What are we looking forward to in the new core set?
I'd like to see more tribal minions and tribal synergy. Especially dragons, elementals, mechs and murlocs. Especially ones that aren't tribal-reliant.
To begin with, I'd make a few improvements to some of the existing dragons.
I'd cycle out the core set Onyxia, just because they did the reprint in the mini-set.
Deathwing should destroy cards from your deck rather than discard them from your hand.
Ysera should have a few improvements to Emerald Drake and Laughing Sister. Probably give Emerald Drake Rush, and give the Laughing Sister poisonous.
Nozdormu should be cost 5. 5 mana 8/8s are strong, but it'd be a legendary and it'd incentivize players to actually run it.
Alexstrasza and Malygos are probably both fine. Maybe Malygos could give a 1 mana discount to the cards he draws. You could even maybe replace Alexstrasza with Dragonqueen Alexstrasza. Probably with a nerf. (Maybe "Discover a dragon, it costs 0 this turn") But I don't know if that's smart.
I think Runthak and Taelan are perfect cards. Flat out perfect. They provide a lot of what people liked about Zilliax while being a little bit less staple cards.
Probably drop Acidic Swamp Ooze with Rust-rot Viper in rotation. Probably take out Auctioneer. There's enough card draw in the game and they can replace him with something cooler. Some cards I'd like to see come back:
Cobalt Spellkin, Bone Wraith, Faceless Rager, Sunreaver Warmage (buff it to deal 5 damage).
For each class:
I think Demon Hunter is fine. I'd probably like to see Illidari Inquisitor bumped up to 9 mana. Maybe buff Kor'vas Bloodthorn a little bit. (Maybe make her a 1 mana 2/1) For a second legendary (and I think every class should have two legendaries in it's core set), this is really controversial but I think Kayn Sunfury is a fine card for Demon Hunter. Since his nerf, he's been pretty fair. Otherwise maybe Nethradamus. The card was only in the set for a year, and there'd be a lot of dragon synergy for it now. I can't think of anything else I'd like to see in DH's core set.
Druid I think could use an update. Pounce, Feral Rage, Nourish, Druid of the Claw, Innervate are all good. Innervate could maybe also give an extra mana crystal on the next turn? Like "gain an extra mana crystal this turn and at the beginning of next turn". Keeps you from cheating out something really big. Nordrassil Druid could be buffed to reduce the cost of the card by 4 instead of 3. Cenarius should give rush to his treants instead of taunt. For a second legendary, I'd kind of like to see a buffed Malorne. Have it be summoned upon being drawn after it's been shuffled into the deck and give it rush. I'd like to see a few more attack gain cards. I'd also maybe like to see them bring back some treant support cards. Grove Tender might be nice in place of Wild Growth or perhaps include Greedy Sprite. Druid has better 1 drops than Enchanted Raven, but they aren't rotating.
For Hunter I think it's time to retire Freezing Trap. Cat Trick or Rat Trap would make cool replacements, or maybe a new attack-based secret. Lock and Load I think should be limited to spells. Otherwise I think Hunter has a really good Core set. Maybe one of the best ones. I like Houndmaster Shaw or Vereesa Windrunner as second legendary.
Mage has a lot of issues with it's core set. Their secret package sucks. I think Explosive Rune is cooler than Mirror Entity and Mana Tap is neater than Counterspell. I'd like to see Ice Barrier replaced with something a lot more dynamic. Something which still gives Mage a smidge of survivability, but maybe incorporate some sort of freeze effect. (Maybe after an enemy attacks your hero gain 5 armor, freeze the enemy board) Coldarra Drake could probably provide a 1 mana discount to your hero power in addition to it's current effects. I don't think that'd be broken for a 6 mana card, maybe it's stats would need to be reduced. Ethereal Conjurer could probably also be cheaper. I'd kind of like to see them replace Flamestrike with a more expensive Blizzard. Maybe 8 mana, deal 5 damage to the enemy board and freeze it. Mage has lots of cool legendaries, I like Dragoncaller Alanna, Kalecgos, Chenvalla or even Khadgar for the second legendary.
