The Coin + Haunted Creeper is the play.
Reason being:
Mage has 2 reasonable counter-plays;
- The fast play. He drops a 2-drop (most likely a 3/2). If he makes this play, he shouldn't want to trade into your Haunted Creeper.
- The slow play. Trades into your Haunted Creeper and pings 1 of the Spectral Spiders
If he makes the fast play, then you can either wrath his 2-drop, or play your Knife Juggler and try for the free knife kills by trading your Haunted Creeper into his 3/2. Either way, you're ahead on board.
If he makes the slow play, then the coin has served its purpose & put you ahead on board. Your next play would be Knife Juggler, as its protected by both the remaining Spectral Spider on-board & the Wrath in-hand.
Reasons not to pick any of the other plays:
- Wrath. Far too slow, and you'll potentially need it as a 3 damage removal for dealing with a turn 4 Water Elemental.
- Knife Juggler. Stupid play as it trades horrendously with the Leper Gnome
- Pass the turn. Far too slow, and you don't currently have a good 3 or 4 drop to coin out. (and even if you did, Flamecannon makes coining out a 3 or 4 drop against a Mage a very risky play)
- Hero power zombie. Far too slow; you're sacrificing the coin for card advantage alone.
- Hero power smash face! No comment; super stupid play.
:edit:
Interestingly, even if you had Claw in-hand, I still think it'd be correct to coin out the Haunted Creeper.
:edit2:
Disregard everything above; I misread the OP, thought he was facing Leper Gnome not Zombie Chow.
1
The thing I like the most and probably keeps me playing is the deckbuilding part.
Finding niche decks that actually work and can potentially even get you to Legend is the best.
2
Wow I played this a whole day in constructed because I didn't notice it was opted for the tavern brawl lel
...It worked actually @ rank 8
4
Flare might be a considerable addition now that the secret pally gets popular
2
What do you think about Tundra Rhino? It's been working great for me, especially to trigger Ram Wrangler the turn after with charge on the beast or to just play a charged Savannah Highmane on curve.
Deffo gonna try your deck out, been playing an own attempt on midrange with beast synergy so far.
2
I think I would coin out Haunted Creeper.
That way if he attacks it you can finish it off next turn.
If he doesn't you could play Knife Juggler next turn and pop the Creeper.
Against a flame imp I would do the same.
Non-mage: against priest I would probably either play wrath or wait a turn.