Team Hearth League
  • Home
  • New Player's Guide
  • Culture
  • Current Season
    • Legacy Series >
      • Gold S23 Weeks
      • Red S23 Weeks
      • Silver S23 Weeks
      • Forms >
        • Registration
        • Class Submission
        • Results
      • Legacy Teams
      • Legacy Schedule
      • Legacy Team Standings
      • Legacy Players
      • Legacy S23 Scouting
      • Legacy Stats >
        • Legacy S23 Player Stats
        • Legacy S23 Lineup Stats
    • Hero Series >
      • Purple S20 Weeks
      • Teal S20 Weeks
      • Forms >
        • Registration
        • Class Submission
        • Results
      • Hero Series Teams
      • Hero Series Schedule
      • Hero Team Standings
      • Hero Players
      • Hero S20 Scouting
      • Hero Stats >
        • Hero S20 Player Stats
        • Hero S20 Lineup Stats
    • Pro Series >
      • Black S11 Weeks
      • Pink S11 Weeks
      • Forms >
        • Registration
        • Deck Submission
        • BAN Submission
        • Results
      • Pro Teams
      • Pro Schedule
      • Pro Series Team Standings
      • Pro Players
      • Pro S11 Scouting
      • Pro Stats >
        • Pro S11 Player Stats
        • Pro S11 Lineup Stats
    • Wild Series >
      • Brown S8 Weeks
      • Green S8 Weeks
      • Forms >
        • Registration
        • Deck Submission
        • BAN Submission
        • Results
      • Wild Teams
      • Wild Schedule
      • Wild Team Standings
      • Wild Players
      • Wild S8 Scouting
      • Wild Stats >
        • Wild S8 Player Stats
        • Wild S8 Lineup Stats
    • EU Pro Series >
      • EU S3 Weeks
      • Forms EU >
        • Registration EU
        • Deck Submission EU
        • BAN Submission EU
        • Results EU
      • EU Pro Teams
      • EU Pro Schedule
      • EU Pro Team Standings
      • EU Pro Players
      • EU Pro S3 Scouting
      • EU Pro Stats >
        • EU Pro S3 Player Stats
        • EU Pro S3 Lineup Stats
    • Crossover Stats
  • BLOG
  • Rules
    • Official THL Rules
    • In-match Process and Issue FAQ
    • Battlegrounds Series Rules
    • Rules Appendix
    • Regular Season and Playoff Format
  • Resources
    • THL Best Practices - Scheduling
    • PR Calculator
    • Legacy / Hero PR Database
    • Twitch Standards
    • Time Zone Converter
    • Player Social Resources >
      • THL Discord
      • Social Platform Directory
      • Social Platform Directory Sign Up
  • HIstoric Archives
    • Legacy Archives >
      • Legacy Historic Dashboard
      • Legacy Lifetime Stats
      • Legacy Lifetime Stat Dashboard
      • Legacy Season Champions
    • Hero Archives >
      • Hero Historic Dashboard
      • Hero Lifetime Stats
      • Hero Lifetime Stat Dashboard
      • Hero Season Champions
    • Pro Archives >
      • Pro Historic Dashboard
      • Pro Lifetime Stats
      • Pro Lifetime Stat Dashboard
      • Pro Season Champions
    • Wild Archives >
      • Wild Historic Dashboard
      • Wild Lifetime Stats
      • Wild Lifetime Stat Dashboard
      • Wild Season Champions
    • Misc. Archives >
      • Miscellaneous Historic Dashboard
      • BGs Season Champions
      • Pro EU Season Champions
    • Crossover and Content Awards >
      • Season 21
      • Season 20
      • Season 19
      • Season 18
      • Season 17
      • Season 16
      • Season 15
      • Season 14
      • Season 13
      • Season 12
      • Season 11
      • Season 10
      • Season 9
      • Season 8
      • Season 7
      • Season 6
      • Season 5
      • Season 4
    • Hall of Fame
    • Hall of Fame New
  • Shop

THL Top 8s: KnC Cards That Aren't Corridor Creeper!

12/14/2017

0 Comments

 
Welcome, one and all, to the first ever THL Top 8s! This is a new series where we will be bringing you our picks of what we believe to be the top 8 in any given subject (usually Hearthstone related, but who knows?). Naturally, Kobolds and Catacombs hit exactly one week ago today, so what better way to start this series off than by evaluating our picks for the top cards of the expansion one week in? THL members Ericokey, FollowDurden, RidiculousHat, rebobson, and Sage have each selected their own individual top 8 cards which they believe to have shaped the KnC metagame the most in the first week; with the obvious exception of Corridor Creeper. That card is so far ahead of everything else, what’s the point of even writing about it? Each individual list was compiled and averaged into the top 8 you see in front of you, which is probably the closest to science THL has ever come. Thus, I think we can safely say this list is 100% accurate, without a shadow of a doubt.* Read on to find out what the team thought and see whether you agree!

