I'm a beginner who is just about done getting all classes to level 10, and I'm planning on getting into ranked play soon. I don't have too much time for the game's daily quests, and I want to keep close to a $0 budget, so I'm looking for a deck that satisfies these conditions:
1) Plays out games quickly, win or lose. Less time to grind.
2) Is good against the more transparent, easily played against decks, specifically Aggro. I expect the very obvious games are the ones I can win, and I'm ok with losing the oddball test of wits.
3) Is not too expensive in regards to Legendaries.
I was thinking maybe a quick minion-based deck in a class with a hero ability that's typically good at handling Aggro, such as Mage, Paladin, Druid or Rogue. I was looking at the "Shockadin" deck, and it seems pretty quick but I don't know how it does against Aggro. Budget Mage maybe, but I'm not sure how quick it is. I just don't want to play something like Warlock aggro because it seems very anti-control and matchup dependent. I also want to play a bit unorthodox, while not needing to go through a very steep learning curve.
Sounds like zoo is the deck you want. If you feel like zoo is too "mainstream" and you want to modify it to something more unorthodox there are many variations, where you can run for example blood knight or questing adventurer.
Sounds like zoo is the deck you want. If you feel like zoo is too "mainstream" and you want to modify it to something more unorthodox there are many variations, where you can run for example blood knight or questing adventurer.
Might be a bit off topic, but it's funny you mention Blood Knightand Questing Adventurer because I was just toying around with the idea of throwing them in my Zoo deck, just to see how they work. Any experience there?
Thanks for suggestions. Although, I am not sure if the term "Zoo" denotes some Zoo animal card like Direwolf Alpha, any aggro with early taunts, or just any non-Merloc aggro deck as Warlock. I'm getting different decklists when I search. Anyone have a link to a good Zoo deck? Also, would you say Zoo has a good matchup versus Mage and other such middle-game aggro? Those are what I see the most of, it seems like.
The Shockadin deck also looks cool, although I'd probably have to watch a few videos to get a handle on what it plays like.
Sounds like zoo is the deck you want. If you feel like zoo is too "mainstream" and you want to modify it to something more unorthodox there are many variations, where you can run for example blood knight or questing adventurer.
Might be a bit off topic, but it's funny you mention Blood Knightand Questing Adventurer because I was just toying around with the idea of throwing them in my Zoo deck, just to see how they work. Any experience there?
I ran a zoo deck with questing adventurer to legend last season. When it works, it works great. And in the games where it doesnt get the chance to grow big, it usually draws out quite a bit of removal that otherwise could be used on your other minions. Its a bit sad when it gets silenced, but since its still a zoo deck it does not rely on a big QA in any way.
I'd still say the normal zoo is as effective, but the QA does add some flavor and you can win games in hilarious ways with it.
As for blood knight, I dont like him. You usually have to draw the divine shields from your own minions to use him. But if you find yourself facing a LOT of other decks with divine shield I guess it could be worth it?
One thing is for sure though. Do not run BOTH QA and BK in the same deck. Its not going to work.
It will help point you in the right direction if you are wanting to build a modern zoo deck. "Zoo" denotes a warlock deck that is full of low cost creatures. It's a consistent and versatile deck, that doesn't cost much to craft.
Oh however I should add: The meta is a LOT faster now than it was last season. Last season it was slow decks such as handlock and miracle rogue that dominated.
This season is pretty much all about tempo. So QA might be too slow this season. You'll have to see for yourself.
It will help point you in the right direction if you are wanting to build a modern zoo deck. "Zoo" denotes a warlock deck that is full of low cost creatures. It's a consistent and versatile deck, that doesn't cost much to craft.
Thanks!
I'm still wondering though what the name "Zoo" is for.
I'm still wondering though what the name "Zoo" is for.
The term "Zoo" came from the species of the users that use such decks.
The term really originated in MTG.
"Zoo is an extremely aggressive aggro deck that utilizes low-cost, self-boostingcreatures along with burn and utility spells. It's main strategy is to simply beat its opponents into submission before they can actually get anything going."
What kind of deck should you play when you have basically NO expert cards? My friend just started playing and I suggested zoo, but he doesn't have more than 5-6 neutral commons.
What kind of deck should you play when you have basically NO expert cards? My friend just started playing and I suggested zoo, but he doesn't have more than 5-6 neutral commons.