Paladin has a pretty cool core set. Pursuit of Justice could be 1 mana, or give +1/+1 to your silver hand recruits. The secrets are cool, Tirion is cool. Secret package is cool. Maybe Warhorse Trainer could give +2 attack. He seems a bit underwhelming right now. There're so many cool Paladin legendaries. Kangor, Rhyssa never got a good chance to shine (and would be kinda cool now), Talritha might be flavourful, Burnbristle, Eadric the Pure, Sun-keeper Tarim or even Val'anyr... maybe keep Yrel and bring back the pure Paladin cards that rotated in the core set. Probably should replace Consecration with something else.
Priest isn't bad. Crimson Clergy should probably gain +2 attack every time something's healed, or maybe make him a 1/4. (Or both) Focused Will I think should only give health to friendly minions. (Silence a minion, then if it's a friendly minion give it +3 health) Probably swap out Shadow Form, or make it actually do something when you're already in Shadow Form. Maybe bring back the elemental that reduced the costs of spells. They need to stop trying to make Lightspawn happen. Also not a fan of the thief priest-style effects. For legendaries, there's Mindflayer Khaarj, Madame Lazul, Lyra the Sunshard (add a holy spell to your hand every time you cast a shadow spell?), High Priest Amet. Also Natalie Selene could use a small buff. (Maybe a 6 mana 6/4 that steals health? Or even 5 mana 5/4 that stealths health?)
I'm kinda sick of Rogue's 0 cost spell pool. Probably keep Shadowstep, but I think Preparation and Backstab can kinda go at this point. I'd like to see Bladed Cultist replaced with a 1 mana 1/1 version of Foxy Fraud. (Reduce the cost of your next combo card by 1) And maybe some more coin generators in Rogue that are a bit more fair. I think for second legendary... maybe Xaril if they buffed it a bit. Wouldn't object to them keeping Tenwu or Infiltrator Lilian even. Or maybe buff Anub'arak and include him.
Shaman core set is cool, I dunno what I'd add, but I'd like the totem stuff to maybe be a bit more cohesive. For second legendary I like Vessina, White Eyes, maybe buff Moorabi and bring him back, Zentimo, Kalimos.
Warlock core set seems good to me, I'd like to see maybe some more discard synergy stuff. I think Flame Imp should be replaced with Voidwalker. Jek'lik could be a cool second legendary, I think Drain Soul should probably be nerfed to 3 mana. Ritual of Doom should be a Fel spell. Second legendary could be Mal'ganis, but maybe reduce his cost/stats. There's also Rin. I'm not sure what else they can/should do. If they don't do Jeklik, I think a Jeklik-like card should probably be in the set.
Warrior I think is probably fine too. Warsong Commander could maybe get bumped down to a 2 mana card. She wouldn't be broken and I think would be more of a useful card. I feel like Brawl's been in the game for a LONG time, and either should behave in a more reliable way, or we can just do without it for a while (maybe keep Bladestorm?). Maybe replace it with another board clear. Grom I think is fine as the legendary, I feel like the frenzy/enrage activators in Warrior could be better too. I'd kind of like to see a card like whirling commander that isn't so expensive. Something which benefits from enrage effects and also activates them. Whirlwind is pretty weak too (maybe give it some form of twinspell?).
That's about it honestly. What cards do you think each class needs? Which cards don't you like in the core set (remember the purpose of the core set is to create a very B-level power set that can fill the holes in a deck build, not top tier cards).
What are we looking forward to in the new core set?
I'd like to see more tribal minions and tribal synergy. Especially dragons, elementals, mechs and murlocs. Especially ones that aren't tribal-reliant.
To begin with, I'd make a few improvements to some of the existing dragons.
I'd cycle out the core set Onyxia, just because they did the reprint in the mini-set.
Deathwing should destroy cards from your deck rather than discard them from your hand.
