I've been trying to optimize my Witch's Cauldron deck and just uploaded it to seek your help in filling out the last few pieces (or maybe the whole thing needs to be blown up, haha). As a disclaimer, I'm not trying to climb the ladder with this deck, but games are always more fun when you don't get stomped on...even in Casual. ;D
In particular, I've been having the most trouble with aggro builds and am wondering what's the best way to counter that while still synergizing with the overall build. Most recently I included Candleshot as well as Wing Blast because I'm often searching hard for Springpaw in the Mulligan, but I also think I can cut 1x Hunting Mastiff and have thought about replacing it with Headhunter's Hatchet or Knife Juggler because of their synergy with Springpaw (and the latter is also a soft taunt). But what do you guys think?
I'd also be curious to see your Hunter builds that include the Cauldron if you've found success going a different route.
My deck is here and I tried to explain the rationale for each inclusion in the write-up:
I have one which is basically about spamming beasts which I initally created back at Kobolds & Catacombs. I've got the idea from the card bundles in Dungeon Run. It's really good with Cauldron because of all the sticky minions and in general that you're constantly spamming beasts.
And another one where I try to make a bunch of different cards work. Especially new ones like Revenge of the Wild, Master's Call, and Untamed Beastmaster. I based the deck on the quest and also included Dire Frenzy for the memes. And last but not least there is Zul'jin to repeat all the Shaman spells you've got from Cauldron for a crazy Yogg-like effect.
I've definitely thought about making a Wild version because of Alleycat, but there's a lot of great food for thought in that first deck which would still work in standard (e.g. Ravencaller, Corridor Creeper, etc.).
I also really like the inclusion of Zul'jin in your second deck as I hadn't thought about all the craziness from re-casting the Shaman spells. :) I'm worried that it may be too greedy for my current build (which is why I decided against including the Quest even though I've been super tempted), but I think I'll have to make another one where Zul'jin and the Quest can shine. I also like your inclusion of Stampede given all the small beasts and may have to finally craft that sucker. For now I've been relying on Starving Buzzard for late-game draws.
My one question is how your experience has been running Master's Call in the second list. Do you often find yourself discovering 3 beasts, or is the rationale that Stitched Tracker's stats are pretty weak so why not trade those in for a chance at more draw?
Thanks again for sharing, those look like fun decks!
As for Master's Call, it's rather clunky. I think on average Stitched Tracker is better. The main idea is that once you played Carnassa it should be pretty good. And there is great potential with Untamed Beastmaster. But I really have to say that most of the time I only got to discover and didn't draw three. I think you really need to make your deck 90% beasts for this to be worth it . I just wanted to make use of it, but in this deck it seems to be suboptimal. Maybe if the only non-beast would be Cauldron, because Cauldron is just that good.
As for Master's Call, it's rather clunky. I think on average Stitched Tracker is better. The main idea is that once you played Carnassa it should be pretty good. And there is great potential with Untamed Beastmaster. But I really have to say that most of the time I only got to discover and didn't draw three. I think you really need to make your deck 90% beasts for this to be worth it . I just wanted to make use of it, but in this deck it seems to be suboptimal. Maybe if the only non-beast would be Cauldron, because Cauldron is just that good.
I totally hear ya on Master's Call - I've tried to include it in a bunch of decks because it looked cool/fun, but it often feels a bit suboptimal/clunky. They really messed with us by making two of the cards it synergizes well with non-beasts in the form of spirit of the lynx and untamed beastmaster. I was also frustrated the first time I found out in-game that it wouldn't draw multiple Carnassa's Raptors because of the way the discover mechanic works. But I still like it in theory in your deck as you have a chance of drawing springpaw, raptor hatchling, and jeweled macaw which can really help you finish the Quest by Turn 4.
As an aside, I also like the Griftah addition. He's one of those cards that looks fun to play around with, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to craft him over another legendary whenever I've had the dust this expansion. One day...
Thanks for the suggestion! I really like Untamed Beastmaster and will test out including him in another copy of the deck. The tough part is choosing what to cut...maybe Houndmaster Shaw or a Stitched Tracker? (although I do love the Tracker) My only fears with Beastmaster are that he's a little slow in a deck that's already a bit slow to build its combos, and I may not have enough beasts to reap the benefit consistently - think there's 10 targets at the moment and I've found Beastmaster to be a bit inconsistent in a Wild deck that currently runs 15 (though when he works he can swing you the game). Definitely worth testing out though and I appreciate the feedback!
