Hearthpwn

Come in and Warm your Frozen Boots by the Fire!

 

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gunnolf, and I am originally from the Land Down Under a.k.a. Australia. I am an avid gamer that has acquired a real passion for card games, which originated from my humble beginnings as a Yu-Gi-Oh collector and eventually grew from my dabbling in Cardfight Vanguard and Buddyfight, until we reached the game we know as Hearthstone.

I've played Hearthstone since the days of classic, with multiple accounts on both EU and NA servers. Despite having reached the Rank of Legend and my own personal mentality of equating 'having fun' with 'winning', I am not really a fan of meta power-grinding & net-decking, not that there is anything wrong with that. Therefore, I enjoy thinking about new, cool and fun deck ideas that push boundaries while also allowing you to win and those are what I want to share with you guys every-time I post a decklist.

I have presently become a contributing writer to WILDHS and will be posting articles there on a semi-regular basis, regarding deck-archetypes the status of the meta as well as how to get the most fun out of this game even if you aren't a big spender. If any of this sounds interesting, then I highly recommend that you check out of the website, as the writers and the owner himself are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet with great in-game knowledge (link to be website can be found HERE). You can also follow me on Twitter for latest updates.

If you genuinely like my content and would like to see me produce more of it, then please consider supporting me on Patreon. This is by no means necessary but it will definitely help me out in the long run. Thanks for Reading ^^

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Deck Introduction

It is my utmost pleasure to present you with my very own 'Legendary' take on the AK combo list that is guaranteed not only to get you to legend but also allow you to have fun while doing so ^^. Now in terms of the combo itself, it is a very self-explanatory and somewhat straightforward deck to pilot now that we have Ultimate Infestation for Druid. What you want to do is mulligan for your ramp cards. Stop Aggro with Spreading plague and then proceed to just OTK your opponent with Aviana -> Kun the Forgotten King -> Malygos -> Alexstrasza -> Damage spells as they stare dumbfounded at their screen.

There are quite a lot of ways to build this deck so make sure you 100% check out the section below if you want to find the best build for the current meta you are in.

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Alternate Deckbuilding (Multiple Win Conditions)

In the current metagame, I firmly believe that my Alexstrasza variant of the Malygos OTK Druid deck is better. It is quicker, it includes card dumping mechanics so that you can draw off of Ultimate Infestation reliably without fear of overdrawing and overall your hands are considerably less clunky with fewer combo pieces.

Build No. 1 (Floo's Reign)

If you have the Legendary Minion Flobbidinous Floop and the meta is a little bit slower (like that will ever happen) you can run this build that has several more options. It may not be as good against aggro as it's Oaken Summons counterpart but it performs just as well if not better against control:

-2x Ironwood Golem | +1x Flobbidinous Floop & +1x Witchwood Piper
-2x Oaken Summons | +2x Ferocious Howl

Build No. 2 (Anti-Armor)

However, for the sake of providing a full picture of the deck I have to state that there is another way to build the OTK. It involves more combo pieces but the deck is considerably more relevant in any meta where you see players stacking armor. The principal difference is that instead of Alexstrasza you run Ixlid, Fungal Lord + Faceless Manipulator. This combo can fetch you up to 4 Malygos which can make a single Moonfire do 21 damage.

To play this version of the deck you can make the following changes to the present list at hand. Essentially:

-1x Innervate | +1x Faceless Manipulator
-1x Alexstrasza | +1x Ixlid, Fungal Lord

Build No.3 (Anti-Dirty Rat)

Recently an alternative, quite competitive build has come to light. This is a good alternative to the Ixlid variant showcased above in the eventuality that there is a control meta a foot with Dirty Rat being of particular prevalence. The way you protect yourself against that effect is thanks to the weapon that Druid got from Kobolds & Catacombs, Twig of the World Tree. It should be noted that even in this build there are variances in the way in which the deck can be built.

-2x Oaken Summons | +1x Twig of the World Tree & +1x Faceless Manipulator
-2x Ironwood Golem | +2x Mire Keeper

Additionally, instead of Mire Keepers and Alexstrasza you can make the following changes that will allow your deck to be a little more consistent against aggro while also retaining the protection provided the weapon against Dirty Rat.

