Hearthstone Arena 4: Practise Makes Perfect

[Anarion]

I'm down on secrets right now because eater of secrets exists. I hate your lack of buffs though. If you had kings or champions, bloodfen would be an easy pick for getting bodies on the board. But...you don't. So I lean towards hammer.

[Lethologica]

make like an angry blacksmith

[PsyBomb]

Making like Maxwell in here

PALADIN DRAFT

Holy Wrath/Angry Chicken/Dragon Consort
Leper Gnome/Infested Tauren/Sacred Trial
Stonetusk Boar/Faerie Dragon/Spawn of N'Zoth
Hungry Dragon/Frost Elemental/Noble Sacrifice
Consecration/Clockwork Knight/Captured Jormungar
Young Dragonhawk/Explosive Sheep/A Light In The Darkness
Stoneskin Gargoyle/Refreshment Vendor/Harvest Golem
Drakonid Crusher/Refreshment Vendor/Acidic Swamp Ooze
Avenge/Grotesque Dragonhawk/Hand of Protection
King Mukla/Maexxna/Illidan Stormrage
Flame Juggler/Nightblade/Hungry Dragon
Ship's Cannon/Venture Co. Mercenary/Blessing of Might
Cult Apothecary/Keeper of Uldaman/Wisp
Divine Strength/Squirming Tentacle/Duskboar
Ancient Brewmaster/Razorfen Hunter/Wisp
Light's Justice/Argent Protector/Scarlet Crusader
Argent Horserider/Grotesque Dragonhawk/Pit Fighter
Tomb Spider/Boneguard Leutenant/Jeweled Scarab
Hammer of Wrath/Blessing of Wisdom/Dread Corsair
Sea Giant/Twilight Guardian/Garrison Commander
Gadgetzan Auctioneer/Argent Lance/Mana Wraith
Gnomish Inventor/Force Tank MAX/Goldshire Footman
Tournament Attendee/Nerubian Prophet/Shielded Minibot
Clockwork Knight/Cult Apothecary/Eldritch Horror
Razorfen Hunter/Reckless Rocketeer/Grotesque Dragonhawk
Avenge/Bloodfen Raptor/Hammer of Wrath

War Golem/Booty Bay Bodyguard/Explosive Sheep

Don't like this pick, although I personally lean Bodyguard due to a lack of fives and a need for taunt. Arguments can be made, though, War Golem can be hard to deal with and the Sheep is definitely still a good AoE.

Spoiler: Curve

Show

0:
1:SS
2:MMMMMSW
3:MMMM
4:MMMMSS
5:MM
6:MMM
7+:M

Spoiler: Cards By Cost

Show

Avenge
Divine Strength

Faerie Dragon
Flame Juggler
Ship's Cannon
Argent Protector
Shielded Minibot
A Light In The Darkness
Argent Lance

Harvest Golem
Razorfen Hunter x2
Argent Horserider

Infested Tauren
Gnomish Inventor
Tomb Spider
Keeper of Uldaman
Consecration
Hammer of Wrath x2

Dragon Consort
Clockwork Knight

Illidan Stormrage
Frost Elemental
Drakonid Crusher

Sea Giant

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Beasts: 1
Demons:1
Mechs: 3
Mech Synergy: 1
Dragons: 3
Dragon Synergy: 1
Pirate Synergy: 1
Taunt: 1
Deathrattle: 1
AoE: 1
Secrets: 1
Weapons: 1

[Lethologica]

War Golem is fat for money.

[Anarion]

I'm with golem as well. You also have a lack of 7+, it's much better stats for cost, and it might actually trade with a couple cards if you get to a turn where you can drop it safely.

[PsyBomb]

Picking another semi-bomb, then. Coming towards the home stretch now.

