Hello everybody, this is a guide to my newest Legendary deck: The Shaman Midrange.
When I first made this deck, 2 days ago, I thought to make a deck fit for the meta, because 2 days ago there were no hunters rampaging the high ranks, in fact I did not think about hunters at all, my main focus was beating Zoo and Warrior, therefore the option to play Shaman seemed obvious for me
Thinking on this, I started developing a deck to actually beat the decks to beat Zoo, such as Warrior Control, Druids new variants (one of them, I proudly introduced to the meta myself: the ramp), and other decks.
So shaman was not that bad against those decks, but there was something lacking, I instantly took my old list from 3 months ago, and fixed it a bit.
Cards that did not make the cut and why: Leeroy Jenkins: This card has the same function of Windfury: its a combo card. I did not like any combo cards in my deck because I thought of them to be clunky and not to work 100% of the times, I did not want that. Wild Pyromancer: same thing about Leeroy and windfury, they are combo cards, I wasnt expecting to need combos to win vs Zoo, because shaman without the combos themselves is already strong enough to hold its ground against Zoo. Al'Akir the Windlord: I never liked this card, 8 manas for a Force of Nature isnt something I would like to have in my deck, therefore I discarded this option without even thinking on it. Doomhammer: well....
The funny factor, is that this deck is actually strong against this new variant of Hunter Control that is hovering the meta game.
Another tip, that I also did it myself, is as soon as you hit the Rank 3-2 range, switch The Black Knight for Cairne Bloodhoof because, unfortunently, from ranks 3 to 1, there is absolutely NO Druid or Zoo.
Basically? This is a standard Midrange Shaman, made to not play any combos so you can always trust on it, and have some small techs such as TBK, that in matches like Zoo are just a 3rd Fire Elemental(it will always kill something, sometimes even a shielded Doomguard which is delicious), and in matches like Druid theyre all-star.
Oh, and talking about this new "horrible" hunter meta, have you ever killed a Hunter as a shaman by FATIGUE? I have :D:D More than once actually :D
Some tips: Against control or midranges (that are not shaman) never EVER put your fire elementals close to either Flametongue or Defender of Argus, THEY ARE NOT FRIENDS!! they hate each other, unless you are going for the kill, doing that usually will make their, in the other hand useless, Big Game Hunter useful. Against Hunters always think that your totems are situational, dont spam them. only cast them if you need that totem, because as many might have said before me: they buff UTH. Ofc you can start spamming those after your oponent casted both his UTHs, but before? dont. Be calm, watch for your trades and your resources, dont feel afraid to Bloodlust down a threat your oponent has if you have no other answer to it, dont let that Ragnaros or that Ysera take control of the table just because you dont have Hex, and be careful whenever youre using your spells. This is not a X-tard deck, so it will require your skill to be played, I think this is the biggest reason Shaman is one of the least played classes in the ladder and hunter is the most one.
gratz buddy :) iam kinda stuck around rank 4-5 would give your deck a shot , love the shaman but kinda struggling in the current meta!
but i dont like TBK, which card would you do in for him?
If you only readed lol, I said Cairne is the go-to replacement for TBK as soon as you get past rank 3... but then again, from ranks 6 to 3, you'll be facing druids and Zoo, and TBK is just beast against those.
The question is: What of that deck is in ANY way something new?
Gratz on legend, though.
With these small number of cards we have in this game, usually all shamans are 24/30 the same, but these 6 last cards are the ones that really make the difference
gratz, im not a very experienced shaman player and where i usually get puzzled is what to mulligan for, i know it depends on the matchups but could u give a little insight about that if u dont mind?
I dont want flametongue against hunters, I always get rid of anything that costs 4+ no matter the match, usually look for minions but if I am playing against a warlock I will want my 1 mana removals, any of them and at least one, so yeah working that hand up may give you better results I guess I usually get rid of Hex too if I dont have the other cards I want (wolfs and squire), also no matter the match. Unless I am facing Druid, I usually keep hex against druid because I can get innervated into some big threat that I can not otherwise handle
Thanks for the deck writeup! I love shaman but have mostly been playing an older control style that is lightning storm or GTFO against zoo. Because of this I have been afraid to take it on the ladder past a certain point where good play would mean more than the matchup, but I'll have to give this one a shot.
Quick question, what's your thoughts on running doom hammer instead of stormforged? I used to play the stormforged when I started and then ran doomhammer in the control one and found that the early turns were pretty clogged up for the stormforged and a singleton doomhammer added a lot of utility and combo power with unused rock biters. I assume you have already though about this and wanted to see your reasons for the stormforged over doomhammer?
Thanks for the deck writeup! I love shaman but have mostly been playing an older control style that is lightning storm or GTFO against zoo. Because of this I have been afraid to take it on the ladder past a certain point where good play would mean more than the matchup, but I'll have to give this one a shot.
