After TGT was released I was having huge success with Totem Shaman, however quickly this has fallen and I am now unable to climb above Rank 7 (EU), constantly winning losing winning losing, never getting anywhere, probably slowly dropping.
I have to admit that I have also noticed that few people seem to be playing more than 1 or 2 TGT cards again and have gone back to playing pre-TGT decks, mostly aggro like Face Hunter and Eboladin, and of course Patron, plus Zoo.
I feel like I need about 3 board clears to keep on top of how quickly they flood the board andby turn 6-7 I seem to be at a huge card disadvantage because it has taken multiple cards like Rockbiter and Flametongue to keep on top of the game. The only games I win are ones in which I start with tempo and perfectly curve out to maintain tempo the entire game, so games feel determined by the first 2 turns.
Anyone else having this issue with Totem Shaman or am I just fucking up?
The Problem with Shaman is basically the same as with Rogue, they dont have a real top tier 1 drop and no real good 2 drop (Totem Golem is okayish but kinda lackluster).
So basically those classes are denied a proper early game turn 1-2 yet those turns are the most important in a tempo meta. This is not a problem only for totem shaman its a generall problem for deckbuilding.
Decks that lack a decent 1-2 drop have lower winning ratios,my biggest wish for this game is a rework of early classcards like dustdevil, cutpurse and stuff so the least played classes get some love and can contest fair.
you need to play a tempo game. It's not enough to have sticky minions on the board if you don't out-tempo your enemies.
Any tips on out-tempoing with Totem Shaman?
This is absolutely my problem, but I don't know if it's me or the deck. It just seems to be that if I can't deal with a single minion on the turn it's played then I'm snowballed against, meanwhile our snowball (Thunder Bluff) doesn't kick in until way later in the game.
And god forbid lightning storm roll a 2 on even a single 3hp minion... I lose basically every single time that happens, it's like I have to have board control at every moment of the game because there's zero chance to get it back.
this is the version i m running with right now..... i end up getting rid of the flametongue and haunted creeper..... flametongue is too easily kill cheaply and unless you have a board set up, it really doesnt do much against more aggressive decks.... haunted creeper is sticky, but my problem with its just not aggressive enough.... i m debating on switching out some of the four drops..... the totemcarver could be piloted shredder and losing the defender for lance bearer..... i feel that the thunderbluff aspirant is fine just by running it on its own which is more reason to cut out totems..... the saraad is being tested, if hes getting replace, he will probably be replaced by neptulon.... saraad's purpose right now is to help fill the hand with possible solutions but neptulon just refuel the hand with actual minions......... and i do feel azure drake is too slow and end up playing ancestral knowledge instead.....
I'm testing out 1x Mukla's Champion and 1x TBV. While TBV is great for totems, Mukla's affects ALL other minions (not just totems). It's only downside (considering they both cost the same) is that it has 3 health. However, it's effect is the same as Stormwind Champion (and ironically, when Champ is killed, the buffs on other minions don't go away). Which makes Muklas champ effectively a better turn 7 play (Mukla+Hero power > Stormwind)
TBV is great, but I've been finding him to be a difficult play on turn 5 since his 3 attack doesn't let him trade into other 5 drops equally. He's a great late game card, and 6 health makes him resilient and/or removal magnet, but I'm not 100% sold on him yet.
I've tested Totemcarver as well, and I'm not impressed. IMO the better 4 drops, even in a totem deck would be Piloted Shredder or Fireguard Destroyer.
Each one I've tested with his it's own benefits. Destroyer allows you to keep a beefy minion and deal with other control decks. Shredder is better in regards to fighting other mid-range/tempo decks. (Example: Fireguard will frequently deal with Loatheb, Tuskar Jouster, Dragon Consort, etc) and live, while shredder requires a buff/flametongue to trade.)
I'm also testing Nexus Champion Saraad in my deck, he's ....inconsistent. He's great for forcing your opponent to deal with him but I'm not sold that even getting one spell out of him is worth it. (Especially when that one spell ends up being Sense Demons or Redemption!)
I'm currently trying this one and doing pretty well with it. Control Warrior and Dragon Priest are causing some problems.
