Blizzard introduced the Standard and Wild formats when they released Whispers of the Old Gods. This was the biggest change in the history of Hearthstone and while unpopular at the time (and still not loved by some circles), the decision was one of the best things to ever happen to the game. Opinions on the introduction of formats have been discussed and debated ad infinitum elsewhere so it’s not the topic here.
The first release of 2017 will coincide with the next Standard rotation. While the introduction of formats was huge for the game I think this upcoming rotation will be the most significant change in the Hearthstone’s history by far. I’ll do my best to explain why.
When the formats were introduced we got one new expansion to play with and GvG and Naxx rotated out of Standard. Other than that, everything was pretty much the same, balance changes aside. We still had BRM, TGT and LoE. These sets all still play a significant role in the game today (TGT to a lesser extent) and have done so since they came out. Sure we’ve seen some new archetypes with each new release but there have been a few evergreens that have kinda always just been around in some form or other.
This next rotation will see BRM, TGT and LoE all leave the Standard format. While everyone is aware that we will be losing some massive cards like Reno or Emperor T, I do think the significance of just how much we’re losing and just how that will affect the meta overall is often overlooked and perhaps greatly underestimated.
Below is a list, broken down by Class, listing all of the cards from each expansion that will leave Standard next year. I have tried to include all cards that currently see play from the staples to some of the lesser played tech choices. You will see that every Class is going to lose important cards while some archetypes are losing what is essentially their core/spine. To be honest, seeing some of the cards surprised me because, having seen them since I started playing 18 months ago, I just assumed they were part of the Classic set!
There are some huge ones here. Living Roots and Ravel Idol have both found their way into almost every single viable Druid archetype. The loss of Aviana means we’ll be losing what is my personal favourite combo in the entire game – Aviana, Kun, Alex, Maly/C’Thun etc.
Even Beast Druid takes a knock with Savage Combatant, Druid of the Saber/Flame and Mounted Raptor. But Mulch will most likely be the biggest miss of all. Druid’s only single target removal to deal with absolutely anything will become nothing more than, um, mulch?
Perhaps the class that will be the least affected by the rotation (even though it’s in the dumpster right now). Hunter will still be taking a hit. The importance of Quick Shot cannot be underestimated. Hunter has always been starved for card draw and losing burst damage/removal plus a viable option for card draw is going to hurt. No more Camel Hunter even!
Tempo Mage will be resigned to the scap heap / Wild for good. Losing Flamewaker and Arcane Blast is just too big a blow to ever recover from. Forgotten Torch is a loss too but perhaps more relevant for Freeze Mage.
Wave your fins goodbye to Anyfin, an entire archetype will be no more. The Dragon Pally that very nearly was but wound up being mostly nothing suffers a knockback with the loss of the disappointing Dragon Consort. Secret Pally, already near extinction, will be gone for good. “Who am I?” Nobody even remembers. Keeper of Uldaman is another massive loss that affects nearly every single Paladin deck out there.
As we’ll see in the Neutral cards as well, Dragon Priest is going to be several shades weaker come the rotation. Losing Twilight Whelp is huge – the importance of a strong early game cannot be disputed. Flash Heal – a once staple card during Priest’s dark time will also be leaving.
Entomb and Excavated Evil are losses too but Priest has new toys that replace them. But for a while, during Anduin’s depression, they were some of the few friends he could rely on.
R.I.P Mill Rogue. I’m genuinely sad about that. Miracle Rogue also loses its best buddy in Tomb Pillager, an MVP since its release. I hope they get a suitable replacement because the deck is really doing well at legend ranks since MSG (or so I’ve heard!).
Everyone’s favourite pre-MSG Mid Range Meta King is having its spine ripped out. Tunnel Troggs, Totem Golems, Thunder Bluff – all gone. Good news or not, that’s huge. Cards like Elemental Destruction and Healing Wave leaving standard mean that Control Shaman will become an even rarer site.
Another class that isn’t losing much in comparison to others but Zoo is getting kicked in the nuts. So is Renolock but we’ll get to the neutral stuff later. Imp Gang Boss and Peddler are going to be missed in both archetypes. Losing Demonwrath will hurt Renolock too.
No longer being able to rely on Revenge and Bash bashes (see what I did there?) a few more nails into the Control-Warrior-as-we-know-it’s coffin. Monkey and Alex’s Champion basically means it’s adios to Dragon Warrior’s insane starts too.