Thanks again to both you guys. I edited the deck write-up to include some of your ideas as possible replacements at the end and gave ya a shout out.
If I had to cut one card it'd be; revenge of the wild, snake trap, or unleash the hounds. I've never seen revenge of the wild pulled off with much success. Snake trap feels slow and it's major use is feeding hyena. UtH I've never had much luck with.
Also now that I think about it, might want to axe 2/3 of those and get a Dire Frenzy or 2. Even one of those hitting something big like lynx or a zombeast can really make a difference.
If I had to cut one card it'd be; revenge of the wild, snake trap, or unleash the hounds. I've never seen revenge of the wild pulled off with much success. Snake trap feels slow and it's major use is feeding hyena. UtH I've never had much luck with.
Thanks for the feedback! I used to run 2x Revenge of the Wild but agree with you that it's rarely a game changer so I chopped it down to 1 in the current iteration. But it still hasn't been great so I'll probably axe that in the Beastmaster version. It's one of those cards, like Master's Call, that looked really cool when it was revealed but I just haven't gotten a ton of use out of in practice yet. Later in games I've been able to board clear with UtH + Revenge of the Wild, especially if I have the spirit out or can play Timber Wolf, but I don't think that's really worth it.
I've also tended to stay away from Snake Trap in the past because of the issues you mentioned, but in this deck it's been a surprising clutch card. The biggest benefit has come from playing it after the spirit card loses stealth because people often use their minions to kill the spirit because it has no attack, but then this triggers the snakes and they all get buffed before the spirit dies. The buffed snakes help feed the hyenas, but they're also fodder for the Cauldron which is why I'll probably keep them in as well as UtH. The other benefit of UtH is that it procs Starving Buzzard which really helps with late game card draw (along with the lynx). The Buzzard is another one of those cards that rarely sees play in any of my decks these days but has been surprisingly useful in this one.
Also now that I think about it, might want to axe 2/3 of those and get a Dire Frenzy or 2. Even one of those hitting something big like lynx or a zombeast can really make a difference.
I like this idea as well and might try a build that subs Untamed Beastmaster for Revenge of the Wild and then subs 1 or 2 Hunting Mastiffs for Dire Frenzy because I haven't been thrilled with the mastiff so far.
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Praise Rang.
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Hi Hunters,
I've been trying to optimize my Witch's Cauldron deck and just uploaded it to seek your help in filling out the last few pieces (or maybe the whole thing needs to be blown up, haha). As a disclaimer, I'm not trying to climb the ladder with this deck, but games are always more fun when you don't get stomped on...even in Casual. ;D
In particular, I've been having the most trouble with aggro builds and am wondering what's the best way to counter that while still synergizing with the overall build. Most recently I included Candleshot as well as Wing Blast because I'm often searching hard for Springpaw in the Mulligan, but I also think I can cut 1x Hunting Mastiff and have thought about replacing it with Headhunter's Hatchet or Knife Juggler because of their synergy with Springpaw (and the latter is also a soft taunt). But what do you guys think?
I'd also be curious to see your Hunter builds that include the Cauldron if you've found success going a different route.
My deck is here and I tried to explain the rationale for each inclusion in the write-up:
Praise Rang.
I have one which is basically about spamming beasts which I initally created back at Kobolds & Catacombs. I've got the idea from the card bundles in Dungeon Run. It's really good with Cauldron because of all the sticky minions and in general that you're constantly spamming beasts.
And another one where I try to make a bunch of different cards work. Especially new ones like Revenge of the Wild, Master's Call, and Untamed Beastmaster. I based the deck on the quest and also included Dire Frenzy for the memes. And last but not least there is Zul'jin to repeat all the Shaman spells you've got from Cauldron for a crazy Yogg-like effect.
Thanks for sharing!
I've definitely thought about making a Wild version because of Alleycat, but there's a lot of great food for thought in that first deck which would still work in standard (e.g. Ravencaller, Corridor Creeper, etc.).
