It's a pretty strong deck. When it came into light last month I put it together (the medivh version) and it went well. It manages to buy itself a lot of turns to get the damage in, It's fun to play, though, and feels strong.
I understand why a lot of people play super quick aggro decks: They either want to rank fast or mine gold.
Not only that. More often than not these decks are on the cheap side so they are more accessible to newer players with lesser collections. Everyone wants to play a competitive deck but no everyone can afford the premium ones.
But the thing is, in almost every single meta, cheap and easy to play aggro decks are top tier. IMO, a deck that is cheap, easy to play, and aggro should never be allowed to be a tier 1 deck. There ought to be some price to pay to be a top player, whether that's because you crafted expensive and powerful cards, or you piloted a cheap aggressive deck with extreme skill, or because you played a slower deck but you played it well. A control deck played well should beat any cheap aggro deck misplayed, almost every time.
However, any time we get a deck like that (old school miracle rogue or patron warrior) everybody complains that it's too oppresive. Those decks were more challenging than most other decks at the time, but there's really a ceiling on how much skill any deck takes to pilot. They also had a really good chance when played really well to beat aggro decks. They got nerfed because ppl were up in arms that "too stronk!"
Basically, no matter what blizzard does we will complain about things. There's no perfect solution. Sure rank is kinda meh, I hope they add more tournament modes and those can add additional rewards as well. Outside of that, anything done will be hated. The currently system isn't all that bad as far as how it affects the meta, you can be punished for being greedy with deck building and you can build to counter different archetypes. There are a few OP decks that are really hard to beat, but at the moment they aren't super oppresive as far as representation on the ladder. Maybe next month will be different now that the meta is more figured out.
I'm not sure blizzard should try this. They should be more or less neutral to what the meta does and what decks archetypes people are playing. Also, it's not just a problem with rewards. MTG online doesn't offer rewards and there are still a large number of players playing red deck wins style decks. Aggro is a part of any meta. If you want to play slow decks you have to account for it. I don't want blizzard starting to try and encourage or discourage how the meta goes (outside of what cards they make and tools they give each archetype).
In wild you have a few ways to counter. Set up your pressure then use any of the secret destroying minions to take away their defenses. Or use Dirty Rat, or use Loatheb. The thing is, if you're desire is to play your own control game and do all kinds of sweet things and feel good about yourself without a plan to end the game outside of exhausting your opponent and hitting with some mediocre minions, you will die to combo decks like freeze mage. That is their job, kill the greedy defensive decks. You have to make sure you have a pretty strong game plan to finish the game at some point. Then utilize any of the above tech cards to give your self the proper timing into that finish.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on why you chose certain cards as 1-of and 2-ofs. It would help to know what went into when advising on changes. So feel free to give that feedback.
In the meantime, Do you have a 0 board state often enough to warrant 2 Volcano? Especially dropping a lot of taunts as your defense against faster decks, it would be a shame to kill them off for your opponent. I feel like +1 Lightning Storm would serve better to fight against aggro decks and leave your taunts up to stall their reloaded board.
Tidal Surge is a nice tech card for that extra healing, but I wonder if it's too slow. You're killing 1 minion on turn 4 and gaining health. It also can't hit face so it becomes more of an insurance policy late game than anything that would be more impactful. I'd say maybe -1 Tidal Surge to free up that slot.
I'd consider a number of Devolve. There's a lot of death rattles, buffed minions, and the like worth ruining. Not to mention the slight chance you can devolve a Quest Rogues first minion to stop the quest chain. It's not complete removal, but it is annoying enough to consider.
You should really analyze Tol'vir Stoneshaper. I've not been all that excited about it. It's a hard card to deal with, but it also has trouble saving me in a tough spot and ruins any elemental chains. I'm not saying it's worth getting rid of, but it's on my list of things I'm watching closely.
Finally, Lightning Bolt has stopped being a staple in control, but Lava Burst has potential. It clears large minions, can help provide a last bit of defence against Rogue after they complete their quest or can just straight up burn the face. The card gives you versatility to really consider an aggressive game plan instead of all in on the defense. Especially when combined with Kalimos, Primal Lord burst options. Sometimes I find the biggest weakness of shaman control is that it can get all the value, but sometimes can't push that finishing blow when needed. A good burst is always welcome. Also just want to mention the potential power of Lava Burst with Hallazeal the Ascended.
Those are my thoughts, I've spent my time in Un'goro about 50% ele control shaman and 50% Dinomancy Hunter, so I definitely have more testing to do on the shaman list, which means I could be very wrong on several accounts. What I do know is that sometimes you just need a proactive game plan.
Lack of card draw is an age old shaman mechanic. We'll survive...somehow.
Typically the way to generate card advantage came through pure value. Totems used to play a decent roll in that, and Fire Elementals, too. All the 2-for-1s.
This isn't the first time this has happened. Trump put him in control warrior a long while back to counter savannah highmane. Haters gonna hate, i guess.
I still run 2 of them in my control list. In my dragon lists i run 2x FE and 2x blackwing corruptor. It can be clunky with all the overload that goes into some decks and it is slow, but it's a high value play. I think a lot of decks are pushing for raw power over card value, though, so maybe that is why it's getting dropped.
