I dabble from time to time with Aurora decks and thought I'd start a discussion about the decks. What do you thinks are their strengths? What do you think are their weaknesses? Also, what champion and non-champion runes do you consider "in theme."
Their strengths: - Powerful anti-DEF theme. Will slaughter someone like Dwarves for example. - Good range of damage types and utilities. - Can tap into Elf tools as all Aurora champs are Elves. - Can be used as a sub-theme in other themes such as Wizards, Elves or Rangers. Their weaknesses: - Lack of Aurora support champ. (e.g. Nectar Fairy for Fae/Meta, Snake Charmer for Rangers, Chained Fae for Fae/Magic Amp/Wizards etc.) - Primarily ranged, has to rely on non-Aurora champs for melee and other utilities like shatter. - Theme's ability isn't strong enough to warrant a BG dedicated entirely around illuminate (imo). - Because of their damage types being all over the place they cannot specialise into any damage type too much like Magic Amp can for example. - Lack of direction for the theme as a whole. Theme Champs: Aurora ones, Bowmages, Monks Theme Spells: Blinding Flash Theme Relics: Aurora Banner Theme Equips: Aurora Lance I have trouble pinpointing specific elements of the theme as it's really fickle and just lacks shape imo.
The Aurora champs are, according to Aurora Banner's flavor-text, a coalition of elves and fairies who are on Menalaus's side. In-game, they are champions that benefit from blinds and illumination abilities. Some champions are clearly "in theme" like Aurora Inspector and Aurora Investigator. There are also some elves/fae that work well in the deck and, as such, I consider the following to be "in theme" Aurora champs.... Champions Aurora Inspector Aurora Investigator Aurora Lancer Aurora Sunmage Corgi Knight Corgi Ranger Elven Page Elven Vindicator Fae Advocate Menalaus Moonlit Fae Sun Blossom Spells Blinding Flash Inhibit Power Relics Aurora Banner Tower of Amareth Equipment Aurora Lance Lost Grimoire
I consider Aurora decks to focus on illumination and blinding abilities, not just illumination ones. Still, I agree that it often feels like a "forced" theme. There is little natural synergy in the deck a part from relocation effects based on Illuminate.
I find them primarily melee based, rushing the opponent down with light seeker and delims tele (he works great in aurora). Might just be how I play them though. But yeah, far better as a module than as a full BG ATM.
Yea, I actually use very often. Elven Vindicator, Aurora Inspector, Corgi Knight, and even possibly a range champion are all viable targets.
Huge amounts of CC combined with a few relatively problematic tanks and lil bits of healing. Plus really solid ranged damage this deck does pretty well.