Hearthpwn

I'm now 3-0 in Mage and 0-6 in Hunter.

Who are these folks that think the decks are about even? 

My last game I waited til turn 8 to drop an animal companion before my ram wrangler.  For my troubles?  A Captain's Parrot.  INsta concede.  (I was at 4 health all ready so didn't matter much, but, it did give me a good cackle)

Congrats. I have a 6 and a 4 year old myself.  Very familiar with the little time vampires.

I'd keep a Kezan vs. a Hunter or Mage.

Great replies.  I followed you.  Kinda like a lovelorn stalker.  Be afraid.

Honestly, I still think this one fits within the spirit of the competition theme despite not being a perfect match wording-wise, and I didn't intend so much for the wording to be a real sticking point this competition (as you can see by my own entry, which also made it to the finals and inserted a bit between "in each deck" and "If").

I'm fine with a spirit of the rules ruling.  Good enough for me.

Quote from nurgling13 jump

Quote from jazzfan27 jump

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Also, I'd like to say that I think Rock, Paper, Scissors is overpowered. I like the idea a lot, but I'm not voting for it because the rewards are too good for you and too bad for your opponent for a 2-cost card.

No, that's cool  It's a very swingy card, I think some folks will not vote for it because they think that it's too poor of value.  I'm kinda happy at least one person thinks it's too strong.

I thought about it some more, and I changed my vote. Although I still think Rock Golem and Secret Papers should be toned down a little, it's definitely the most creative card in the finals. Well, besides that Faceless Champion, of course!

Thanks a ton, I can use all the help I can get in this race :D

Well, a 10/3 weapon on turn 5 (or 4) is still lethal sitting on the board in one card.  And a pyroblast immediately.

Still like the art though.

Amazing Post OP.  I agreed with most of what you said, but, even better it was well written.  Made it easy to digest top to bottom.  Well done.

I'll comment a bit where we disagreed.

Arcane Blast I kinda like this spell in Tempo mage.  Heck, any mage running Sorcerer's Apprentice really.  I think it's a pretty strong tempo play to be able to drop a Sorcerer's Apprentice and Blast your opponent's Knife Juggler.  Sure, Arcane Missles can do the same thing, but, you know for sure what you are going to get with this.

Competitive Spirit - I really hate the trigger for this.  You have to wonder how often this card will activate on an empty board.  I think it's going to be too unreliable to be played.  I prefer Avenge.

Mysterious Challenger - 6/6 for 6 is fine.  Getting a free secret or two is gravy.  I think this is much better than folks give it credit for.  I mean Mad Scientist is amazing.  This is maybe even better.  I know they are paladin secrets, but, I think you find the right balance and it'll rock.

Burgle - Disagree here.  Random class cards < 2 random cards from your opponent's deck IMHO.

Frost Giant - I'm thinking I'll see this Duplicated and Echo'd a ton.

Quote from nurgling13 jump

Also, I'd like to say that I think Rock, Paper, Scissors is overpowered. I like the idea a lot, but I'm not voting for it because the rewards are too good for you and too bad for your opponent for a 2-cost card.

 

No, that's cool  It's a very swingy card, I think some folks will not vote for it because they think that it's too poor of value.  I'm kinda happy at least one person thinks it's too strong.

My thoughts on each entry.

Chromatic Wyvern:  Good card.  Seems balanced.  Fits into dragon decks very well.  4/5

Novice Knight:  I'm not that impressed with joust in general.  This card gives you a little better chance to win the next joust with it's ability, but, at the same time lowers the chance to win either joust with it's mana cost.    Fun idea, but, I think the implementation was a bit off.  3/5

Back Alley Gambler:  Quite similar to Chromatic Wyvern.  I think it's fairly balanced, but, I like the flavor of the Wyvern a bit better.  3/5

Natural Insight:  I think the choose one part is a bit superflous as 99% of the time you'd probably go with minion.  All that choose one stuff just makes the card overly wordy IMHO.  Not sure it's quite strong enough to get played with all that RNG either.  2/5

Swift Machanostrider:  So, you've prettymuch got to have this and Sneeds in your hand to be worthwhile.  Don't like it.  2/5.

