Hearthpwn

This is the first time I try to build a deck by myself. I use this deck to climb from Rank 9 to Rank 5 fairly quickly, so I want to share it with you.

Contrary to my initial prediction, although most people are trying the deck with the new TGT cards, the meta is not that slow. I haven't seen a lot of control warriors, control priests or Handlocks, so the pace of this mid-range paladin deck works just fine for me.

Note that this deck might have a hard time against patron warriors for the obvious reason, but which paladin deck doesn't? LOL.

Comments on a few match-ups:

• Dragon Priest: Very popular deck right now. They run Holy Nova * 2 and Lightbomb * 1, so after they used up these three spells you can spam your recruits. The strongest phase for them is turn 2 - 5(Wyrmrest Agent/Twilight Guardian/Blackwing Corruptor), so keep Zombie Chow/Equality/Muster for Battle/Truesilver Champion if possible. Quite even match-up in my opinion, but slightly favor for us.
• Aggro Paladin: Most popular deck pre-TGT other than patron warrior. It's a race as of early game, and they will go face no matter what. Zombie Chow/Muster for Battle/Shielded Minibot/Consecration are must-keeps in our opening hands. Ooze is good too for Truesilver Champion and Coghammer. Draw any of Sludge Belcher/Tuskarr Jouster/Lay on Handsmid game will make the game very favorable for us. Personally I win 60% of such match-ups, as well as against face hunters.
• Mid-range Hunter: Still solid. We are not afraid of their secrets. Truesilver Champion for Piloted Shredder, Aldor Peacekeeper for Savannah Highmane. If they draw Unleash the Hounds at the right time, it would be a bit annoying for us but they only have 2 AOEs anyway. Bear in mind that our deck is supposed to be faster than mid-range hunters, as long as we are ahead in early game, it's very difficult for them to come back. Also, keep Acidic Swamp Ooze in your opening hand.
• Tempo Mage: Surprisingly, I've played a lot of games against tempo mages. We don't have a very good solution to turn 1 Mana Wyrm, so sometimes we have to donate a few minions early game. Keep Truesilver Champion for Flamewaker, which are the biggest threats to us during mid game. Usually they run 1 Flamestrike, so it's important to keep enough resources in hand to put on the pressure after the Flamestrike.
• Demonlock: Hard match-up for us to be honest. Imp Gang Boss and Imp-losionare natural counters to us and Argus could be brutal. Try to get ahead in early game, and keep the Equality - Consecration combo, which will greatly enhance our winning rate against demonlocks.
• As Amaz mentioned in his stream, even if Shaman has got a few good cards, mid-range Shaman is still not good enough. Combo Druid is an even match-up as always depending on their opening hands, while Ramp Druid is easier for us - they are not able to handle Murloc Knight and Quartermaster without Swipe. Haven't played against Oil Rogue though, but I would assume it's hard. Just can't ignore Blade Flurry and Fan of Knives.

Comments on card selection:

• Zombie Chow * 2, Equality * 2, Shielded Minibot *2, Muster for Battle * 2, Aldor Peacekeeper* 2, Truesilver Champion * 2, Consecration * 2, Quartermasters * 2, Lay on Hands * 1 are almost the standards for mid-range paladins. 19 cards in total.
• Murloc Knight are the MVPs for me. Usually before turn 6 we won't be very much behind, and Murloc Knight + Hero Power will instantly give us a strong board. If the opponent doesn't have an AOE next turn, it's almost an auto win for us.
• Justicar Trueheart is much better than I expected. Although he won't be able to switch around the tempo on turn 6, when both you and your opponent are running out of steams, 2 mana summon 2 recruits is just a crazy advantage for us.
• Acidic Swamp Ooze fits in the mana curve better than Harrison. It's also sort of an answer to Mana Wyrm and Northshire Cleric.
• Warhorse Trainer are very solid turn 3 drops against aggro decks, great on turn 4 if we Muster for Battle on turn 4, also increase our burst when finishing our opponent. It's much better than Silver Hand Regent.
• Solemn Vigil is usually a 1-2 mana draw 2 cards in this deck, given that usually we have so many recruits! This card is so efficient that it's even a bit temping to substitute the Lay on Hand with another copy.
• Tirion Fordring is a sword with two blades. It could be a winning condition for us - late game Harbinger with 15 damage to the face is incredible. Even if it gets silenced, it's still a 6/6 body. However, Sylvanas Windrunner is a hard counter to Fordring, especially when we play against priests. Be wise!
• Fun fact: Tuskarr Jouster has never ever restore that 7 health for me. I put one copy in the deck because it's a solid 5/5 body and I love the artwork! Antique Healbot, Loatheb or another Sludge Belcher would be great substitutions.

Hopefully you enjoy this deck and reach Rank 5 asap! Thanks for reading!