Secret Shields Paladin [Legend]
- Last updated Oct 12, 2016 (Yogg Nerf)
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Wild
- 19 Minions
- 7 Spells
- 4 Weapons
- Deck Type: Ranked Deck
- Deck Archetype: Secret Paladin
- Crafting Cost: 6580
- Dust Needed: Loading Collection
- Created: 7/30/2016 (Old Gods)
- Jambre
- Pro Player
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Country:
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Tournament Decks:
4
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Ladder Decks:
46
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Submitted By:
A fresh rendition of the secret paladin for competitive play. Piloted to top 10 (July) and top 5 (August/September/October) legend in Standard by Jambre! Proof: https://twitter.com/TPG_Jambre/status/766774473685078016, https://twitter.com/TPG_Jambre/status/775370331590713344
Deck Changes: Updated to Jambre's September deck list. For his October list, simply replace Defender of Argus with a 2nd Argent Commander. Remember you can substitute Leeroy with Stranglethorn Tiger.
Meta Update: This deck is still a winner, coming in at a win rate of 55% post-nerf according to metastats (http://metastats.net/deck/af09f99d-8974-47ce-aad1-75b4bdb1fab9/week/).
For my update to Jackker's Steward of Darkshire based secret paladin featuring Barnes and Moroes see http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/582009-secret-steward-paladin-legend.
For a Wild version of this deck see: http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/584095-secret-paladin-wild
For my latest ladder decks see:
http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/613816-barnes-secret-hunter
http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/639616-vlpss-curator-secret-hunter-legend
http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/525655-totem-superiority-easy-rank-5-midrange-shaman
http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/626899-sjows-1-legend-disco-lock
This deck list differs from recent secret paladin lists. It has fewer secrets (just 3) and still takes advantage of Rallying Blade synergy, but instead of depending on Steward of Darkshire to create shielded minions or tokens, it includes several already shielded minions. 6 of them (2 each of Argent Squire, Argent Horserider and Silent Knight) cost 3 or less mana and serve as our opening plays. This leads to many high value trades and often buffing at least one minion with the blade. We finish our opponent with a string of high value minions including the most famous of shielded paladins, Tirion Fordring.
Trade for great value, but sometimes the strategy is to smash your opponent's face and let him stress about how to deal with your awkward array of shielded minions and a few secrets.
Consider how your opponent will tilt when Redemption brings back your Argent Horserider, shield intact.
Use your weapons to clear opponent minions and preserve shields until needed. Use Dragon Egg wisely. The eggs are great targets for all your buff cards (including Blessing of Kings, Defender of Argus, and Keeper of Uldaman) and good protection against AOE. Your other buffs should go to shielded minions where possible.
MULLIGANS
There are no 2 mana cards in this deck. Do not keep secrets in your opening hand. In a perfect world they are all summoned by Mysterious Challenger on turn 6. If we do not have coin, we will play a 1 mana card followed by two others next turn, especially if we get stuck with an early secret. We can also start with a 1 drop and then hero power on turn 2, but this is less desirable, so mulligan hard for 1 mana minions if you are going first.
If we have the coin, we can play a 1 drop, then coin out a 3 drop on turn 2, and then play another 3 drop on turn 3. Keep in mind that your sneaky opener of Argent Squire on turn 1 and then Silent Knight on turn 2 can be foiled if the warrior plays Ravaging Ghoul on his turn 3 before you can equip your Rallying Blade on your turn 3. [I still won that game, by the way, as my weapon killed his ghoul and both my minions lived due to their shields. It just wasn't as sweet as I had hoped for. I had dreams of buffing both minions! Too greedy?]
Always keep:
Argent Squire
Dragon Egg
Additionally, with at least one of the above keep Abusive Sergeant or possibly Rallying Blade
Keep with coin:
Rallying Blade
Argent Horserider or Silent Knight
SUBSTITUTIONS
+ Stranglethorn Tiger
+/- Argent Commander
- Consecration
+/- Defender of Argus
+ Divine Favor
+ Silvermoon Portal
+ Psych-o-Tron
- Leeroy Jenkins
+ Ragnaros the Firelord
CLASS MATCHUPS
*** Win/loss data includes 3 versions of this deck list. 65% win rate overall after 75 games. Finished with a 15-3 streak. ***
Warrior - Favored (10-3). This is your match to win. Shields reduce value from weapons so don't waste them lightly. Be aggressive but make good trades. Have buffs ready to contend with 6 health taunts. Remember you can also use Keeper of Uldaman on opponent cards. Expect to see Ravaging Ghoul twice. Sometimes you should trade rather than leave a lot of unshielded 2/1's on the board.