In 2 years....Amaz has won dreamhacks with priest. In 2 years....undertaker priest was a sweet deck. In 2 years....we saw dragon priest become awesome. In 2 years....we saw control priest played at blizzcon. In the last 2 weeks...we saw priest weak in standard. OH NO MY CLASS HS SO IMBA
0
Hagatha is amazing. I put her in an elemental shell and the late game value is just so nice.
0
Underrated? No. But absolutely my favorite legendary in the game. So much value. I just wish it could find a good home.
0
It's a pretty strong deck. When it came into light last month I put it together (the medivh version) and it went well. It manages to buy itself a lot of turns to get the damage in, It's fun to play, though, and feels strong.
0
I managed to get 3 Ragnaros' the Lightlord in play once. I don't even own that card.
0
Basically, no matter what blizzard does we will complain about things. There's no perfect solution. Sure rank is kinda meh, I hope they add more tournament modes and those can add additional rewards as well. Outside of that, anything done will be hated. The currently system isn't all that bad as far as how it affects the meta, you can be punished for being greedy with deck building and you can build to counter different archetypes. There are a few OP decks that are really hard to beat, but at the moment they aren't super oppresive as far as representation on the ladder. Maybe next month will be different now that the meta is more figured out.
1
I'm not sure blizzard should try this. They should be more or less neutral to what the meta does and what decks archetypes people are playing. Also, it's not just a problem with rewards. MTG online doesn't offer rewards and there are still a large number of players playing red deck wins style decks. Aggro is a part of any meta. If you want to play slow decks you have to account for it. I don't want blizzard starting to try and encourage or discourage how the meta goes (outside of what cards they make and tools they give each archetype).
0
In wild you have a few ways to counter. Set up your pressure then use any of the secret destroying minions to take away their defenses. Or use Dirty Rat, or use Loatheb. The thing is, if you're desire is to play your own control game and do all kinds of sweet things and feel good about yourself without a plan to end the game outside of exhausting your opponent and hitting with some mediocre minions, you will die to combo decks like freeze mage. That is their job, kill the greedy defensive decks. You have to make sure you have a pretty strong game plan to finish the game at some point. Then utilize any of the above tech cards to give your self the proper timing into that finish.
1
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on why you chose certain cards as 1-of and 2-ofs. It would help to know what went into when advising on changes. So feel free to give that feedback.
In the meantime, Do you have a 0 board state often enough to warrant 2 Volcano? Especially dropping a lot of taunts as your defense against faster decks, it would be a shame to kill them off for your opponent. I feel like +1 Lightning Storm would serve better to fight against aggro decks and leave your taunts up to stall their reloaded board.
Tidal Surge is a nice tech card for that extra healing, but I wonder if it's too slow. You're killing 1 minion on turn 4 and gaining health. It also can't hit face so it becomes more of an insurance policy late game than anything that would be more impactful. I'd say maybe -1 Tidal Surge to free up that slot.
I'd consider a number of Devolve. There's a lot of death rattles, buffed minions, and the like worth ruining. Not to mention the slight chance you can devolve a Quest Rogues first minion to stop the quest chain. It's not complete removal, but it is annoying enough to consider.
You should really analyze Tol'vir Stoneshaper. I've not been all that excited about it. It's a hard card to deal with, but it also has trouble saving me in a tough spot and ruins any elemental chains. I'm not saying it's worth getting rid of, but it's on my list of things I'm watching closely.
Finally, Lightning Bolt has stopped being a staple in control, but Lava Burst has potential. It clears large minions, can help provide a last bit of defence against Rogue after they complete their quest or can just straight up burn the face. The card gives you versatility to really consider an aggressive game plan instead of all in on the defense. Especially when combined with Kalimos, Primal Lord burst options. Sometimes I find the biggest weakness of shaman control is that it can get all the value, but sometimes can't push that finishing blow when needed. A good burst is always welcome. Also just want to mention the potential power of Lava Burst with Hallazeal the Ascended.
Those are my thoughts, I've spent my time in Un'goro about 50% ele control shaman and 50% Dinomancy Hunter, so I definitely have more testing to do on the shaman list, which means I could be very wrong on several accounts. What I do know is that sometimes you just need a proactive game plan.
4
1
Doesn't playing Hemet destroy all your burn spells? So if you ever played him you would lose the cards that make malygos worth playing to begin with.
0
Lack of card draw is an age old shaman mechanic. We'll survive...somehow.
Typically the way to generate card advantage came through pure value. Totems used to play a decent roll in that, and Fire Elementals, too. All the 2-for-1s.
0
This isn't the first time this has happened. Trump put him in control warrior a long while back to counter savannah highmane. Haters gonna hate, i guess.
0
0
I still run 2 of them in my control list. In my dragon lists i run 2x FE and 2x blackwing corruptor. It can be clunky with all the overload that goes into some decks and it is slow, but it's a high value play. I think a lot of decks are pushing for raw power over card value, though, so maybe that is why it's getting dropped.
0
In 2 years....Amaz has won dreamhacks with priest. In 2 years....undertaker priest was a sweet deck. In 2 years....we saw dragon priest become awesome. In 2 years....we saw control priest played at blizzcon. In the last 2 weeks...we saw priest weak in standard. OH NO MY CLASS HS SO IMBA