Goblins vs Gnomes: Who's Winning, Losing, and Hiding? GVG Primer Pt. 2

GvG has given us a bunch of new cards to use, and there are definitely some game-changers! In this article, some of the winners, losers, and sleepers will be discussed. Read on to see if some of your favorite cards made the list!

 

Winners

Mechwarper

If any single card can be called the “meta-changer,” it’s definetly this card. Mechwarper allows for mech decks to be very fast and hard to overcome. If you're sick of seeing Mech Mage and Mech Shaman aggro already, thank Blizzard for this card.

Unstable Portal

While it’s an RNG related card, I have seen pure value out of it. This card helped Aggro Mage significantly by giving it a chance to get a huge play early in the game. A turn four Gahz’rilla is really scary, especially when Mages have the power to use their hero power on it to give it some serious butt-kicking power.

Muster for Battle

Many players criticized this card, claiming it didn’t have a home in current Paladin decks and it wasn’t strong enough for a new deck. Well surprise, Control Paladin and Aggro Paladin have both morphed to include this card with its partner in crime, Quartermaster.

Troggzor the Earthinator

He’s not quite Loatheb, but there’s a chance he could be just as prevalent. He’s a super hard card to deal with efficiently, and he can provide needed lockdown if you are already winning the game. Definelty proving to be one of the best Legendary cards of the set.

Light of Naaru

I was a strong advocate of this card from the start, as it sets Priest up for some really strong board prescence. Most priest decks are running at least one, as it just works well with a lot of cards in the older lists, such as Injured Blademaster, Wild Pyromancer, and Auchenai Soulpriest.

Bolvar Fordragon

Another Paladin class card that had its value questioned prior to release. Just like Muster for Battle, if you are playing Paladin and own him, you are including him in your list. He can be really strong late game, and create sticky situations when he’s followed by a Tirion!

Vol’jin

One of the few cards that actually lived up to the pre-release hype. He is able to set up very favorable trades for Priests, and he can throw down some nice damage.

Mal’ Ganis

This card is similar to Mechwarper as he was able to strongly shift the meta. Warlock players have gravitated to this card, and are using him in a variety of decks. Demon tribal and Handlock alike are big fans of Mal’ Ganis’ services. For many players, he has also given a moment of relief from the copious amount of Warlock Zoo of pre-expansion meta.

Annoy-o-Tron

He definitely is annoying if you aren’t able to get the Mechwarpers and other problems because of him. His safety allows for Mech decks to get set-up and snowball. He’s not going anywhere soon.

Jeeves

Another Mech that is contributing to the well-oiled machine. He provides some valuable card draw for aggro decks, and helps combo decks dig for their needs.

Gazlowe

His synergy with spare parts gives mech decks a late game boost. Unfortunately he hasn’t found a home in any other decks yet, but it’s still early!

Crackle

Direct damage cards have to be pretty bad to not see play. Crackle is extremely good, even for the negative RNG effect. It can clear out even the biggest of annoyances for a cheap two mana. Return of Maly-shaman anyone?

DarkBomb

Another great direct damage card. Warlock has been extremely happy with this card after the nerf to their beloved Soulfire. Three damage is just enough damage to get rid most early game threats, including Mechwarper.

Shrinkmeister

This card has aided Priests in keeping control of the board. It can also allow for the removal of four power minions by bringing them into the range of Shadow Word: Pain.

Piloted Shredder

This card is being used in a variety of mech and non-mech oriented decks. Like Harvest Golem, being able to have something on the board after a mass removal is invaluable.

 

Losers 

Gahz’rilla

Hunter hasn’t fully adjusted to the new meta. Currently they are sticking to their old full aggro game plan, adding a few new tools, such as Glaivezooka. Gahz’rilla has been left in the dust to be revived from Unstable Portal.

Malorne

Another Legendary that is seeing more play in another class other than its own. Malorne gave webspinner another good target, but that’s about it. Druid already has a tight enough upper curve that he just doesn’t make the final cut.

Vitality Totem

Another card that is good, but not good enough to make the cut currently. Shaman decks found room for 2x Crackle in most lists, but very few also found room for Vitality totem. The game plan (for better or worse), has been to remove the threats instead of outlast them.

Enhance-o-Mechano

He can lead to some blow out wins for aggro decks, but he can also be the exact card aggro decks are hoping not to top deck. He’s only making all-in aggro lists as a single copy.

Echo of Medivh

This card is proving to be harder to use than originally thought. It is good in theory if you can dump your hand onto the board like the mech decks do, but then you also have to find the mana and time to use this spell. Overall, just not good enough to make the cut in these well-constructed mech lists.

Feign Death

This card was exciting for Aggro Hunter, as it could easily give card draw from Loot Horder, do damage from Leper Gnome, and later in the game, give some cats from Highmane. Mech decks and more consistent options like Glaivezooka have just outclassed this card.

Kezan Mystic

If you look back at my last article, I predicted the decline of secret-oriented decks. Almost a week into the new meta, we have already seen a huge reduction of secret decks, in favor of strong mech synergies. As a result, Kezan Mystic became a tech card that just isn’t needed.

Lil’ Exorcist

She’s seeing play as a single copy in a few control-type decks, but overall, the results are lack luster. The meta has shifted enough from the deathrattle focus that she doesn’t get as much value as she potentially could.

Mimiron’s Head

While a Mega-Windfury Mech sounded like the dream, it hasn’t happened very often. The current mech decks want to keep their board state, not to sacrifice it for a super minion.

Druid of the Fang

There are just not enough beasts that the Druid decks want to run to make this card worth it. Most of the time, the only chance for the combo is with Druid of the Claw.

 

Sleepers

Hobgoblin

He’s sneaking up in some aggro lists, and he’s an all-star. He can turn late game Undertakers, Cogmasters, Annoy-o-Trons, and Micro Machines into threats.

Bouncing Blade

Currently, Control Warrior is using Shield Maiden to outlast the mech aggro decks. I am not convinced this is the best solution, especially when decks rise to put the machines out of commission. Bouncing Blade is a potential board wipe other than Brawl that could do some serious work.

Tree of Life

Currently, Druid decks are still working to find an optimal GvG list. There’s a good chance this could see play as it could save them from the mech aggro, and could lead to some Priest suicides.

Velen’s Chosen

Spell damage buffs haven’t been very relevant, unless you are playing Rogue or Mage. Priests could use this card to get Holy Smite up to three damage to kill Mechwarper and friends, as well as buff their Cleric and Pyromancer.

Steamwheedle Sniper

Hunter decks seem to be struggling to leave their old game plans to try new things. As a result, we haven’t seen play from some potentially strong cards, such as Steamwheedle Sniper. Especially with the prevalence of Annoy-o-Tron, Steamwheedle could be a powerful tool for Hunters willing to gamble.

 

Hopefully, you've been able to pull or craft some of the winners in this list, and avoid some of the losers! Don't forget that the meta is ever-changing, and we're only a week into the new cards. There are going to be many decks and changes to come, so if your favorite card isn't seeing much play yet, it still could! Let us know what cards you think are going to be great in GvG in the comments and on Facebook!  -Yusnaan