-2x Oaken Summons | +1x Twig of the World Tree & +1x Faceless Manipulator
-2x Ironwood Golem | +2x Ferocious Howl
-1x Alexstrasza | +1x Faceless Manipulator
-1x Innervate | +1x Blingtron 3000

Build No. 4 (Even Faster Build)

So, with the new expansion of BOOMSDAY, the deck got a few new tools that can be utilised to effectively OTK smash your opponent as quickly as possible. The downside is that the new card telegraphs your hand to your opponent so it is more vulnerable to Dirty Rat but nonetheless the build really works well.

-1x Alexstrasza | +1x Gloop Sprayer
-1x Ultimate Infestation | +1x Juicy Psychmelon
-1x Innervate | +1x Faceless Manipulator

This build of the deck does essentially the same amount of damage that the Ixlid variation would do except it is much easier to actually get the cards you want from your deck since Gloop Sprayer is an 8 cost minion and actually synergises with Juicy Psychmelon. This latter version essentially renders the Ixlid variant obsolete but people may not have some of these cards so I have included both for your convenience.

Build No. 5 (Fastest Versatile Non-Aggro)

Another expansion and another build and this one is actually stupidly fast thanks in particular to one new minions, namely Jepetto Joybuzz.

 

Now because this legendary draws two minions from our deck, we are unable to run the oaken summons package. This in turn makes the deck a little less viable against aggro but it's still druid so you can still win the majority of the times. Having said that, it's still more suitable to a slower meta.

Furthermore, if  Jepetto Joybuzz draws the correct combination of minions (see below) you can OTK your opponent without all the necessary combo pieces in hand:

a) Alexstrasza [/card]+ [card]Malygos (Gives you 8 mana you cast all the damage spells you need).
b) Kun the Forgotten King + Alexstrasza (with Malygos in hand you have 9 mana to OTK people).
c) Aviana + anything else (allows for lenty of mana left over to do damage + draw assuming you get Kun the Forgotten king As well).

In general, I think this is the most versatile way to build the deck that allows for the fastest possible combo. Also just in case some one questions why we aren't running Juicy Psychmelon, well, it is becaause it draws a lot of our cards and we want them to primarily remain in the deck  for us to get the effect from Jeppeto Joybuzz.

Build No. 6 (Classic)

Very solid build which I recommend using if you don't have Jepetto Joybuzz. More so geared towards dealing with aggro a little bit better but it still maintains great consistency for drawing the combo.

-2x Ferocious Howl | +2x Oaken Summons
-1x Jepetto Joybuzz & -1x Lesser Jasper Spellstone | +2x Ironwood Golem

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Card Choices and Deck-building Explained

In this section, I will explain some of the card choices I opted for and the reasoning as to why they were included over potential counter-parts.

1) Alexstrasza: There is a lot of controversy when it comes to play this card in Malygos Druid but I personally like it because its effect is applicable across multiple opponents. furthermore when it comes to certain classes that we know do not have health healing like Druid for example you can just play Alex on curve and start swinging at their face for 8 if they can't remove it. It may sound strange but this strategy has won me so many games.

2) Innervate: Even if it only gives one additional mana, the card is fantastic for hand-dumping after Ultimate Infestation but also allowing you to get to that critical turn just that tiny bit quicker. The card is now mandatory because Aviana was increased to 10 mana.

3) Flobbidinous Floop: Considering the nerf to Aviana, I wanted to make the deck as flexible as possible when it comes to winning. So even if you have to burn both Innervates and the coin (if you have it), you still have a way to OTK your opponent.

(At the present time, only a few cards have been listed but I will include more if questions pop-up within the comments section regarding substitutions and why other cards were included.)

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Tech Choices

Considering that I have listed multiple ways in which to build the deck above, I won't repeat what has already been covered. However, I do intend to mention a couple of cards that might prove very useful to you should you hit particular pocket metas or just want to ramp faster towards your win condition.

1) Biology Project: This is never a turn 1 play (especially against Shaman). Just don't do it. While it may allow you to ramp faster giving an aggro deck the ability to flood the board with minions before you have an answer can be devastating.