“We’re gonna be rich!” Probably one of the most important cards ever released. His magnificent ‘tash gave us an entire new archetype something no other card (or ‘tash) has been able to do on its own with the exception of a select few (Undertaker, Grim Patron, Challenger etc). He will be missed and there is a strong argument to have him added to the Classic set for good (the fact that I crafted a gold Reno does not form part of it!).
Control Warrior’s coffin is slammed shut and tossed 6 feet under with the loss of Justicar and Elise. No more playing for fatigue. No more remove, tank up pass turn as the win condition. No more “Everyone get in here!” either.
Dragon decks in general are going to feel this too. Corruptor is a staple in every dragon deck, Technician less so but still helps Dragon Priest curve out in the early game. Fun fact: some Dragon Priests are cutting Dragonfire Potion for more early game tools, and Technician is one of them! Twilight Guardian is another member of the beloved Dragon family that we’ll remember fondly in the years to come. Chillmaw was really scary and impressive but nobody really liked her anyway!
Reno aside, losing “Funnel Cakes” is also a setback for Renolock (Kazakus-lock just doesn’t sound the same!) in a game where neutral heals are rare and sold at a premium.
Not even Egg / Token Druid is safe. Dropping one of the only two Eggs available kinda sucks!
For me, none of these cards even come close to Emperor Thaurissan. Imo, the most powerful card in game – what this enables is just flat out ridiculous! He is the glue holding nearly every single combo together. This could turn out to be the card that Renolock winds up missing even more than Reno himself. Nobody knows what new cards we’ll get but I doubt anything can ever replace him.
Hopefully I’ve been able share my views on why I feel this will be the biggest change Heathstone has ever seen and very likely, will ever see. The game as we know it is going to be completely transformed – every single archetype is going to undergo changes, most of them drastic and many will become almost unrecognisable from the decks we know today (Except for the ageless Freeze Mage)! Personally I can’t wait to see what lies ahead. Thanks for reading. Interested in hearing your thoughts.
You forgot that in Renolock, you're losing Reno Jackson!! The archetype is dead in my eyes.
I don't think it's possible to forget that! But it's one of the glaringly obvious ones so didn;t feel it was necessary to mention. Although I did say that Kazakus-lock just doesn't have the same ring to it!
Who the hell was playing Powershot and Tomb Spider?
I messed around with them. Getting a 3rd Savannah Highmane from the spider is nice. No, they weren't great cards, but I will still miss them. I'd play wild, but i lack the vast majority of necessary cards.
Who the hell was playing Powershot and Tomb Spider?
Powershot didn't see too much play, but I remember Tomb Spider seeing quite a bit of play in Midrange Hunter pre-rotation. People even tech'd Shredder out for it, since in many cases getting a Highmane is better than a random 2 drop.
Appreciate the well-written recap, but would assume (hopefully correctly) that Blizzard has something in mind for the next expansion to address some of these. Given we just saw several new Murloc and Dragon cards, I would think that they are looking to encourage those archtypes, not throw them on the trash heap. On the other hand, I could certainly see them make Emperor and Reno more "permanent" removals - at least until the second expansion later in the year. If they are trying to "change things up", those couple of cards will likely force more significant changes on the meta than almost anything else. My .02 worth of course :-)
Appreciate the well-written recap, but would assume (hopefully correctly) that Blizzard has something in mind for the next expansion to address some of these. Given we just saw several new Murloc and Dragon cards, I would think that they are looking to encourage those archtypes, not throw them on the trash heap. On the other hand, I could certainly see them make Emperor and Reno more "permanent" removals - at least until the second expansion later in the year. If they are trying to "change things up", those couple of cards will likely force more significant changes on the meta than almost anything else. My .02 worth of course :-)
Glad you enjoyed!
The point of the post was to highlight what we're losing from the game we know today. That's all. I have no doubt we'll be getting some awesome new stuff to play with as well - lots of new decks and cards that can replace some of the ones we're losing. I don't think Blizzard will keep Emperor T in standard - Reno I can honestly see happening though. Maybe not this rotation but it could happen a year or two down the road.
To say the truth, most of these cards see a little play, for example most of tgt and neutral brm cards aren't played anyway. Personally I'm kinda afraid that pirate warrior won't loose anything.