*definitely not 100% accurate.
8) Spiteful Summoner
Picture
Ericokey: People thought this would be a strong card in the Kobolds and Catacombs meta mostly because of how well it fits into decks like Murloc Paladin; which they were correct about because this card is great there, but it has an even better home in Pirate Warrior in my opinion. Pirate warrior can control the board leading into turn 6 about as well as any deck and the fact that most builds only play Mythril Spellstone as the only thing this guy can reveal so you always get a random 7 drop is just amazing.

RidiculousHat: This card is enabling entire strategies and redefining deckbuilding in a way that Keleseth did - and it gives aggro decks a midgame army in a box while almost guaranteeing a target for Bonemare (if you play it) or just a 4/4 and a giant minion. It’s good in big spell control and it’s good in low spell aggro - the power level combined with the versatility and universal impact on the meta makes it a card that must be appreciated.
​

Sage: Spiteful Summoner is a card I definitely wasn't expecting to be as good as it is. Showing up very prominently in Pirate Warrior, Big Spell Mage and some Midrange Pally lists, this minion gives a very big bang for your buck. ​
7) Dire Mole
Picture
Ericokey: 1 mana 1 / 3 beast. That's all it takes to be great in Hearthstone. This guy is everything Hunter wanted in a one drop, being a hard to kill Beast that curves into Crackling Razormaw. If that's not enough he is also just as good if not better in Aggro Druid when you curve him into Mark of Y’shaarj.
​

Sage: Dire mole is the new neutral 1 drop king for Hunters and Aggro Druids. Getting this out on 1 with a Mark of Yshaarj or Crackling Razormaw to follow it up is one of the best openers available.
6) Aluneth
Picture
FollowDurden: Aluneth has pushed Secret Mage from a tier 2/3 deck into one of the meta’s early leaders. The weapon allows the deck to increase its clock by a matter of turns, something any burn deck would wish to do. Play this card on curve and your win rate increases to 63%.
​

rebobson: Who cares about drawing through your entire deck when it’s entirely comprised of Secrets, Secret reductions, burn spells, and 0 Mana 5/5s? This and Explosive Runes have pushed Secret Mage to the absolute forefront of the early KnC meta game.

Sage: The weapon of Tempo Mage’s dreams lives up to its Legendary rarity. Aluneth is a complete beast. You only lose after playing this card if you draw it while way too far behind. ​
5) Elven Minstrel
Picture
FollowDurden: For the price of a few stats you can pull 2x minions from your deck, either pulling the card you need or thinning your deck to the card(s) you need. Either way, you at least gained some resources. He’s breathed new life into Miracle Rogue and has already found his way into Tempo lists. This is a card to keep your eye on. General win rates for deck’s including him have increased 5% since day one.

rebobson: All Rogues have been scientifically proven to like drawing cards, and this Arcane Intellect comes with a Flame Imp. Plus, it only draws minions, so after you play Keleseth it’s guaranteed to get you two buffed dudes. Nuts.
​

RidiculousHat: Rogue has always hesitated with early comboing because you run out of fuel… but what if I told you that you can just get more fuel? And thin your deck to make your Fal’Dorei Strider more likely to hit or more likely to draw spells if you’re miracle? Hell, in tempo rogue, you don’t even need spells - just get more really good minions because that’s literally all you play. ​
4) Kobold Librarian
Picture
Ericokey: This card will most certainly be in every Warlock deck from Control to Midrange to Zoo. This little guy just makes any deck more consistent and even has great synergy with things like the new Warlock Spellstone.
​

rebobson: 1 Mana 2/1 ability Life Tap for 0 Mana? How was this ever not going to make the list? Great in Zoo, great in Control Warlock for activating the Spellstone, and just for drawing cards in a resource-based game. ​
3) Explosive Runes
Picture
Ericokey: This card is the Secret that the Tempo Secret Mage archetype has always wanted. It is another burn spell that also doesn't lower your secret count which is about as efficient as you can get in a deck like Secret Mage.

FollowDurden: Remove a minion and more often than not damage the opponent’s face, and in Secret Mage? Abso-freaking-lutely. This card is everything Secret Mage needed to further its purpose. This card allows the deck to hold the board even longer and chip even more damage, all while decreasing the opponent’s life total. That’s OP OP. Of all the early contenders, Secret Mage feels about as safe a bet as any other deck to call as here to stay. The 1-2 punch of Aluneth and Runes are why.
 

rebobson: Secret Mage really struggled for an early, strong tempo reactive answer to other Tempo decks, most notably Zoo and Tempo Rogue, and not only did they get one, it also deals bonus damage to their face as well! Card has completely revived Secret Mage’s hopes against several of its unfavoured matchups.

