After thinking for a while I decided that the fact there is a new expansion and new cards doesn't mean I should be only spending my dust on it so I thought I can just improve my Zoolock by upgrading it to a Handlock (BTW it would be nice if someone can tell me if it is considered upgrade in the first place even though Zoolock is way cheaper - I suspect it is?).
So I have 1600 dust and everything for a Handlock (including Mal'Ganis) except Lord Jaraxxus and the Molten Giants. The thing is I am not sure if Handlock is still good, it definitely seems fun to me, but apart from that I am also aiming for the legend rank but I always end up to rank 2 - 3 at the most and I can never make the final push (playing Midrange Paladin ATM). Is Handlock good for reaching legend with, I dunno... 60% winrate for example or something like that and is it better than Zoolock because I can't seem to make it work that much...
Thank you in advance, every answer would be appreciated :)!
I feel that it will always be viable in some form or another. It's built to take advantage of the Warlock's ability to A) damage itself, and B) draw cards. That will never change.
The difficulty is adapting it to fit the meta, and the meta right now is going crazy with the new TGT cards.
As a plus, Handlock should be in a very favorable position to win Jousts. :-)
It's a deck that's just too strong. Too many options... ability to stabilize against aggro..., to out-value control decks by your hero power.
I'm currently running a DemonHandlock with some techs from TGT (Fearsome Doomguard, Master Jouster, Wilfred Fizzlebang and Fencing Coach. Handlock is the strongest Control deck out there. even CW with Varian can't compete.
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Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
Handlock is the strongest Control deck out there. even CW with Varian can't compete.
Control Paladin might disagree with you there. :-)
It's not disagreeing. Control Paladin received some good cards. IF you believe Eadric is worthy enough to outvalue Handlock... you've never played into not overextending against Paladin (aka Equality + Consecrate). I've Eadric come out on two boards... it wasn't much. It's quite a slow card... yes he stopped the Paladin from dying about 2 or 3 turns... but still he did not swung the board like the Paladin expected.
Handlock is above everything in Control matchups due to the Hero Power nature. Still, I'm glad Control Paladin received some slight buffs. Seeing them back is quite a joy to me.
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Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
Well, I am playing Control Paladin, as I already said (used midrange, but I am pretty sure it's the same), at the most and I really like it. Is there any point wasting so much dust on Handlock if it's not really any improvement if at all?
P.S Thanks for the help once again! You just gotta appreciate such a good community - always there to help you!
Well, I am playing Control Paladin, as I already said (used midrange, but I am pretty sure it's the same), at the most and I really like it. Is there any point wasting so much dust on Handlock if it's not really any improvement if at all?
P.S Thanks for the help once again! You just gotta appreciate such a good community - always there to help you!
One thing about Handlock is that the deck in itself can afford to run very unfair cards. Handlock is great. It's a deck that you'll see quite often pros bringed to tournament just because how reliable it is against many matchups. Of course it's lot of dust to invest... but it's a truly rewardin g deck to win with (and learn).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
I'm not sure that Handlock is stronger than DemonZoo. Handlock is a great tournament deck because it hard-counters other decks--with reasonable draws, it's a brutal matchup for a Druid, for example, because after BGH, there's no way to take down a Giant. One of the problems with Handlock is that everything balances by a knife-point, otherwise you can easily get steamrolled, so which cards to include is complex. Siphon Soul has generally been phased out as too slow; now you have to run Zombie Chow along with your 2 Ancient Watcher. When you also factor in the 2 Sunfury Protector, and the Big Game Hunter, Handlock is actually not well equipped to win jousts. It's certainly a strong deck, and I think it will continue to be so, but my sense is that play optimization with Handlock is just more difficult than with many other decks, hence it's easy to bog down with a Handlock deck after about rank 5. Too often, you lose games where you decided to push instead of healing yourself one more time, or you let yourself get damaged so you could play the Molten Giant and then he had lethal before you could play Jaraxus, etc.