Not using Zombie Chows because I had many games where I couldn't finish off the enemy who was at 5-9hp. Just using Rockbiter Weapon for turn 1/2 control. Healing Wave allows me to facetank the damage. Also Haunted Creeper + Rockbiter Weapon works.
I'm testing out 1x Mukla's Champion and 1x TBV. While TBV is great for totems, Mukla's affects ALL other minions (not just totems). It's only downside (considering they both cost the same) is that it has 3 health. However, it's effect is the same as Stormwind Champion (and ironically, when Champ is killed, the buffs on other minions don't go away). Which makes Muklas champ effectively a better turn 7 play (Mukla+Hero power > Stormwind)
TBV is great, but I've been finding him to be a difficult play on turn 5 since his 3 attack doesn't let him trade into other 5 drops equally. He's a great late game card, and 6 health makes him resilient and/or removal magnet, but I'm not 100% sold on him yet.
I've tested Totemcarver as well, and I'm not impressed. IMO the better 4 drops, even in a totem deck would be Piloted Shredder or Fireguard Destroyer.
Each one I've tested with his it's own benefits. Destroyer allows you to keep a beefy minion and deal with other control decks. Shredder is better in regards to fighting other mid-range/tempo decks. (Example: Fireguard will frequently deal with Loatheb, Tuskar Jouster, Dragon Consort, etc) and live, while shredder requires a buff/flametongue to trade.)
I'm also testing Nexus Champion Saraad in my deck, he's ....inconsistent. He's great for forcing your opponent to deal with him but I'm not sold that even getting one spell out of him is worth it. (Especially when that one spell ends up being Sense Demons or Redemption!)
thats what i like about saraad right now too.... i have gotten sense demon a few times, but i have been learning to make use of that.... getting two 1/1 imps isnt bad when you are running defender of argus..... i do like the fireguard better because it will also help clear the path for your next two turns though.... but then i want to put in lava shocks to lessen the overload effect on the deck...
question about the champion though, the totems get +1/+1 on inspire like thunderbluff aspirant right?
^ I'm sure we have all had games that go successfully like that, I'm not saying the decks can never work, it obviously has a strong win condition, but I just feel like the first 3 turns are more dependent on your opponent drawing badly than you drawing or playing well, and that if they do gain tempo at any point in the game, it's usually gone forever.
Contrast this to Paladin which gets early tempo easily and can swing it back in the mid or late game. I am a paladin main since launch, I got golden pala prior to GvG, times were very hard for the class but muster and minibot turned it around. I'm not sure we are there yet with shaman.
BUT maybe I'm playing the deck wrong or have the wrong list. I have been adapting it but at this point I'm not sure what to add, considering elemental destruction on top of 2x LS but I would need to craft it and it doesn't sound that great.
Does anyone have a totem shaman list that is winning them more than 50% of games between ranks 10-5ish, that they can show is making progress for them on the ladder, because I'm tired of this dreary 45%ish win rate I have and I want to be sure it's not my deck before I totally blame myself.
^ I'm sure we have all had games that go successfully like that, I'm not saying the decks can never work, it obviously has a strong win condition, but I just feel like the first 3 turns are more dependent on your opponent drawing badly than you drawing or playing well, and that if they do gain tempo at any point in the game, it's usually gone forever.
Contrast this to Paladin which gets early tempo easily and can swing it back in the mid or late game. I am a paladin main since launch, I got golden pala prior to GvG, times were very hard for the class but muster and minibot turned it around. I'm not sure we are there yet with shaman.
BUT maybe I'm playing the deck wrong or have the wrong list. I have been adapting it but at this point I'm not sure what to add, considering elemental destruction on top of 2x LS but I would need to craft it and it doesn't sound that great.
Does anyone have a totem shaman list that is winning them more than 50% of games between ranks 10-5ish, that they can show is making progress for them on the ladder, because I'm tired of this dreary 45%ish win rate I have and I want to be sure it's not my deck before I totally blame myself.
I'm running more of an aggro list that has carried me from 12 to 5 (where I switched to mill pally lol). If you are interested, I can replicate it on hearthpwn. The issue with a lot of the lists running around is that they don't abuse tempo gains from totem golem and tuskarr totemic. Too many people are trying to run mid range deck lists (which have god awful matchups against the meta right now other than control warrior).
