While I agree with you in concept, I think it's important to create budget decks using the free classic cards-- it gives a more realistic crafting cost for a beginner that has only opened a handful of packs. You're right, those cards have the same statlines and situational (or better) effects.
tl;dr: I think river croc is a very good PLACEHOLDER in a beginner / budget deck. It's free for all players and everyone is guaranteed to have it.
2
i think your lategame approach is wrong. instead of going for value with jepetto/ hagatha/ shudderwock i think its better to go for the throat and end the game quick with nightblade/ life drinker/ and pit croc.
regardless, quest shaman is looking to be a tier 0 deck.
3
you are absolutely correct. my mistake for overlooking it.
5
I have a serious problem with any list that includes river croc. It is quite simply bad.
There are 2 common replacements with exactly the same stats, but with an upside: radiant elemental (which is an elemental!), and armani berserker.
Other budget replacements are many: volatile elemental, stubborn gastropod, mad bomber, loot hoarder. faerie dragon, dire wolf alpha, and acidic swamp ooze.
For slightly more dust there are several rare 2 drops which would never be a bad choice to craft: sunfury protector, wild pyromancer, and knife juggler.
Any of these cards would be a serious upgrade. Against slower metas i would suggest the gastropod, and agianst faster metas i would suggest wild pyro or mad bomber.