Quick question, what's your thoughts on running doom hammer instead of stormforged? I used to play the stormforged when I started and then ran doomhammer in the control one and found that the early turns were pretty clogged up for the stormforged and a singleton doomhammer added a lot of utility and combo power with unused rock biters. I assume you have already though about this and wanted to see your reasons for the stormforged over doomhammer?
@ Nuba: How do you deal with mid/high range minions with this deck? Say 5-6 health, if you don't have totems to juggle? Also, how do you use Lightning Storm? How long would you wait to cast it against aggro? Don't you feel weak transitioning from early game to midgame to cards like Druid of the Claw and Yeti?
Nuba, I am very interested to hear your thoughts of lepergnome vs. squires.
I personally found the gnome to be more efficient vs the current aggro meta as you get 2 dmg at least or an insanely wasted silence. and less susceptival to potential bloodknights
how can the gnome be more efficient when you can only kill 1 minion with it? The bloodknight isnt an issue as you have many ways to deal with it, squire is also a lot stronger when combined with flametongue and defender of argus, the former one being a very strong buff no matter if against control or aggro (a 2/2 taunt divine shield is just too good)
@ Nuba: How do you deal with mid/high range minions with this deck? Say 5-6 health, if you don't have totems to juggle? Also, how do you use Lightning Storm? How long would you wait to cast it against aggro? Don't you feel weak transitioning from early game to midgame to cards like Druid of the Claw and Yeti?
you have so many ways to deal with different situations that your game is strong no matter if early, mid or late. Because as a shaman, there is no situational removal, its good and that is it. Against yetis I usually use the good sense, your tools to deal with certain objects in the game changes from game to game, its all about knowing which one should be used in each situation and that is a judgement call: I could write a whole book of all those different situations I think shamans weakness are only the lack of self healing, and the overload usage of cards (the WAY you use your overload, which can break your game, or can save it, depending on how you judge your plays) As a sugestion, try to always think ahead as a shaman because you are not only playing THAT exact turn, you are also playing the following turns in that one turn, always.
I've been trying this deck a bit today and I REALLY like it.
Currently at rank 4 with 63% win rate, druid ramp being my hardest match up because I don't have TBK
Well after you're past ranks 3~2 range you'll face no more druids so TBK wont even be needed, just keep playing because the w/l is good vs everything but face hunter, so you'll eventually get there if you have the skills for it
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Hello everybody, this is a guide to my newest Legendary deck: The Shaman Midrange.
When I first made this deck, 2 days ago, I thought to make a deck fit for the meta, because 2 days ago there were no hunters rampaging the high ranks, in fact I did not think about hunters at all, my main focus was beating Zoo and Warrior, therefore the option to play Shaman seemed obvious for me
Thinking on this, I started developing a deck to actually beat the decks to beat Zoo, such as Warrior Control, Druids new variants (one of them, I proudly introduced to the meta myself: the ramp), and other decks.
So shaman was not that bad against those decks, but there was something lacking, I instantly took my old list from 3 months ago, and fixed it a bit.
Cards that did not make the cut and why:
Leeroy Jenkins: This card has the same function of Windfury: its a combo card. I did not like any combo cards in my deck because I thought of them to be clunky and not to work 100% of the times, I did not want that.
Wild Pyromancer: same thing about Leeroy and windfury, they are combo cards, I wasnt expecting to need combos to win vs Zoo, because shaman without the combos themselves is already strong enough to hold its ground against Zoo.
Al'Akir the Windlord: I never liked this card, 8 manas for a Force of Nature isnt something I would like to have in my deck, therefore I discarded this option without even thinking on it.
Doomhammer: well....
The funny factor, is that this deck is actually strong against this new variant of Hunter Control that is hovering the meta game.
Another tip, that I also did it myself, is as soon as you hit the Rank 3-2 range, switch The Black Knight for Cairne Bloodhoof because, unfortunently, from ranks 3 to 1, there is absolutely NO Druid or Zoo.
Basically? This is a standard Midrange Shaman, made to not play any combos so you can always trust on it, and have some small techs such as TBK, that in matches like Zoo are just a 3rd Fire Elemental(it will always kill something, sometimes even a shielded Doomguard which is delicious), and in matches like Druid theyre all-star.
Oh, and talking about this new "horrible" hunter meta, have you ever killed a Hunter as a shaman by FATIGUE? I have :D:D More than once actually :D
Calm down guys, here is the list!
If you like it, dont forget to upvote it so more people see and the meta becomes more diverse!
