So I'm updating this deck for a few reasons. First of all, I think I've made enough changes to officially call it my deck. Secondly, it's doing really well and crazy fun.
It might look a bit strange but it's by far the most fun deck I've ever played and it feels as competitive as any Mage deck does right now. In my last 33 games at rank 8-6 I'm winning 69% and that includes three straight losses to Winhammer Shamans before I tech'd in OOZE and Elemental.
The changes I've made recently are, as mentioned, teching in an Ooze, a 2nd barrier, and a Water Elemental and removing Sorcerer's Apprentice and Yogg/Sogg. Why? To combat the biggest weakness of the deck; aggro. My only 50% or lower wins are against Shaman and Hunter and both I usually take control but they finish with spells. Since the change I'm 5-0 against those two classes.
Basically you want to survive the early game, AOE bomb the mid-game and then find your win condition. Be forewarned, this is at least Freeze mage level complex. You often have to make odd tempo choices in order to win. and sometimes you sit with three burn spells in your hand and let little minions thrash on you while you wait for the right moment. Poly has right targets and the everything else is a wrong target. Don't feel desperate and Poly a Trogg or Golem or something against Shaman, you'll regret it. Same with Cthun decks; Poly is for Cthun. Nzoth Poly is for Tirion(and ALWAYS save a flamestrike and ideally a blast; you can simply wipe the slate clean of a Nzoth with a flamestrike; blast; ping.)
I recommend early and aggressive doomsayer drops. Don't waste a nova or blizzard with them; drop turn 2/3/4 to set up a clean minion drop or bait removal. You will fare so much better when you aggressively play doomsayer.
Against control decks I'm almost undefeated. It ruins Control Warrior and it's hilarious when they have 30 health and 32 armor with each having 1 card left and you still beat them with 15 health for the last 8 turns. Control priest doesn't have the threats to stack up. Your monkey game is just better; you can easily kill them if they use Monkey first or set up a perfect Monkey of your own.
I'm also running over 85% against Zoolock. They don't have the ability to burst you with spells and you can easily control the board while they kill themselves. Eventually you Archmage and game over.
Mulligans are tricky and I'll go into more depth if requested but basically Doomsayer, Frostbolt, Arcane Blast are big old yes pleases and Flamewaker if you have coin is usually a wise idea.
Tech wise you could eliminate the Ooze and Elemtnal if you're somehow not playing constant Shamans and Warriors and add fireballs or forgotten torches but I wouldn't recommend it.
You always get value. It's effectively an ultra taunt in that they have to immediately clear it. Plus you always have low value spells to get an immediate board from it. Stone + nova into flames trike or blizzard is a thing.
You generate fireballs from Antonidas, conjurer, tome, etc. I thought it was strange, too, but you don't need them.
I eliminated Violet Teacher and 1x Forgotten torch for Elise Starseeker and 1x Poly. Gives you Monkey for control matches/fatigue and poly is required for Cthun and Nzoth.
I'm winning 62% in my last 27 game around rank 10. That includes two losses to warriors I should have won but didn't play correctly and Oracle burned my polymorph and I didn't draw another (or shatter) from ethereal or cabalists and lost to very late game Cthun despite significant health and card lead. Still figuring out how to pilot this deck.
If Yogg wasn't so funny I'd replace him, almost anything except Yogg would increase the deck's competitiveness. Soggoth the Slitherer would actually be a little interesting and if I find him in a deck I'll probably try him out.
I'm debating whether to change torch into a fireball or another Poly; fatigue matches don't happen enough to warrant the 1 extra draw.
My winning % is now over 70% after removing Yogg for Sogg and forgotten torch for a second polymorph.
Sogg is terrible value at only 14 for 9 but he does what doesn't exist in a better form; saves you from damage. He simply stonewalls certain popular decks (specifically control priest, control warrior, zoolock and agro shaman) and a board 8 clear into a turn 9 Sogg is almost insurmountable for those decks. By that point you have plenty of spells and can pick off his minions while he stares at a minion he can't kill.