2) Deathlord: This can be your combo breaker minion and it fits in nicely with the oaken summons package as well. I recommend including with care but this minion can be game changing if you play it in a combo mirror.

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The History of Card Choices in Malygos Druid

I have been playing this deck for a very, very, very long time and as such have adapted this list multiple times for the readers to enjoy and even get to Legend with. All though the cards in the past may not be relevant at the present time, I wanted people to see and understand how the deck evolved over time and how it wasn't always the tier 2-1 deck we play today. Rather it got there with tireless support from the community. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane.

-1 Faceless Manipulator / +1 Alexstrasza This change is honestly debatable. However, I feel that Alex is less useless on the board if pulled by dirty rat and represents more damage in a control match-up for fewer cards compared to double Malygos.

-2 Innervate / +2 Doomsayer New innervates I feel are not good enough to run in this list. Doomsayers help slow the game down versus aggro which is pretty much your only bad match-up.

-1x Gadgetzan Auctioneer & -1x Ultimate Infestation / +2x Azure Drake You just aren't dumping your hand quick enough (or at all) to make use of the second UI and with the loss of innervates auctioneer isn't that relevant.

-2x Raven Idol / +2x Novice Engineer Since we are not running the double Malygos version, then there is no need to run extra burn. We just need extra efficient card draw. Running Novice over Loot Hoarder because we want the draw to be instant.

-1x Living Roots / +1x Bloodmage Thalnos Extra cycle to get to the end game.

-1x Jade Blossom / +1x Mulch Nice single target removal to help win miracle match-ups if they develop a big minion too early. Also jade Blossom is the weakest of the ramp cards doing nothing in the late game as the body it provides is irrelevant.

Additional Changes as of 15/11/2017

-1x Fandral Staghelm / +1x Malfurion the Pestilent Unfortunately, Fandral has very limited working proficiency with this deck even though he interacts nicely with cards like Wrath and Nourish. On the other hand, the Death Knight provides offensive and defensive capabilities (if you do not own the Death knight you can run Mind Control Tech, Druid of the Swarm or even Ancient of War).

-1x Jade Blossom / +1x Eater of Secrets This tech choice is a little bit iffy and can potentially be easily changed for something else to suit the meta. For now though, a card that deals effectively with Ice Block doesn't hurt. Jade Blossom is just terrible in general, I have completely cut the card from the list. If you so wish you can choose to omit this tech slot in favor of a second Living Roots since it doubles as anti-aggro tech and extra burn.

-2x Novice Engineer / +x2 Sludge Belcher Fairly obvious choice, removing some cycle for arguably the best taunt in the game that can also put on a little bit of pressure.

Kobolds & Catacombs Update

The deck has legitimately become extremely scary with this expansion due to some of the new cards we've received. With a little more support it is very likely that this deck will be propelled into Tier 1 status. The changes are as follows:

-2x Mire Keeper / +1x Poison Seeds & +1x Innervate: We lose some ramp but overall gain a great removal tool that is especially relevant against giant decks. In addition because we are running double ultimate infestation we need cards to dump from our hand.

-2x Sludge Belcher / +2x Ironwood Golem: Again it is a faster minion than belcher and also synergises with Oaken Summons.

-2x Doomsayer / +2x Oaken Summons: It works as an extremely cheap Moonglade Portal that thins your deck out thus making drawing your combo pieces faster and more consistent.

-2x Azure Drake / +2x Branching Paths: The card is extremely versatile as it can provide you with double the draw compared to Azure Drake, healing against aggro and potentially even buffs for a big Spreading Plague.

-1x Bloodmage Thalnos / +1x Ultimate Infestation: I have finally given into adding the second Ultimate Infestation again for the sake of consistency of draw. I do this with the full knowledge that most like, the second UI will never be cast due to hand size.

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Guide & Match-ups

Against Control & Combo oriented decks you want a good mix of card draw and ramp. It is recommended that you keep Wild Growth, Greedy Sprite, some of your early draw Wrath or Oak Summons and in some Fringe cases even Ultimate Infestation.

Against Aggressive decks your keys to success are early removal tools (Wrath,Tar Creeper,Spreading Plague), ramp (Listed above) and card-draw (listed above), in that order.

