The more I think about it, the more I think this card is overpowered or just too good for its cost.
Not only that, but this card is an auto include in most decks in Hearthstone because of its utility.
Think about this for a second:
Ogre Magi is a 4/4 that gives +1 Spell Damage for 4 mana
For just 1 more mana, Azure Drake draws a card and also carries a dragon tag.
I know this card doesn't exactly destroy the game but when you think about it there are no other neutral cards that are basically auto-includes in nearly every deck.
Except that it's not an auto include in every deck. It's only auto include for rogue, mage, and druid because these are the only classes that make use of both the card draw AND the spell damage. Dragon warriors use it only for the dragon tag, and dragon warrior will most likely die in the next standard rotation. Almost no other class/deck uses the card. Also, a 5 mana 4/4 really is not a good body. Sounds balanced to me.
I don't think its OP, its just an amazing utility card, that finds it way into a lot of decks because it flexible, and of course replaces itself. Also you really shouldn't compare stats with any basic cards, they all have bad stats for their cost. Also keep in mind that at the time of its printing that fact that it was a dragon didn't mean anything (there were no dragon synergies). Also for draw one card and +1 one spell damage its giving of 1 attack and 2 health (assuming Pit Fighter has the "basic" stats for a 5 drop), which means by turn 5 its has fairly poor board presence.
Its a lot like loot hoarder really, premium 1 cost stats, with a draw a card death rattle for just 1 more mana.
Finally when was the last time you heard someone say: "I lost because of Azure Drake!!!"
Nowhere near being OP and it's not even an auto-include in all decks, only the decks that need the draw and spell damage. A 4/4 body for 5 mana is garbage.
Yes, it is a solid, good and versatile card that packs a lot of value. One comment though - upon its release "dragon" tag didn't really mean much since there wasn't any good synergy to go with it, so it gained relevance only now (just pointing out that it was one less thing on the list of bonuses this card had originally).
Now, why does it stand out so much? Simply because there are no other notable neutral 5 drops that you would want to play on curve (outside of those with specific effects tailored for the deck synergy). We don't have many good options, which makes one good card used a lot more since it's so flexible and can be fitted in many decks.
Not a problematic card, but every card that sees play in constructed decks are OP compared to others.
Azure drake is an excellent jack-of-all-trades curve-filler. It is by far the best "battlecry: draw a card" minion, which is the real power of the card. I love how old combo druid could tech their turn 5: Druid of the Claw vs Azure Drake vs Sludge Belcher vs Loatheb vs Harrison Jones, all awesome in different situations, but you could not run all of them... rip.
Azure Drake is a very powerful card that packs a lot of value for its cost. Is it overpowered? I personally don't think so. As others have said the reason it's played so much is because it's flexible and the 5-drop slot lacks competition. But if you were to break down its value it's fairly close to what you should get:
4/4 (8 stat) body is worth about 3.5 mana
Battlecry: Draw a card is worth about 1 mana
Spell damage +1 is worth about 0.5 mana
Roughly thats about 5 mana of value for 5 mana. Sure, you can debate some of those values a bit (and maybe you think its dragon tribal tag is worth mana) but they are pretty reasonable estimates.
Tldr; Great card worth what it costs, but not OP imho
Ogre Magi is a 4/4 that gives +1 Spell Damage for 4 mana
For just 1 more mana, Azure Drake draws a card and also carries a dragon tag.
Drawing cards usually cost 1 to 1.5 mana in HS, such as Arcane Intellect drawing 2 cards for 3 mana and Loot Hoarder drawing 1 card for 1 mana (it costs 2 but have stats of a 1-mana-cost card). So, 1 more mana to draw a card is just fine. As for the Ogre Magi comparison, basic cards have worse stats than other cards. It's like comparing Magma Rager to Ice Rager. If you think like that, it would be safe to say you actually pay about 1.5 mana when you draw a card with Azure Drake. Also, I don't think the fact that Drake is a dragon should increase its cost or something.
Dragon warriors use it only for the dragon tag, and dragon warrior will most likely die in the next standard rotation.
Why will Dragon Warrior die in the next standard rotation? And when is it?
Because sir finley, alex's champion, fierce monkey, twilight guardian, drakonid crusher, and blackwing corruptor are all leaving standard. It'll happen in march/april 2017.
And they'll be followed by flamewaker,arcane blast, tunnel trogg, tuskarr totemic and totem golem. Man, I'll be the happiest when aggro shaman, tempo mage and dragon warrior will leave the standard forever.
Tempo Mage is not going anywhere. Just like Zoo, they will keep receiving new tools every expansion/adventure.
Regarding the OP, No, Azure Drake is the standard of a good and impactful but not OP card in this game. The card always has positive rating, and never have people complain about it
When I did my "Let's Start a New Account!" video with crafting and disenchanting tips, I put Azure Drake as my #1 card for every new player to craft 2 of right away. Great value, fits into (nearly) any deck easily, and shows new players the value of card draw attached to minions.
Great card, but not OP at all.
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The more I think about it, the more I think this card is overpowered or just too good for its cost.
Not only that, but this card is an auto include in most decks in Hearthstone because of its utility.
