapon in the game, and a Paladin staple. The small amount of life gain can sometimes be the difference between winning and losing.

Bomb Lobber is at an excellent spot in the meta right now, and is even beginning to see some play in various Control Warrior lists. As a 3/3 for five mana that can kill almost all the cards in aggressive decks for free, Bomb Lobber just screams VALUE!!!!

Aldor Peacekeeper x2

Since it can be classed as pseudo-removal, Aldor Peacekeeper is up next. Aldor Peacekeeper is extremely versatile, allowing us to easily neutralise cards such as Dr. Boom. Although it won’t kill large minions outright like Big Game Hunter can, it more than makes up for it with it’s flexibility.

Antique Healbot x2
Lay on Hands x1

These cards are how you heal up after playing your Molten Giant(s). With the amount of burst damage running around in the meta at the moment, you are always happy to draw this stuff J

Shielded Minibot x2

The best possible turn two play a Paladin can make, Shielded Minibot is a great way to make sure you don’t fall too far behind when you don’t want to. You can also use this card to trick your opponent into overextending right into your board wipe combos.

Acolyte of Pain x1
Piloted Shredder x2
Sludge Belcher x2

These minions are your midgame.

Acolyte of Pain is a solid card, that basically always replaces itself and sometimes does more. A card that replaces itself is all you’re looking for early, as it will allow you to keep making plays while your opponent’s overextend into your board wipe combos. He’s been a very impressive one-of thus far.

Piloted Shredder and Sludge Belcher are both fantastic cards that have been seeing a ton of play ever since they were printed, and for good reason. Both minions are incredibly sticky and great at virtually any point in the game.

Sylvanas Windrunner x1
Dr. Boom x1
Sneed's Old Shredder x1
Tirion Fordring x1

The nature of this deck allows you to play a greater number of bombs compared with other decks, giving you a faster way to end games against aggressive decks and a higher threat density against controlling decks.

Sylvanas Windrunner, Dr. Boom and Tirion Fordring are all near-staples for good reasons. Sneed’s Old Shredder isn’t quite at their level yet, but his stock is definitely rising in my opinion. Sneed’s has all the qualities of a great bomb, super sticky and capable of winning games all on his own. He also gives some decks (such as Control Warrior) fits.

Harrison Jones x1

Rounding out the deck is a lone tech slot, which I’ve chosen to fill with Harrison Jones. You could play a Kezan Mystic in this slot if you like, but with the amount of Rogue on the ladder at the moment Harrison Jones has been fantastic, and I highly recommend playing him to help improve this matchup.

Mulliganning with this deck is fairly straight forward. Against aggressive decks you’re looking for board wipe combo pieces (Equality, Wild Pyromancer and/or Consecration), Shielded Minibot, and a Molten Giant (I rarely keep two of these in my opening hand however, as it leaves you lacking for other options).

Against more controlling decks, you can be more lenient with your mulligans, and instead are looking for value plays such as Shielded Minibot and Piloted Shredder, although you’re perfectly happy just using your hero power while waiting for a good opportunity to wipe the opponent’s board.

For matchup-specific mulligans, check out the videos!

I’m having a real blast playing this deck on the ladder at the moment, and I believe it is a viable option for climbing to legend (especially while people aren’t expecting it!).

If you like the deck please take a second to give it a vote, it takes a while to produce this content for you guys so I’d really appreciate it!

I’m also doing my best to create regular Hearthstone content on my YouTube channel (although sadly real life does get in the way sometimes). You can check it out (and Subscribe!) at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeOpkZzTiaYUfvVXdVVBBxw/feed

Thanks guys, enjoy the deck!