ok, I dead-ended with my Paladin deck at Masters-1... Decided I'd move on to a hero that I would actually like to play, rather than just playing to win and depending heavily on draw. I seem to be better at close games and eeking out tough wins with the Shaman.
Here's where I am so far. I'm obviously not card-rich, but I do have a small pool of dust to work with and 1 Legendary I could dispose of if needed: Alexstraza.
I don't feel like I need the 2x Owl in addition to 2x Earth Shock but silence is one of those things that keeps me afloat. I do have experience with using Pandaren to kick back cards, so that's an option... but ES just seems too good to drop. The lack of high-end cards in the deck means that I have to depend a lot on being able to keep totems out for presence and depend on Dire Wolf and Flametongue for early hits. Axe+Rockbiter can also yield some early headway. There are a few single-cards like Dust Devil (which rarely gets used), Lava Burst and Unbound Elemental which I just threw in because I landed them in packs. I have another Lightning Storm, but two seemed overkill with all the other direct damage available.
I seem to manage overload pretty well, despite the reluctance I had on it from the get-go... I was thinking that my typical play style would get me caught with my pants down and my mana over-extended but I've become more patient. It's paid off. So, I've contemplated finding a way to add in some Lightning Bolts and buy another Unbound Elemental just to run the gimmick further. I do like the direct damage, though I often find myself wishing I had a little self-heal ability. I suppose I could always add my Alexstraza to the deck for a late-game boost, though I haven't wanted to start using it in case I decide to dust it for a few rares.
So here's where I need the help... If there were one or two epic cards a decent Shaman deck should always have, I have the means to buy them. Rares as well. I do have quite a bit of unused stuff floating around in my collection that I could dispose of. I may even have some cards that should be in this deck. Next; Is the overload-overloading a viable strategy? I know how frustrating it is to constantly have your board cleared, so that's something I try to push at all costs. Lastly; Any pointers on handling the massive amount of Legendary-Heavy decks would be welcome. I always hold on to my Hexes for way too long in anticipation that on turn 8 I'm going to see the game end if I'm not holding one. I'd like to have a little less fear of late-game.
Earth Elementals are great for shamans, big taunters for 5mana and 3 overload. Dust Devils are to easy to counter, I wouldn't play them. To even your manacurve a bit, if you want to keep 4 silences: drop one owl for a spellbreaker. It costs 4mana, has 4/3. Fire Elementals are among the best cards a shaman has.
Another ancestral spirit could be useful and a second lava burst. Best solution for shamans dealing with lots of legendaries: Either be fast, which means using overload for advantage and don't hesitate to use your hexes earlier. Or use some spellpower minions to fuel your nukes. Taunts and Manipulators are a nice counter as well, though more situational, as well as big hitters on your side (which reminds me of Earth Elementals ;) )
Went with the Earth Elemental, dropped the Dust Devil. Also took the advice to lose an Owl in favor of a Spellbreaker. Adding spell damage at this point still seems like a whole other direction for the deck. I feel like I'd have to finish up loading up on spells. I may also try dropping the Unbound Elemental for another Fire Elemental. Any other advice would be much appreciated.
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ok, I dead-ended with my Paladin deck at Masters-1... Decided I'd move on to a hero that I would actually like to play, rather than just playing to win and depending heavily on draw. I seem to be better at close games and eeking out tough wins with the Shaman.
Here's where I am so far. I'm obviously not card-rich, but I do have a small pool of dust to work with and 1 Legendary I could dispose of if needed: Alexstraza.
I don't feel like I need the 2x Owl in addition to 2x Earth Shock but silence is one of those things that keeps me afloat. I do have experience with using Pandaren to kick back cards, so that's an option... but ES just seems too good to drop. The lack of high-end cards in the deck means that I have to depend a lot on being able to keep totems out for presence and depend on Dire Wolf and Flametongue for early hits. Axe+Rockbiter can also yield some early headway. There are a few single-cards like Dust Devil (which rarely gets used), Lava Burst and Unbound Elemental which I just threw in because I landed them in packs. I have another Lightning Storm, but two seemed overkill with all the other direct damage available.
I seem to manage overload pretty well, despite the reluctance I had on it from the get-go... I was thinking that my typical play style would get me caught with my pants down and my mana over-extended but I've become more patient. It's paid off. So, I've contemplated finding a way to add in some Lightning Bolts and buy another Unbound Elemental just to run the gimmick further. I do like the direct damage, though I often find myself wishing I had a little self-heal ability. I suppose I could always add my Alexstraza to the deck for a late-game boost, though I haven't wanted to start using it in case I decide to dust it for a few rares.
So here's where I need the help... If there were one or two epic cards a decent Shaman deck should always have, I have the means to buy them. Rares as well. I do have quite a bit of unused stuff floating around in my collection that I could dispose of. I may even have some cards that should be in this deck. Next; Is the overload-overloading a viable strategy? I know how frustrating it is to constantly have your board cleared, so that's something I try to push at all costs. Lastly; Any pointers on handling the massive amount of Legendary-Heavy decks would be welcome. I always hold on to my Hexes for way too long in anticipation that on turn 8 I'm going to see the game end if I'm not holding one. I'd like to have a little less fear of late-game.
Thanks!
Earth Elementals are great for shamans, big taunters for 5mana and 3 overload.
Dust Devils are to easy to counter, I wouldn't play them.
To even your manacurve a bit, if you want to keep 4 silences: drop one owl for a spellbreaker. It costs 4mana, has 4/3.
Fire Elementals are among the best cards a shaman has.
Another ancestral spirit could be useful and a second lava burst.
Best solution for shamans dealing with lots of legendaries:
Either be fast, which means using overload for advantage and don't hesitate to use your hexes earlier.
Or use some spellpower minions to fuel your nukes.
Taunts and Manipulators are a nice counter as well, though more situational, as well as big hitters on your side (which reminds me of Earth Elementals ;) )
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Yeah I can't actually think of a time where I was able to use Dust Devil for anything but bait. At least not since the wipe.
I have used Ancient Mages successfully in a Shaman deck as well, so that's an option. I have one - could buy another. Maybe an Azure Drake?
I probably will splurge on an Earth Elemental, though.
Went with the Earth Elemental, dropped the Dust Devil. Also took the advice to lose an Owl in favor of a Spellbreaker. Adding spell damage at this point still seems like a whole other direction for the deck. I feel like I'd have to finish up loading up on spells. I may also try dropping the Unbound Elemental for another Fire Elemental. Any other advice would be much appreciated.