I'm not sure that Handlock is stronger than DemonZoo. Handlock is a great tournament deck because it hard-counters other decks--with reasonable draws, it's a brutal matchup for a Druid, for example, because after BGH, there's no way to take down a Giant. One of the problems with Handlock is that everything balances by a knife-point, otherwise you can easily get steamrolled, so which cards to include is complex. Siphon Soul has generally been phased out as too slow; now you have to run Zombie Chow along with your 2 Ancient Watcher. When you also factor in the 2 Sunfury Protector, and the Big Game Hunter, Handlock is actually not well equipped to win jousts. It's certainly a strong deck, and I think it will continue to be so, but my sense is that play optimization with Handlock is just more difficult than with many other decks, hence it's easy to bog down with a Handlock deck after about rank 5. Too often, you lose games where you decided to push instead of healing yourself one more time, or you let yourself get damaged so you could play the Molten Giant and then he had lethal before you could play Jaraxus, etc.
Handlock is not the same archetype as DemonZoo. If you want to mix the sheer power of both, DemonHandlock might be the way to go. It's quite strong. Reliable. And you often outramp a Druid.
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Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
Demon handlock is worth it.. very strong right now (so is demon zoo) if you dont have atleast 2-3k dust don't even bother tho.. the deck is kinda expensive. (main - jaraxxus,2x molten giant,Mal'ganis,1x mountain giant)
i am playing both decks right now on ladder and i enjoy handlock more just becouse demon zoo games i usually wreck my opponent without leaving any hope for his unrefined deck to do anything at all, where in handlock we have a nice medium-long game of control.
btw handlock is very rewarding if you stick to it and learn to play it properly.. Handlock is viable deck since many patches which just proves how strong it is to endure in any meta by slight adjusting.
If you play a lot Hearthstone, you should play some Handlock. It's always viable, and it's helluvafun to play. Quite a tricky deck to play well, but rewarding when you do. It's has a regular presence at tournaments, so having familiarity with it makes watching those more exciting.
Jaraxxas isn't a necessity for your Handlock, but the Molten Giants certainly are.
Would you consider DemonHandlock better than Handlock alone?
I would not state that it's better. It's stronger against aggro decks... and aggro decks have always been the weakness of Handlock. So I'm kinda feeling good with DemonHandlock in general since vs Control it's still able to out value them easily and vs aggro you have Mal'Ganis to protect your face at some point / Voidcaller to trade / get enough board control easily. DemonHandlock is quite good. A Taunted Jaraxxus is a delightful sight.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
It's a deck that's just too strong. Too many options... ability to stabilize against aggro..., to out-value control decks by your hero power.
I'm currently running a DemonHandlock with some techs from TGT (Fearsome Doomguard, Master Jouster, Wilfred Fizzlebang and Fencing Coach. Handlock is the strongest Control deck out there. even CW with Varian can't compete.
Could you show your deck for us please? I'm curious about it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Always Squelch.
"Every time you beat an aggro deck, you make the world a better place". Kripp 2015
It's a deck that's just too strong. Too many options... ability to stabilize against aggro..., to out-value control decks by your hero power.
I'm currently running a DemonHandlock with some techs from TGT (Fearsome Doomguard, Master Jouster, Wilfred Fizzlebang and Fencing Coach. Handlock is the strongest Control deck out there. even CW with Varian can't compete.
Could you show your deck for us please? I'm curious about it.
Gimme 10 minutes. Finishing something for University and I'm on it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
Just for kicks I threw in Fencing Coach and a Fearsome Doomguard in my handlock deck and have been working people who are experimenting with a lot of the new cards. Fencing Coach is pretty good late game because you can become Lord Jaraxxus and use hero power to summon Infernal in same turn.
I think handlock will always be viable in one form or another
Just for kicks I threw in Fencing Coach and a Fearsome Doomguard in my handlock deck and have been working people who are experimenting with a lot of the new cards. Fencing Coach is pretty good late game because you can become Lord Jaraxxus and use hero power to summon Infernal in same turn.