RidiculousHat: BOOM. It’s like you get to play Counterspell on their next minion, but the important part is you also get to push damage while you’re doing that. Secrets were tempo neutral or tempo negative if they didn’t proc, but knowing your opponent’s next minion just isn’t going to happen AND pushing damage at the same time pushes this card way over the top. Tempo mage is now an early game avalanche that can get out of control super fast.
​

Sage: I love this secret so much. I always hated having to run Mirror Entity in secret mage, and having it steal Mirror’s spot on the list was a very welcome change.  Rune can absolutely ruin your opponent's gameplan by acting like a Counterspell for minions that also does some bonus face damage (dependent upon counterplay). Not even potion of polymorph could fully prevent your opponent from getting a minion on board.  Thanks Team 5!
2) Psychic Scream
Picture
Ericokey: Most Priest decks would play Twisting Nether if they could, so why wouldn't they play Psychic Scream, which is probably better in most scenarios. This card is an easy include into any control deck in the Priest class.

FollowDurden: This is a very difficult card to score due to its inherent usage. You’re playing this card when you’re in trouble, and traditionally these cards have very poor performance ratings tied to them. However, when you dig further you find this card actually increases the win rate of its games when it’s played between turns 7-12. Notably, in turns 9 & 10 it notably increases the win rate by 5+ % points. For a board clear, those are strong numbers. There is little to no chance Psychic Scream will be dropped from Highlander Priest, and for an already dominant deck with cards fighting for slots, that’s a huge deal.

rebobson: Everyone prior to expansion launch: Wow, Psychic Scream is busted good. Everyone after expansion: Wow, Psychic Scream is busted good. Lets Raza and Big Priest deal with difficult board states (Dragons, Deathrattles, high health minions, you name it) with relative ease for the first time in the classes history. Bonkers.

Sage: In an aggro meta a board clear such as this was never going to fail.  Nothing can clear a board as well as Psychic Scream can.
​

RidiculousHat didn’t even include Psychic Scream in his top 8. Shame him.
1) Call To Arms
Picture
Ericokey: This card is makes existing Archetypes better as well as creating new ones. It's great while ahead, great while behind, and great when fighting for board. There is rarely a time you don't want to draw this card. Easily the best paladin card of the set. This is an entire board in one card so any Midrange or Aggro Pally will be playing this for as long as it's in Standard.

FollowDurden: The card that has breathed new life into dead decks (Aggrodin, Silver Hand Pally) and re-strengthened an already powerful one (Murloc Pally). Board wiped on turn 3 or 4? No big deal. Drop Call to Arms and instantly rebuild it. And, you’re doing so at a time in the game when you want to be drawing into the higher end of your curve, and this card thins your deck to give you a greater chance to do so.

rebobson: 4 Mana thin your deck of early game, summon 3-6 Mana worth of minions, and get yourself a board out of nowhere? The tempo of this card is absolutely insane, and is rightly being heralded as one of the standout cards of the set. Aggro Paladin ain’t going anywhere.

RidiculousHat: Casual infinite refuel and/or go get a bunch of pressure and/or get a bunch of taunty shit. Paladin two drops are good enough to play on their own. Why are you giving me three of them for one card and stapling on an innervate?

Sage: It has been a long, long time since a non-Murloc Aggro Paladin has been a competitive deck. Call to Arms has pushed Aggro Pally into Tier 1 and ThisIsFine.
All hail our Aggro Paladin overlords! If you are interested in how each writer voted so you can seek them out and laugh at them, the individual voting breakdown is included below. (Really, Hat, no Psychic Scream?). On a final note, we give some credit to our honourable mentions, who narrowly missed making the cut: Lesser Emerald Spellstone, Master (br)Oakheart, Dragon’s Fury, Duskbreaker, and Wandering Monster. Hunter was so close to officially getting some love. So close. Until another edition of THL Top 8s!
​
Picture

Thank you for reading all the way to the end, you the real MVP! We hope you enjoyed the article; if you feel like you could contribute writing or ideas to this series, another series of articles in general, or you just have an idea for content you think is pretty neat and think somebody else could do it justice, please get in touch, we are always on the lookout for new and interesting content to put up on the site! You can get in touch with the Content Editor at rebobson#3620 on Discord, or via email at bobson@live.co.uk.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    The THL blog is curated and edited by Donde. All THL members are welcomed and encouraged to pitch ideas for articles they would like to see on the site. If you have an idea, please reach out to us on Discord at Donde#4239 or via the THL Help email address: help@teamhearthlegends.com

    Archives

    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All
    Board Items
    Data And Numbers
    Fiery War Primers
    FNF Team Articles
    Hero Series
    Interviews
    KnC Card Reviews
    More You Know
    Salty Storylines
    Stream Schedule
    Tales Of The Mighty
    Team Reveal
    THL Awards
    THL In The Outside World
    THL March Madness
    THL Meta Reports
    THL OctaTHLon
    THL Player Power Rankings
    THL Power Rankings
    THL Top 8s
    What Would You Do?
    Wild
    World Cup

    RSS Feed

This website is not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.