PS: Oh, and if these words were not enough, here is a gameplay sample I took from my twitch while I was ranking up:
Watch live video from BudaBudie on TwitchTV
Make sure to follow my twitch page :D
Some tips:
Against control or midranges (that are not shaman) never EVER put your fire elementals close to either Flametongue or Defender of Argus, THEY ARE NOT FRIENDS!! they hate each other, unless you are going for the kill, doing that usually will make their, in the other hand useless, Big Game Hunter useful.
Against Hunters always think that your totems are situational, dont spam them. only cast them if you need that totem, because as many might have said before me: they buff UTH. Ofc you can start spamming those after your oponent casted both his UTHs, but before? dont.
Be calm, watch for your trades and your resources, dont feel afraid to Bloodlust down a threat your oponent has if you have no other answer to it, dont let that Ragnaros or that Ysera take control of the table just because you dont have Hex, and be careful whenever youre using your spells.
This is not a X-tard deck, so it will require your skill to be played, I think this is the biggest reason Shaman is one of the least played classes in the ladder and hunter is the most one.
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
Great Deck and Congratz on Making it to Legend.
Soulbound Deckbuilding Team Owner
Hearthstone Freelance Writer
I see me in the screenshot with the classic "woo grats"
Lol, nice work Nuba, and nice deck write up, now try not to be near the bottom of the NA legend ladder like me :(
If you only readed lol, I said Cairne is the go-to replacement for TBK as soon as you get past rank 3... but then again, from ranks 6 to 3, you'll be facing druids and Zoo, and TBK is just beast against those.
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
With these small number of cards we have in this game, usually all shamans are 24/30 the same, but these 6 last cards are the ones that really make the difference
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
I have a couple questions
Did you make it to legend with this deck?
Can I sub a kobold gemoncer for thalmos?
Yes I did get Legend with this deck, went from rank 5 1 star to legend.
If I did not have Thalnos i'd sub in a Wild Pyromancer instead.
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
I dont want flametongue against hunters,
I always get rid of anything that costs 4+ no matter the match,
usually look for minions but if I am playing against a warlock I will want my 1 mana removals, any of them and at least one, so yeah working that hand up may give you better results I guess
I usually get rid of Hex too if I dont have the other cards I want (wolfs and squire), also no matter the match. Unless I am facing Druid, I usually keep hex against druid because I can get innervated into some big threat that I can not otherwise handle
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
Thanks for the deck writeup! I love shaman but have mostly been playing an older control style that is lightning storm or GTFO against zoo. Because of this I have been afraid to take it on the ladder past a certain point where good play would mean more than the matchup, but I'll have to give this one a shot.
Quick question, what's your thoughts on running doom hammer instead of stormforged? I used to play the stormforged when I started and then ran doomhammer in the control one and found that the early turns were pretty clogged up for the stormforged and a singleton doomhammer added a lot of utility and combo power with unused rock biters. I assume you have already though about this and wanted to see your reasons for the stormforged over doomhammer?
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
I actually edited the thread with the "why not using doomhammer" doge meme, haha thanks for remembering me
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
Hahaha nice, that is a good point though, don't feed the trolls, don't feed the harrison.
Trying this deck out from now on, let's see how many stairs I'm going to climb!
@ Nuba: How do you deal with mid/high range minions with this deck? Say 5-6 health, if you don't have totems to juggle? Also, how do you use Lightning Storm? How long would you wait to cast it against aggro? Don't you feel weak transitioning from early game to midgame to cards like Druid of the Claw and Yeti?
My comments refer mostly to the wild format.
how can the gnome be more efficient when you can only kill 1 minion with it?
The bloodknight isnt an issue as you have many ways to deal with it, squire is also a lot stronger when combined with flametongue and defender of argus, the former one being a very strong buff no matter if against control or aggro (a 2/2 taunt divine shield is just too good)
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
you have so many ways to deal with different situations that your game is strong no matter if early, mid or late.
Because as a shaman, there is no situational removal, its good and that is it.
Against yetis I usually use the good sense, your tools to deal with certain objects in the game changes from game to game, its all about knowing which one should be used in each situation and that is a judgement call: I could write a whole book of all those different situations
I think shamans weakness are only the lack of self healing, and the overload usage of cards (the WAY you use your overload, which can break your game, or can save it, depending on how you judge your plays)
As a sugestion, try to always think ahead as a shaman because you are not only playing THAT exact turn, you are also playing the following turns in that one turn, always.
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
Just an update, I played a few games today and im now top 59 NA, lost 0 games :) , over half of them were against hunters
Retired Hearthstone Columnist
I've been trying this deck a bit today and I REALLY like it.
Currently at rank 4 with 63% win rate, druid ramp being my hardest match up because I don't have TBK
Well after you're past ranks 3~2 range you'll face no more druids so TBK wont even be needed, just keep playing because the w/l is good vs everything but face hunter, so you'll eventually get there if you have the skills for it
Retired Hearthstone Columnist