They're cool but just too slow to see play in the meta, hunter is the only one I think sees consistent play and that's due to tutored draw and highlander
You cant play Rogue without Akama in my opinion, not only because he is your proactive 3 cost minion (others requires combo) but also the stealth gala is by far the strongest rogue archetype right now from my experience so yeah, akama is a good card.
with no tutoring for either cards. Prime Cards are inconsistent minions that may not be there when you most need it.
That said, they're decent as a concept. But without any consistency in drawing them, they're viability tanks as they basically bloat your deck, reducing your chances of getting a decent card for the turn.
And some of not even good to begin with.
Lady Vashj is probably the worst as by the time you both play her and her prime card, you would've already drawn most of your deck already.
Akama doesn't do well because Rogue as a class never needs stats, it needs utility and combo synergy. There is a reason why Rogues will most likely use Flik over Akama Prime despite Akama technically having more value in the long-run, stealth synergy and better stats.
If you don't draw Msshi'fn in turn three he becomes a liability in Big Druid's quest, both as itself and in prime form as it essentially becomes a worse living monument if cheated out by the sidequest.
2. Their base form is good but the actual prime lacks for various reasons
Here I'll explain what I mean with these on each card
Archspore Msshi'fn: This one is a fine card that probably would see play on every Druid deck if not cause of the fact that Kael'thas Sunstrider is so broken that you want to be playing only token spell druid and Big Druid can't afford to top deck a 3 drop or it loses the advantage you gain by ramping up. Msshi'fn Prime is also a fantastic card that gets insane with the quest but again, very few reasons to not abuse spell Druid.
Zixor, Apex Predator: Another fine card that would probably see play on every hunter deck if not for the fact that going face and killing your opponent fast is a better strategy. Toxic Reinforcements is such a powerful card that making a face deck is super powerful. You can still slap it on any hunter deck and be fine. Zixor Prime is a pretty nutty card, an absurd amount of tempo for 8 mana.
Astromancer Solarian: One of the 2 that actually sees decent play. Perfect card for Reno Mage. Decent on curve, it can make your AoEs do more, and the fact that Solarian Prime has that text so you don't pyro your own face or minions is a great idea. She's definitely a mini box for 7 mana that can't fuck you up on most scenarios and only casts mage spells which are mostrly decent.
Akama: this one is more of the second case. A 3 mana 3/4 with stealth is great, specially on rogue which only has synergistic 3 cost cards (Edwin, Miscreant and Seal) and having a proactive body on 3 is great. Pëople will realize in a couple weeks that Gala Rogue is still insane and will either cut all the secret stuff or at least make place for Akama cause it's a solid card. The problem with this one comes with the prime; Akama Prime on theory is pretty insane, high attack and permanent stealth means that it can easily do a bunch of damage but the current meta has too much untargeted removal (both renos, warlock's plague and altruis f.e.) or decks that can punish you for playing that 6 mana beat stick (DH, Face Hunter or Spell Druid).
Murgur Murgurgle: very solid card stuck on a class that doesn't have many more things sadly. This card not only supports and archetype (Murlocs) but it's just generally good to see play on any Paladin (Think of a card like Flik which is good enough to see play on every Rogue). But Paladin is just so bad. Librams need more control tools to actually survive and Murloc pally is super inconsistent.
Kanrethad Ebonlocke: the other prime that sees consistent play. Now it's used primarily for the discount to demons and Kanrethad Prime is an ok come back mechanic for Zoo. But this card could be insane in the future. We all remember how insane Gul'dan DK was and this is pretty much mini gul'dan so it could be one of the best cards in the next expansions.
Lady Vashj: Terrible card, I'd rather run Thalnos and draw a card honestly. And the Prime is even worse so I won't waste time here.
Kargath Bladefist: Another ok card, solid and you prolly want to run it on different Warriors but it won't make or brake any deck.
Reliquary of Souls: Same case as Akama. Pretty good base form and the Prime is nutty on a vacuum but with so much untargeted removal you just lose so much tempo if you spend 7 mana on Reliquary Prime and your opponent removes it immediatly without even giving you HP.
2. Their base form is good but the actual prime lacks for various reasons
Here I'll explain what I mean with these on each card
Archspore Msshi'fn: This one is a fine card that probably would see play on every Druid deck if not cause of the fact that Kael'thas Sunstrider is so broken that you want to be playing only token spell druid and Big Druid can't afford to top deck a 3 drop or it loses the advantage you gain by ramping up. Msshi'fn Prime is also a fantastic card that gets insane with the quest but again, very few reasons to not abuse spell Druid.
Zixor, Apex Predator: Another fine card that would probably see play on every hunter deck if not for the fact that going face and killing your opponent fast is a better strategy. Toxic Reinforcements is such a powerful card that making a face deck is super powerful. You can still slap it on any hunter deck and be fine. Zixor Prime is a pretty nutty card, an absurd amount of tempo for 8 mana.