I feel like the deck needs SOMETHING big for that spot and I'm not sure what else fits. Pretty happy with Sogg atm even if his undervalue pains me for an otherwise value deck.
I'm 3-0 against both Zoo and Agro Shaman after the change.
Up to 11-4 currently ranked 9. Losses were to a face hunter, perfect draw Cthun Druid (Cthun out on my turn 7. Twin emperor my turn 5,) control warrior (I was 1 damage from winning,) and a Nzoth Pally when I didn't draw either polymorph and he curved cairne, syvallanas, tyrion, nzoth.
My winning % is now over 70% after removing Yogg for Sogg and forgotten torch for a second polymorph.
Sogg is terrible value at only 14 for 9 but he does what doesn't exist in a better form; saves you from damage. He simply stonewalls certain popular decks (specifically control priest, control warrior, zoolock and agro shaman) and a board 8 clear into a turn 9 Sogg is almost insurmountable for those decks. By that point you have plenty of spells and can pick off his minions while he stares at a minion he can't kill.
I feel like the deck needs SOMETHING big for that spot and I'm not sure what else fits. Pretty happy with Sogg atm even if his undervalue pains me for an otherwise value deck.
I'm 3-0 against both Zoo and Agro Shaman after the change.
Up to 11-4 currently ranked 9. Losses were to a face hunter, perfect draw Cthun Druid (Cthun out on my turn 7. Twin emperor my turn 5,) control warrior (I was 1 damage from winning,) and a Nzoth Pally when I didn't draw either polymorph and he curved cairne, syvallanas, tyrion, nzoth.
Man! Awesome! Im following your updates! Tell me more!
Very intresting, played a few games (low ranks tho), won easily.
What do you think of Ragnaros the firelord instead of Yogg/Sogg? :)
A distinct possibility.
I'm still trying to figure out the best card for that slot. Yogg and Sogg both have games where they save you but more games where they're useless. Sogg has an amazing effect but the fact that he's 9 mana and only 9 health is rough. If he were 8 mana he'd be a lock.
I do like Sogg more than Yogg as far as competitive (although Yogg is all about the lolz) but I'm not sure it's optimized. Sogg stonewalls certain decks but only when you're already ahead; he's very poor against boards.
Ragnaros is an option I'm considering, along with Syvlannas and Nexus Champion or even just a water elemental. Heck, even a faceless might work.
I swapped one sorcerers apprentice for a swamp ooze and just yes, awesome.
The main thing with this deck is maintaining your early game health. You stabilize around turn 6 but if you're too low there is a LOT of OTK out there right now with Shamans, Cthun, etc.
I'm also up to 14-3 against Zoolock with this deck so that's nice. The limited off board burst makes them super easy to control.
Looks interesting, going to give it a try with Rag, I think a second polymorph is a good call as well as Sylvanas. how critical has the Ice Barrier been for you? thanks for sharing!
I've updated to my current list which is at 12-1 rank 8 to 5. Deck refinements seem to have hit the mark and dominating at higher ranks with less Shaman faceattacks and more control. I've yet to lose to a Control Priest, Paladin or Warrior since my deck changes and over 85% win percentage against them even before my latest refinements. Nzoth is just garbage against this deck because you play the wait game much better and can poly down their best threats.
Not only is Barrier important but it's critical and I've added a 2nd. It extends your safe zone so far and just gives you much more comfort against both Agro and fatigue decks.
I've moved away from the idea of another big threats as you already have 3 solid win conditions. Instead I added a lowly Water Elemental who puts in serious dirty work for 4 mana.
I will try this deck; it's similar to a deck I've been using. How important are the Arcane Blasts though? I don't have either of them, and don't really feel like crafting them if I don't have to. Can sub in Magic Missiles?
How does this deck fare against C'thun? I have been getting wrecked by him lately.
I will try this deck; it's similar to a deck I've been using. How important are the Arcane Blasts though? I don't have either of them, and don't really feel like crafting them if I don't have to. Can sub in Magic Missiles?
How does this deck fare against C'thun? I have been getting wrecked by him lately.
I actually removed the blasts for a second elemental and a fireball.