I'll really miss Reno, burgle rogue and dragon cards. ='(
I hope they insert the dragon support into the classic set. It is especially important for Priest because Dragon Priest is the only real viable Priest deck. Once the rotation hits Priest will probably be unplayable again for another 7 months. The classic set for priest is pretty much garbage so Priest has to rely on expansions and adventures to be playable.
Good sum up, I just don't agree on the Control Warrior comment. That deck was a thing much before Eloise and Justicar (in fact, those are 2 different decks. Control Warrior just uses Justicar, it's Fatigue Warrior that uses both). Maybe Fatigue Warrior will dissapear, but Control Warrior will always have the Alexstrasza and Gnomash combo.
Good sum up, I just don't agree on the Control Warrior comment. That deck was a thing much before Eloise and Justicar (in fact, those are 2 different decks. Control Warrior just uses Justicar, it's Fatigue Warrior that uses both). Maybe Fatigue Warrior will dissapear, but Control Warrior will always have the Alexstrasza and Gnomash combo.
You are quite right re CW, i should have said fatigue warrior - but it is also true that most CW decks have run at least one of these two cards. Still going to be missed.
Just want to say thanks to everyone for reading and commenting, much appreciated. I also just want to mention that i am in no way trying to predict what the meta will look like after the next rotation - doing so would be pointless because we have no idea what the new cards will bring to the game. This was more of a commentary re how the game is going to change from what we know it as today. A lot of these cards have been around since most people have been playing the game so it is going to have a huge impact. In all fairness, every rotation will shake things up quite a bit but this one is going to be felt a little more.
Blizzard introduced the Standard and Wild formats when they released Whispers of the Old Gods. This was the biggest change in the history of Hearthstone and while unpopular at the time (and still not loved by some circles), the decision was one of the best things to ever happen to the game. Opinions on the introduction of formats have been discussed and debated ad infinitum elsewhere so it’s not the topic here.
The first release of 2017 will coincide with the next Standard rotation. While the introduction of formats was huge for the game I think this upcoming rotation will be the most significant change in the Hearthstone’s history by far. I’ll do my best to explain why.
When the formats were introduced we got one new expansion to play with and GvG and Naxx rotated out of Standard. Other than that, everything was pretty much the same, balance changes aside. We still had BRM, TGT and LoE. These sets all still play a significant role in the game today (TGT to a lesser extent) and have done so since they came out. Sure we’ve seen some new archetypes with each new release but there have been a few evergreens that have kinda always just been around in some form or other.
This next rotation will see BRM, TGT and LoE all leave the Standard format. While everyone is aware that we will be losing some massive cards like Reno or Emperor T, I do think the significance of just how much we’re losing and just how that will affect the meta overall is often overlooked and perhaps greatly underestimated.
Below is a list, broken down by Class, listing all of the cards from each expansion that will leave Standard next year. I have tried to include all cards that currently see play from the staples to some of the lesser played tech choices. You will see that every Class is going to lose important cards while some archetypes are losing what is essentially their core/spine. To be honest, seeing some of the cards surprised me because, having seen them since I started playing 18 months ago, I just assumed they were part of the Classic set!
Druid
BRM: Druid of the Flame
TGT: Aviana, Astral Communion, Savage Combatant, Mulch, Darnassus Aspirant, Druid of the Saber, Living Roots
LoE: Jungle Moonkin, Mounted Raptor, Raven Idol
There are some huge ones here. Living Roots and Ravel Idol have both found their way into almost every single viable Druid archetype. The loss of Aviana means we’ll be losing what is my personal favourite combo in the entire game – Aviana, Kun, Alex, Maly/C’Thun etc.
Even Beast Druid takes a knock with Savage Combatant, Druid of the Saber/Flame and Mounted Raptor. But Mulch will most likely be the biggest miss of all. Druid’s only single target removal to deal with absolutely anything will become nothing more than, um, mulch?
Hunter
BRM: Quick Shot
TGT: Ram Wrangler, King's Elekk
LoE: Desert Camel
Perhaps the class that will be the least affected by the rotation (even though it’s in the dumpster right now). Hunter will still be taking a hit. The importance of Quick Shot cannot be underestimated. Hunter has always been starved for card draw and losing burst damage/removal plus a viable option for card draw is going to hurt. No more Camel Hunter even!