I think handlock will always be viable in one form or another
Fencing Coach turns out to be quite effective.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
oh Handlock... my beloved first love... how I love thee. I have absolutely been going NUTS with the new cards and was lucky enough to even get a golden Wilfred in my 50 packs (the HS gods telling me to stick to my guns and what i know best). With Justicar Trueheart and Wilfred Fizzlebang, OH it's glorious! Still running 2 healbots and a farseer, but that is by far usually enough. I am throwing Frozen Giant in my deck too just because we love to tap tap tap tap tap dat azz.
Repeat from above... Handlock is one the best control deck because of it's adaptability, versatility, and just awesomeness. The catch is, so many people call it a bust or "too slow", which it can be with nothing but face hunters, but that isn't the case atm. I have gone from 4 to 1 with 2 stars using my TGT Handlock build. I have played the deck since it's conception so I always have my own "twist" on it that works for me. You have to know how to play it and have to understand your opponents deck and adjust (which is VERY difficult to do right now). But like I said, if you know how to play it right, you will take 60%+ winrate!
Cheers!
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Hello guys..
After thinking for a while I decided that the fact there is a new expansion and new cards doesn't mean I should be only spending my dust on it so I thought I can just improve my Zoolock by upgrading it to a Handlock (BTW it would be nice if someone can tell me if it is considered upgrade in the first place even though Zoolock is way cheaper - I suspect it is?).
So I have 1600 dust and everything for a Handlock (including Mal'Ganis) except Lord Jaraxxus and the Molten Giants. The thing is I am not sure if Handlock is still good, it definitely seems fun to me, but apart from that I am also aiming for the legend rank but I always end up to rank 2 - 3 at the most and I can never make the final push (playing Midrange Paladin ATM). Is Handlock good for reaching legend with, I dunno... 60% winrate for example or something like that and is it better than Zoolock because I can't seem to make it work that much...
Thank you in advance, every answer would be appreciated :)!
well handlock is still in a good shape, its just the other classes did get a huge buff, so they are now competitive
I feel that it will always be viable in some form or another. It's built to take advantage of the Warlock's ability to A) damage itself, and B) draw cards. That will never change.
The difficulty is adapting it to fit the meta, and the meta right now is going crazy with the new TGT cards.
As a plus, Handlock should be in a very favorable position to win Jousts. :-)
Feel free to add me if you play on NA! iMPose#1429
Repeat after. Handlock is always viable.
It's a deck that's just too strong. Too many options... ability to stabilize against aggro..., to out-value control decks by your hero power.
I'm currently running a DemonHandlock with some techs from TGT (Fearsome Doomguard, Master Jouster, Wilfred Fizzlebang and Fencing Coach. Handlock is the strongest Control deck out there. even CW with Varian can't compete.
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
Control Paladin might disagree with you there. :-)
Feel free to add me if you play on NA! iMPose#1429
It's not disagreeing. Control Paladin received some good cards. IF you believe Eadric is worthy enough to outvalue Handlock... you've never played into not overextending against Paladin (aka Equality + Consecrate). I've Eadric come out on two boards... it wasn't much. It's quite a slow card... yes he stopped the Paladin from dying about 2 or 3 turns... but still he did not swung the board like the Paladin expected.
Handlock is above everything in Control matchups due to the Hero Power nature. Still, I'm glad Control Paladin received some slight buffs. Seeing them back is quite a joy to me.
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
Well, I am playing Control Paladin, as I already said (used midrange, but I am pretty sure it's the same), at the most and I really like it. Is there any point wasting so much dust on Handlock if it's not really any improvement if at all?
P.S Thanks for the help once again! You just gotta appreciate such a good community - always there to help you!
One thing about Handlock is that the deck in itself can afford to run very unfair cards. Handlock is great. It's a deck that you'll see quite often pros bringed to tournament just because how reliable it is against many matchups. Of course it's lot of dust to invest... but it's a truly rewardin g deck to win with (and learn).