PALADIN DRAFT

Holy Wrath/Angry Chicken/Dragon Consort
Leper Gnome/Infested Tauren/Sacred Trial
Stonetusk Boar/Faerie Dragon/Spawn of N'Zoth
Hungry Dragon/Frost Elemental/Noble Sacrifice
Consecration/Clockwork Knight/Captured Jormungar
Young Dragonhawk/Explosive Sheep/A Light In The Darkness
Stoneskin Gargoyle/Refreshment Vendor/Harvest Golem
Drakonid Crusher/Refreshment Vendor/Acidic Swamp Ooze
Avenge/Grotesque Dragonhawk/Hand of Protection
King Mukla/Maexxna/Illidan Stormrage
Flame Juggler/Nightblade/Hungry Dragon
Ship's Cannon/Venture Co. Mercenary/Blessing of Might
Cult Apothecary/Keeper of Uldaman/Wisp
Divine Strength/Squirming Tentacle/Duskboar
Ancient Brewmaster/Razorfen Hunter/Wisp
Light's Justice/Argent Protector/Scarlet Crusader
Argent Horserider/Grotesque Dragonhawk/Pit Fighter
Tomb Spider/Boneguard Leutenant/Jeweled Scarab
Hammer of Wrath/Blessing of Wisdom/Dread Corsair
Sea Giant/Twilight Guardian/Garrison Commander
Gadgetzan Auctioneer/Argent Lance/Mana Wraith
Gnomish Inventor/Force Tank MAX/Goldshire Footman
Tournament Attendee/Nerubian Prophet/Shielded Minibot
Clockwork Knight/Cult Apothecary/Eldritch Horror
Razorfen Hunter/Reckless Rocketeer/Grotesque Dragonhawk
Avenge/Bloodfen Raptor/Hammer of Wrath
War Golem/Booty Bay Bodyguard/Explosive Sheep

Earthen Ring Farseer/Maiden of the Lake/Acidic Swamp Ooze

Three generally decent cards here, for very different situations. We have no heals currently in the deck, our Hero Power is one that is really good with Maiden, and Ooze stops weapons. Really unsure here, though I'd most likely pick the Farseer.

Spoiler: Curve

Show

0:
1:SS
2:MMMMMSW
3:MMMM
4:MMMMSS
5:MM
6:MMM
7+:MM

Spoiler: Cards By Cost

Show

Avenge
Divine Strength

Faerie Dragon
Flame Juggler
Ship's Cannon
Argent Protector
Shielded Minibot
A Light In The Darkness
Argent Lance

Harvest Golem
Razorfen Hunter x2
Argent Horserider

Infested Tauren
Gnomish Inventor
Tomb Spider
Keeper of Uldaman
Consecration
Hammer of Wrath x2

Dragon Consort
Clockwork Knight

Illidan Stormrage
Frost Elemental
Drakonid Crusher

War Golem

Sea Giant

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Beasts: 1
Demons:1
Mechs: 3
Mech Synergy: 1
Dragons: 3
Dragon Synergy: 1
Pirate Synergy: 1
Taunt: 1
Deathrattle: 1
AoE: 1
Secrets: 1
Weapons: 1

[Gandariel]

My vote is for the best card in the draft, ie Ooze

[Lethologica]

ooze da booze

[PsyBomb]

Adding another piece of utility to our insane pool of 2-drops. I don't think I really need to worry about bad openers.

PALADIN DRAFT

Holy Wrath/Angry Chicken/Dragon Consort
Leper Gnome/Infested Tauren/Sacred Trial
Stonetusk Boar/Faerie Dragon/Spawn of N'Zoth
Hungry Dragon/Frost Elemental/Noble Sacrifice
Consecration/Clockwork Knight/Captured Jormungar
Young Dragonhawk/Explosive Sheep/A Light In The Darkness
Stoneskin Gargoyle/Refreshment Vendor/Harvest Golem
Drakonid Crusher/Refreshment Vendor/Acidic Swamp Ooze
Avenge/Grotesque Dragonhawk/Hand of Protection
King Mukla/Maexxna/Illidan Stormrage
Flame Juggler/Nightblade/Hungry Dragon
Ship's Cannon/Venture Co. Mercenary/Blessing of Might
Cult Apothecary/Keeper of Uldaman/Wisp
Divine Strength/Squirming Tentacle/Duskboar
Ancient Brewmaster/Razorfen Hunter/Wisp
Light's Justice/Argent Protector/Scarlet Crusader
Argent Horserider/Grotesque Dragonhawk/Pit Fighter
Tomb Spider/Boneguard Leutenant/Jeweled Scarab
Hammer of Wrath/Blessing of Wisdom/Dread Corsair
Sea Giant/Twilight Guardian/Garrison Commander
Gadgetzan Auctioneer/Argent Lance/Mana Wraith
Gnomish Inventor/Force Tank MAX/Goldshire Footman
Tournament Attendee/Nerubian Prophet/Shielded Minibot
Clockwork Knight/Cult Apothecary/Eldritch Horror
Razorfen Hunter/Reckless Rocketeer/Grotesque Dragonhawk
Avenge/Bloodfen Raptor/Hammer of Wrath
War Golem/Booty Bay Bodyguard/Explosive Sheep
Earthen Ring Farseer/Maiden of the Lake/Acidic Swamp Ooze