Mage
BRM: Flamewaker
TGT: Rhonin, Spellslinger, Arcane Blast
LoE: Ethereal Conjurer, Forgotten Torch
Tempo Mage will be resigned to the scap heap / Wild for good. Losing Flamewaker and Arcane Blast is just too big a blow to ever recover from. Forgotten Torch is a loss too but perhaps more relevant for Freeze Mage.
Paladin
BRM: Solemn Vigil, Dragon Consort
TGT: Eadric the Pure, Enter the Coliseum, Mysterious Challenger, Murloc Knight, Competitive Spirit
LoE: Anyfin Can Happen, Keeper of Uldaman
Wave your fins goodbye to Anyfin, an entire archetype will be no more. The Dragon Pally that very nearly was but wound up being mostly nothing suffers a knockback with the loss of the disappointing Dragon Consort. Secret Pally, already near extinction, will be gone for good. “Who am I?” Nobody even remembers. Keeper of Uldaman is another massive loss that affects nearly every single Paladin deck out there.
Priest
BRM: Twilight Whelp
TGT: Confessor Paletress, Wyrmrest Agent, Flash Heal
LoE: Entomb, Excavated Evil, Museum Curator
As we’ll see in the Neutral cards as well, Dragon Priest is going to be several shades weaker come the rotation. Losing Twilight Whelp is huge – the importance of a strong early game cannot be disputed. Flash Heal – a once staple card during Priest’s dark time will also be leaving.
Entomb and Excavated Evil are losses too but Priest has new toys that replace them. But for a while, during Anduin’s depression, they were some of the few friends he could rely on.
Rogue
BRM: Dark Iron Skulker, Gang Up
TGT: Anub’arak, Beneath the Grounds, Burgle, Buccaneer
LoE: Tomb Pillager, Unearthed Raptor
R.I.P Mill Rogue. I’m genuinely sad about that. Miracle Rogue also loses its best buddy in Tomb Pillager, an MVP since its release. I hope they get a suitable replacement because the deck is really doing well at legend ranks since MSG (or so I’ve heard!).
Shaman
BRM: Lava Shock
TGT: Thunder Bluff Valiant, Draenei Totemcarver, Elemental Destruction, Healing Wave, Tuskarr Totemic, Ancestral Knowledge, Totem Golem
LoE: Tunnel Trogg
Everyone’s favourite pre-MSG Mid Range Meta King is having its spine ripped out. Tunnel Troggs, Totem Golems, Thunder Bluff – all gone. Good news or not, that’s huge. Cards like Elemental Destruction and Healing Wave leaving standard mean that Control Shaman will become an even rarer site.
Warlock
BRM: Demonwrath, Imp Gang Boss
TGT: Fist of Jaraxxus, Dreadsteed
LoE: Dark Peddler
Another class that isn’t losing much in comparison to others but Zoo is getting kicked in the nuts. So is Renolock but we’ll get to the neutral stuff later. Imp Gang Boss and Peddler are going to be missed in both archetypes. Losing Demonwrath will hurt Renolock too.
Warrior
BRM: Revenge
TGT: Varian Wrynn, Bash, Bolster, Alexstrasza’s Champion
LoE: Fierce Monkey
No longer being able to rely on Revenge and Bash bashes (see what I did there?) a few more nails into the Control-Warrior-as-we-know-it’s coffin. Monkey and Alex’s Champion basically means it’s adios to Dragon Warrior’s insane starts too.
Neutral
BRM: Nefarian, Chromaggus, Drakonid Crusher, Emperor Thaurissan, Blackwing Corruptor, Grim Patron, Blackwing Technician, Dragon Egg
TGT: Chillmaw, Justicar Trueheart, Kodo Rider, The Skeleton Knight, Nexus-Champion Saraad, Gormok the Impaler, Refreshment Vendor, Twilight Guardian, Argent Horserider, Flame Juggler, Lance Carrier, Injured Kvaldir
LoE: Reno Jackson, Arch-Thief Rafaam, Djinni of Zephyrs, Eerie Statue, Elise Starseeker, Brann Bronzebeard, Huge Toad, Jeweled Scarab, Sir Finley Mrrgglton
“We’re gonna be rich!” Probably one of the most important cards ever released. His magnificent ‘tash gave us an entire new archetype something no other card (or ‘tash) has been able to do on its own with the exception of a select few (Undertaker, Grim Patron, Challenger etc). He will be missed and there is a strong argument to have him added to the Classic set for good (the fact that I crafted a gold Reno does not form part of it!).
