Hearthpwn

Actually, I don't think that we'll see this card in competetive play.

I'll be very surprised if this doesn't see significant play in some sort of warrior deck(s). 5/5 is a strong body and 5 armor is very useful (players always underestimate incidental life gain that you hardly even pay for in the mana cost) and you get both effects stapled in one card for approx 1 mana discount. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

Also, as has been mentioned, Shieldmaiden + Shield Slam is absolute monster tempo play.

I'm surprised how much people hate this. Ancient of Lore costs one more and heals 5, and people say that's one of the best cards in the game. Obviously the card draw helps, but at 6 mana, Shieldmaiden is pretty solid. Combos with shield slam of course, and leaves a 5/5 body out there. Better than Guardian of Kings in my opinion. Recombobulator works well with it too, since there are many very good 6 mana drops out there. I see no reason it won't get played. It helps a lot vs hyper aggro meta, which we always need more help with.

Edit: I just wanna also say, I don't think this card will be a game-breaker by any means. It's going to be good, and should be included in many warrior decks.

Quote from Nuba »

People obviously prefer cluncky and unstable cards over straight-up good cards like this one beucase they look at their unreliable card and think "omg this combos with X and Y and I will use this combo and will win every time I combo this so good"... then they look at something as good as this as go "Laaaaame! Who needs to stay alive anyways?"

Rather combo and put 5 12/12s on the board than win games.

It's the same issue a card like Dark Cultist had. It was just a good card. Great stats and a more than annoying ability. But because it wasn't flashy people didn't talk about it. Dark Cultist, Sludge Belcher, and Zombie Chow are the only naxx cards in most modern priest decks, yet alone they made priest a viable deck again. A card doesn't have to be flashy to be good. I'm not saying Shieldmadien is as good as Dark Cultist, if only because this card has average stat-line, but it's certainly a highly playable card. 

I was expecting something different, something with a peculiar effect.

The card is good, but if you are behind with board control, this minion can't really change the situation, especially against, for example, zoo; Doomguard can negate that battlecry, while the rest of the opponent's board still deals its damage and you are left with a slow 5/5. I don't see this minion being played in a Control Warrior because the archetype is completely explored and developed (unless are realeased legendaries or spells better than the current ones), while I think may fit in a possibly emerging midrange archetype.

Not too flashy of a card, but it's pretty good in terms of value. It gives warriors a solid body while also gaining armor which also works with Alexstrasza and Shield Slam. Good for stalling the game which is what control warriors like doing.

It's a shame that so many people are being Debby Downers in this discussion. Try to be more positive people!

I like the new concept that Blizzard is pursuing! 6 mana for 5/5 and 5 armor: looks alot like guardian of kings and Keeper of Lore statswise. Maybe with some other new/old cards this card can make for some new interesting strategies!

When I initially looked at this card, I thought it would be a great arena card, but I'm not so sure now. 6 for a 5/5 is pretty bad stats, and though the battlecry is sweet in my opinion, it will only help you control the board if u have shield slam (and as Trump says, arena is all about board control). I doubt we will see an armor synergizing spell for warrior in this set since we have already seen three warrior cards and have yet to see a warrior mech synergy card.

I think this card will be awesome in constructed because of the already mentioned synergy with shield slam and the stats (though not great for six mana) are fine for the midish-late game where it will be played and it can kill heavily used current cards like cairne, loatheb, sludge belcher etc. . . This set seems to be packaging already existing spells, or new spells onto minions in the form of battlecry, which I personally think is super fun, because I love minions and it gives players two different cards to choose from if they want to do something. This is one tough little gnome lady and I also can't wait to here her emote :D

Also one way to make room for Bouncing Blade is to replace shield block with the blades and one 6 mana creature with this. It could work.

Quote from szabozalan »

Also one way to make room for Bouncing Blade is to replace shield block with the blades and one 6 mana creature with this. It could work.

Shield Block is too good to be replaced, because it can still cycle a card.

At least 1 should go in the control deck. Replace Cairn as it can be silenced. The 5 attack takes out belchers and loathebs in 1 shot.

I voted for the gnome as the Pirate was a rogue card I believe and it's the only class I never play. But now I'm regretting my choice. Shame on me for not picking the cute parrot!

It doesn't always have to be about top tier play, you know. This card provides a viable budget option to the 6 mana legendary set and opens up the control warrior archetype to people who can't currently afford ALL of the best legendaries. And, as previously stated, it will be better than those legendaries in some situations and metas. Ask any druid player how useful a 5/5 body and 5 heal can be when playing against hunter, even at 7+ mana.

I am also hoping that we start seeing some mid-range tempo warrior decks come out of this. Maybe Commanding Shout could actually be a thing... what would that be like?

I think it's an excellent card. If shield block was changed to 6 mana, but the card drawn was guaranteed to be a zero cost yeti, it would see just as much play as it does now. I see myself subbing out one shield block for one of these.

Quote from MrKCvZ »

Quote from szabozalan »

Also one way to make room for Bouncing Blade is to replace shield block with the blades and one 6 mana creature with this. It could work.

Shield Block is too good to be replaced, because it can still cycle a card.

If it would not cycle, noone would use it. And by itself this card does not do anything, so I can see it gets cut.

Flavor and art wise, im relieved we are getting a break from silly mechs. Im starting to like the expansion more.

Highmane is rare as well and still tons better than this crap. Doesnt stop ur opponent from playing stuff or rushing your face and has second to none immediate impact on game or board. If it had taunt i'd bother with it but would never ever replace another 6 drop with this sucker while playing a control deck. Thank you blizz for not upping warrior a tiny bit. I have yet to see a good class card except for garrosh.

Quote from aldanae »

Thank you blizz for not upping warrior a tiny bit. I have yet to see a good class card except for garrosh.

Ummm... Bouncing Blade?

Quote from dwl_ »

Oh I was expecting a low drop minion (it kinda looks that way), but it's a mid-game minion instead. An interesting one nonetheless.

I think all gnomes look like low drops. In fact, it bothers me that a gnome has such high stats, they are too cute for high stats.