Before DMF:Orlando, my teammates and I did some pretty exhaustive training of decks, searching for just the right one. We decided on Halavar in late December and then we proceeded to test exhaustively. It’s kinda dumb to test a deck so far in advance, but I think we made the right play, as a 1/3 of the decks at DMF Orlando were Halavar. The deck went through many incantations before we set upon the final version we all played at the event.
I personally tested the deck in some 200 matches, all with very favorable results. In those tests, I saw a slew of decks, but there was one in particular that would just give Halavar fits. The type of deck you have nightmares of before a big event. You just can see yourself, sitting in the large hall, and opponent after opponent slapping their hero down, all the same. All bad match ups. For our Halavar, it was Warrior Control.
The hero of choice for warrior control was Bloody Mary, mainly for access to Cannibalize. Her flip was useful and being able to use The Haunted Mills could generate some good draws(but ultimately, the quests where secondary to card drawing abilities like Bloodrage).
For those who hadn’t seen a version of Bloody Mary, I refer you here. The deck was as mean a control deck that there ever was. The early protectors and one of the greatest utility cards of all time Puncture bought time for a late game that presented very few ways out of. Once Bloody Mary had dug in her heals, you where done. The deck was a beast for rush, as they often stalled out and then once a couple copies of Withering Shout hit the table, there was very little rush could even do at the point.
Our Halavar was no exception. The version we ran used Whispering Blade of Slaying/Perdition’s Blade along with the standard accompaniment of untargetable allies(with some elusive thrown in for good fun). It varied from the Two Handed version in a couple of small ways but the game plan was relatively the same.
Bloody Mary had very little problem dropping a 4th turn Withering, which would spell disaster if we didn’t already have Mary’s health at least half gone. That one Withering Shout would stop out Merrys, Teeps, and Survivors, thus also cutting us off from completing The Defias Brotherhood. Essentially 1 card negated a 1/3 of our deck. That’s never a good thing.
We ended up tweaking Halavar, including 2 main deck Burn Aways and uping the Puncture count to 4. I luckily only saw one Bloody Mary at DMF Orlando(round 1), and was able to best him with a good draw.
Where am I going with this? Glad you asked. I have a point, I assure you.
A few weeks back, when UDE was previewing cards on the main site, warrior was one of the first classes shown. I think everyone who saw Sudden Death on that day could see the card’s power. It was essentially a 2 cost, instant Vanquish. Once the set was released, I was also greeted with the best equipment destruction card to date, Smash. Not only does it blow up their equipment at only 2 cost and at instant speed, it also damages the opponent for whatever the cost was. That’s like kicking someone when they’re down, but hey, it can be fun, right?
The only hindrance when using Sudden Death was that it forces you into the new Traitor Hero. Would losing Cannibalize be worth the addition of Sudden Death? That’s what I had set out to see.
HERO(1)
Lionar the Blood Cursed
ABILITIES(26)
1XDeafening Shout
3XBloodrage
4XWithering Shout
4XPuncture
4XShield Bash
3XUnraveled Plans
4XSudden Death
3XSmash
QUESTS(14)
2XForces of Jaedenar
4XCounterattack!
4XSwift Discipline
4XA Donation of Silk
EQUIPMENT(2)
2XFelsteel Reaper
ALLIES(18)
2XPrince Kael’thas Sunstrider
1XIshanah, High Priestess of the Aldor
1XVindicator Zalreth
2XInstructor Antheol
2XDoshura Ridestrider
2XTatulla the Reclaimer
4XXanata the Lightsworn
4XGuardian Steelhorn
SIDEBOARD(10)
3XDefensive Stance
1XSmash
1XUnraveled Plans
1XDoshura Risestrider
2XTatulla the Reclaimer
2XVexmaster Nar’jo
Control decks received some great new protectors, so of course, Xanata Lightsworn found a nice, new home in the two drop slot along side Guardian Steelhorn. Those two alone should be enough to slow rush. But if you’re going to win, you need to stop rush or eventually they’re swarm your defenses. That’s why Mr. Reliable, Withering Shout, is an automatic 4 set of in this deck.
Instructor Antheol is another great card when facing down rush. His ability to stop both attackers and protector warrants him the 5 drop slot. His attack isn’t too shabby either.
Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider is the new big boy on the constructed block, and what with our hero being a traitor, he finds a nice spot on the end of our ally curve. Personally, I like Prince Kael’thas over Lady Vashj because his effect has a more immediate and guaranteed effect where as Lady Vashj’s Naga Tokens can be dealt with in a myriad of ways(not to mention that your opponent might have luck of their side and you’ll roll 1’s every time). Dropping the Prince of turn 9 or 10 can spell game over if your opponent doesn’t have at the very least some way to spend his resources. Late game, hands are much smaller and instant speed answers are harder to find.
There’s one card in the deck I owe an apology to. I’m sorry Felsteel Reaper for dismissing you when I first saw you. I just didn’t have any idea how great you could be. I just saw you as an over priced Tewa. Technically, it is an overpriced Tewa but being an Equipment makes it much less susceptible to removal than Tewa’s squishy flesh. Greatsword of Horrid Dreams is still a very popular card and with good reason. Tewa wouldn’t even be able to enter play with one of those out, where as Felsteel Reaper is good to go. It can swing the turn it comes into play and there’s not much in the way of instant speed equipment removal other than Smash(Wreck I guess technically could be considered instant speed removal-both are Warrior abilities though).
The abilities in the deck are pretty well all defensive. I’ve packed in there hate of every kind. Allies and equipment should pose no problem what with Sudden Death/Smash/Puncture taking care of most anything that can hit the board. For the rest(ie Abilities) I’ve got Tatulla and 3 copies of Unraveled Plans. Shield Bashes round out the hate, being able to stop annoying problems before they even start.
I’ve tested this in a few match ups so far and they’re been favorable. The biggest problem Warrior Control had back a few months ago was Burn Decks(either Boomkin or Mage Burn). To combat burn, I’ve included 3 side board copies of Defensive Stance. That card alone can extend you’re life span considerably.
I’ve tried this recently against a very fast rush, which it bested relatively easily. I then followed it up with a heavy control match up, which is also bested pretty easy. With the draw from Bloodrage, you should be able to pound on your opponent with consecutive fat bombs. For example a turn 8 Ishana, turn 9 Prince, and a turn 10 Felsteel. The goal is to not give them time to catch their breath.
As I always urge, try this build out. It’s one of my personal favorites right now. It’s in the pile of decks I’ve got, all contending for the title of “My Favorite”. It might not be on the top just yet but it’s climbing pretty quickly. Any comments or suggestions are always appreciated, either in the comment section or via email to Borbwab@gmail.com.
