Need some advise on a Dwarf deck

I'm an old player but recently coming back in the game so I'm not sure about the meta these days.
This is the deck i have so far (based on the 'By Beard we Conquer: A Guide to Dwarves' thread).

I have about 1800 shards to spend and i'm not sure if i should get 2 legendaries or 4 exotics. and which ones to get.

Also, Ankh of Valdac (combined with Desperate Heal and Divine Favor) seems like a really good combo but no one seems to use it, am I wrong in thinking so?

 

Here are the runes i'd take out

nightwatch 1
brubrak brothers 3
half skeezick 4
arch angel 5
bastion 6
battle rager- this one is personal preference, he's actually pretty good but I dislike careless which comes with berserker as it doesn't allow much strategy. 7
ankh of valdac- increases enemy healing also 8
Dwarven sharpshooters are good but I always preferred dwarven hooligan's or pontiff. 9
earth god sigili 10
axeman's fate 11
master axeman 12
battle matron 13

I'd put in

might of ironfist
earthshaker
medal of valor
sepulcher of kings
x2 dwarven hooligan
x1 talgar
x2 brewmasters
x1 priest of valdac
x1 nobles
x1 drunken thug
x1 rock collection for extra damage or x1 disarm my personal preferences

Someone can probably help you more, this is just close to my non-brew dwarf bg.

 

I think the issue with Ankh is that it boost your opponents healing too, just a guess though. Champion count seems a bit high, i usually run 16 or 17. Brewmasters and Hooligans are great. Should post this in the IS forums though so other IS players can help you out, i dont play Dorfs myself.

 

You can run that many champions, but you have to play differently and restrictive. You have to keep deploying and moving forward (have as few 5spd champs as possible) and then likely cram your spells into a definining mid/late game few turns. But honestly, IS has such good spells and [typically] slow champions, that there is almost no iteration where a BG is made better by limiting IS spells.

Before I get into the runes let me make a comment on IS in general (which holds true with dwarves): They are sturdy, their abilities and stats help them sustain themselves. You don't typically build BGs with your units dying being part of your strategy. This means that support champions will, on average, provide more utility in a given IS game than in some other factions. IS has some really great support champs and dwarves are no exception to that rule. I'm glad to see that you've recognized this and have added some of the better ones.

I'll comment on your runes in order:

1. Angel: Its an angel, remove it. Replace with Warsaint if you're after a sturdy tank type.
2. Bastion: Not a dwarf, remove it. He's a good deploy, but he doesnt fit.
3. Matron: Only good thing about here is that she's really hot. Subpar as a support the, remove.
4. Battle Rager: Not a bad champion but as with all scrappers you are very weak to countermobility/combat mechanics, and theres lots of control out there. I'd say remove.
5. 2 Brubaker Brothers: Sadly, they just never quite work as well as you'd think they would. They need to be close to each other, killing one makes the other into pudding etc, remove.
6. Bearmaiden: A wonderful support champ, costly, but worth it.
7. Dwarven King: Never bad, but keep in mind that Warcry at range 2 is often counterproductive with ranged champions with a greater minimum range than 3 (can explain if need) which cuts out most of your 6 range champions.
8. Magister: Tremendous Champion, consider increasing to 2x.
9. Dwarven Seargeant: Incredible support. Nice pick.
10. Sharpshooter: Steathed range is never bad, and he'll shine on rock maps (does aim destealth?) I'm looking at the synergy between PS and Aim and I like it, although he was much more powerful before the strip armor change. Still, I cannot recommend you remove this champion although there could possibly be better champions on non-rock maps to have in your deck.
11. Half Skeez: I'd rather just have another DKing, although he's not a bad rune. 2 def and regen 2 is decent survivability and MA helps with getting off the warcry.
12. Minister: One of ISs best runes, battledrum is that good.
    
13. Warsaint: Yes, yes.
14. Master Axeman: Oh the days when this guy was incredible vs. ranged. Now he's slightly overcosted and mostly foregetable, much better choices.
15. IS Paladin: Not a terrible rune. I usually find him to be slow and not very contributive after he lays on hands. Usually ends up as a sacrifice of some sort. Better to be had.
16. Nightwatch: He's good, but he also has absolutely no defenses so you need to be tricky in his use, or you'll lose him with little effort on your opponents part. Bit more skill to make great use of this rune.
17. PoV: Incredible, 2x. Always.
18. Talgar: He's a good include. Sturdy and sustainable.