Cogmaster/Thrallmar Farseer/Gnomeregan Infantry

...huh. Not precisely the lineup I like to see in my picks, but could be worse. Cogmaster has three mechs to walk alongside, two of which are in the 2-drop slot. Farseer isn't great, but if it catches an Avenge or Divine Strength it could get scary quick. Infantry is also lackluster, normally, but fits the curve and is a decent taunt. I'd probably lean Cogmaster here, but again I'm all ears.

Spoiler: Curve

Show

0:
1:SS
2:MMMMMMSW
3:MMMM
4:MMMMSS
5:MM
6:MMM
7+:MM

Spoiler: Cards By Cost

Show

Avenge
Divine Strength

Acidic Swamp Ooze
Faerie Dragon
Flame Juggler
Ship's Cannon
Argent Protector
Shielded Minibot
A Light In The Darkness
Argent Lance

Harvest Golem
Razorfen Hunter x2
Argent Horserider

Infested Tauren
Gnomish Inventor
Tomb Spider
Keeper of Uldaman
Consecration
Hammer of Wrath x2

Dragon Consort
Clockwork Knight

Illidan Stormrage
Frost Elemental
Drakonid Crusher

War Golem

Sea Giant

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Beasts: 1
Demons:1
Mechs: 3
Mech Synergy: 1
Dragons: 3
Dragon Synergy: 1
Pirate Synergy: 1
Taunt: 1
Deathrattle: 1
AoE: 1
Secrets: 1
Weapons: 1

[thirsting]

I think I'd go for the combined emergency ping and taunt

[Anarion]

Three mechs is too few. I lean farseer though. 1/4 is such an awful stat line.

[Yael]

Just got 1 - 3d

Ahhh, the feeling of obliteration and a non-profit run

[Lethologica]

to see far
from thrallmar
takes the rage
of an age
to defy
clouded sky

[PsyBomb]

Adding another piece of utility to our insane pool of 2-drops. I don't think I really need to worry about bad openers.

PALADIN DRAFT

Holy Wrath/Angry Chicken/Dragon Consort
Leper Gnome/Infested Tauren/Sacred Trial
Stonetusk Boar/Faerie Dragon/Spawn of N'Zoth
Hungry Dragon/Frost Elemental/Noble Sacrifice
Consecration/Clockwork Knight/Captured Jormungar
Young Dragonhawk/Explosive Sheep/A Light In The Darkness
Stoneskin Gargoyle/Refreshment Vendor/Harvest Golem
Drakonid Crusher/Refreshment Vendor/Acidic Swamp Ooze
Avenge/Grotesque Dragonhawk/Hand of Protection
King Mukla/Maexxna/Illidan Stormrage
Flame Juggler/Nightblade/Hungry Dragon
Ship's Cannon/Venture Co. Mercenary/Blessing of Might
Cult Apothecary/Keeper of Uldaman/Wisp
Divine Strength/Squirming Tentacle/Duskboar
Ancient Brewmaster/Razorfen Hunter/Wisp
Light's Justice/Argent Protector/Scarlet Crusader
Argent Horserider/Grotesque Dragonhawk/Pit Fighter
Tomb Spider/Boneguard Leutenant/Jeweled Scarab
Hammer of Wrath/Blessing of Wisdom/Dread Corsair
Sea Giant/Twilight Guardian/Garrison Commander
Gadgetzan Auctioneer/Argent Lance/Mana Wraith
Gnomish Inventor/Force Tank MAX/Goldshire Footman
Tournament Attendee/Nerubian Prophet/Shielded Minibot
Clockwork Knight/Cult Apothecary/Eldritch Horror
Razorfen Hunter/Reckless Rocketeer/Grotesque Dragonhawk
Avenge/Bloodfen Raptor/Hammer of Wrath
War Golem/Booty Bay Bodyguard/Explosive Sheep
Earthen Ring Farseer/Maiden of the Lake/Acidic Swamp Ooze
Cogmaster/Thrallmar Farseer/Gnomeregan Infantry

Selfless Hero/Wobbling Runts/Mana Wraith

One of the better one-drops up against a TRULY annoying 6 drop and a mediocre 2 for the last pick of the draft. If this goes quick, I can do the run tonight.

