As this title suggests, everything I'm about to discuss is based upon both my perception about how the game 'should' be played, as well as how I want to play it.
Lets dive right in
I consider myself a 'shaman main.' Shaman is certainly the class I like the most, and the class I always want to do well in the meta. However, I certainly do not exclusively play shaman, and there are several other classes I enjoy and have played a lot of.
I love theorycrafting, and, as someone who loves shaman, always try to make shaman decks work in the new meta. This latest reveal season has been very disappointing to me in this respect. Although I love the power levels of Marshspawn and Serpentshrine Portal, it seems clear that shaman is in for some bad times. As Trump said, 'sad shaman days.'
This got me thinking. I want shaman to be good, but there are also specific shaman archetypes I want to play. I want to be playing midrange shaman.
I define a 'midrange deck' as a deck that basically follows these basic principles: it is willing to give up tempo on turns 1 and 2, it then uses strong tempo swings on turns 3, 4, and perhaps even 5, then seeks to win the game with proactive cards played on turns 5, 6, 7 and 8. The goal is to win on turns 8, 9, or 10.
To create a strong midrange deck, these gaps must be filled. Although Serpentshrine Portal fits perfectly the requirement of a turn 3 tempo swing, shaman is lacking ANY strong 'game winning' cards that define the midrange archetype. This expansion, demon hunter has been given most of these. Priestess of Fury (besides being absolutely broken) is a perfect midrange card. It comes down on turn 7 and will win the game if it sticks. Coilfang Warlord is another great midrange tool, as is Imprisoned Antaen.
Because of the play style I want, I am being pushed to classes other than my beloved shaman. If a unicorn shaman exists, I will most certainly play it, no matter the type of deck. But this expansion I predict I will be playing a lot of demon hunter (and maybe ramp druid).
However, as I said, Serpentshrine Portal is a great place to start for shaman. In the following expansions, I want to see more cards for shaman in the line of jades, Ragnaros, or even Thunder Bluff Valiant.
Evolve shaman used to be another true midrange deck, trying to win with a turn 6 Doppelgangster and Evolve. This archetype received two cards (admittedly, relatively weak ones), so maybe ever the next couple of expansions evolve shaman will return.
Mostly I'm just disappointed that it looks like shaman isn't going to work out this expansion
Damn, I'm really disappointed. I expected a hilarious post full of sarcasm and satire, but in the end, you only complained about shaman. :(
Maybe this is just a meta commentary on how people act on Hearthpwn/Blizzard forums. The satire and hilarity is from the 1-1 mimicry of how they post, almost in a mocking way. Perhaps OP is simply a Stanley Kubrick of satire. Our minds just have a hard time seeing through the facade, as we are accustomed to serious posts being just that: serious. Not this time, dear reader, not this time.
Although the praise is appreciated, I am not the Stanley Kubrick of satire, nor a Tarantino of meta analysis. My deepest loyalties lie with Hobbes, although it unquestionable to me that none the less supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses.
These can appear to be contradictory notions; Hobbes argued it is better to accept the flaws of the system (in this case, Hearthstone), than to live without it at all and risk tasting a solitary, poor, nasty brutish and short life. However, I also fully stand by the idea that the power to design the game derives from none other than the player base, and as such it is the players who have ultimate control. These two ideas can be reconciled with the recognition that the players can exercise their control their control without rioting against blizzard; rather, they must work with it.
With distaste I look upon the Lockean idealists who flee to Legends of Runeterra, for they shall find disappointment, and, unable to quell their pride, shall find themselves without a game at all, at which point Hobbes' prophecy shall be complete.
I deal not in satire, or sarcasm, although I do enjoy wit. I deal in philosophy, I live by Aristotle, and I will not exaggerate a virtuous act to the point where it becomes full of vice.
Damn, I'm really disappointed. I expected a hilarious post full of sarcasm and satire, but in the end, you only complained about shaman. :(
Maybe this is just a meta commentary on how people act on Hearthpwn/Blizzard forums. The satire and hilarity is from the 1-1 mimicry of how they post, almost in a mocking way. Perhaps OP is simply a Stanley Kubrick of satire. Our minds just have a hard time seeing through the facade, as we are accustomed to serious posts being just that: serious. Not this time, dear reader, not this time.
Although the praise is appreciated, I am not the Stanley Kubrick of satire, nor a Tarantino of meta analysis. My deepest loyalties lie with Hobbes, although it unquestionable to me that none the less supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses.