It fares well. Cthun Warrior and Priest is over 85% win for me. Cthun Druid is tougher if they get a quick ramp; amber weaver is ridiculous and they have a lot of burst with swipes and chargecats; still favorable though.
Control Decks, mid range and tempo decks are what this deck destroys. Aggro decks are more of a toss up and combo decks can be tough.
its just impossible to win against control priest .... so annoying because its my easiest win as freeze mage
No offense but you must be playing it wrong against Priest. It might be my best matchup. I'm 11-2 against them with this deck. You need to be clever using your wakers, doomsayers and summoning stones or you'll lose easily. Basically only play them if they don't have six mana or have already used a Cabal or if you can easily clear next turn. I usually mulligan for flamewakers so I can get them down early and bait out a pain or even both.
Nzoth priests should be super easy. Save 1 doomsayer and either count their under 2 attack clears for a safe clear or doomsayer and fireball Syllvannas for easy clear. Save poly for a deathwing or faceless from curator.
Sadly I'm probably going to call this deck dead in the current meta.
Some unfavorable matchups have popped up while Control and Zoo has mostly disappeared for me.
I basically only face Hunters, Shamans, Agro or Tempo warriors and miracle rogues. All of those are poor matchups for this deck, especially now that "Midrange" Shaman has mostly replaced Aggro. Basically expect an auto loss to Midrange Shaman and Hunter and very tough matchups elsewhere.
I doubt the Meta shifts back to control as people have realized Cthun and Nzoth decks get steamrolled by Aggro and the only midrange decks left are ones with massive burst.
A fast version of Freeze Mage seems the best option available for Mages. Control Warrior is basically dead from what I've seen so that doesn't leave too many poor matchups.
Hey guys.
So I'm updating this deck for a few reasons. First of all, I think I've made enough changes to officially call it my deck. Secondly, it's doing really well and crazy fun.
It might look a bit strange but it's by far the most fun deck I've ever played and it feels as competitive as any Mage deck does right now. In my last 33 games at rank 8-6 I'm winning 69% and that includes three straight losses to Winhammer Shamans before I tech'd in OOZE and Elemental.
The changes I've made recently are, as mentioned, teching in an Ooze, a 2nd barrier, and a Water Elemental and removing Sorcerer's Apprentice and Yogg/Sogg. Why? To combat the biggest weakness of the deck; aggro. My only 50% or lower wins are against Shaman and Hunter and both I usually take control but they finish with spells. Since the change I'm 5-0 against those two classes.
Basically you want to survive the early game, AOE bomb the mid-game and then find your win condition. Be forewarned, this is at least Freeze mage level complex. You often have to make odd tempo choices in order to win. and sometimes you sit with three burn spells in your hand and let little minions thrash on you while you wait for the right moment. Poly has right targets and the everything else is a wrong target. Don't feel desperate and Poly a Trogg or Golem or something against Shaman, you'll regret it. Same with Cthun decks; Poly is for Cthun. Nzoth Poly is for Tirion(and ALWAYS save a flamestrike and ideally a blast; you can simply wipe the slate clean of a Nzoth with a flamestrike; blast; ping.)
I recommend early and aggressive doomsayer drops. Don't waste a nova or blizzard with them; drop turn 2/3/4 to set up a clean minion drop or bait removal. You will fare so much better when you aggressively play doomsayer.
Against control decks I'm almost undefeated. It ruins Control Warrior and it's hilarious when they have 30 health and 32 armor with each having 1 card left and you still beat them with 15 health for the last 8 turns. Control priest doesn't have the threats to stack up. Your monkey game is just better; you can easily kill them if they use Monkey first or set up a perfect Monkey of your own.
I'm also running over 85% against Zoolock. They don't have the ability to burst you with spells and you can easily control the board while they kill themselves. Eventually you Archmage and game over.
Mulligans are tricky and I'll go into more depth if requested but basically Doomsayer, Frostbolt, Arcane Blast are big old yes pleases and Flamewaker if you have coin is usually a wise idea.
Tech wise you could eliminate the Ooze and Elemtnal if you're somehow not playing constant Shamans and Warriors and add fireballs or forgotten torches but I wouldn't recommend it.
