Six Shaman Cards Were Considered for Nerfs
Thanks to a post by Dean "Iksar" Ayala on reddit, we now know of six cards that were on the table for the recently announced nerfs. The cards were:
- Rockbiter Weapon
- Tunnel Trogg - Very close to being hit, but didn't hit a few of the powerful decks.
- Totem Golem
- Thing from Below
- Tuskarr Totemic
- Doomhammer (Little conversation)
We also learned that Shamans are not likely to get more low-cost ways to increase hero attack.
Quote from /u/IksarHSThe truth is that 'we're considering it' is the honest answer. We announced on Wednesday and as of Sunday night things still weren't set in stone. As of the previous Thursday we were having long group conversations about the pros and cons to changing each of the 5-6 Shaman cards we had considered. Once the changes were actually decided upon, we sent the blog out to localization to be translated and announced in all regions within 24 hours once that was complete. I think part of the miscommunication was that there was an interview with IGN posted here a couple days before the card changes documenting a lot about how things were 'on the radar'. That interview actually took place a couple days before it was published, before we had decided on a plan of action. (Source)Rockbiter, Trogg, Totem Golem, Thing From Below, Tuskarr, and a little conversation about Doomhammer. Some of those never reached serious consideration but it's still good to have a conversation about hypothetical impact. Trogg was very close, but didn't hit a few of the most powerful decks that already don't include him. Rockbiter was wider reaching and we felt that it set us up better for the future of Shaman. Tuskarr was the most clear offender of both power level and fun. (Source)
It's unlikely we'll make many more low-mana ways to increase the attack of your hero in Shaman. It's a little restrictive but that's okay. Shaman doesn't need to be about weapons every set to fit the fantasy for that class archetype. (Source)
considering they really didn't spend a lot of time on this and the fact that they are actually a result of community demand there's still a good chance that there will be follow up nerfs to Shaman if they keep being dominant (probably Totem Golem or at least thing from below)
that's the point of the nerf tho. Make doomhammer rockbiter weaker (without actually nerfing Doomahmmer which isn't that powerful of a card considering weapon removal is a thing). + the fact that Shaman already has LIghtning bolt as a 1 mana removal spell.
I think 6 durability would be good, but what would be more fair is if they made the weapon Legendary. The fact that a shaman could only have one of those in a deck would drastically change its power.
I'm fairly certain doom hammer is a one of in most decks anyway
The real problem IMHO of the shaman is how the overload is thought. It could be a good idea but ended up in a way that still advantage shaman. Starting from turn 5 overload is not really a big deal compared to the advantage the OL cards actually deliver.
Not talking about cards that turn it in a real advantage. They introduce them because the class sucked for overload dynamic, now the class is overpowered for the same dynamic. Too late now to change, but not to late to think cards that are not 4 mana 7/7.
Well Shaman may be less agressive in the future. I'm finewith this vision.
LOL and I thought they were on top of things, play-testing for months, monitoring and debating which nerfs/buffs to include.
Turns out those lazy/clueless developers did the nerfs in a few days as a response to the raging community.
Do you guys realize how wrong this is? How unprofessional and insulting?
https://www.reddit.com/r/hearthstone/comments/54b7nw/what_is_exactly_team_5s_strategy_in_the_longrun/
I ask as well - What exactly is team5 doing all this time? Really.
Seriously though, should have hit Doomhammer. Burst or no burst, that 5 mana 16 damage ain't going nowhere.
Doomhammer's been around for ages and yet only (relatively) recently started seeing play. It's simply not that great outside of bursting face, and if you remove/weaken aggro shaman cards to the point that it's more difficult to get the opponent in burst range, it becomes not that big a deal. That plus Doomhammer gets fucked by Acidic Swamp Ooze/Harrison Jones way harder than any other weapon. Of all shaman cards, it's the one least in need of a nerf.
Just a year ago, Shaman was considered to be one of the worst classes. Unless it gets something decent to replace what they lose in the next rotation it'll probably drop down the meta like Paladin did.
I'm predicting a Priest comeback, especially after the whole Purify outcry.
Once the rotation hits, I'd love to see Shamans get a mini Harvest Golem for 2 mana. Maybe a 2/2 summon a 2/1 overload 1. (And no Totem synergy). Feel like it's a much more interesting/flavorful early drop for Shaman that isn't oppressive like the 2+1 Spider Tank is.
Bonus fun, the 2/1 could have Spell Damage +1. :)
But actually the problem with these nerfs is that : Shaman is on standard set, a really WEAK class. Always has been. Nerfing Rockbiter Weapon is just digging the hole even deeper when Tunnel Trogg and Totem Golem rotate out.
But (2x) what has happened atm in the meta is, with the nerfs of Execute, Yogg-Saron, Hope's End, Call of the Wild and Abusive Sergeant, is that shaman is stronger actually... Specially the totem based shaman decks, that really don't mind the Tuskarr Totemic nerf too much, because all they want is that sweet spell power totem for their Spirit Claws!
id take flame tongue, manatide and golem over basic totem any day from tuskarr even in totem deck
They honestly didn't consider Flamewreathed Faceless for the nerf hammer? That card is near impossible to deal with on turn four.
Without Trogg and Totem Golem the 4 mana 7/7 is nothing to be scared of in aggro.
That's why it's not included in the recent mid-range and aggro builds.
Getting rotated out soon, its better to nerf classic cards as the changes impact the game deeper. Flamewreathed Faceless will have to deal with secret hunter, aggrolock and mech mage in wild so , no need to worry. Plus you dont even see Flamewreathed Faceless anymore in ladder.
Maybe they can just turn it into a 6/6?