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
I'm not sure that Handlock is stronger than DemonZoo. Handlock is a great tournament deck because it hard-counters other decks--with reasonable draws, it's a brutal matchup for a Druid, for example, because after BGH, there's no way to take down a Giant. One of the problems with Handlock is that everything balances by a knife-point, otherwise you can easily get steamrolled, so which cards to include is complex. Siphon Soul has generally been phased out as too slow; now you have to run Zombie Chow along with your 2 Ancient Watcher. When you also factor in the 2 Sunfury Protector, and the Big Game Hunter, Handlock is actually not well equipped to win jousts. It's certainly a strong deck, and I think it will continue to be so, but my sense is that play optimization with Handlock is just more difficult than with many other decks, hence it's easy to bog down with a Handlock deck after about rank 5. Too often, you lose games where you decided to push instead of healing yourself one more time, or you let yourself get damaged so you could play the Molten Giant and then he had lethal before you could play Jaraxus, etc.
Handlock is not the same archetype as DemonZoo. If you want to mix the sheer power of both, DemonHandlock might be the way to go. It's quite strong. Reliable. And you often outramp a Druid.
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
Demon handlock is worth it.. very strong right now (so is demon zoo)
if you dont have atleast 2-3k dust don't even bother tho.. the deck is kinda expensive. (main - jaraxxus,2x molten giant,Mal'ganis,1x mountain giant)
i am playing both decks right now on ladder and i enjoy handlock more just becouse demon zoo games i usually wreck my opponent without leaving any hope for his unrefined deck to do anything at all, where in handlock we have a nice medium-long game of control.
btw handlock is very rewarding if you stick to it and learn to play it properly.. Handlock is viable deck since many patches which just proves how strong it is to endure in any meta by slight adjusting.
Time is money, friend.
Would you consider DemonHandlock better than Handlock alone?
If you play a lot Hearthstone, you should play some Handlock. It's always viable, and it's helluvafun to play. Quite a tricky deck to play well, but rewarding when you do. It's has a regular presence at tournaments, so having familiarity with it makes watching those more exciting.
Jaraxxas isn't a necessity for your Handlock, but the Molten Giants certainly are.
I would not state that it's better. It's stronger against aggro decks... and aggro decks have always been the weakness of Handlock. So I'm kinda feeling good with DemonHandlock in general since vs Control it's still able to out value them easily and vs aggro you have Mal'Ganis to protect your face at some point / Voidcaller to trade / get enough board control easily. DemonHandlock is quite good. A Taunted Jaraxxus is a delightful sight.
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
Could you show your deck for us please? I'm curious about it.
Always Squelch.
"Every time you beat an aggro deck, you make the world a better place". Kripp 2015
Gimme 10 minutes. Finishing something for University and I'm on it.
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
Here it is. I finally replaced Jouster with Sludgy !
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
Just for kicks I threw in Fencing Coach and a Fearsome Doomguard in my handlock deck and have been working people who are experimenting with a lot of the new cards. Fencing Coach is pretty good late game because you can become Lord Jaraxxus and use hero power to summon Infernal in same turn.
I think handlock will always be viable in one form or another
Fencing Coach turns out to be quite effective.
Used to be a proud Handlock player.
Legend 17 times.
Still flirting with the ladder from times to times with Renolock.
oh Handlock... my beloved first love... how I love thee. I have absolutely been going NUTS with the new cards and was lucky enough to even get a golden Wilfred in my 50 packs (the HS gods telling me to stick to my guns and what i know best). With Justicar Trueheart and Wilfred Fizzlebang, OH it's glorious! Still running 2 healbots and a farseer, but that is by far usually enough. I am throwing Frozen Giant in my deck too just because we love to tap tap tap tap tap dat azz.
Repeat from above... Handlock is one the best control deck because of it's adaptability, versatility, and just awesomeness. The catch is, so many people call it a bust or "too slow", which it can be with nothing but face hunters, but that isn't the case atm. I have gone from 4 to 1 with 2 stars using my TGT Handlock build. I have played the deck since it's conception so I always have my own "twist" on it that works for me. You have to know how to play it and have to understand your opponents deck and adjust (which is VERY difficult to do right now). But like I said, if you know how to play it right, you will take 60%+ winrate!
Cheers!