Ysera should have a few improvements to Emerald Drake and Laughing Sister. Probably give Emerald Drake Rush, and give the Laughing Sister poisonous.
Nozdormu should be cost 5. 5 mana 8/8s are strong, but it'd be a legendary and it'd incentivize players to actually run it.
Alexstrasza and Malygos are probably both fine. Maybe Malygos could give a 1 mana discount to the cards he draws. You could even maybe replace Alexstrasza with Dragonqueen Alexstrasza. Probably with a nerf. (Maybe "Discover a dragon, it costs 0 this turn") But I don't know if that's smart.
I think Runthak and Taelan are perfect cards. Flat out perfect. They provide a lot of what people liked about Zilliax while being a little bit less staple cards.
Probably drop Acidic Swamp Ooze with Rust-rot Viper in rotation. Probably take out Auctioneer. There's enough card draw in the game and they can replace him with something cooler. Some cards I'd like to see come back:
Cobalt Spellkin, Bone Wraith, Faceless Rager, Sunreaver Warmage (buff it to deal 5 damage).
For each class:
I think Demon Hunter is fine. I'd probably like to see Illidari Inquisitor bumped up to 9 mana. Maybe buff Kor'vas Bloodthorn a little bit. (Maybe make her a 1 mana 2/1) For a second legendary (and I think every class should have two legendaries in it's core set), this is really controversial but I think Kayn Sunfury is a fine card for Demon Hunter. Since his nerf, he's been pretty fair. Otherwise maybe Nethradamus. The card was only in the set for a year, and there'd be a lot of dragon synergy for it now. I can't think of anything else I'd like to see in DH's core set.
Druid I think could use an update. Pounce, Feral Rage, Nourish, Druid of the Claw, Innervate are all good. Innervate could maybe also give an extra mana crystal on the next turn? Like "gain an extra mana crystal this turn and at the beginning of next turn". Keeps you from cheating out something really big. Nordrassil Druid could be buffed to reduce the cost of the card by 4 instead of 3. Cenarius should give rush to his treants instead of taunt. For a second legendary, I'd kind of like to see a buffed Malorne. Have it be summoned upon being drawn after it's been shuffled into the deck and give it rush. I'd like to see a few more attack gain cards. I'd also maybe like to see them bring back some treant support cards. Grove Tender might be nice in place of Wild Growth or perhaps include Greedy Sprite. Druid has better 1 drops than Enchanted Raven, but they aren't rotating.
For Hunter I think it's time to retire Freezing Trap. Cat Trick or Rat Trap would make cool replacements, or maybe a new attack-based secret. Lock and Load I think should be limited to spells. Otherwise I think Hunter has a really good Core set. Maybe one of the best ones. I like Houndmaster Shaw or Vereesa Windrunner as second legendary.
Mage has a lot of issues with it's core set. Their secret package sucks. I think Explosive Rune is cooler than Mirror Entity and Mana Tap is neater than Counterspell. I'd like to see Ice Barrier replaced with something a lot more dynamic. Something which still gives Mage a smidge of survivability, but maybe incorporate some sort of freeze effect. (Maybe after an enemy attacks your hero gain 5 armor, freeze the enemy board) Coldarra Drake could probably provide a 1 mana discount to your hero power in addition to it's current effects. I don't think that'd be broken for a 6 mana card, maybe it's stats would need to be reduced. Ethereal Conjurer could probably also be cheaper. I'd kind of like to see them replace Flamestrike with a more expensive Blizzard. Maybe 8 mana, deal 5 damage to the enemy board and freeze it. Mage has lots of cool legendaries, I like Dragoncaller Alanna, Kalecgos, Chenvalla or even Khadgar for the second legendary.
