Hearthpwn

Edit: Jade Druids are annoying.
Edit 2: Rank 5 achieved! (First season where I'm trying to climb ladder)

Version history

v1.1: -1 Kabal Lackey, +1 Babbling Book
v1.2: -1 Frozen Clone, +1 Ice Block
v1.3: -1 Arcane Giant, +1 Polymorph
v1.4: -1 Babbling Book, +1 Volcanic Potion
v1.5: -1 Volcanic Potion, +1 Ethereal Arcanist
v1.6 -1 Ethereal Arcanist, +1 Skulking Geist

Card Choices

The deck itself is pretty standard and shouldn't need much explaining, however there are a few cards that others might not go for, such as...

The Lich King
One of the only 2 Frozen Throne cards in this deck! Late-game stall paired with a free spell often ensures that we can whittle down our opponent's hp before they proc our Ice Block. For me games often end in a face-race, this card buys us time and possibly supplies us with extra face damage such as Death and Decay, Death Coil or Frostmourne. Example

Frozen Clone
A new secret that came with the Frozen Throne expansion! Great potential if you know what deck your opponent is playing, essentially a Mirror Entity That isn't punished by Battlecry minions. Steal yourself a double Hydrologist and conjure 2 free secrets, or use it to gain end-game board control.

Polymorph
Despite being a pretty slow tempo card, I've decided to include a single one of these for emergency purposes. With Deathrattle and big priest being prominent on ladder, there is nothing more satisfying than polymorphing someone's Obsidian Statue and seeing that same sheep come to life 3 times during the match. It's also been a community favorite method to dispose of those pesky Tirion Fordring cards, making paladins concede since '14!

Ethereal Arcanist
Ok, so what's the deal with this one? Ethereal Arcanist is a tempo disaster, but I find it to work very well against Jade Druid, which I'm facing a lot right now. Here's the catch: Generally against Jade Druids you want to Counterspell or Mana Bind their Nourish, Jade Blossom or Ultimate Infestation, however if you're playing against a smart druid, it is often unavoidable that you'll end up burning their removal spells away instead. Paired with Ice Block this card can quickly become a board threat, so the best way to play this is when you have control over the board (which is usually in the earlier stages of the match). Protect this card by removing/stalling whatever they put on the board, reap some free face damage until you can finish them off with a Fireball, or, y'know, just keep hitting them in the face.
Edit: Now replaced by Skulking Geist, has more potential to disrupt other classes. Ethereal Arcanist would be better if my opponents were 100% jade druids. (ironically enough it beats a card designed to counter jade druids).

Mulligan

Priority list

1. Mana Wyrm
2. Arcanologist
3. Primordial Glyph
4. Medivh's Valet
5. Kirin Tor Mage
6. Frostbolt

Situational Priority (never discard)

Priest:
Frostbolt
To kill Northshire Cleric or Radiant Elemental and deny early board control.

Paladin:
Frozen Clone
Paladin cards synergize with one another in a way that is still useful to us as mages. Ideally used on turns where you think the paladin will play a single minion for full mana cost. (Tirion Fordring, Ragnaros, Lightlord, Turn 3 Hydrologist)

Druid:
Counterspell, Mana Bind
Most, if not all Druid decks run a very aggressive ramp setup with multiple mana crystal cards. Typical spells to counter and/or steal are Wild Growth, Jade Blossom, Nourish and Ultimate Infestation

Warlock:
Primordial Glyph
Situational, aim for removal such as Polymorph, Meteor, Pyroblast against handlock or damage spells such as Fireball, Pyroblast, Firelands Portal against control

Warrior:
Primordial Glyph
Situational, aim for removal spells or anything that provides early board presence against pirate warrior.

Hunter:
 -

Mage:
Frostbolt, Counterspell, Mana Bind
Keep a Frostbolt for their Mana Wyrm, use Counterspell to stall their removals, or Mana Bind them to have a better chance at winning the face race. The latter is especially useful when fighting against quest mage.

Shaman:
Primordial Glyph, Counterspell
Fish for AoE removal such as Volcanic Potion, Flamestrike or Blizzard, use when enemy has board full of tokens. Try to Counterspell their Evolve or Devolve. May seem like bad mana value but these spells are key components in the current shaman meta (token)

Rogue:
-

Want to help me?
Challenge me with your Hunter or Rogue decks on EU so I can collect data and think of counters!
Xara#21686