Think about this for a second:
Ogre Magi is a 4/4 that gives +1 Spell Damage for 4 mana
For just 1 more mana, Azure Drake draws a card and also carries a dragon tag.
I know this card doesn't exactly destroy the game but when you think about it there are no other neutral cards that are basically auto-includes in nearly every deck.
What are your guys' opinion on the card?
Super balance card
Except that it's not an auto include in every deck. It's only auto include for rogue, mage, and druid because these are the only classes that make use of both the card draw AND the spell damage. Dragon warriors use it only for the dragon tag, and dragon warrior will most likely die in the next standard rotation. Almost no other class/deck uses the card. Also, a 5 mana 4/4 really is not a good body. Sounds balanced to me.
Valar Morghulis
I don't think its OP, its just an amazing utility card, that finds it way into a lot of decks because it flexible, and of course replaces itself. Also you really shouldn't compare stats with any basic cards, they all have bad stats for their cost. Also keep in mind that at the time of its printing that fact that it was a dragon didn't mean anything (there were no dragon synergies). Also for draw one card and +1 one spell damage its giving of 1 attack and 2 health (assuming Pit Fighter has the "basic" stats for a 5 drop), which means by turn 5 its has fairly poor board presence.
Its a lot like loot hoarder really, premium 1 cost stats, with a draw a card death rattle for just 1 more mana.
Finally when was the last time you heard someone say: "I lost because of Azure Drake!!!"
Nowhere near being OP and it's not even an auto-include in all decks, only the decks that need the draw and spell damage. A 4/4 body for 5 mana is garbage.
It may be one of the best cards out there, it's powerful enough to see play but not so much that you feel frustrated to play agaisnt it.
Its super card that can be used in a lot of decks. Not OP since its just a 4/4 for 5 mana with card draw and +1 spell damage
Well... OP Kappa
Yes, it is a solid, good and versatile card that packs a lot of value. One comment though - upon its release "dragon" tag didn't really mean much since there wasn't any good synergy to go with it, so it gained relevance only now (just pointing out that it was one less thing on the list of bonuses this card had originally).
Now, why does it stand out so much? Simply because there are no other notable neutral 5 drops that you would want to play on curve (outside of those with specific effects tailored for the deck synergy). We don't have many good options, which makes one good card used a lot more since it's so flexible and can be fitted in many decks.
Not a problematic card, but every card that sees play in constructed decks are OP compared to others.
Azure drake is an excellent jack-of-all-trades curve-filler. It is by far the best "battlecry: draw a card" minion, which is the real power of the card. I love how old combo druid could tech their turn 5: Druid of the Claw vs Azure Drake vs Sludge Belcher vs Loatheb vs Harrison Jones, all awesome in different situations, but you could not run all of them... rip.
And, Ben Brode has taught us never to compare anything with unplayable basic cards. See Evil Heckler vs Booty Bay Bodyguard and Ice Rager vs Magma Rager.
Editor of the Heartpwn Legendary Crafting Guide:
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I think a 5/4/3 Azure Drake would be more fair, but I like what it does for me.
Azure Drake is a very powerful card that packs a lot of value for its cost. Is it overpowered? I personally don't think so. As others have said the reason it's played so much is because it's flexible and the 5-drop slot lacks competition. But if you were to break down its value it's fairly close to what you should get:
4/4 (8 stat) body is worth about 3.5 mana
Battlecry: Draw a card is worth about 1 mana
Spell damage +1 is worth about 0.5 mana
Roughly thats about 5 mana of value for 5 mana. Sure, you can debate some of those values a bit (and maybe you think its dragon tribal tag is worth mana) but they are pretty reasonable estimates.
Tldr; Great card worth what it costs, but not OP imho
Drawing cards usually cost 1 to 1.5 mana in HS, such as Arcane Intellect drawing 2 cards for 3 mana and Loot Hoarder drawing 1 card for 1 mana (it costs 2 but have stats of a 1-mana-cost card).
So, 1 more mana to draw a card is just fine.
As for the Ogre Magi comparison, basic cards have worse stats than other cards. It's like comparing Magma Rager to Ice Rager. If you think like that, it would be safe to say you actually pay about 1.5 mana when you draw a card with Azure Drake.
Also, I don't think the fact that Drake is a dragon should increase its cost or something.
Does that make any sense?
Valar Morghulis
Been brode is laughing at the distance while we argue like little girls oh hahaha
This kind of threads only achieve to discredit the discussions about actual broken cards.
No need to say anything else, Azure Drake is just very good (the best neutral rare for me), but in a healthy way, is not a game breaker
I think Azure Drake is both the best card in the game, and not overpowered.
When I did my "Let's Start a New Account!" video with crafting and disenchanting tips, I put Azure Drake as my #1 card for every new player to craft 2 of right away. Great value, fits into (nearly) any deck easily, and shows new players the value of card draw attached to minions.
Great card, but not OP at all.
Building Quirky Decks Every Week, Loving Life at Rank 15!
I think it is a perfect example of how a card should look. More cards like this should be printed and less nonsense like portals and tuskarrs.
Probably the best non-class card in Standard.