Spoiler: Curve

Show

0:
1:SS
2:MMMMMMSW
3:MMMMM
4:MMMMSS
5:MM
6:MMM
7+:MM

Spoiler: Cards By Cost

Show

Avenge
Divine Strength

Acidic Swamp Ooze
Faerie Dragon
Flame Juggler
Ship's Cannon
Argent Protector
Shielded Minibot
A Light In The Darkness
Argent Lance

Harvest Golem
Razorfen Hunter x2
Argent Horserider
Thrallmar Farseer

Infested Tauren
Gnomish Inventor
Tomb Spider
Keeper of Uldaman
Consecration
Hammer of Wrath x2

Dragon Consort
Clockwork Knight

Illidan Stormrage
Frost Elemental
Drakonid Crusher

War Golem

Sea Giant

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Beasts: 1
Demons:1
Mechs: 3
Mech Synergy: 1
Dragons: 3
Dragon Synergy: 1
Pirate Synergy: 1
Taunt: 1
Deathrattle: 1
AoE: 1
Secrets: 1
Weapons: 1

[Lethologica]

IME Wobbling Runts is really slow and I'd go with the Hero, but it wasn't much experience so ask someone else.

[Anarion]

I like the runts in this deck. A lot of power and they often trade well. Selfless hero is good, but it's typically unplayable on turn 1 again the decks with a ping.

[Gandariel]

Be selfless.

Be a hero.

[PsyBomb]

Alrighty then! Picked up the Hero, bets are now open! I'll play this out, then type out things since I'm stuck on phone.

PALADIN DRAFT

Holy Wrath/Angry Chicken/Dragon Consort
Leper Gnome/Infested Tauren/Sacred Trial
Stonetusk Boar/Faerie Dragon/Spawn of N'Zoth
Hungry Dragon/Frost Elemental/Noble Sacrifice
Consecration/Clockwork Knight/Captured Jormungar
Young Dragonhawk/Explosive Sheep/A Light In The Darkness
Stoneskin Gargoyle/Refreshment Vendor/Harvest Golem
Drakonid Crusher/Refreshment Vendor/Acidic Swamp Ooze
Avenge/Grotesque Dragonhawk/Hand of Protection
King Mukla/Maexxna/Illidan Stormrage
Flame Juggler/Nightblade/Hungry Dragon
Ship's Cannon/Venture Co. Mercenary/Blessing of Might
Cult Apothecary/Keeper of Uldaman/Wisp
Divine Strength/Squirming Tentacle/Duskboar
Ancient Brewmaster/Razorfen Hunter/Wisp
Light's Justice/Argent Protector/Scarlet Crusader
Argent Horserider/Grotesque Dragonhawk/Pit Fighter
Tomb Spider/Boneguard Leutenant/Jeweled Scarab
Hammer of Wrath/Blessing of Wisdom/Dread Corsair
Sea Giant/Twilight Guardian/Garrison Commander
Gadgetzan Auctioneer/Argent Lance/Mana Wraith
Gnomish Inventor/Force Tank MAX/Goldshire Footman
Tournament Attendee/Nerubian Prophet/Shielded Minibot
Clockwork Knight/Cult Apothecary/Eldritch Horror
Razorfen Hunter/Reckless Rocketeer/Grotesque Dragonhawk
Avenge/Bloodfen Raptor/Hammer of Wrath
War Golem/Booty Bay Bodyguard/Explosive Sheep
Earthen Ring Farseer/Maiden of the Lake/Acidic Swamp Ooze
Cogmaster/Thrallmar Farseer/Gnomeregan Infantry
Selfless Hero/Wobbling Runts/Mana Wraith