What kind of deck should you play when you have basically NO expert cards? My friend just started playing and I suggested zoo, but he doesn't have more than 5-6 neutral commons.
I'm still wondering though what the name "Zoo" is for.
The term "Zoo" came from the species of the users that use such decks.
The term really originated in MTG.
"Zoo is an extremely aggressive aggro deck that utilizes low-cost, self-boostingcreatures along with burn and utility spells. It's main strategy is to simply beat its opponents into submission before they can actually get anything going."
BDSorcerer explained it well.
So I guess from MTG, people called it Zoo because it was Lions, Apes, etc, and that convention just got picked up here? Makes sense.
One thing I noticed looking at Zoo decklists were lots of Taunts like Voidwalker and Shieldbearer. I thought the more all-out aggro would just use stuff like Merlocs. Are Taunts necessary for grinding those Aggro matchups, or are they more for just the higher tiers?
One thing I noticed looking at Zoo decklists were lots of Taunts like Voidwalker and Shieldbearer. I thought the more all-out aggro would just use stuff like Merlocs. Are Taunts necessary for grinding those Aggro matchups, or are they more for just the higher tiers?
Zoo is not an aggro deck. Zoo is all about board control in the early-mid game. Hence the taunts are great. They ensure you can get trades off on your own terms.
I'm still wondering though what the name "Zoo" is for.
The term "Zoo" came from the species of the users that use such decks.
The term really originated in MTG.
"Zoo is an extremely aggressive aggro deck that utilizes low-cost, self-boostingcreatures along with burn and utility spells. It's main strategy is to simply beat its opponents into submission before they can actually get anything going."
BDSorcerer explained it well.
So I guess from MTG, people called it Zoo because it was Lions, Apes, etc, and that convention just got picked up here? Makes sense.
One thing I noticed looking at Zoo decklists were lots of Taunts like Voidwalker and Shieldbearer. I thought the more all-out aggro would just use stuff like Merlocs. Are Taunts necessary for grinding those Aggro matchups, or are they more for just the higher tiers?
Very astute observation. Those low cost taunts are essential to playing Reynad's Zoo. It's actually more of a control the tempo deck than a pure aggro deck (at least the more consistently successful versions imho). A Murlock deck is a perfect example of pure aggro.
"Aggro" doesn't mean attack the opponents face every turn.
Zoo is not a control deck, but as BDSorcerer said, you control the tempo, specifically early board presence, by playing aggressively with your minions. Control decks rely on card advantage and big, late-game minions.
Taken directly from a Hearthstone wiki:
"An aggro deck or aggressive deck is a deck that takes an 'aggressive' approach of dealing damage to the opponent as quickly as possible, generally through the summoning of a large number of low-value minions. Aggro decks rely on explosive damage in the early game in order to surge to victory before the opponent has time to counter them. Small-minion aggro decks are often called "zoo" decks."
I'm a beginner who is just about done getting all classes to level 10, and I'm planning on getting into ranked play soon. I don't have too much time for the game's daily quests, and I want to keep close to a $0 budget, so I'm looking for a deck that satisfies these conditions:
1) Plays out games quickly, win or lose. Less time to grind.
2) Is good against the more transparent, easily played against decks, specifically Aggro. I expect the very obvious games are the ones I can win, and I'm ok with losing the oddball test of wits.
3) Is not too expensive in regards to Legendaries.
I was thinking maybe a quick minion-based deck in a class with a hero ability that's typically good at handling Aggro, such as Mage, Paladin, Druid or Rogue. I was looking at the "Shockadin" deck, and it seems pretty quick but I don't know how it does against Aggro. Budget Mage maybe, but I'm not sure how quick it is. I just don't want to play something like Warlock aggro because it seems very anti-control and matchup dependent. I also want to play a bit unorthodox, while not needing to go through a very steep learning curve.
Suggestions?
Brooklyn ... ZOO
Warlock Zoo
Paladin Aggro (Shockadin is a particular deck)
Aggro Mage
Are cheap decks that can sport you good win rates.
Soulbound Deckbuilding Team Owner
Hearthstone Freelance Writer
Sounds like zoo is the deck you want.
If you feel like zoo is too "mainstream" and you want to modify it to something more unorthodox there are many variations, where you can run for example blood knight or questing adventurer.
