THL Player Profile: ClarkKent (a.k.a. da real MVP)

Faster than a face hunter, stronger than a pre-nerf miracle rogue, able to leap tallstriders in a single bound…

Let’s meet THL’s very own superhero and the league’s reigning MVP—ClarkKent

ClarkKent has been a member of Archon Storm since the team joined THL in the Beta season. Since then he has only dropped a single match and climbed into the No. 1 slot for the league’s returning champs. The MVP is coming off an undefeated season and might be facing the toughest question of any THLer: How do you improve on perfection?



THL: How did you hear about THL and why did you join?

ClarkKent: I heard about THL through the competitive HS reddit. I had been looking for another competitive way to play HS other than the slog through ladder each month. I don’t have a ton of free time so it’s great to have another way to play & compete that doesn’t require hundreds of games on ladder, or several hours at a time for a tournament.

THL: What’s your history with Collectible Card Games? Is Hearthstone your first? Do you have an all time favorite?

CK: I had played MTG & Pokemon a bit as a kid, but nothing more than games against my brother and a few friends. I never got into playing competitively. I always had that love for CCG though, and was excited to get back into it when HS was released.

THL: What’s the highest rank you’ve achieved, when did you hit it, and what deck carried you?

CK: Never made legend, but I’ve gotten to ranks 2-3 a few times. I always seem to run out of time in the last few days before the season rolls over. One of these months though I’ll devote some more time and really make a run for legend. Maybe once WC point reset.

THL: What are your all-time most and least favorite decks? Why?

CK: Favorite deck I’d have to say Handlock. It was the 2nd deck I started playing seriously, after Zoo, and the first deck I really crafted cards for. I think it appeals to me because it’s fun to walk that tightrope of trying to get as much value as possible out of life-tap and how little health you can be safe at.

Least favorite is probably Rogue. I don’t think any of the really successful archetypes recently (miracle, oil etc) have really called out to me.

THL: Favorite emote? If you could add an emote to the game what would it be?

CK: Favorite emote is probably “Oops”. I tend to use it when RNG doesn’t go my way, as a way to say “well crap, that didn’t quite work out.” So along those lines, I’d probably add something like a “Never lucky” emote or maybe just a “Salt Shaker” emoji. I think that would be pretty funny.

THL: PC, tablet, or phone? If you’re a mobile player, what’s the most unusual place you’ve played a game of Hearthstone?

CK: I play on both Mac & iPad. I’m always trying to squeeze in a few games at work on lunch & breaks everyday. I haven’t played anywhere too crazy, probably a hotel on vacation was the most unusual. Maybe I’ll add that as another goal of mine, to play in as many odd places I can.

THL: How do you open packs, space bar? Swirl? Drag straight into the pack nook?

CK: I try to “throw” them into the nook. Then hover over each card slowly, one by one, looking for that beautiful orange highlight.

THL: What was the first Legendary you unpacked? Did you dust it?

CK: First Legendary I unpacked was Al’Akir. I dusted him at the time as I was trying to build my Handlock.

THL: League of Explorers, what card are you most hyped for? And what card is your pick for the sleeper of the set, the Dr. Boom or Mysterious Challenger of LoE?

CK: I think Forgotten Torch is going to be a great card for Mage. And I think a few sleepers are Desert Camel & Keeper of Uldaman. Both have potential.

THL: You’re the first MVP in THL history, what do you attribute your success to and how do you plan to repeat?

CK: My success definitely comes a lot from my teammates. It’s so valuable being able to talk through different matchups, decklists, and having great players to help you continuously improve. I think I will definitely have to continuously improve to repeat.

This league just keeps getting better and better. Having players who have been very successful outside the league, like my teammate Dlineman, join recently just shows how far this league is coming and how much tougher the competition will continue to be. I also will need to be able to mix up my strategy from last year as you can’t become too predictable in this league or opponents will be able to gain an advantage over you.