So basically everyone knows by now of shamman's dominance in standard, and if we inspect closely we can see that most shamman decks, even the most "gimmicky" ones like Evolve and wicked witch doctor are running 3-4 Aoe cards in double Maelstrom Portal and 1-2 lighting storm, while the other classes have to wait until turns 5,6 and 7 to use their AoEs, when it's possibly a little bit late to respond and even then since this cards are expensive those classes can only run two at max and two is actually stretching it, tbh even Lightbomb could be too slow in standard.
So one of the easiest balance changes would be to give the other classes better early AoE than Fan of Knives and the current disaster that are Blade Flurry and Shadow Word: Horror, instead of getting cards nerfed.
Both Maelstrom Portal and Lighting Storm are not that great by themselves, they only shine because the other early game Shaman cards are insanely good.
However I do agree that we need better AoE option for other classes.
I think that readily available spell power is what sets Shaman apart, in addition to the early game threats.
Ironically, I consider Elemental Destruction to be the best AOE in the game, and it is not even played.
Both Maelstrom Portal and Lighting Storm are not that great by themselves, they only shine because the other early game Shaman cards are insanely good.
However I do agree that we need better AoE option for other classes.
I think that readily available spell power is what sets Shaman apart, in addition to the early game threats.
Ironically, I consider Elemental Destruction to be the best AOE in the game, and it is not even played.
My heavies deck uses Elemental destruction. It's been doing quite well.
Both Maelstrom Portal and Lighting Storm are not that great by themselves, they only shine because the other early game Shaman cards are insanely good.
However I do agree that we need better AoE option for other classes.
I think that readily available spell power is what sets Shaman apart, in addition to the early game threats.
Ironically, I consider Elemental Destruction to be the best AOE in the game, and it is not even played.
My heavies deck uses Elemental destruction. It's been doing quite well.
Yeah, Control Shaman has to be one of the most underrated decks right now. And the other reason why Shaman has so many good board clears early is just because of the Overload mechanic. Funny thing how back in the day when everyone looked at Shaman as a trash class, they thought Overload was too detrimental to the class as a mechanic. Now, nobody seems to notice it at all. Maybe it was just the release of Tunnel Trogg that gave people the positive feelings. And anyways, it's hard to have an AOE spell that deals 2 damage or more while being 3 mana or less without it being really strong, which is what the Overloads on Lightning Storm and Elemental Destruction try to compensate for.
Both Maelstrom Portal and Lighting Storm are not that great by themselves, they only shine because the other early game Shaman cards are insanely good.
However I do agree that we need better AoE option for other classes.
I think that readily available spell power is what sets Shaman apart, in addition to the early game threats.
Ironically, I consider Elemental Destruction to be the best AOE in the game, and it is not even played.
Elemental Destruction is 4-5 dmg for 8 mana, flamestrike is 4 dmg for 7 mana, destruction could be considered as better than flamestrike in some situation, but it hits also your minnions and that makes it much worse. So no, Elemental Destruction is not the best aoe, i would say its even worse than maelstrom/lightning storm.
@frozenLocal Finally, someone who looks at Overload spells with the mana cost + the Overload in mind. I am so tired of all these people complaining about Lightning Storm like "A 2 or 3 damage AOE for 3 mana!? Broken, dude!!!"
So basically everyone knows by now of shamman's dominance in standard, and if we inspect closely we can see that most shamman decks, even the most "gimmicky" ones like Evolve and wicked witch doctor are running 3-4 Aoe cards in double Maelstrom Portal and 1-2 lighting storm, while the other classes have to wait until turns 5,6 and 7 to use their AoEs, when it's possibly a little bit late to respond and even then since this cards are expensive those classes can only run two at max and two is actually stretching it, tbh even Lightbomb could be too slow in standard.
So one of the easiest balance changes would be to give the other classes better early AoE than Fan of Knives and the current disaster that are Blade Flurry and Shadow Word: Horror, instead of getting cards nerfed.
This is exactly what I've been saying since Kara was released.
Having 4 aoes that cost 3 or fewer mana has now been proven to be the bane of aggro. especially when there is a ton of spell damage synergy independent of the aoe. It's so easy to turn maelstrom into deal 3 damage to all enemy minions, which seems to be the magic number for taking the board.
I suppose prefer Elemental Destruction over others due to the synergies it has in decks that use it (Hallazeal, Lava Shock, Wrath of Air Totem). But you're right, as a standalone AoE, the others are better.
Yeah, plus with Elemental you can drop it and a 4-7 drop at the same time... in a deck with 6 board clears that's usually on an empty board. so in that sense it is much better than flamestrike because it's a better immediate tempo play.
It is both. Lightning storm might have a total cost of 5 mana but the bottom line is you can play it on turn 3; that is not the same as just costing 5.
Best 1 drop, best 2 drop, best 3 drop (ok with this one after nerf), best 4 drop, best low cost weapon, best 0 mana minion in mid game, best high cost weapon, best AoE, best minion removal (SAP), best inspire minion...
