Hi! I have waited a bit for the discussion to settle so I can read everyone's thoughts before answering. Overall I have been pleasantly surprised about how constructive and on point has been most people's feedback. While some discussion has been about how to nerf it, or what else should be nerfed, I do want to avoid going down that rabbit hole. While I have my opinion, there are many other threads to discuss that better.
Most people agree (me included) that Call to Arms' power is unmatched at its mana cost. Probably the most similar card that exists in its impact on board is Force of Nature. As call to arms brings 3 minions with a total average stats of 6/6. Now all the two drops are by definition way better than 2/2s (ie Enchanted Raven, which is 1 mana). And it also thins your deck. Downside being, it can be a dead draw towards then end of your deck. But cards are better judged for their effect played on curve (exception, those that are combo with other cards for crazy tempo).
But there is also a strong feeling that other nerfs, which target decks dominating board centric decks, are necessary to go along with it. A reasonable point of view, is that Call to Arms also contributes in some sense to keep out board centric decks. HSReplay shows Even Paladin having a positive win rate against every other board centric archetype, with the exception of Even Shaman. Call to Arms may be the only card that can put Warlock against the ropes. But if the Tyranny of Early Voidlords is over, is there a need for such a card? And can its existence be a reason for the fall of board archetypes, and not only its last hope? If so, then I can get behind its nerf.
What prompted me to defend it, is the hate there exists against it in this forum. While I felt that in the current meta (not in imaginary future meta) it was the only reason why we might see a deck playing on board. I was not defending its role in the future of Hearthstone. But more its role in Hearthstone today.
That also makes me ask my self a question. Of the people who are hating Call to Arms, how many are playing Spiteful Druid, Tempo Mage and Odd Rogue (to name a few)? Frustrated by seeing how they lose all chance of taking the board when CtA falls on curve. And how many are playing Controlock, Control Warrior, Control Priest or Big Spell Mage? Frustrated by losing against a deck they are targeting and have a favourable match up, but only lost because they had that one card. If you were playing Quest Rogue and are frustrated by how many times you always lose to them, I have no sympathy at all for you. And it has nothing to do with me playing Big Spell Mage.
Anyway, I want to appreciate everyone's effort and thoughts. I really do hope the nerfs will bring a new era for board archetypes, and that CtA was the hero we needed in times of war (ie bad meta for mid range), but not the leader you want in times of peace (ie good mid range meta). But above all, I would like to see at least two Tier 1 decks, which rely on playing minions on curve with a significantly different core set of cards in the future.
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Battletag: Pablosky#2470
Region: Asia
Trade Only: Yes, you go first please.
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Gone to sleep
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Done
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Battletag: Pablosky#2470
Region: NA
Trade only? Yes, you go first.
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Thanks! I still use it!
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More likely Magatha Grimtotem! She is a Shaman Tauren Witch with Totem stuff going on.
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Completed!
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Gone Fishing!
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Completed! Thanks!
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...
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Battletag: Pablosky#2470
Region: Asia
Trade Only? Yes, you go first
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Done!
0
Hi! I have waited a bit for the discussion to settle so I can read everyone's thoughts before answering. Overall I have been pleasantly surprised about how constructive and on point has been most people's feedback. While some discussion has been about how to nerf it, or what else should be nerfed, I do want to avoid going down that rabbit hole. While I have my opinion, there are many other threads to discuss that better.
Most people agree (me included) that Call to Arms' power is unmatched at its mana cost. Probably the most similar card that exists in its impact on board is Force of Nature. As call to arms brings 3 minions with a total average stats of 6/6. Now all the two drops are by definition way better than 2/2s (ie Enchanted Raven, which is 1 mana). And it also thins your deck. Downside being, it can be a dead draw towards then end of your deck. But cards are better judged for their effect played on curve (exception, those that are combo with other cards for crazy tempo).
But there is also a strong feeling that other nerfs, which target decks dominating board centric decks, are necessary to go along with it. A reasonable point of view, is that Call to Arms also contributes in some sense to keep out board centric decks. HSReplay shows Even Paladin having a positive win rate against every other board centric archetype, with the exception of Even Shaman. Call to Arms may be the only card that can put Warlock against the ropes. But if the Tyranny of Early Voidlords is over, is there a need for such a card? And can its existence be a reason for the fall of board archetypes, and not only its last hope? If so, then I can get behind its nerf.
What prompted me to defend it, is the hate there exists against it in this forum. While I felt that in the current meta (not in imaginary future meta) it was the only reason why we might see a deck playing on board. I was not defending its role in the future of Hearthstone. But more its role in Hearthstone today.
That also makes me ask my self a question. Of the people who are hating Call to Arms, how many are playing Spiteful Druid, Tempo Mage and Odd Rogue (to name a few)? Frustrated by seeing how they lose all chance of taking the board when CtA falls on curve. And how many are playing Controlock, Control Warrior, Control Priest or Big Spell Mage? Frustrated by losing against a deck they are targeting and have a favourable match up, but only lost because they had that one card. If you were playing Quest Rogue and are frustrated by how many times you always lose to them, I have no sympathy at all for you. And it has nothing to do with me playing Big Spell Mage.
Anyway, I want to appreciate everyone's effort and thoughts. I really do hope the nerfs will bring a new era for board archetypes, and that CtA was the hero we needed in times of war (ie bad meta for mid range), but not the leader you want in times of peace (ie good mid range meta). But above all, I would like to see at least two Tier 1 decks, which rely on playing minions on curve with a significantly different core set of cards in the future.