THL Player Profile: Moxie

This offseason it looked like a soaring PR score was going to break-up Team Rank 5. Finally after two straight seasons of dominating the runner-up position, another team was going to have the chance to lose in or near the finals. The taste of sweet, sweet almost victory was about to be shared.

At least that's how it looked in the moments before TR5 found a top 100 player to shore up their starting five; Cassity, now regulated to team coach, published like a flippin' expert Hearthstone coaching article; they kept the league MVP; and TR5 was dubbed unanimous preseason favorites. 

How about that ringer they snagged? Moxie joins one of THL's dynasties as an instant contender for league top dog. He has a recent run of three straight top 100 finished, is qualified for the spring prelims, and is further proof that Hearthstone must rank just slightly behind hockey and Tim Hortons when it comes to passions in the Great White North.

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

Moxie: ​​I heard about THL when a friend on my friend list—Imbolc—needed a player for their team. He pitched the idea to me and I thought it seemed fun so I agreed.


THL: What’s your history with CCGs? Is HS your first?

M: ​I played Pokemon and YuGiOh when I was much younger. The issue was that I never had the opportunity to compete and it was a rather expensive hobby at the time. As a kid you usually don't have too much money, and it wasn't exactly a hobby my parents supported, so it was pretty hard to build a collection. Nevertheless, I was fascinated by the deckbuilding elements of the CCGs at the time.

I think card games have always been inherit within me. I also play a lot of board games these days with friends and the ones with cards and imperfect information are the ones I prefer the most. My favourite board games (to throw a few out there) are Agricola, 7 Wonders, and Power Grid.


THL: We've had a little bit of time with The Old Gods now, in what ways has the set surprised you?

M: I knew miracle would be really strong after the standard rotation and it seems like it has taken it's course.​ With the introduction of the old gods Shaman also rocketed back to Tier 1. 

Overall, the game is really enjoyable now without Shredders and Boom—Scientists too, to an extent. Hearthstone feels like it's much more skill oriented again. There are definitely ways to win a game now other than just curving out well. I am really liking it. New ideas and strategies are popping up every week. It's a great time to be playing Hearthstone.


THL: Yogg-Saron is easily the most divisive card in our community. Where do you come down on this old god? Also, be honest, have you played it and why was it the greatest experience of your life? #SaronItsRight

M: ​I think Yogg-Saron is a fun card to play, but does not really have any competitive merit to it. I own the card but I haven't played with it yet.​


THL: You've excelled in a variety of ways with Hearthstone, including a run of three straight top-100 ladder finishes. What's your best advice for climbing?

M: ​Basically just understanding your immediate metagame within your current ranks and countering them. Try not to play the exact same deck as every else, unless the deck is busted, of course. :p​
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"Of course I miss the "Sorry" emote, I am Canadian."

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​THL: It looks like you'll be competing in the Spring Prelims later this month, how are you getting ready? 

M: ​Pretty much just theorycrafting a lineup that I hope will work. I work full time, so these days I try to dedicate all of my time outside of work to only Hearthstone. I did make the Winter Prelims but didn't do so well, so this time I'm just hoping for a better performance.​
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THL: Do you miss the "Sorry" emote at all? Is "Wow" doing anything for you?

M: Of course I miss the "Sorry" emote, I am Canadian. Aside from that, Khadgar's "Marrrrrrvelous" takes the cake for sarcasm. Thrall says "That's incredible" really sarcastically/quickly as well. Those are my favourite "Wow" emotes.


THL: If you could take any deck from Hearthstone's history, wipe away any nerfs Blizzard inflicted upon it, and bring it to competition which is it and why?

M: ​Patron Warrior. Because it was the most skillful deck to pilot in Hearthstone pre-Warsong nerf.​ ​It also added a limitation—kind of like miracle—that you had a finite of time to perform the most optimal actions due to all of the animations. This adds another layer of difficulty to the deck, which was something I admired.​


THL: Finally, do you stream, if so where can THL find you? 

M: twitch.tv/legendarydreams. I don't stream HS much since I feel it's really difficult to accumulate viewers on twitch. I'd be happy to try to stream more as long as there is some interest—in the form of at least 10 viewers at a time. :p

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