I also really like the inclusion of Zul'jin in your second deck as I hadn't thought about all the craziness from re-casting the Shaman spells. :) I'm worried that it may be too greedy for my current build (which is why I decided against including the Quest even though I've been super tempted), but I think I'll have to make another one where Zul'jin and the Quest can shine. I also like your inclusion of Stampede given all the small beasts and may have to finally craft that sucker. For now I've been relying on Starving Buzzard for late-game draws.
My one question is how your experience has been running Master's Call in the second list. Do you often find yourself discovering 3 beasts, or is the rationale that Stitched Tracker's stats are pretty weak so why not trade those in for a chance at more draw?
Thanks again for sharing, those look like fun decks!
Praise Rang.
Thanks for the feedback.
As for Master's Call, it's rather clunky. I think on average Stitched Tracker is better. The main idea is that once you played Carnassa it should be pretty good. And there is great potential with Untamed Beastmaster. But I really have to say that most of the time I only got to discover and didn't draw three. I think you really need to make your deck 90% beasts for this to be worth it . I just wanted to make use of it, but in this deck it seems to be suboptimal. Maybe if the only non-beast would be Cauldron, because Cauldron is just that good.
I'd recommend adding Untamed Beastmaster
I totally hear ya on Master's Call - I've tried to include it in a bunch of decks because it looked cool/fun, but it often feels a bit suboptimal/clunky. They really messed with us by making two of the cards it synergizes well with non-beasts in the form of spirit of the lynx and untamed beastmaster. I was also frustrated the first time I found out in-game that it wouldn't draw multiple Carnassa's Raptors because of the way the discover mechanic works. But I still like it in theory in your deck as you have a chance of drawing springpaw, raptor hatchling, and jeweled macaw which can really help you finish the Quest by Turn 4.
As an aside, I also like the Griftah addition. He's one of those cards that looks fun to play around with, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to craft him over another legendary whenever I've had the dust this expansion. One day...
Thanks for the suggestion! I really like Untamed Beastmaster and will test out including him in another copy of the deck. The tough part is choosing what to cut...maybe Houndmaster Shaw or a Stitched Tracker? (although I do love the Tracker) My only fears with Beastmaster are that he's a little slow in a deck that's already a bit slow to build its combos, and I may not have enough beasts to reap the benefit consistently - think there's 10 targets at the moment and I've found Beastmaster to be a bit inconsistent in a Wild deck that currently runs 15 (though when he works he can swing you the game). Definitely worth testing out though and I appreciate the feedback!
Thanks again to both you guys. I edited the deck write-up to include some of your ideas as possible replacements at the end and gave ya a shout out.
Praise Rang.
If I had to cut one card it'd be; revenge of the wild, snake trap, or unleash the hounds. I've never seen revenge of the wild pulled off with much success. Snake trap feels slow and it's major use is feeding hyena. UtH I've never had much luck with.
Also now that I think about it, might want to axe 2/3 of those and get a Dire Frenzy or 2. Even one of those hitting something big like lynx or a zombeast can really make a difference.
Thanks for the feedback! I used to run 2x Revenge of the Wild but agree with you that it's rarely a game changer so I chopped it down to 1 in the current iteration. But it still hasn't been great so I'll probably axe that in the Beastmaster version. It's one of those cards, like Master's Call, that looked really cool when it was revealed but I just haven't gotten a ton of use out of in practice yet. Later in games I've been able to board clear with UtH + Revenge of the Wild, especially if I have the spirit out or can play Timber Wolf, but I don't think that's really worth it.
I've also tended to stay away from Snake Trap in the past because of the issues you mentioned, but in this deck it's been a surprising clutch card. The biggest benefit has come from playing it after the spirit card loses stealth because people often use their minions to kill the spirit because it has no attack, but then this triggers the snakes and they all get buffed before the spirit dies. The buffed snakes help feed the hyenas, but they're also fodder for the Cauldron which is why I'll probably keep them in as well as UtH. The other benefit of UtH is that it procs Starving Buzzard which really helps with late game card draw (along with the lynx). The Buzzard is another one of those cards that rarely sees play in any of my decks these days but has been surprisingly useful in this one.
I like this idea as well and might try a build that subs Untamed Beastmaster for Revenge of the Wild and then subs 1 or 2 Hunting Mastiffs for Dire Frenzy because I haven't been thrilled with the mastiff so far.
Praise Rang.