Spoiler: Curve

Show

0:
1:MSS
2:MMMMMMSW
3:MMMMM
4:MMMMSS
5:MM
6:MMM
7+:MM

Spoiler: Cards By Cost

Show

Selfless Hero
Avenge
Divine Strength

Acidic Swamp Ooze
Faerie Dragon
Flame Juggler
Ship's Cannon
Argent Protector
Shielded Minibot
A Light In The Darkness
Argent Lance

Harvest Golem
Razorfen Hunter x2
Argent Horserider
Thrallmar Farseer

Infested Tauren
Gnomish Inventor
Tomb Spider
Keeper of Uldaman
Consecration
Hammer of Wrath x2

Dragon Consort
Clockwork Knight

Illidan Stormrage
Frost Elemental
Drakonid Crusher

War Golem

Sea Giant

Spoiler: Notes

Show

Beasts: 1
Demons:1
Mechs: 3
Mech Synergy: 1
Dragons: 3
Dragon Synergy: 1
Pirate Synergy: 1
Taunt: 1
Deathrattle: 1
AoE: 1
Secrets: 1
Weapons: 1

[Hamste]

I guess 6 wins.

[PsyBomb]

Run finished, writing it up while bets come down. Will post tomorrow the match descriptions

[Techwarrior]

I'm feeling optimistic. 8 wins. I can't do it until Friday if I win though.

[Lethologica]

I'll cap at 12 since I'm supposed to be doing a run now anyway.

[Anarion]

It's a good deck, but I'm a pessimist. I think you got 5 wins. (My guesses are, as usual, for sport only, I wont be drafting if I win).

[Temotei]

Six is taken so seven wins.

[Seerow]

I'll go for the pessimist bet of 5 then.

[PsyBomb]

Seerow unfortunately wins this bet, my deck betrayed me for 3-3. Details:

G1: Against Paladin. Some early trades went well, shields gave an edge. Light into an Ogre Brute (who never failed to go face the rest of the game), spider into Jormungar, then Illidan into a beat rush when he ran out of solutions. 1-0

G2: Against Rogue. Opened REALLY poorly, nothing under a 3-drop going first through seven cards. He coins a Cutpurse and gets three coins before I can stabilize. Almost got back, but he was too far ahead. Won the coin flip on an Ogre Ninja to beat my face and finished me with an Assassin's Blade. 1-1

G3: Against Priest. Nothing much to describe, I curved out and ran him over, ending with coined War Golem obliterating two Taunts on 7 and 8. 2-1

G4: Against Warrior. Opening hand had Ooze, and I misplayed keeping it too long (he never played a weapon). Spider plus Strength tried its hardest, but by the time I threw Consecrate the turn after he just dropped a couple Chargers and smorked me down. 2-2

G5: Against Paladin. Opened with Avenge-Coin Hunter-Hunter into Sea Giant. There was no coming back, spider fetched a Grotesque Dragonhawk to finish it. 3-2

G6: Against Warlock. He pulled ahead in early trades due to a couple of well-placed Mortal Coils, eventually dropping Kvaldir Raider and a Void Crusher which politely kept crushing his tokens and Possessed Villagers. He ended up shredding me with a Floating Watcher and a Kraken to clear my taunt. 3-3

Rewards were mediocre, got a WotOG pack featuring 35 dust and a Duskboar I apparently only had one of, plus 70g

If I were to change anything about the draft, I'd DEFINITELY grab the Tentacle and Infantry on their respective picks. I missed the taunts badly multiple times. Hammers did a lot more work than I expected them to, mostly sniping enemies who thought they were out of Consecrate range.

[thirsting]

Seventy gold for three wins is pretty good though! My latest arena got me 70 gold + 60 dust with 6 wins.. :/

[Seerow]

Seerow unfortunately wins this bet, my deck betrayed me for 3-3. Details:

whelp guess that means I win the draft start with my first post in the thread. Perhaps I did not think this through!


I'll steal layout from someone else once we get started, but for now we have class options!


Warlock/Druid/Rogue

[PsyBomb]

I'm a huge Warlock fan, so I vote that. I predict it's going to come out rogue, though, they're great in areas

[Temotei]

Druid because we don't get enough druids.