Hearthpwn

After we see the cards in play, we usually are not 100% sure if they are really good, really bad or just decent. I want to see how and why people are surprise/mistaken about card quality predictions. I will list my surprises and the reasons, feel free to do the same :)

The Good Surprises

1) Spreading Plague - I expected this card to be too clunky to see play, playing 5 Mana for some 1/5s with a summon restriction more complicated than Unleash the Hounds one seemed weak. But the card turned out to be quite good, being able to tank lots of damage in some situations.

2) Bonemare - It always looked as a good card to me. But I thought it wouldn't be good enough to see play in ranked decks. Clearly I was wrong, this card is played in some Druid and Paladin lists, most of the times I've seen it as a one of. I had success using it in Jade Druid, the Taunt effect can really save you some times!

3) Skelemancer - I've seen this card a lot recently in Paladin decks, I am not sure if the card is still going through some tests, but when I play against it, it is a really tricky card to deal with. Not sure if it will continue to see play as the meta settles, but it is way better than I originaly thought.

4) Tainted Zealot - This card is so simple I've never even payed attention to it, but it has found its place in control warlock, in which it is pretty good.

The Bad Surprises

1) Fatespinner - I thought the mindgames would make this card find its place in some sort of Druid, but it has not. I've seen no deck with a place for this card.

2) Gnomeferatu - I thought that this card was comparable to Dirty Rat, but the board impact Dirty Rat has being a 2/6 with Taunt is way better than a mediocre 2/3.

3) Scourgelord Garrosh - I am really disapointed that this card ain't good. I've always loved control warrior and some people were hyped about this card, saying it could bring control warrior back. So far it did not. Bladestorm is not a really good Hero Power during the late game. And, as it replaces your hero power, you can't even use it reliably in a Quest Taunt Warrior. 

actually, just in general, c'thun druid becoming so much better this set has surprised me. the addition of its 10 mana card, lich king, and its death knight have done wonders to adding to its hand refill problems and need for other late game win conditions. (not to mention skulking geist finally makes the deck viable vs jade druid if you play a 1 of it)

For me, its the Cryostasis and Drakkari Defender, i was thinking it would be just ok cards, but they are very good.

I play both of them in my deck, and it work well: http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/871993-snowfury-shaman-moorabi-aya-kalimos

"Bad" surprises is The Lich King, it's a very good cards, but not as game-changing i was thinking. 

Thrall, Deathseer was ok cards for me, but it's even worse, probably, for me, the worst DK and the worst shaman cards of this expansion (keep in mind shaman class in general of course, not just in one particular deck).

Gnomeferatu too, i was very afraid of this card, but nobody play it, so :-/

Corpsetaker, i was thinking it will be a amazing card, well it's just good, not more.

Quote from murlocleader >>

i thought i would never run Val'kyr Soulclaimer in my decks but it turns out its a pretty good card in my deck. I also thought i would run The Lich King in my decks but Ysera is good enough and i dont want him anymore

Quote from Dominatrix >>

For me, its the Cryostasis and Drakkari Defender, i was thinking it would be just ok cards, but they are very good.

I play both of them in my deck, and it work well: http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/871993-snowfury-shaman-moorabi-aya-kalimos

"Bad" surprises is The Lich King, it's a very good cards, but not as game-changing i was thinking. 

Thrall, Deathseer was ok cards for me, but it's even worse, probably, for me, the worst DK and the worst shaman cards of this expansion (keep in mind shaman class in general of course, not just in one particular deck).

Gnomeferatu too, i was very afraid of this card, but nobody play it, so :-/

Corpsetaker, i was thinking it will be a amazing card, well it's just good, not more.

It's more of a challenge to use Frost Lich Jaina than I expected, which disappoints me greatly 'cause it's my favorite Death Knight.

I was praying skulking geist would stop jade Druid and it does jack shit.

I am legitimate surprise that Prince Keleseth in being played in Zoo and Agro Pala. I was also surpried foe the Warlock and Mage Hero card, they proove to be way better than expected, dam, even the Warlock DK virtually revived the class.

For me, its the Cryostasis and Drakkari Defender, i was thinking it would be just ok cards, but they are very good.

Drakkari Defender pretty much says skip turn-4. I figured that would make it unplayable. Turns out getting Deathlord on turn 3 is still pretty impressive. One sweet combo I have been messing with in a "freeze" deck is using Cobalt Scalebane. Turn 8 you can have a 5/8 taunt & 5/5 dragon that continues to buff.

Thought Bonemare would just be a broken card in arena but will not make the cut in constructed, however it seems to do the job for hunter, paladin and druid because they lack a good 7 drop.

Fatespinner however is never played, actually the 3 damage aoe deathrattle is not that good.

Shadowblade is not necessary in every rogue deck, but not a bad card also.

Crypt Lord take over Tar Creeper in druid deck, I underestimated this card so bad.