Astromancer Solarian: One of the 2 that actually sees decent play. Perfect card for Reno Mage. Decent on curve, it can make your AoEs do more, and the fact that Solarian Prime has that text so you don't pyro your own face or minions is a great idea. She's definitely a mini box for 7 mana that can't fuck you up on most scenarios and only casts mage spells which are mostrly decent.
Akama: this one is more of the second case. A 3 mana 3/4 with stealth is great, specially on rogue which only has synergistic 3 cost cards (Edwin, Miscreant and Seal) and having a proactive body on 3 is great. Pëople will realize in a couple weeks that Gala Rogue is still insane and will either cut all the secret stuff or at least make place for Akama cause it's a solid card. The problem with this one comes with the prime; Akama Prime on theory is pretty insane, high attack and permanent stealth means that it can easily do a bunch of damage but the current meta has too much untargeted removal (both renos, warlock's plague and altruis f.e.) or decks that can punish you for playing that 6 mana beat stick (DH, Face Hunter or Spell Druid).
Murgur Murgurgle: very solid card stuck on a class that doesn't have many more things sadly. This card not only supports and archetype (Murlocs) but it's just generally good to see play on any Paladin (Think of a card like Flik which is good enough to see play on every Rogue). But Paladin is just so bad. Librams need more control tools to actually survive and Murloc pally is super inconsistent.
Kanrethad Ebonlocke: the other prime that sees consistent play. Now it's used primarily for the discount to demons and Kanrethad Prime is an ok come back mechanic for Zoo. But this card could be insane in the future. We all remember how insane Gul'dan DK was and this is pretty much mini gul'dan so it could be one of the best cards in the next expansions.
Lady Vashj: Terrible card, I'd rather run Thalnos and draw a card honestly. And the Prime is even worse so I won't waste time here.
Kargath Bladefist: Another ok card, solid and you prolly want to run it on different Warriors but it won't make or brake any deck.
Reliquary of Souls: Same case as Akama. Pretty good base form and the Prime is nutty on a vacuum but with so much untargeted removal you just lose so much tempo if you spend 7 mana on Reliquary Prime and your opponent removes it immediatly without even giving you HP.
I like your analysis!
first of all, i'm 99% sure Kael'thas is going to be nerfed and we will see more experimentation with druid.
As for your analysis i just wanted to add something about the Zixor prime that's actually really relevant and i experienced that a bunch as a Rogue main, his prime form although it's pretty nutty like u mentioned it get's completely outplayed by Flik Skyshiv. It's kinda like the same situation of the old Shirvallah Paladin when you build a deck around that card to took the best value from it and all of sudden just a single card deny your entire gameplan without any effort, it must be very frustrating for the hunter players out there.
So what are your impressions about "Primes"? Do you find it powerful or you expect more impact on meta? What is best in your opinion?
Imo mage has best Prime, Hunter Prime is OK but others are medicore.
You just couldn't use the prime thread that was created 15mins earlier?
They’ve only been a member for 5 years, 3 months, and 17 days, give them a break.
Imo only the Warlock one is bad ass, as you can use it for Zoo to cheat out demons better
agree, the others are just too slow and unreliable, at least a Prime Tutor card drawing minion would have been appreciated.
Hunter got a tutor (and buff) card.
i mean Neutral obviously
They're cool but just too slow to see play in the meta, hunter is the only one I think sees consistent play and that's due to tutored draw and highlander
You cant play Rogue without Akama in my opinion, not only because he is your proactive 3 cost minion (others requires combo) but also the stealth gala is by far the strongest rogue archetype right now from my experience so yeah, akama is a good card.
with no tutoring for either cards. Prime Cards are inconsistent minions that may not be there when you most need it.
That said, they're decent as a concept. But without any consistency in drawing them, they're viability tanks as they basically bloat your deck, reducing your chances of getting a decent card for the turn.
And some of not even good to begin with.
Lady Vashj is probably the worst as by the time you both play her and her prime card, you would've already drawn most of your deck already.
Akama doesn't do well because Rogue as a class never needs stats, it needs utility and combo synergy. There is a reason why Rogues will most likely use Flik over Akama Prime despite Akama technically having more value in the long-run, stealth synergy and better stats.
If you don't draw Msshi'fn in turn three he becomes a liability in Big Druid's quest, both as itself and in prime form as it essentially becomes a worse living monument if cheated out by the sidequest.
There are 2 problems with primes:
1. They either are decent cards but nothing more.
2. Their base form is good but the actual prime lacks for various reasons
Here I'll explain what I mean with these on each card
I like your analysis!
first of all, i'm 99% sure Kael'thas is going to be nerfed and we will see more experimentation with druid.
As for your analysis i just wanted to add something about the Zixor prime that's actually really relevant and i experienced that a bunch as a Rogue main, his prime form although it's pretty nutty like u mentioned it get's completely outplayed by Flik Skyshiv. It's kinda like the same situation of the old Shirvallah Paladin when you build a deck around that card to took the best value from it and all of sudden just a single card deny your entire gameplan without any effort, it must be very frustrating for the hunter players out there.