That leaves us with [S= support, M= melee, R= ranged, A=Alternate dmg type, H= harass/control]:

1. Bearmaiden (S)
   
2. DKing (M)
   
3. Magister (R,A)
   
4. Magister (R,A)
   
5. Sarge (S)
   
6. Skeez (M)
   
7. Minister (S,A)
   
8. Warsaint (M)
   
9. Warsaint (M)
   
10. Nightwatch (M,H)
    
11. PoV (S, A)
    
12. PoV (S, A)
    
13. Talgar (M, A)
    
14. _______
15. _______
16. _______

I typically recommend 16 champions in an IS deck. I look at this deck and all thats left is satisfying your playstyle. Some good ranged champions might be Pontiff, Cardinal or Hooligan. Harass might be Treasure Hunter or Mechanized Band. Another melee that goes well with a few of your champions is Euan Ironfist or Paladin Commander.

For spells, the most important inclusions are 2x Hammerstrike, 1 x RD, 1x Macadamize. After these staple 4 there are many good choices, but I don't think these can be argued.

Relics: Banner and Earthshaker, I always use those two. I might add more but those two never disappoint. Do not ignore the midgame/midfont power of Sepulcher of Kings in an all dorf deck either.

Equipment: Vial, Forge Hammer (but you need to include at least 1 guard tower), others... I've always liked Earthgod Sigil (EGS) but equipment removal is more prevalent nowadays, its reliance suffers. Also keep in mind Carouse.

 

I cant offer any advice Bakki hasnt already given. For open deck slots Id try Treasure Hunter with Camaraderie and Dwarven Handler with Regal Presence (Drive at 5 range is really good)

 

I disagree with the first half of this, but agree with the second. If you are running a lot of champions, you should intend to use them, and that means playing defensively for a longer game; pushing is definitely what you shouldn't do.

 

@Baskitkase Master Axeman is anything but forgettable atm.

 

Wow, great advice. I'll be making some changes tonight.
One follow-up question though:
It seems like there is too much physical damage. Shouldn't i use a more varied amount of damage types?

 

That's why I like pontiff, elemental warstaff is also good for alternate damage and he's super cheap for decent stats and 4 different damage dealing attacks.

 

Non-IS player here. I got owned by armorer+talgar+warstaff+kingmaker once. Check out kingmaker. Imo 1x is good, because gives access to iron will. Also deploy him vs shattered peaks, forsaken wastes and splits (blockade counters mobilization or alacrity for anti-power turns) I think it's pretty important.
edit: He gives fearless, I thought he could counter that soul corruption possession, but I' wrong. Still, he fills some role in IS, so he's a good addition.

 

You have enough Paladins that a Holy Blade of Valdac is worthy of consideration. Lots of physical dmg creates a good strip armor play adding a few more dmg.

Also, blink or divine intervention can remove a champion from the playing field giving you a chance to make a game winning play(s).

 

I'll have to try and trade for a Kingmaker. That sucker is really good.

 

I set up a trade whats your in-game name

 

Armorer is freaking amazing would reccomend.and i agree with most of what bakki said except his summary on master axeman.with a desert brew equipped its 60 hp tough 1, 4 defense 14 damage has block and an alt ranged attack

 

If you want to increase your skill level I'd recommend trying

This deck looks like it can stall to you? Theres no control to speak of, no mobility, no ellusiveness. It's very transparent. You'd place your champions and then with max5 range, you'd be taking potshots and be forced to drop your PoVs early. I think not. You'd need to deploy Talgar, Warsaints, Pal Commander, DK or Skeez and hope they can hold the line until you can reach the critical 3 champion warcry play. At that point you'd likely be ok and could then use your limited spells combined with your mini powerturns (warcry) to overtake your opponent. Your stuff would start dying, but you'd have the option of droping PoV(s) or start another warcry unit on its wait to the front. Globe collection would be imperative.

 

Moved to the appropriate forums.

 

If you're holding 20 champions, yeah you want a lot of range -- I agree with your suggestion for more ranged options, especially things like Pontiff and Hooligan. That said, yes, I think IS can stall like that, and it doesn't depend upon harassment strategies or CC, it depends upon threat, which is something that a few burly champs and some defensive spells can accomplish. Mobility is the last thing anyone needs for a stall deck; Pox maps are too cramped and board position is too important for evasive champions to create any sort of delay. A deck that wants to stall out -- a prerequisite for decks that run many champions and want to scale up to higher resource values -- should depend upon space control in a stand-still, which is best generated through a stocky front line combined with ranged threats. Even range 5 options can be enough, if their potential damage output is high, as with Hooligans. Being the aggressor will only trade resources and choke up on the interactive benefits provided by a large champion count.

In short, here's the line of reasoning: if you want to run a lot of champions (outside of FW) you should expect to play to a higher resource state than your opponent; if you are playing to a higher resource state, then you should play defensively. Totally support the inclusion of more range to that end. Alternatively, he could take your later advice on deck building and cut down the number of champions for a more versatile game plan. My point of dispute was with the assertion that [more champions -> more aggression].

 

Lacricel is my ign

 

"What, exactly, is a Swiss army knife?" Not very interesting a topic, really. But clearly one you're defensive about.