Paladin has a pretty cool core set. Pursuit of Justice could be 1 mana, or give +1/+1 to your silver hand recruits. The secrets are cool, Tirion is cool. Secret package is cool. Maybe Warhorse Trainer could give +2 attack. He seems a bit underwhelming right now. There're so many cool Paladin legendaries. Kangor, Rhyssa never got a good chance to shine (and would be kinda cool now), Talritha might be flavourful, Burnbristle, Eadric the Pure, Sun-keeper Tarim or even Val'anyr... maybe keep Yrel and bring back the pure Paladin cards that rotated in the core set. Probably should replace Consecration with something else.
Priest isn't bad. Crimson Clergy should probably gain +2 attack every time something's healed, or maybe make him a 1/4. (Or both) Focused Will I think should only give health to friendly minions. (Silence a minion, then if it's a friendly minion give it +3 health) Probably swap out Shadow Form, or make it actually do something when you're already in Shadow Form. Maybe bring back the elemental that reduced the costs of spells. They need to stop trying to make Lightspawn happen. Also not a fan of the thief priest-style effects. For legendaries, there's Mindflayer Khaarj, Madame Lazul, Lyra the Sunshard (add a holy spell to your hand every time you cast a shadow spell?), High Priest Amet. Also Natalie Selene could use a small buff. (Maybe a 6 mana 6/4 that steals health? Or even 5 mana 5/4 that stealths health?)
I'm kinda sick of Rogue's 0 cost spell pool. Probably keep Shadowstep, but I think Preparation and Backstab can kinda go at this point. I'd like to see Bladed Cultist replaced with a 1 mana 1/1 version of Foxy Fraud. (Reduce the cost of your next combo card by 1) And maybe some more coin generators in Rogue that are a bit more fair. I think for second legendary... maybe Xaril if they buffed it a bit. Wouldn't object to them keeping Tenwu or Infiltrator Lilian even. Or maybe buff Anub'arak and include him.
Shaman core set is cool, I dunno what I'd add, but I'd like the totem stuff to maybe be a bit more cohesive. For second legendary I like Vessina, White Eyes, maybe buff Moorabi and bring him back, Zentimo, Kalimos.
Warlock core set seems good to me, I'd like to see maybe some more discard synergy stuff. I think Flame Imp should be replaced with Voidwalker. Jek'lik could be a cool second legendary, I think Drain Soul should probably be nerfed to 3 mana. Ritual of Doom should be a Fel spell. Second legendary could be Mal'ganis, but maybe reduce his cost/stats. There's also Rin. I'm not sure what else they can/should do. If they don't do Jeklik, I think a Jeklik-like card should probably be in the set.
Warrior I think is probably fine too. Warsong Commander could maybe get bumped down to a 2 mana card. She wouldn't be broken and I think would be more of a useful card. I feel like Brawl's been in the game for a LONG time, and either should behave in a more reliable way, or we can just do without it for a while (maybe keep Bladestorm?). Maybe replace it with another board clear. Grom I think is fine as the legendary, I feel like the frenzy/enrage activators in Warrior could be better too. I'd kind of like to see a card like whirling commander that isn't so expensive. Something which benefits from enrage effects and also activates them. Whirlwind is pretty weak too (maybe give it some form of twinspell?).
That's about it honestly. What cards do you think each class needs? Which cards don't you like in the core set (remember the purpose of the core set is to create a very B-level power set that can fill the holes in a deck build, not top tier cards).
Priest: Northshire Cleric. Mass Hysteria. That 5/5 that healed for 5 at end of turn.
Warrior: Dr Boom Mad Scientist. Some Mechs.
Hunter: That Zombeasts card. Thats about the only fun card for Hunter I can think of. I guess some face cards to go with.
Rogue: Vanish, That legendary that created secrets, .
Paladin: Murlocs. Especially that 4 cost on with inspire. Everyfin is Possible.
Shaman: Shudderwock package! Just make the animations much faster.
Warlock: Cubelock package.
Druid: Anything not token based. LIterally anything else.
Mage: Put Infinite Arcane in there. At 7 mana it probably would be fine.
Demon Hunter: All the big demons.
Neutral. Dirty Rat should always be in standard.
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