I agree with your assessment that midrange is in a bad spot right now. If you could recreate your deck on hearthpwn I would be very interested. I had early success with midrange totem shaman, but have come to realize a paradigm shift is needed in shaman and am seeking any ideas that will bring it about. My best success from TGT has been with control, specifically a deep control joust deck. Agro /tempo as am option in totem shaman makes a lot of sense to me.
^ I'm sure we have all had games that go successfully like that, I'm not saying the decks can never work, it obviously has a strong win condition, but I just feel like the first 3 turns are more dependent on your opponent drawing badly than you drawing or playing well, and that if they do gain tempo at any point in the game, it's usually gone forever.
Contrast this to Paladin which gets early tempo easily and can swing it back in the mid or late game. I am a paladin main since launch, I got golden pala prior to GvG, times were very hard for the class but muster and minibot turned it around. I'm not sure we are there yet with shaman.
BUT maybe I'm playing the deck wrong or have the wrong list. I have been adapting it but at this point I'm not sure what to add, considering elemental destruction on top of 2x LS but I would need to craft it and it doesn't sound that great.
Does anyone have a totem shaman list that is winning them more than 50% of games between ranks 10-5ish, that they can show is making progress for them on the ladder, because I'm tired of this dreary 45%ish win rate I have and I want to be sure it's not my deck before I totally blame myself.
I'm running more of an aggro list that has carried me from 12 to 5 (where I switched to mill pally lol). If you are interested, I can replicate it on hearthpwn. The issue with a lot of the lists running around is that they don't abuse tempo gains from totem golem and tuskarr totemic. Too many people are trying to run mid range deck lists (which have god awful matchups against the meta right now other than control warrior).
^ I'm sure we have all had games that go successfully like that, I'm not saying the decks can never work, it obviously has a strong win condition, but I just feel like the first 3 turns are more dependent on your opponent drawing badly than you drawing or playing well, and that if they do gain tempo at any point in the game, it's usually gone forever.
Contrast this to Paladin which gets early tempo easily and can swing it back in the mid or late game. I am a paladin main since launch, I got golden pala prior to GvG, times were very hard for the class but muster and minibot turned it around. I'm not sure we are there yet with shaman.
BUT maybe I'm playing the deck wrong or have the wrong list. I have been adapting it but at this point I'm not sure what to add, considering elemental destruction on top of 2x LS but I would need to craft it and it doesn't sound that great.
Does anyone have a totem shaman list that is winning them more than 50% of games between ranks 10-5ish, that they can show is making progress for them on the ladder, because I'm tired of this dreary 45%ish win rate I have and I want to be sure it's not my deck before I totally blame myself.
I'm running more of an aggro list that has carried me from 12 to 5 (where I switched to mill pally lol). If you are interested, I can replicate it on hearthpwn. The issue with a lot of the lists running around is that they don't abuse tempo gains from totem golem and tuskarr totemic. Too many people are trying to run mid range deck lists (which have god awful matchups against the meta right now other than control warrior).
Please do share!
I'll get the list up a bit later (currently driving), but I basically put in crackles, abusive sargents, and argent squires.
I wouldn't call it a totem shaman, just midrange using some of the new cards but I'm at 70% win rate currently between ranks 5-3. My sample size is small due to not playing much this month however(14 wins - 6 losses). I haven't run into many aggro decks which helps but I am 3-1 vs Midrange Pala which is a difficult matchup.
This is so similar to the deck I run that I'm starting to think I'm just playing it all wrong, although right after launch for the first 2 days I was on a massive win streak with it.
Sometimes I really don't understand why I win or lose in this game, it just feels out of my hands... And I've been playing extensively since launch...
this is the deck i am using currently, so far it is doing very well but I feel like it needs BGH sometimes, simply because i like to use a hex for tempo mid game a lot of the times(only when I have no other options.) I believe shaman has always been a higher skill ceiling class, simply because your choice on removing minions is super important. if you burn a removal on something you have to try and get max value out of it every time or it can easily fk you in the late game. Any suggestions to improve my deck is welcomed, also check my others on my page, I love feedback and deckbuilding is what I do most
After TGT was released I was having huge success with Totem Shaman, however quickly this has fallen and I am now unable to climb above Rank 7 (EU), constantly winning losing winning losing, never getting anywhere, probably slowly dropping.