These can appear to be contradictory notions; Hobbes argued it is better to accept the flaws of the system (in this case, Hearthstone), than to live without it at all and risk tasting a solitary, poor, nasty brutish and short life. However, I also fully stand by the idea that the power to design the game derives from none other than the player base, and as such it is the players who have ultimate control. These two ideas can be reconciled with the recognition that the players can exercise their control their control without rioting against blizzard; rather, they must work with it.
With distaste I look upon the Lockean idealists who flee to Legends of Runeterra, for they shall find disappointment, and, unable to quell their pride, shall find themselves without a game at all, at which point Hobbes' prophecy shall be complete.
I deal not in satire, or sarcasm, although I do enjoy wit. I deal in philosophy, I live by Aristotle, and I will not exaggerate a virtuous act to the point where it becomes full of vice.
As this title suggests, everything I'm about to discuss is based upon both my perception about how the game 'should' be played, as well as how I want to play it.
Lets dive right in
I consider myself a 'shaman main.' Shaman is certainly the class I like the most, and the class I always want to do well in the meta. However, I certainly do not exclusively play shaman, and there are several other classes I enjoy and have played a lot of.
I love theorycrafting, and, as someone who loves shaman, always try to make shaman decks work in the new meta. This latest reveal season has been very disappointing to me in this respect. Although I love the power levels of Marshspawn and Serpentshrine Portal, it seems clear that shaman is in for some bad times. As Trump said, 'sad shaman days.'
This got me thinking. I want shaman to be good, but there are also specific shaman archetypes I want to play. I want to be playing midrange shaman.
I define a 'midrange deck' as a deck that basically follows these basic principles: it is willing to give up tempo on turns 1 and 2, it then uses strong tempo swings on turns 3, 4, and perhaps even 5, then seeks to win the game with proactive cards played on turns 5, 6, 7 and 8. The goal is to win on turns 8, 9, or 10.
To create a strong midrange deck, these gaps must be filled. Although Serpentshrine Portal fits perfectly the requirement of a turn 3 tempo swing, shaman is lacking ANY strong 'game winning' cards that define the midrange archetype. This expansion, demon hunter has been given most of these. Priestess of Fury (besides being absolutely broken) is a perfect midrange card. It comes down on turn 7 and will win the game if it sticks. Coilfang Warlord is another great midrange tool, as is Imprisoned Antaen.
Because of the play style I want, I am being pushed to classes other than my beloved shaman. If a unicorn shaman exists, I will most certainly play it, no matter the type of deck. But this expansion I predict I will be playing a lot of demon hunter (and maybe ramp druid).
However, as I said, Serpentshrine Portal is a great place to start for shaman. In the following expansions, I want to see more cards for shaman in the line of jades, Ragnaros, or even Thunder Bluff Valiant.
Evolve shaman used to be another true midrange deck, trying to win with a turn 6 Doppelgangster and Evolve. This archetype received two cards (admittedly, relatively weak ones), so maybe ever the next couple of expansions evolve shaman will return.
Mostly I'm just disappointed that it looks like shaman isn't going to work out this expansion
Damn, I'm really disappointed. I expected a hilarious post full of sarcasm and satire, but in the end, you only complained about shaman. :(
Sarcasm and satire? on HearthPwn? never heard of it.
Maybe this is just a meta commentary on how people act on Hearthpwn/Blizzard forums. The satire and hilarity is from the 1-1 mimicry of how they post, almost in a mocking way. Perhaps OP is simply a Stanley Kubrick of satire. Our minds just have a hard time seeing through the facade, as we are accustomed to serious posts being just that: serious. Not this time, dear reader, not this time.
Although the praise is appreciated, I am not the Stanley Kubrick of satire, nor a Tarantino of meta analysis. My deepest loyalties lie with Hobbes, although it unquestionable to me that none the less supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses.
These can appear to be contradictory notions; Hobbes argued it is better to accept the flaws of the system (in this case, Hearthstone), than to live without it at all and risk tasting a solitary, poor, nasty brutish and short life. However, I also fully stand by the idea that the power to design the game derives from none other than the player base, and as such it is the players who have ultimate control. These two ideas can be reconciled with the recognition that the players can exercise their control their control without rioting against blizzard; rather, they must work with it.
With distaste I look upon the Lockean idealists who flee to Legends of Runeterra, for they shall find disappointment, and, unable to quell their pride, shall find themselves without a game at all, at which point Hobbes' prophecy shall be complete.
I deal not in satire, or sarcasm, although I do enjoy wit. I deal in philosophy, I live by Aristotle, and I will not exaggerate a virtuous act to the point where it becomes full of vice.
Ok, thanks for the laughs, guys! XD
oh really?
The subtlety of the satire here is wonderful.
xD
https://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/1333477-xskarmalock