Control Warrior’s coffin is slammed shut and tossed 6 feet under with the loss of Justicar and Elise. No more playing for fatigue. No more remove, tank up pass turn as the win condition. No more “Everyone get in here!” either.
Dragon decks in general are going to feel this too. Corruptor is a staple in every dragon deck, Technician less so but still helps Dragon Priest curve out in the early game. Fun fact: some Dragon Priests are cutting Dragonfire Potion for more early game tools, and Technician is one of them! Twilight Guardian is another member of the beloved Dragon family that we’ll remember fondly in the years to come. Chillmaw was really scary and impressive but nobody really liked her anyway!
Reno aside, losing “Funnel Cakes” is also a setback for Renolock (Kazakus-lock just doesn’t sound the same!) in a game where neutral heals are rare and sold at a premium.
Not even Egg / Token Druid is safe. Dropping one of the only two Eggs available kinda sucks!
For me, none of these cards even come close to Emperor Thaurissan. Imo, the most powerful card in game – what this enables is just flat out ridiculous! He is the glue holding nearly every single combo together. This could turn out to be the card that Renolock winds up missing even more than Reno himself. Nobody knows what new cards we’ll get but I doubt anything can ever replace him.
Hopefully I’ve been able share my views on why I feel this will be the biggest change Heathstone has ever seen and very likely, will ever see. The game as we know it is going to be completely transformed – every single archetype is going to undergo changes, most of them drastic and many will become almost unrecognisable from the decks we know today (Except for the ageless Freeze Mage)! Personally I can’t wait to see what lies ahead. Thanks for reading. Interested in hearing your thoughts.
Missing lethal since June 2015.
Nice recap!
I just expect more players to turn into Wild game mode.
Don't forget that the removal of Emperor Thaurissan is going to hurt Freeze Mage really badly.
I will miss Powershot and Bear Trap in Hunter.
Edit 1: Also, Tomb Spider.
Edit 2: Lock and Load. Not the most powerful cards, but definitely fun ones.
You forgot that in Renolock, you're losing Reno Jackson!! The archetype is dead in my eyes.
Missing lethal since June 2015.
Appreciate the well-written recap, but would assume (hopefully correctly) that Blizzard has something in mind for the next expansion to address some of these. Given we just saw several new Murloc and Dragon cards, I would think that they are looking to encourage those archtypes, not throw them on the trash heap. On the other hand, I could certainly see them make Emperor and Reno more "permanent" removals - at least until the second expansion later in the year. If they are trying to "change things up", those couple of cards will likely force more significant changes on the meta than almost anything else. My .02 worth of course :-)
Missing lethal since June 2015.
To say the truth, most of these cards see a little play, for example most of tgt and neutral brm cards aren't played anyway. Personally I'm kinda afraid that pirate warrior won't loose anything.
I'll really miss Reno, burgle rogue and dragon cards. ='(
I think 'what is in mind' will be to make Wild more viable. A lot of decks will disappear from Standard but move into Wild.
I know they are already playable in Wild but where are you playing those decks? Standard or Wild? Exactly.
They could reprint a mini reno for 5 mana 3/5 that restores 15 health to your hero.
I hope they insert the dragon support into the classic set. It is especially important for Priest because Dragon Priest is the only real viable Priest deck. Once the rotation hits Priest will probably be unplayable again for another 7 months. The classic set for priest is pretty much garbage so Priest has to rely on expansions and adventures to be playable.
I think they are going to modify the Classic set at the beginning of every rotation just like they do for MTG.
Don't be surprised to see many cards added or removed from "Classic" or a new edition called "Standard 2017" or something along those lines.
Good sum up, I just don't agree on the Control Warrior comment. That deck was a thing much before Eloise and Justicar (in fact, those are 2 different decks. Control Warrior just uses Justicar, it's Fatigue Warrior that uses both). Maybe Fatigue Warrior will dissapear, but Control Warrior will always have the Alexstrasza and Gnomash combo.
Missing lethal since June 2015.
I won't miss Gang Up
One quibble with OP's point about Mulch being only Druid removal - what about Naturalize?
I can't actually remember the last time someone played Mulch against me