Hulking Void Terror:  The rules state the card needs the format, "Reveal ______ in each deck. If ______, ______."  This deck has no IF.  Fails to meet the requirements of the contest, don't know how it made it this far.  0/5.

Forsaken Deathspeaker:  Ok card.  I think the effect/body are a little on the insignificant side.  Gonna be hard to just tap on turn 3.  2/5.

Moon Priestess:  Pretty cool card.  I like it.  Nice flavor and power.  5/5

Mighty Joust Mouse:  Fun card.  But, even if it triggers once you only get a yeti.  Good chance it's just a 4 mana Spider tank (beast instead of mech)  3/5 (bonus points for name though)

Winged Demon:  5/5 for 5 and demon is ok.  That's good because the effect is not going to trigger but once in a blue moon.  3/5

Weapon Expert:  I'm not sure about a reveal weapon joust when so many classes don't even have access to them.  Even so, a 3/3 for 3 with immune while attacking isn't that intimidating so I guess it's ok.  3/5

Arms Dealing:  This basically is put a weapon from your deck into play for 2 mana.  OP.  1/5

Faceless Champion:  Hmm, either a 2/7 taunter or something else.  Sneaky good as you want the 2/7 taunter when you are likely to win the joust and want the copy when you are likely to lose.  Very good card design in my estimation.  5/5

Nether Arcanist:  Another well designed card.  Lets you play something of ramp Demon.  I like.  5/5

Arcane Guardian:  It's fine.  I've just seen similar a ton of times all ready.  3/5

Faceless Jouster:  A lot like FAceless Champion.  I like Faceless champion a bit more.  4/5.

Muradin Bronzebeard:  I guess it's fine.  Some folks don't like deck destruction on principle, I'm not one of those guys.  3/5.

Azuregos:  If yours costs less is a strange choice.  Seems fine for power though.  3/5

Rock, Paper, Scissors:  I'll let other folks decide.

Arena Brute:  Not really your fault but after seeing how long the joust mechanic takes to display in the tavern brawl I'm not sure I want a card doing multiple jousts.  I won't dock you for that though.  Power seems fine.  4/5

Tuskarr's Spear:  Love the art.  Hate teh infinite nature of your wording.  Say you play only 1 minion, a deathwing.  PLay this and what attack do you think it'll be?  Bazillion?  stop at 80 like Bouncing Blade?  Either way it's a turn 5 one card instant win.  1/5. 

2-0 with mage

0-1 with hunter

You can guess which I like better.

I actually don't think they are looking to make big changes with this release.  More looking to tweak a few things a bit.  Tone down Shredder.  Tone down aggro.  Tone up Shaman.  Make mill a bit stronger.  Etc...  Nothing ground breaking, a percent or two here and a percent or two there. 

And I think they accomplished that nicely. 

I expect there to be more variety in the meta as aggro shinks a little and control grows a bit.  Not too much, don't want to swing the pendulum too far, just a nudge.  Balance is very important to variety.

That's how I see it anyway.  Not nuking things down, but, giving gentle nudges.

It all depends on where you are starting the climb my friend.  I was just trying to help some folks like my self that were stuck around 10.

Here is what the author of the deck had to say.  (he keeps knife jugglers btw)

I didn't face a ton of Patron Warrior.  I think I went 1 and 1.  I think their good draws beat your good draws and your bad draws beat their bad draws.  IF that makes any sense.  Essentially I think it's quite draw dependent.  At any rate I found it easier than control warrior.

I tried mulliganing away knife juggler when faced with Warrior as it seems like such a waste to only be fiery WAr axe food.  Not sure if that's smart play or not, but, something to consider.