Hearthpwn

If we're talking about the power level of classic cards being too strong where Blizzard is unable to print cards that push them out I suggest 1 more not mentioned:

Mana Wyrm

whenever tempo mage shows its face in the meta, you can guarantee that Mana Wyrm is the #1 choice for a 1 drop.  Sure tempo mage isn't top tier right now, but if the idea is to keep the meta fresh, then getting rid of auto-include cards that are in the classic set seems like a priority.  

Another card which I actually like a lot and seems to make sense to rotate out is:

Azure Drake

In about almost any deck that could use a bit of spell damage, every meta sees Azure Drake being played and it will see play for the rest of HS if it is not rotated out.  I don't see anything wrong with that, but if you are for a less stale meta, then getting rid of an ever present neutral 5 drop is one way to do it.  

Other cards I thought of are just legendaries which I just see people using forever and ever just because I don't think anything has beat out their power level in any expansions:

Alexstrasza

Archmage Antonidas

Sylvanas Windrunner

Edwin VanCleef

Leeroy Jenkins

Maylgos

Tirion Fordring

Ragnaros the Firelord

Bloodmage Thalnos

Ysera

- Note: I don't personally want any of these cards rotated out, but if you're trying to achieve a fresh meta for every expansion, then removing cards that are "best in slot/class" is one way to do it.

Yeah this is my biggest problem with Mayor.  If his effect was like Misdirection it would be absolutely insane.  but because it's like Mogor the only thing it's really good for is for spells or like you tried, to create a bunch of 1/1's to stall the board.  But that still doesn't help at all if they have any kind of AOE.  

My one thought is that maybe Blizzard wanted the effect to be like Misdirection in which case the card would be awesome and you would need a good board clear to actually kill him.  In that case I think it actually might be worth 9 mana.  Or at least closer to it.

Any reason you can come up with to keep him?  I could use the dust andI can't think of a meme deck that would be any fun.

Quote from TheWamts >>

Quote from lawlessdragon >>

I think another thing to note is that Naxx cards helped with anti-aggro at that time like Deathlord and Sludge Belcher.  

Also as many have said, removing a mechwarper on turn 2 to remove the cogmaster buff is easier than removing a weapon.  Even without that, mech mage wasn't balanced either.  Just because there wasn't a nerf for cogmaster doesn't mean that there shouldn't be one for Small-Time.  

Also the archetypes are completely different, if you ignore a Cogmaster you get hit for 3 on turn 2.  If you ignore/can't deal with a Small-Time Buccaneer then you potentially are hit for 8 damage by turn 2 (Small-Time, 2 Patches hits and Firey War Axe).

 The why not nerf Fiery War Axe, it contribites just as much damage in your example, no?

Quote from RavenSunHP >>

HS survived to Cogmaster

and Mechwarper. 

unnerfed.

Sure, GvG meta was maybe more powerful, but so Mechs are compared to Pirates:
most Pirates currently in use are actually classics, and just 3 of them out of 30 cards decks are new additions, however good ones... yet we consider Pirates overwhelmingly OP...

Quote from Irock666 >>

Quote from lawlessdragon >>

LIVE INSECT!

 Whooo are you???

LIVE INSECT!

Quote from futhead_StopTheSweat >>

Quote from Horkinger >>

I don't think they nerf small ime buccaneer. They never had a Problem with Cogmaster and the Buccaneer is less reliable. There are less weapons in aggro decks than mechs in mech decks.

I think it's wishful thinking.

 Its alot easier to remove a minion than a weapon though

Public Service Announcement: 

Hold on to your Small-Time Buccaneer duplicates just in case it gets nerfed.  

I know the argument is that the meta hasn't evolved yet to counter how strong aggro is right now, but I think Team 5 will take a hard look at Small-Time and see if they need to adjust stats a bit here.  I'm guessing either lower the attack buff to +1 or lower it's health to 1.  I'd prefer the 1st option, but either way would help balance it.  

As it stands right now every class has to use a solid single target removal spell or weapon to counter Small-Time or you'll quickly find yourself getting hit for 6 by turn 3 not including Patches, or the weapon or other minions.  Even if it was just changed to 1 health at least Mage/Druid and Rogue could just coin hero power which is already a sub-optimal play but saves you some damage.  

Seeing as past nerfs included lowering the attack of Leper Gnome and Abusive Sergeant to 1 I really don't think it's a stretch to see them nerf Small-Time Buccaneer.  

So save up your dupes, they could be worth 100 dust each!

Quote from Ogobum >>

As disappointing that highlander cards were included in this expansion, it is nice to know Reno's departure will end the highlander experiment.  A disappointing mechanic and sad really that the game is in this state.  For those of you cheering Reno, is this really the answer to aggro you wanted?   It's like a starving dog being thrown some gristle, they don't notice it isn't real meat.

I just wanted to add that I think a lot of people are misusing the term "cancer" to the point it's lost all meaning.  

A cancer deck by definition is both OP and everywhere in the meta, freeze mage is neither of these things.  For anyone who's actually played freeze mage you know that there are plenty of counters to it and right now in the current meta I've seen zero freeze mages so far.  

I personally don't mind facing a competent freeze mage player.  It's a hell of a lot more interesting than facing a mindless pirate warrior.

For Freeze Mage, going against an aggro deck, you could be just rushed down before you can draw enough burn or enough ice blocks/barriers to stay alive.  Going against Reno/Control you may have to wait til you can get an emperor charge on  enough burn spells for OTK, and usually waiting that long can mean you also have plenty of opportunities to lose the game.  

After the next expansion, Emperor will be gone so the OTK possibilities are severely diminished and Freeze Mage may see even less play.  

saved over 5000 gold, and got the preorder so I'll be opening 100 packs plus whatever extra gold I get + free packs from the quest.  Got about 6000 dust saved too, so hopefully that's enough to get everything I need out of the expansion.  

Mostly just want the cards to make the Reno decks and the Jade Golem decks.  

basically anything with summon a jade golem as the deathrattle is completely insane.  Yes you can silence but how much silence do you plan on running in your deck?  You going to use a Hex on a Jade Swarmer because it'll summon an 8/8?  Yeah probably, but then you are spread really thin on removal.  

And the tempo you get in the late game is crazy too.  Suddenly a 2 mana card can summon a huge minion.  The only strategy is to rush Jade Golem decks down because their early game isn't great.

Quote from GratedWasabi >>

Just an FYI to people saying it's slow.. it's really not  Elise is slow because it's a 4 step process. Elise, Map, Monkey, play expensive legendaries  and you freaking lose your deck.

This is on curve with taunt and then play a 5 mana card that will often auto win.. AND KEEP YOUR HAND AND DECK AND PLAY OTHER THINGS SAME TURN.

Elise is like a fifth of the power level of this card.

Quote from SaltySimo >>

Firelands Portal much?