Icons made by Freepik & Smashicons from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY
  • Home
  • New Player's Guide
  • Culture
  • Current Season
    • Legacy Series >
      • Gold S23 Weeks
      • Red S23 Weeks
      • Silver S23 Weeks
      • Forms >
        • Registration
        • Class Submission
        • Results
      • Legacy Teams
      • Legacy Schedule
      • Legacy Team Standings
      • Legacy Players
      • Legacy S23 Scouting
      • Legacy Stats >
        • Legacy S23 Player Stats
        • Legacy S23 Lineup Stats
    • Hero Series >
      • Purple S20 Weeks
      • Teal S20 Weeks
      • Forms >
        • Registration
        • Class Submission
        • Results
      • Hero Series Teams
      • Hero Series Schedule
      • Hero Team Standings
      • Hero Players
      • Hero S20 Scouting
      • Hero Stats >
        • Hero S20 Player Stats
        • Hero S20 Lineup Stats
    • Pro Series >
      • Black S11 Weeks
      • Pink S11 Weeks
      • Forms >
        • Registration
        • Deck Submission
        • BAN Submission
        • Results
      • Pro Teams
      • Pro Schedule
      • Pro Series Team Standings
      • Pro Players
      • Pro S11 Scouting
      • Pro Stats >
        • Pro S11 Player Stats
        • Pro S11 Lineup Stats
    • Wild Series >
      • Brown S8 Weeks
      • Green S8 Weeks
      • Forms >
        • Registration
        • Deck Submission
        • BAN Submission
        • Results
      • Wild Teams
      • Wild Schedule
      • Wild Team Standings
      • Wild Players
      • Wild S8 Scouting
      • Wild Stats >
        • Wild S8 Player Stats
        • Wild S8 Lineup Stats
    • EU Pro Series >
      • EU S3 Weeks
      • Forms EU >
        • Registration EU
        • Deck Submission EU
        • BAN Submission EU
        • Results EU
      • EU Pro Teams
      • EU Pro Schedule
      • EU Pro Team Standings
      • EU Pro Players
      • EU Pro S3 Scouting
      • EU Pro Stats >
        • EU Pro S3 Player Stats
        • EU Pro S3 Lineup Stats
    • Crossover Stats
  • BLOG
  • Rules
    • Official THL Rules
    • In-match Process and Issue FAQ
    • Battlegrounds Series Rules
    • Rules Appendix
    • Regular Season and Playoff Format
  • Resources
    • THL Best Practices - Scheduling
    • PR Calculator
    • Legacy / Hero PR Database
    • Twitch Standards
    • Time Zone Converter
    • Player Social Resources >
      • THL Discord
      • Social Platform Directory
      • Social Platform Directory Sign Up
  • HIstoric Archives
    • Legacy Archives >
      • Legacy Historic Dashboard
      • Legacy Lifetime Stats
      • Legacy Lifetime Stat Dashboard
      • Legacy Season Champions
    • Hero Archives >
      • Hero Historic Dashboard
      • Hero Lifetime Stats
      • Hero Lifetime Stat Dashboard
      • Hero Season Champions
    • Pro Archives >
      • Pro Historic Dashboard
      • Pro Lifetime Stats
      • Pro Lifetime Stat Dashboard
      • Pro Season Champions
    • Wild Archives >
      • Wild Historic Dashboard
      • Wild Lifetime Stats
      • Wild Lifetime Stat Dashboard
      • Wild Season Champions
    • Misc. Archives >
      • Miscellaneous Historic Dashboard
      • BGs Season Champions
      • Pro EU Season Champions
    • Crossover and Content Awards >
      • Season 21
      • Season 20
      • Season 19
      • Season 18
      • Season 17
      • Season 16
      • Season 15
      • Season 14
      • Season 13
      • Season 12
      • Season 11
      • Season 10
      • Season 9
      • Season 8
      • Season 7
      • Season 6
      • Season 5
      • Season 4
    • Hall of Fame
    • Hall of Fame New
  • Shop