Hearthpwn

Seeing the Fiery War Axe nerf got me thinking. There's something that always comes up in discussions about nerfs - "If this card is in every deck, it must be nerfed!". Hell, even Blizzard kinda mentioned it in the balance notes - "While they can be regarded as staples in those classes’ card repertoires, too many Basic and Classic cards played in individual decks means less fun when new expansions are released.". I think that's wrong. I think having a Basic staple or two for every class is crucial.

I'm not saying this because of class identity - though that's important - but because it lowers the barrier to entry, and it just feels good. If you started a new Hearthstone account, right now, you would immediately have access to competitive level cards in every class, without buying a single pack. You could put basic cards in a deck and start winning on ladder (at least before rank 10ish), no problem. And that's great! It feels fair to the new player, inspires them to keep playing and fill out gaps in their collection. I'd say it's crucial to the long-term health of the game.

Now say that wasn't the case. Say the cards you started with were strictly worse than those you could pay money for. Say, for instance, that the best basic Warrior weapon was power-creeped by something from 5 expansions (and two adventures) ago. So the new player had to spend either time or money to be reasonably competitive. It feels less fair, (even though you still have to spend time or money to be properly competitive now). I think far fewer people would stick with it.

Fireball, Shadow Word: Pain, Mortal Coil, Backstab, Swipe, Flametongue Totem, Animal Companion and Consecration - these are good cards that everyone has access to. And I don't think Warrior has one any more.

Oh yeah, and Warrior's even more screwed in Arena, obvs.

Yeah, with Treachery it makes a cool combo, but I'm seriously thinking about it in Discolock. Could Lakkari Sacrifice be playable if you could consistently get Nether Portal by turn 5? I wonder. And it'd be crazy with Clutchmother Zavas, if only because your hand would be cleared so quickly that it would end up being the only card to be (repeatedly) discarded. A quick way to pump up the new legendary, as well. So... could this card singlehandedly validate Discolock?

I mean, I doubt it, but there's a chance.

Why? Because I think LIfesteal is more valuable than it seems. I mean, Wickerflame Burnbristle is one of Paladin's best anti-aggro tools, and that's a 2/2 legendary. Obviously the Taunt and Divine Shield are a big part of that, but still. Against Pirate Warrior, this will often be a 6 health heal that contests the board, which is pretty important. In a Divine Spirit/Inner Fire combo deck, this could be Greater Healing Potion levels of heal. Don't dismiss it as pack filler just yet.

I completely agree that the draw is the main, well, draw, but I think you're underrating the other effects. It's also a massive board swing and a nice bit of breathing room. It's a perfect ramp card - refilling your hand for later turns while fighting the board. Playing Control, I've had a lot of situations where I've had to choose between fighting the board, pushing damage, healing up or refilling my hand. This stops you having to choose. It seems good to me.

*cough cough* Summoning Portal Lunar Visions *cough cough*

Because it's crazy powerful. Couldn't print a neutral card this powerful, so needs to be a class card, and Hunter theoretically has the most Deathrattle synergy, so... yeah.

Cabalist's Tome Devour Mind

See any difference here? I don't. Feels fine.

It's just a card reveal, the actual art will be fine.

Quote from Rblademaster >>

if all a pirate warrior does on turn 6 is upgrade an unused arcanite reaper and play a 4 mana 6/3 which doesn't impact that board I don't really care. As long as it doesn't have charge and becomes playable after turn 5 it's not really that big a problem

Priest in 2014: Buff the shit out of your minions

Priest in 2017: Play your opponent's deck

Well... go a head and make a highlander Nzoth deck then. 

It has a high chance to also discard the quest reward, fyi.

That was my first thought. If he had taunt, he would single-handedly make Lakkari Sacrifice viable. As it is, he goes a long way toward making it MUCH more doable.

Holy shit warlock finally got a demon!

*looks at skill*

Well nevermind.

Another Treachery target.  Interesting

Angry Chicken buff ;)