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.
Just had a bit fun with the deck today on the lower ranks, right now no incentive for me to grind that much with the adventure around the corner. Deck is pretty good: VOD Ranked gameplay
I changed one Mysterious Challenger and one Argent Commander for one Psych-o-Tron and one Ragnaros the Firelord. Two Challengers are imo overkill with only 3 secrets in the deck and the potential to draw them before you are able to play the first challenger.
Probably not, but just to be sure: is there a suitable replacement for Tirion Fordring?
You can try to sub in another powerful finisher, such as either firelord or lightlord Ragnaros. Perhaps Arch-Thief Rafaam could work as a closer. Or just add in another 5 drop (Stranglethorn Tiger or Psych-o-Tron).
I honestly feel like the wisp paladin deck is way better and much more offerable
Nice Deck! Thanks for sharing.
I've been playing something similar:
Rly good deck . My Changes :
-1 Mysterious Challenger / +1 Ragnaros
- Leroooy and 1 Argent Commander / + 2 Psych-o-Tron
Also thinkig about second Consecration. Now 4-0 score .
Which Rag?
Original .
4 parties 3 défaites... ne fonctionne pas contre chaman face, paladin contrôle... et chasseur chanceux !!!
Amazing deck, wasn't originally planning to go for legend but this deck just kept on winning. I had 100% winrate from rank 2 0 stars to legend with it on the last day of the season. I replaced Leeroy with a 2nd consecration and had my best matchups vs hunter and shaman (7-1) and (8-2) respectively. SIlent Knight was a genius inclusion.
Why don't you add a few argent protecters? You have one drops.
Argent protector could work as a 2 drop, but most of our minions come pre-shielded so it is hard to find value for it. You could shield a token but this isn't really a token deck (plus its one or the other on turn 2, not both). We prefer to buff already shielded minions with our power cards starting on turn 3 (weapon) and 4 (kings, keeper).
Replacements for leeroy?
See comments below. I will also add to the guide.
So I'm an extremely casual, non-semi pro, netdecking SOB and, granted, I have never passed rank 12, I'm 5-0 just in the last hour. 3 zoolock and 2 dragon warrior. This deck is so surprising, I can see the other players hovering all over the place probably wondering how in the hell they just got dominated on board by turn 5. Weak minions, but the secrets help a TON and the late game lightlord/leeroy/tirion seals the deal.
It's a pretty interesting deck but I think it's because people aren't expecting the plays you have. I plan on pushing it a bit more but I can see hitting a wall with more fleshed out decks higher up.
It does get a bit tougher at higher ranks, but I see nothing stopping this deck except personal skill. Viable all the way to legend. Certainly a good deck for breaking past rank 10!
any viable replacement for leeroy? rag maybe?
Rag (original or lightlord) are both excellent finishers. You can also put in a Psych-o-Tron.
-1 mysterious challenger
+1 rag the lightlord
has won me so many games i wouldn't have if i didn't make the switch
I'm really curious if the power from this deck even comes from mysterious challengers. With 3 secrets and 2 challengers it looks odd? Jackker's version makes more sense in that aspect. It looks like the lists get more and more aggro. Maybe just add divine favor at this point and more aggro/charge minions instead of challengers. This looks not a very refined list. I'm glad the silent knights and argent commanders worked out for you. But this is just 1 guy. I really doubt these cards have enough power level for it to be good. The real power I see comes from the rallying blades(fiery war axe), Tyrion, uldaman, eggs, blessing of kings. I really believe if you just make a aggro paladin version with some tier1 midrange cards it would do equally good, perhaps even better.