How often do you get value from the stone?
No FIREBALL?
What are the changes you made from the original Kibler version??
You always get value. It's effectively an ultra taunt in that they have to immediately clear it. Plus you always have low value spells to get an immediate board from it. Stone + nova into flames trike or blizzard is a thing.
You generate fireballs from Antonidas, conjurer, tome, etc. I thought it was strange, too, but you don't need them.
I eliminated Violet Teacher and 1x Forgotten torch for Elise Starseeker and 1x Poly. Gives you Monkey for control matches/fatigue and poly is required for Cthun and Nzoth.
As an update because I love this deck..
I'm winning 62% in my last 27 game around rank 10. That includes two losses to warriors I should have won but didn't play correctly and Oracle burned my polymorph and I didn't draw another (or shatter) from ethereal or cabalists and lost to very late game Cthun despite significant health and card lead. Still figuring out how to pilot this deck.
If Yogg wasn't so funny I'd replace him, almost anything except Yogg would increase the deck's competitiveness. Soggoth the Slitherer would actually be a little interesting and if I find him in a deck I'll probably try him out.
I'm debating whether to change torch into a fireball or another Poly; fatigue matches don't happen enough to warrant the 1 extra draw.
Update.
My winning % is now over 70% after removing Yogg for Sogg and forgotten torch for a second polymorph.
Sogg is terrible value at only 14 for 9 but he does what doesn't exist in a better form; saves you from damage. He simply stonewalls certain popular decks (specifically control priest, control warrior, zoolock and agro shaman) and a board 8 clear into a turn 9 Sogg is almost insurmountable for those decks. By that point you have plenty of spells and can pick off his minions while he stares at a minion he can't kill.
I feel like the deck needs SOMETHING big for that spot and I'm not sure what else fits. Pretty happy with Sogg atm even if his undervalue pains me for an otherwise value deck.
I'm 3-0 against both Zoo and Agro Shaman after the change.
Up to 11-4 currently ranked 9. Losses were to a face hunter, perfect draw Cthun Druid (Cthun out on my turn 7. Twin emperor my turn 5,) control warrior (I was 1 damage from winning,) and a Nzoth Pally when I didn't draw either polymorph and he curved cairne, syvallanas, tyrion, nzoth.
Looks interesting, going to give it a try with Rag, I think a second polymorph is a good call as well as Sylvanas. how critical has the Ice Barrier been for you? thanks for sharing!
I've updated to my current list which is at 12-1 rank 8 to 5. Deck refinements seem to have hit the mark and dominating at higher ranks with less Shaman faceattacks and more control. I've yet to lose to a Control Priest, Paladin or Warrior since my deck changes and over 85% win percentage against them even before my latest refinements. Nzoth is just garbage against this deck because you play the wait game much better and can poly down their best threats.
Not only is Barrier important but it's critical and I've added a 2nd. It extends your safe zone so far and just gives you much more comfort against both Agro and fatigue decks.
I've moved away from the idea of another big threats as you already have 3 solid win conditions. Instead I added a lowly Water Elemental who puts in serious dirty work for 4 mana.
I will try this deck; it's similar to a deck I've been using. How important are the Arcane Blasts though? I don't have either of them, and don't really feel like crafting them if I don't have to. Can sub in Magic Missiles?
How does this deck fare against C'thun? I have been getting wrecked by him lately.
Sadly I'm probably going to call this deck dead in the current meta.
Some unfavorable matchups have popped up while Control and Zoo has mostly disappeared for me.
I basically only face Hunters, Shamans, Agro or Tempo warriors and miracle rogues. All of those are poor matchups for this deck, especially now that "Midrange" Shaman has mostly replaced Aggro. Basically expect an auto loss to Midrange Shaman and Hunter and very tough matchups elsewhere.
I doubt the Meta shifts back to control as people have realized Cthun and Nzoth decks get steamrolled by Aggro and the only midrange decks left are ones with massive burst.
A fast version of Freeze Mage seems the best option available for Mages. Control Warrior is basically dead from what I've seen so that doesn't leave too many poor matchups.