Best 1 drop, best 2 drop, best 3 drop (ok with this one after nerf), best 4 drop, best low cost weapon, best 0 mana minion in mid game, best high cost weapon, best AoE, best minion removal (SAP), best inspire minion...
Curse!!! Give shaman the best secrets too... :(
1. They don't have the best 3 drop at all actually.
2. Their 4 drops are good but can be countered.
3. Their low cost weapon is situational and fiery war axe is more reliable and Doom Hammer isn't even good. It's only good for going face and comboing with rockbiter.
4. They have really good EARLY game AOE. Big difference from just calling it the best AOE.
Best 1 drop, best 2 drop, best 3 drop (ok with this one after nerf), best 4 drop, best low cost weapon, best 0 mana minion in mid game, best high cost weapon, best AoE, best minion removal (HEX), best inspire minion...
Curse!!! Give shaman the best secrets too... :(
5. No they do not have the best minion removal.
Ok, what removal is best than HEX? One than remove more efficient minions like Tirion and Sylvannas.
I don't said Thunderbluff is broken, I said is the best inspire card in game, it is only played right now, murlock kight ruined for the new murlock cards.
Best 1 drop, best 2 drop, best 3 drop (ok with this one after nerf), best 4 drop, best low cost weapon, best 0 mana minion in mid game, best high cost weapon, best AoE, best minion removal (SAP), best inspire minion...
Curse!!! Give shaman the best secrets too... :(
1. They don't have the best 3 drop at all actually.
2. Their 4 drops are good but can be countered.
3. Their low cost weapon is situational and fiery war axe is more reliable and Doom Hammer isn't even good. It's only good for going face and comboing with rockbiter.
4. They have really good EARLY game AOE. Big difference from just calling it the best AOE.
5. No they do not have the best minion removal.
6. Thunderbluff is balanced.
Please dude, anything can be countered in the right situation. Shaman has definetly the best 4 drop in the game (Flamewreathed Faceless obviously).
I think not.
So basically everyone knows by now of shamman's dominance in standard, and if we inspect closely we can see that most shamman decks, even the most "gimmicky" ones like Evolve and wicked witch doctor are running 3-4 Aoe cards in double Maelstrom Portal and 1-2 lighting storm, while the other classes have to wait until turns 5,6 and 7 to use their AoEs, when it's possibly a little bit late to respond and even then since this cards are expensive those classes can only run two at max and two is actually stretching it, tbh even Lightbomb could be too slow in standard.
So one of the easiest balance changes would be to give the other classes better early AoE than Fan of Knives and the current disaster that are Blade Flurry and Shadow Word: Horror, instead of getting cards nerfed.
Flamestrike is way better than Elemental Destruction
Woeden#1173 - NA
@frozenLocal Finally, someone who looks at Overload spells with the mana cost + the Overload in mind. I am so tired of all these people complaining about Lightning Storm like "A 2 or 3 damage AOE for 3 mana!? Broken, dude!!!"
I suppose prefer Elemental Destruction over others due to the synergies it has in decks that use it (Hallazeal, Lava Shock, Wrath of Air Totem). But you're right, as a standalone AoE, the others are better.
shaman had these cards since vanilla. Yet in recent times it became dominant just after WoG, while being priest-like before.
So yes, coincidence. At most, we can say it is part of shaman's current power, but nothing more.
The fact that some classes lack proper AoE is another story that has little to do with Shaman's own AoE.
Yeah, plus with Elemental you can drop it and a 4-7 drop at the same time... in a deck with 6 board clears that's usually on an empty board. so in that sense it is much better than flamestrike because it's a better immediate tempo play.
Soooo Demonwrath anybody?
It is both. Lightning storm might have a total cost of 5 mana but the bottom line is you can play it on turn 3; that is not the same as just costing 5.
Midrange Shaman is dominating because: Totem Golem, Tunnel Trogg, Spirit Claws, and 0 mana Thing from Below's.
Coincidence but more aoe would be beneficial to this game to punish over extension.
Let see...
Best 1 drop, best 2 drop, best 3 drop (ok with this one after nerf), best 4 drop, best low cost weapon, best 0 mana minion in mid game, best high cost weapon, best AoE, best minion removal (SAP), best inspire minion...
Curse!!! Give shaman the best secrets too... :(
1. They don't have the best 3 drop at all actually.
2. Their 4 drops are good but can be countered.
3. Their low cost weapon is situational and fiery war axe is more reliable and Doom Hammer isn't even good. It's only good for going face and comboing with rockbiter.
4. They have really good EARLY game AOE. Big difference from just calling it the best AOE.
5. No they do not have the best minion removal.
6. Thunderbluff is balanced.
I don't said Thunderbluff is broken, I said is the best inspire card in game, it is only played right now, murlock kight ruined for the new murlock cards.