Vs Exodia or Freezemage  (100% 4-0): Very much a favored match-up, if you know how to pilot it correctly. Your board is irrelevant most of the time so no need to try and save it unless the full combo is on the board. Save your burn for your opponent's face and only use it to clear minions if the chip damage pressure is too high. If you keep all your damage spells, then you are capable of going through at least 3 Ice Block and winning. Also be very careful against Exodia mage as they could cause you to overdraw by playing Coldlight Oracle. You need the full combo to win so check your hand capacity every turn.

Vs Reno Priest | Various Iterations (100% 6-0): Very favored match-up. There is usually nothing they can do to stop your combo or a way for them to clear Malygos & the rest of your board. Be wary of Dirty Rat and or Deathlord as they could present a problem if played. Recommended to build up a small board with azure drakes to do some chip damage and pile on the pressure. Only problems you could face is armor from Kazakus potions and the Death Knight.

Vs Evolve-Token Shaman (100% 1-0): Not a great sample size but I would venture it's a 50/50, so neither favored nor unfavored. Doomsayer, Spreading Plague and Wrath are your lifelines. If you get them in time, you are most than likely to win. It is worth considering unleashing the combo of minions even if you don't have the full burn, as shaman will struggle to deal with it more often than not.

Vs Aggro Shaman (100% 1-0): Same as above, although I think it's slightly less favored for this deck compared to the token variant match-up.

Vs Mill Rogue (50% 1-1) & Tempo-Oil Rogue (75% 3-1): Rogue is one of those classes that is hard to mulligan against as you don't know what they are playing. As a general rule if you don't know your opponent's deck, mulligan as though they are aggro/Tempo. If they turn out to be Mill, don't worry and keep calm as you can still win. Take great care in dumping your hand and even nourishing for crystals as they will draw cards for you thanks to Coldlight Oracle. Please note that, in such match-ups Alexstrasza is a non essential combo piece, so even if she is burned you can still win.

Vs Murloc Paladin (33% 1-2): Paladin in general as a class is probably the worst match-up for this deck, if they are of the murloc or dude variety. Board can potentially snowball too quickly. Major lifeline is an early Tar Creeper. Control paladin is theoretically a favored match-up.

Vs Jade Druid (0% 0-1): Not a great sample size. Early spreading plague might help but the possibility of counterplay is quite limited if they tempo out. Not unwinnable but it's quite draw dependent.

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Don't have Malygos?

In the eventuality that you don't own Malygos I am going to recommend another other druid combo deck that Involves Aviana and Kun the Forgotten King. Specifically, it revolves around C'Thun and his buffers. As a result it is much cheaper (since C'Thun was a free Legendary).

Gunnolf's Wild C'thun OTK Druid C'Thun Druid Deck by Gunnolf - Feb 16, 2018 View Deck String Export to BBCode Export to Cockatrice Export to MarkDown Export to Html Clone this deck
Minion (11) 1x Aviana 1x Brann Bronzebeard 1x C'Thun 1x Kun the Forgotten King 1x Zola the Gorgon 2x Disciple of C'Thun 2x Beckoner of Evil 2x Dark Arakkoa	Ability (18) 2x Branching Paths 2x Ultimate Infestation 2x Innervate 2x Nourish 2x Spreading Plague 2x Poison Seeds 2x Wild Growth 2x Wrath 2x Swipe	Playable Hero (1) 1x Malfurion the Pestilent
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Author's Notes

As you can see, in comparison to other combo lists this one relies on drawing the combo as quickly as possible and as a result is very cycle heavy without a great amount of anti-aggro tech.

In my climb to Legend, I faced very few aggro decks and as a result I made my deck faster and more consistent. It is likely that some cards will be replaced in the future to deal with an aggressive meta (which has been done as indicated by the changes above) but for now  this is an optimized version.

Take your time to learn the deck. it isn't an easy one to master and requires a decent amount of games played on ladder to know the match-ups.Will update the list in the future, so stay tuned!

I enjoy deck-building a multitude of interesting decks that are both entertaining and Legend viable (with some odd Free-to-Play lists mixed in). So if you like this deck (or anyone of my other ones) consider leaving a thumbs up, as it really helps in the long run! :)

Thank you guys for all your support and if you have any suggestions, let me know. 

 

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