Hearthpwn

Hello guys! Im using this deck to climb the ladder and i gotta say its been somehow easy, especially if you are facing aggro decks.

Mulligan and Strategy:

vs Mage

- Always keep Fiery War Axe, Acolyte of Pain.

These 2 are the only real important cards for the early game, the axe to kill minions, the acolyte to draw cards. The matchups arent hard if you know how to bait their secrets. Try to hit the heropower as many rounds as you can, it usually saves you from those nasty spells. Try not to drop below 15hp (at least before he runs out of the pyroblast and a fireball). Use Alexstrasza on you if you need it. Save the coin (if you get it) and minor spells like whirlwind to bait the counterspell (so you can use the Shield block, eg).

vs Warrior

-> Against Pirate:

Always keep Whirlwind, Fiery War Axe, Ravaging Ghoul, Doomsayer, Stonehill Defender

This can either be a good or a bad matchup, depending on what you draw. Clearing the early game minions is essencial, then you need to get taunts and armor. They usually run out of cards during the mid game, so after that, they either concede or you will crush them!

-> Against Quest (Taunt Warrior):

Keep Fiery War Axe,Doomsayer, Stonehill Defender

This is a patience game, most of the times they'll get control of the board, since they have more taunts but their goal is also their weakness.. yes, the Sulfuras. All you need to do is to set yourself with a position that you can do the old Alex + Gorehowl + (Slam +  Grommash). Dont let him get too much armor and try to bait his executes. 

vs Druid

-> Aggro

Always keep Fiery War Axe, Ravaging Ghoul, Doomsayer, Brawl

This is the easiest matchup, seriously. Kill the early minions with the axe or the ghoul, or secure the board with doomsayer, ALWAYS save the brawl because you'll need it around turn 4/5/6, but dont use it if you feel its too soon (be aware of the living mana). 

I have not faced the Jade druid.

vs Priest

-> Silence Priest 

Always keep Fiery War Axe, Doomsayer, Execute, Shield Slam, Shield Block. Why this cards? Simple. Board control is essencial, and it is more important to not let them set their minions, they can OTK you way too easily, so you need to be prepared for that after turn 4..). They usually set only minions they want to buff, so you need to kill them every single round if you can. Dont trust those minions that cant attack, even if you think he wont do the combo the next round.. KILL IT! 

I have not faced the dragon version.

vs Hunter 

Always keep Whirlwind, Fiery War Axe, Ravaging Ghoul, Doomsayer, Stonehill Defender

This is a similar matchup to Pirate Warrior. You want to secure the board in the early game. Remember they only have 1 weapon and usually the Kill Comand, watch out those hyenas. Other than that, you'll be good. Don't forget to bm in the end.

vs Paladin

Always keep Fiery War Axe, Ravaging Ghoul, Doomsayer, Brawl

The most important here is to play around the secrets in the early game and kill the murlocs. All of them. Every deck i faced was all about murloc synergy, don't let them take control of the board or you will lose. Save the removals for Tyrion, Rag and other big minions, watch out the Dinosize card!

vs Rogue

-> Quest Rogue: keep Whirlwind, Fiery War Axe, Ravaging Ghoul, Stonehill Defender

This is the hardest matchup.. They usually do their quest unless they have really bad draws, and you wont stand a chance. :(

-> Miracle Rogue:

Always keep Fiery War Axe, Ravaging Ghoul, Doomsayer, Stonehill Defender

This is a favourable matchup as long as you get the board control. Sherazin was a good addition for them, but you are usually able to deal with it, and since they dont have Conceal anymore.. :)

vs Shaman

Always keep Fiery War Axe, Ravaging Ghoul, Doomsayer, Stonehill Defender

Another matchup where you need to get control of the board. They usually go for the combo with the Bloodlust, so as long as you dont let them spawn as much minions as they want, you are okay. Try to save the brawls for when they combo the doppelgangster + evolve

vs Warlock

I have not faced any warlocks.

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Card by card analysis:

(ill write this later)

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Card Replacements:

Alright, so, about replacing cards i just want to say one thing: This is the version i had sucess mostly against aggro, there are probably better versions for this kind of deck and the replacements below are the ones i would make (feel free to try others and give your feedback)

vs Aggro decks

- Acolyte of Pain

- Gorehowl

- Elise the Trailblazer

-1 Primordial Drake

depending on what you are facing

+ Golakka Crawler

+ Hungry Crab

+ Gluttonous Ooze

+ Bloodhoof Brave

other cards i would consider

Eater of Secrets for Elise the Trailblazer

Ysera for Elise the Trailblazer

Deathwing for Primordial Drake

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Hope you enjoy, and give me feedback! Any questions, just ask :)