Cactus Game Design Message Boards

I've been able to do that with Kel'Thuzad before but never Thaddius. Well played, good sir, well played.

Did you eat both Feugen and Stalagg with the Void Terror? Because that would be awesome.

Sounds like you've had some bad luck recently. I'd stick with it awhile more and keep writing things down, you'll get a good draft eventually.

One of the biggest things is playing around what cards you think they might have, which is different from the Arena as opposed to standard. Flamestrike is of course the biggest one, but if you can play around Mind Control Tech, do it.

Also, I've yet to reach 12 wins. I've hit 11 multiple times, but never 12.

I've been able to do that with Kel'Thuzad before but never Thaddius. Well played, good sir, well played.

Did you eat both Feugen and Stalagg with the Void Terror? Because that would be awesome.

That is exactly what happened this both death rattles triggered twice with baron out.

This is actually the 3rd time this combo has worked for me this way.   The deck is kind of a gimmick but I'd say I pull off at least 1 Thad 75% of games. 

I've dropped $4 on Arena when I realized I could just start on the EU server or create another account (which I've since done).  There's a few dumb things you have to do, but for extra practice on the arena, I highly recommend it.  These days I usually am able to do (on average) an arena run per day (although I've been slowing down recently due to time issues, I even burned a couple of quests last week).

Watching players like Hafu and Trump do help for arena. It's great to see their mindset behind the cards the choose and why they do or don't play certain cards.  It's not extremely beneficial, but I've picked up a few tips along the way. Most of it just comes with practice

By the way guys, the Hearthstone World Championships are being streamed from blizzcon now.

JUGGERNAAAAAAUT.

I would suggest waiting to make a decision until they release details about how much the new expansion is going to cost. It's a free to play game so I imagine (or hope, I guess) that the new expansion would be similar to the initial launch where they release the cards in the packs and you can spend money if you want to but not if you don't (especially since if you restrict the new cards behind a cost it's going to cause the free to play players to fall very far behind, it wasn't as bad with only missing up to 30 cards in Naxx if you didn't buy every wing, but with this it's going to be 120 new cards worth).

In other news, I'll probably host a tournament in late December or early January to celebrate the expansion once people have had time to start acquiring the cards. If you have any ideas for possible themes let me know!

Released Cards.

I'm not sure how I feel about all the randomness of this new set, but should be a lot of fun for Arena.

I have the suspicion that a larger proportion of the random cards are being revealed in the previews because they would be seen as the "more fun" cards to get people hyped for the expansion.

Even if its not, most of the random cards won't get used in competitive play anyway because they aren't consistent enough.  The random cards that are used in competitive play (thoughtsteal, sylvannus, webspinner, ragnaros, etc.) are all pretty consistently good (except maybe thoughtsteal, but thoughtsteal is super good in control matchups).

Quote from: Drrek on November 07, 2014, 05:41:02 PM

most of the random cards won't get used in competitive play anyway because they aren't consistent enough.

And yet there's an entire deck archetype about usingthe random cards in the game. (Randuin Wrynn)

A deck that is NEVER used in competitive play.

Yes random cards are fun, and they will be used in casual and low rank play, but unless they are consistent, they won't see play at the high levels.

My thoughts on the previewed cards

Annoy-o-tron- Nothing special really.  Just a goldshire footman with divine shield
Blingtron 3000- Same issue that stops ETC from being played, not consistent since it can end up helping your opponent more than you.
Bomb Lobber- Effect is nice, but I don't think its enough to save it from bad stats for the cost
Cogmaster- Flame Imp of a mech deck. Shouldn't be used elsewhere.
Dr. Boom- Funny reference.  Boom bots are alright, but overall seems to expensive for not enough impact.  At high mana costs you really want your minions to be game changers.  Not a bad card, should be useful in arena at least.
Enhance-o Mechano- I don't know what to make of this one until I see how it performs.  I know this is kind of a cop-out but this card looks like it could either be great or really bad, and I'm not sure which it is yet.
Explosive Sheep- Really good. Cheap AoE neutral card.
Flamecannon- Its not bad, but I don't know that its good enough for constructed.  Should be fine in arena.
Goblin Blastmage- Passes the vanilla test and has a decent ability. Might see play in a value based mage.
Madder Bomber- Thank you Blizzard, I needed this card in my life.
Mechwarper- Summoning portal and Pint-Sized Summoner aren't used for a reason, and this one won't be either.
Mekgineer Thermaplugg- Not enough impact for 9 mana.  Don't use.
Micro Machine- Too slow for a 2 drop imo.
Mimiron's Head- Conceal seems to be this cards best friend.  Still AoE weak, but then conceal was already AoE weak.  Problem for miracle is probably cutting cards for the mechs you have to put in with him.
Piloted Shredder- Another summon a minion on dying card, with slightly below average but respectable stats.  Should see play.
Piloted Sky Golem- Same as the Shredder.  Both are good cards.
Shrinkmeister- Everything a priest could ask for.  Immediately boosts the value of already good cards with shadow word pain, cabal shadow priest and shadow madness.  This card is very, very good.
Sneed's Old Shredder- More variable Cairne that costs more essentially.  Worth trying out but not sure on its long-term viability.
Spider Tank- If you need a 3 drop, this is your guy.  Though I'd rather use a shade of Naxx if I just needed a 3 drop
Unstable Portal- Worse far sight. Don't use.
Upgraded Repair Bot- Passes the vanilla test, and has a decent ability.  Should see some use but not an auto-include by any means.
Velen's Chosen- I'd rather just play a Dark Cultist or Shade of Naxx at 3 mana as a priest.
Gnomish Experimenter- If you are running very spell heavy could be ok, but even then you are probably freeze mage and can't risk losing that Alex.  Don't use.
Recombobulator- I wouldn't use it.  I put my minions in over other minions of the same cost because they are better, I don't want to have a random crappy minion replace the one I choose to play.  Should be fun in arena though.
Clockwork Gnome- No commment until I know what the spare part cards do.
Clockwork Giant- Anti-Handlock Giant.  Could see some tournament play because of handlock's prevalence there.  Vanish to Clockwork Giant would be funny if probably inconsistent.
Bouncing Blades- Super good.  warrior already likes dealing damage to all minions, so this fits right in. Also works as deadly shot if there is only one minion on the board.
Tinkertown Technician- Again need to know what spare parts do.

Spare parts are at the top of the page.

Ah thank you.

In light of that information both of the cards using spare parts seem usable.  Not great but definitely usable.

Mimiron's Head is quite nice. It's like a better Stalegg/Feugen combo, and mechs seem good enough to have a deck based around them.
Boom Bot is great.
Enhance-o is probably good.
Clockwork Giant is awesome. Rogue mill decks will be much better being able to drop a huge body for 2 mana while milling out removal cards. <3 mill rogue. And Malygos rogue.

And the 3-0 style. Go Firebat!

Still wanted the Tides versus Kolento final though...