I have to admit that I have also noticed that few people seem to be playing more than 1 or 2 TGT cards again and have gone back to playing pre-TGT decks, mostly aggro like Face Hunter and Eboladin, and of course Patron, plus Zoo.
I feel like I need about 3 board clears to keep on top of how quickly they flood the board andby turn 6-7 I seem to be at a huge card disadvantage because it has taken multiple cards like Rockbiter and Flametongue to keep on top of the game. The only games I win are ones in which I start with tempo and perfectly curve out to maintain tempo the entire game, so games feel determined by the first 2 turns.
Anyone else having this issue with Totem Shaman or am I just fucking up?
The Problem with Shaman is basically the same as with Rogue, they dont have a real top tier 1 drop and no real good 2 drop (Totem Golem is okayish but kinda lackluster).
So basically those classes are denied a proper early game turn 1-2 yet those turns are the most important in a tempo meta. This is not a problem only for totem shaman its a generall problem for deckbuilding.
Decks that lack a decent 1-2 drop have lower winning ratios,my biggest wish for this game is a rework of early classcards like dustdevil, cutpurse and stuff so the least played classes get some love and can contest fair.
Any tips on out-tempoing with Totem Shaman?
This is absolutely my problem, but I don't know if it's me or the deck. It just seems to be that if I can't deal with a single minion on the turn it's played then I'm snowballed against, meanwhile our snowball (Thunder Bluff) doesn't kick in until way later in the game.
And god forbid lightning storm roll a 2 on even a single 3hp minion... I lose basically every single time that happens, it's like I have to have board control at every moment of the game because there's zero chance to get it back.
this is the version i m running with right now..... i end up getting rid of the flametongue and haunted creeper..... flametongue is too easily kill cheaply and unless you have a board set up, it really doesnt do much against more aggressive decks.... haunted creeper is sticky, but my problem with its just not aggressive enough.... i m debating on switching out some of the four drops..... the totemcarver could be piloted shredder and losing the defender for lance bearer..... i feel that the thunderbluff aspirant is fine just by running it on its own which is more reason to cut out totems..... the saraad is being tested, if hes getting replace, he will probably be replaced by neptulon.... saraad's purpose right now is to help fill the hand with possible solutions but neptulon just refuel the hand with actual minions......... and i do feel azure drake is too slow and end up playing ancestral knowledge instead.....
I'm testing out 1x Mukla's Champion and 1x TBV. While TBV is great for totems, Mukla's affects ALL other minions (not just totems). It's only downside (considering they both cost the same) is that it has 3 health. However, it's effect is the same as Stormwind Champion (and ironically, when Champ is killed, the buffs on other minions don't go away). Which makes Muklas champ effectively a better turn 7 play (Mukla+Hero power > Stormwind)
TBV is great, but I've been finding him to be a difficult play on turn 5 since his 3 attack doesn't let him trade into other 5 drops equally. He's a great late game card, and 6 health makes him resilient and/or removal magnet, but I'm not 100% sold on him yet.
I've tested Totemcarver as well, and I'm not impressed. IMO the better 4 drops, even in a totem deck would be Piloted Shredder or Fireguard Destroyer.
Each one I've tested with his it's own benefits. Destroyer allows you to keep a beefy minion and deal with other control decks. Shredder is better in regards to fighting other mid-range/tempo decks. (Example: Fireguard will frequently deal with Loatheb, Tuskar Jouster, Dragon Consort, etc) and live, while shredder requires a buff/flametongue to trade.)
I'm also testing Nexus Champion Saraad in my deck, he's ....inconsistent. He's great for forcing your opponent to deal with him but I'm not sold that even getting one spell out of him is worth it. (Especially when that one spell ends up being Sense Demons or Redemption!)
I'm currently trying this one and doing pretty well with it. Control Warrior and Dragon Priest are causing some problems.