Shaman - Worthy opponent (7-5). Fight for a stable board. Try to keep shields and eggs intact to protect against Lightning Storm, but you will also need to use shields in trades. Have buffs ready so you can kill Mr. 7/7 for free with a shielded minion. Watch your health and expect burst damage to face. Can't afford to leave opponent minions up in this fight if your health drops below 20.
Warlock - Worthy opponent (3-5). Zoo is the worst match up for this deck. Cheap minions to pop your shields and more ways to buff minions. Get good value from Consecration (mulligan for it) and hope for a decisive board swing right before turn 6. The 2nd Consecration helps on this fight. Against Reno, you are favored, keep the pressure on but be smart about board clears. Good luck!
Hunter - Favored (7-4). Hunter has a hard time dealing 1 damage so you can out value him with trades or win the face race. Eaglehorn Bow and Unleash the Hounds value is diminished by your shields so keep the pressure on and shields up. Go for quality minions not quantity and keep the board clear with weapons. Try to close out on turn 7, but you can still win late. Watch for Freezing Trap.
Druid - Favored (6-1). Be ready to kill his 5 health minions Violet Teacher and Fandral Staghelm. If you can use a buffed, shielded minion to do it for free, the game might be over. Save Consecration for a group of tokens. Watch for Swipe.
Mage - Favored (7-3). Don't let tempo mage out tempo you. Kill Flamewaker quickly so he doesn't eat up your shields. Pressure freeze mage and you should win easily.
Rogue - Favored (4-1). Focus on smart trades and face damage. Similar to druid. Spread your buffs since minions will get removed. Expect Sap. Good matchup.
Paladin - Worthy Opponent (2-3). Pressure control and hope you can get him down before a big heal. Have fun on the mirror match.
Priest - Favored (3-1). Keep up the pressure and preserve shields/eggs to guard against his board clears. He should run out of answers if you play smart. Good matchup.
Please share your experiences, corrections, and suggestions in the comments below.
Sometimes it's not the deck. You seem like the person to play handlock and call it crap because you can never win games ;)
Sorry to hear that man, but I've gone 5-5, 3-1, and 8-2 against those same classes. I don't think it's the deck.
yeah maybe playing on rank 20 this deck is fine but against a regular rank 8-5 players its not.. played like 20 games with this deck to finish 5-15... not much to say
Practice, maybe you'll get better at how to play it. I took it to rank 4 last season, and others to legend. Definitely not a rank 20 deck LOL.
the deck tracker above showed you stats to rank 5 with a 65% win rate,
furtheremore there are other stats to back this up, this is gathered from people of multiple ranks.
http://www.vicioussyndicate.com/vs-data-reaper-report-13/
jambre already took a similar list to legend, so regardless of how you see it, you are the minority here.
Ouch. With 12 desirable starting cards (40% of the deck is 1's and 3's that aren't secrets) that doesn't happen very often. Tough luck man. Wish we were getting a good 2 drop in Karazhan!
On a positive note, I've been playing Shaman relatively even with this deck. So I guess there's hope!
I feel like this deck is way too slow...
Average game for me is 9 turns, so this is no aggro deck. However, it is a steamroll deck starting around turn 3 or 4 as you start to play shielded or beefy minions and your many buff cards. Buff that Argent Horserider with +4/+4 and take out that Twilight Guardian for free, leaving yourself a 6/5 on the board. Tempo Warrior has few answers for that kind of play. And we have as many or more weapons (4) than they do (2-3 plus Malkorok).
Not a control deck, so healing doesn't really fit, but you can replace Leeroy with Lightlord if you want to go that route for the endgame. Personally I put in some tigers recently for more consistent trades and face damage. Leeroy is a great finisher but sometimes a dead card.
why no Aldor Peacekeeper?
We have 6 3 drops already. We may use one on turn 2 if we have coin. It's a nice card, but I'm not sure it fits this deck. Better in control I think. The 4 shielded 3 drops and the weapon have nice synergy. Peacekeeper, not so much.
hmm good one, but imo i prefer old divine aggro paladin, great for climbing 20>10 in few hours
Fair enough. Have fun whatever deck you prefer.
much better indeed
I have played about 10 games with it and really enjoy it I pulled the com spirit for wisdom and love it so far I almost want to get another in there. for 1 mana if you get 1 card its seems worth it. running 1 challenger. I find people are not ready for this deck as they do not know what is coming. Thanks for sharing this!!
Pretty good deck, but I will try to remove the challengers, noble sacrifice and competitive spirit. They look just win more cards in this deck and redemption most of the time activated with the get down guy, losing value.
5-0 for now. glad you put something new :) keep it up
FYI, this secret paladin deck is listed as Tier 1 on this week's Data Reaper report. http://www.vicioussyndicate.com/vs-data-reaper-report-12/
Enough good matchups against the meta to go for the highest ranks, and taken to legend by several players. May or may not be the deck for you, but it works for many.
Rank 1 down to Rank 3 unfortunately