by JR Cook - 11 years ago     show comments

A while back, I asked on Twitter what the general consensus was on “must have” cards that would perform well in almost any deck. Having made a similar request asking for Pro Tips for New Players, I was not at all surprised when you once again came through with brilliantly answers. I was surprised though at some cards being such strong player favorites. None of them are particularly rare or difficult to come by. If you want them in your deck, they’ll be readily available.

Ironbeak Owl

We talk about the Ironbeak Owl quite a bit, and it was not surprising to see this card be the number one response by a landslide. It is a ridiculously strong card with its silencing effect, and can (for example) undo a carefully planned Wombo Combo with one swift strike. Ironbeak Owl has saved – and won – many matches for me. The key with the Ironbeak Owl is deploying it at just the right time, and not wasting it to get past a taunt minion early in the game. It is also a card that can easily be considered to fill two deck slots.

@HearthProShow Ironbeak Owl. 2-cost Silence is priceless.

— Danyul Van Richmund (@pontelon) October 13, 2013

Raid Leader

The Raid Leader is cheap and tough on opponents mid-game, and a potential nightmare late in game. Do you take out that super-tough minions (now graced with another +1 Attack point), or do you take down the single minion that just buffed a whole herd of minions? Want a worse case scenario? Watch a side loaded with minions buffed by not one, but two Raid Leaders. Chances are, the match is over after that turn.

Chillwind Yeti

Finding the Chillwind Yeti in this list surprised me. I should not have been. The Chillwind Yeti has no special abilities, buffs, or battlecries. It does nothing, except be awesome. After seeing how much love this minion got from the community, I started adding him to a few decks. As a turn four or five minion, he is exceptionally strong and a real asset for your board control moves.

Sen’jin Shieldmasta

We have a bit of a history with the Sen’jin Shieldmasta. He’s probably one of the best, most versatile taunt cards in the game. At 5 Health, he takes some doing to take out, and at 3 Attack, the Shieldmasta is likely to take a few minions down with him. If there is a “must have” taunt card, the Sen’jin Shieldmasta is it.

@HearthProShow Senjin Shieldmasta. One of the best Taunts in the game. 3/5 for 4 mana? Yes please. Also, getting to yell TAZ DINGO is win.

— Pounce (@PouncivalGaming) October 13, 2013

Novice Engineer

I’ve had more than a few matches that came down to who had more cards on hand at a critical point in the game. Card draw ability can be just as important as deck control in certain situations. At 2 Mana, the Novice Engineer is a brilliant card to play to get a minion on the board while essentially trading it in for a better card (let’s face it, the card you’ll be drawing is at least just as good or better). At 2 Health, it can survive taking out a 1/1 minion, giving you some play in the upcoming round. The Novice Engineer is one of those cards where there is practically no downside.

Acidic Swamp Ooze

This card truly caught me by surprise. When you are not playing Hearthstone at very competitive levels (or in Arena mode), chances are you are not worrying too much about the possibility of that warrior equipping Gorehowl, or the rogue holding Perdition’s Blade with Deadly Poison crossing your path. Yet if they do, prepare yourself for the trashing of a lifetime.

In a case like this, the Acidic Swamp Ooze is a very delightful minion to have in hand that will dissolve your opponent’s weapon into nothing – and you will be left with a hefty +3 Attack minion.