Not using Zombie Chows because I had many games where I couldn't finish off the enemy who was at 5-9hp. Just using Rockbiter Weapon for turn 1/2 control. Healing Wave allows me to facetank the damage. Also Haunted Creeper + Rockbiter Weapon works.
thats what i like about saraad right now too.... i have gotten sense demon a few times, but i have been learning to make use of that.... getting two 1/1 imps isnt bad when you are running defender of argus..... i do like the fireguard better because it will also help clear the path for your next two turns though.... but then i want to put in lava shocks to lessen the overload effect on the deck...
question about the champion though, the totems get +1/+1 on inspire like thunderbluff aspirant right?
Hello there,
Shaman is my favorite class since the beta but there is something that i dont like...
Shaman : Forked Lightning 1 mana 2 overload < warrior cleaver 2 mana same effect
Shaman : Anecestral Knowledge 2 mana 2 overload < Mage :arcane intellect 3 mana same effect
Shaman Stormforged Axe 2 mana 1 overload < warrior flame axe 2 mana
Shamen:elemental destruction 3 mana 5 overload < mage flame strike 7 mana
Shamen Bloodlust 5 mana +3 atk to just minions < druide savage roar 3 mana minions and hero +2 atk
and the list is longer...
ok shaman got from all class a little bit but he cant get so easy Tier 1 like all other classes
he need to get overworked or a little bit buffed.
you will lose every game when you dont get the perfect hand
Tell this poor warrior that totem shammy doesn't work. This board was created after his first brawl was burned by the way.
^ I'm sure we have all had games that go successfully like that, I'm not saying the decks can never work, it obviously has a strong win condition, but I just feel like the first 3 turns are more dependent on your opponent drawing badly than you drawing or playing well, and that if they do gain tempo at any point in the game, it's usually gone forever.
Contrast this to Paladin which gets early tempo easily and can swing it back in the mid or late game. I am a paladin main since launch, I got golden pala prior to GvG, times were very hard for the class but muster and minibot turned it around. I'm not sure we are there yet with shaman.
BUT maybe I'm playing the deck wrong or have the wrong list. I have been adapting it but at this point I'm not sure what to add, considering elemental destruction on top of 2x LS but I would need to craft it and it doesn't sound that great.
Does anyone have a totem shaman list that is winning them more than 50% of games between ranks 10-5ish, that they can show is making progress for them on the ladder, because I'm tired of this dreary 45%ish win rate I have and I want to be sure it's not my deck before I totally blame myself.
You just can't beat new Ebola Paladin with Shaman and they're like 2/3 of WHOLE LADDER.
I'm running more of an aggro list that has carried me from 12 to 5 (where I switched to mill pally lol). If you are interested, I can replicate it on hearthpwn. The issue with a lot of the lists running around is that they don't abuse tempo gains from totem golem and tuskarr totemic. Too many people are trying to run mid range deck lists (which have god awful matchups against the meta right now other than control warrior).
I agree with your assessment that midrange is in a bad spot right now. If you could recreate your deck on hearthpwn I would be very interested. I had early success with midrange totem shaman, but have come to realize a paradigm shift is needed in shaman and am seeking any ideas that will bring it about. My best success from TGT has been with control, specifically a deep control joust deck. Agro /tempo as am option in totem shaman makes a lot of sense to me.
Please do share!
I'll get the list up a bit later (currently driving), but I basically put in crackles, abusive sargents, and argent squires.
so if it worked why did you change to paladin at rank 5?
This is so similar to the deck I run that I'm starting to think I'm just playing it all wrong, although right after launch for the first 2 days I was on a massive win streak with it.
Sometimes I really don't understand why I win or lose in this game, it just feels out of my hands... And I've been playing extensively since launch...
You could try this, that i made just earlier today. Been stomping with it in casual at least, even vs some competitive decks.
I just wanted the rank 5 chest. It is too late for the legend grind. Plus its mill pally.
this is the deck i am using currently, so far it is doing very well but I feel like it needs BGH sometimes, simply because i like to use a hex for tempo mid game a lot of the times(only when I have no other options.) I believe shaman has always been a higher skill ceiling class, simply because your choice on removing minions is super important. if you burn a removal on something you have to try and get max value out of it every time or it can easily fk you in the late game. Any suggestions to improve my deck is welcomed, also check my others on my page, I love feedback and deckbuilding is what I do most
Check out my decks & feel free to make suggestions!