Might be a bit off topic, but it's funny you mention Blood Knightand Questing Adventurer because I was just toying around with the idea of throwing them in my Zoo deck, just to see how they work. Any experience there?
twitter.com/MattDoc
Thanks for suggestions. Although, I am not sure if the term "Zoo" denotes some Zoo animal card like Direwolf Alpha, any aggro with early taunts, or just any non-Merloc aggro deck as Warlock. I'm getting different decklists when I search. Anyone have a link to a good Zoo deck? Also, would you say Zoo has a good matchup versus Mage and other such middle-game aggro? Those are what I see the most of, it seems like.
The Shockadin deck also looks cool, although I'd probably have to watch a few videos to get a handle on what it plays like.
I ran a zoo deck with questing adventurer to legend last season.
When it works, it works great.
And in the games where it doesnt get the chance to grow big, it usually draws out quite a bit of removal that otherwise could be used on your other minions.
Its a bit sad when it gets silenced, but since its still a zoo deck it does not rely on a big QA in any way.
I'd still say the normal zoo is as effective, but the QA does add some flavor and you can win games in hilarious ways with it.
As for blood knight, I dont like him. You usually have to draw the divine shields from your own minions to use him. But if you find yourself facing a LOT of other decks with divine shield I guess it could be worth it?
One thing is for sure though. Do not run BOTH QA and BK in the same deck. Its not going to work.
Take a look in this thread Justice. http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/56646-season-two-legend-warlock-zoo
It will help point you in the right direction if you are wanting to build a modern zoo deck. "Zoo" denotes a warlock deck that is full of low cost creatures. It's a consistent and versatile deck, that doesn't cost much to craft.
Good info. Thanks SlayerMartin.
twitter.com/MattDoc
Oh however I should add:
The meta is a LOT faster now than it was last season.
Last season it was slow decks such as handlock and miracle rogue that dominated.
This season is pretty much all about tempo.
So QA might be too slow this season. You'll have to see for yourself.
Thanks!
I'm still wondering though what the name "Zoo" is for.
The term "Zoo" came from the species of the users that use such decks.
The term really originated in MTG.
"Zoo is an extremely aggressive aggro deck that utilizes low-cost, self-boosting creatures along with burn and utility spells. It's main strategy is to simply beat its opponents into submission before they can actually get anything going."
BDSorcerer explained it well.
What kind of deck should you play when you have basically NO expert cards? My friend just started playing and I suggested zoo, but he doesn't have more than 5-6 neutral commons.
Search for Trumps basic decks
For a beginner, I'd actually suggest that they grind out the early achievements to earn gold/dust/cards. You can level up each of your heroes and earn card unlocks/complete dailies (I chose to level up all of them to level 10 against the innkeeper and against friends). http://www.hearthpwn.com/forums/hearthstone-general/general-discussion/1088-list-of-achievements-and-daily-quests-in
Also, you might let your friend know that they can mulligan their daily quests by clicking on the red x. :)
So I guess from MTG, people called it Zoo because it was Lions, Apes, etc, and that convention just got picked up here? Makes sense.
One thing I noticed looking at Zoo decklists were lots of Taunts like Voidwalker and Shieldbearer. I thought the more all-out aggro would just use stuff like Merlocs. Are Taunts necessary for grinding those Aggro matchups, or are they more for just the higher tiers?
Zoo is not an aggro deck. Zoo is all about board control in the early-mid game. Hence the taunts are great. They ensure you can get trades off on your own terms.
Very astute observation. Those low cost taunts are essential to playing Reynad's Zoo. It's actually more of a control the tempo deck than a pure aggro deck (at least the more consistently successful versions imho). A Murlock deck is a perfect example of pure aggro.
"Aggro" doesn't mean attack the opponents face every turn.
Zoo is not a control deck, but as BDSorcerer said, you control the tempo, specifically early board presence, by playing aggressively with your minions. Control decks rely on card advantage and big, late-game minions.
Taken directly from a Hearthstone wiki:
"An aggro deck or aggressive deck is a deck that takes an 'aggressive' approach of dealing damage to the opponent as quickly as possible, generally through the summoning of a large number of low-value minions. Aggro decks rely on explosive damage in the early game in order to surge to victory before the opponent has time to counter them. Small-minion aggro decks are often called "zoo" decks."
Here is an image of all of Trump's basic decks:
http://i.imgur.com/OmfQKEG.png
If you have trouble seeing it, search "Trump basic" here on hearthpwn.