Taking a look at the Public Decks.

So I've been thinking these are going to be pretty important soon, once the Steam relaunch hits its these Public Bgs that are going to be presented to the new Steam players. So its probably a good idea to make sure our ones fill the important criteria :

1) Are these competitive enough to do well against the other public decks?
2) Are these good enough to play against skirmishes/single player?
3) Do these showcase the IS strengths and playstyle accurately?

Out current ones are as follows :

Drunken Dwarves : https://www.poxnora.com/info/publicdecks.do?i=1

Guardians of the Sargnhaver : https://www.poxnora.com/info/publicdecks.do?i=17

Ironfist Crusade : https://www.poxnora.com/info/publicdecks.do?i=2

At a glance these could definitely use some work. So lets see if we can either upgrade these a bit or completely replace if necessary. Looking to get around 3-5 new BG ideas together. So I'd like some suggestions from you guys.

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you post your ideas.

1.) Please use a www.poxbase.com link, will make it far easier for me to compile and edit your ideas.

2.) Some restrictions on the BGs are as follows.

-No more than 2 Exotic champs per BG ( some exceptions may be made)
-No more than 4 Exotics total
-No Limited/Legendaries with the exception of Warbanners.
-Try and stay within the Core set of runes as these will be the first runes new players will be experience, this includes everything from the original release set up to and including Grimlics Decent, some exceptions are fine where theme enablers were released later.
-No split runes.

3.) Bear in mind that you can't edit the public BG's so pick champs with the best Default upgrades that fit within the BG.

Some ideas for themes could be Dwarves, Constructs, Paladins, Troll's , Barbarians.

 

We definitely should keep Drunken Dwarves.

This is the way it currently stands: http://poxbase.com/deck/c5IC8QCPCq_ctdC4KC10C8mC5mc1tS5Xs1Ys31SlsPs2drirYr3tele1p

The champs are solid for a public deck. Maybe replace one Nightwatch for a Hooligan, if they will allow a new champ, Ironfist Minister or Silverclan Tinkerer. Replace the Griffon Rider with a Scarlet Wing. I think it would be great if they add Talgar and Hammerheart Platemail (replace the other Griffon Rider and Rugolth's Fist). They get a hero! Another option would be Master Axeman/Axeman's Fate combo.

The spells are solid, keep as is.

Does Sepulcher of Kings work? I heard previously it did not and have not heard to the contrary. Either way, maybe remove it for a Nora Mine or Earthshaker.

Rugolth's Fist can stay only if they add the Silverclan Tinkerer to the battlegroup. If they add Talgar they add his equip. Remove Sigil for Tactical Manual.

Here is the new setup with Talgar, Scarlet Wing, Silverclan Tinkerer, Nora Mine, Hammerheart Platemail and Tactical Manual added.

http://poxbase.com/deck/c5IC8QCPCq_ctdC4KC8mc5mc1tcgacfgc4-S5Xs1Ys31SlsPs2drirYr5e2Oe3i

Talgar is the only exotic added. His equip is rare. All other champs are either common or uncommon.

 

Barbarians should be there as well.

Here is how it stands now: http://poxbase.com/deck/cq@Cpkc8nC9bCuicoJc7+CqFCwncy@S5Xs4Bs1YSlsvs4Gs5GsPs2drYR5eQ

This battlegroup is pretty antiquated and really needs an overhaul. I like the fact that it has Zedin and Bastion in there. This battlegroup does have all three clan Warchiefs (Blood, Storm and Stone). Plains Savage needs to go. I would think Barbarian Exemplar, Charger Knight, Pitfighter and Veilwalker are out of the picture as they are popular legendaries. I would also think Isran and both Magnus's are out, along with Fist of Bastion, Mounted Kinsman and Sarnghavian Centaur. Since we already have a Legendary (Zedin) and Exotic (Bastion), it probably leaves out Ironfist Inquisitor as well.

I would like to add Sarnghavian Herder to get the Invigorate and support. I also like the Savage Shieldman. Barbarian Druid would be a good healing option. Elite Skirmisher and Mounted Hawkmaster would be good, newer options like the Herder. If we use these two, a Houndmaster would be a good option for Boost Beast, but the Herder has that as well. Vengeant Knight is also a good beginner option.

I'll throw two out there, one will be with the newer mounted Barbarian beasts, the other will be without.

For the first one, I will drop a Barbarian Bolt, Barbarian Guardian, both Plains Savage and a Wild Chieftain. I will add a Barbarian Druid for heals and cleanse. Add Interrogator for Shatter and Punish, Declare Target for additional AP gain. Add a Savage Shieldman and Terraformer for alt damage. Lastly I will add a Vengeant Knight, which is a good beginning unit with charged heals. For the spell lineup, we can remove Disarm since we have Interrogator. Remove Impervious. Add Unobstructed View since there are no detection units. Remove one of the Nora Mines and replace it with Guard Tower. This will help with stealthed units. Lastly, remove Holy Mace and add Tactical Manual x2.

http://poxbase.com/deck/cq@cpkc2+c8nc9bCuicoJc7+c13c9nc1Zci5cwncy@S5Xs4BSls4Gs5GsPs2dsKrirYr5E3i

For the second option, we'll add the newer mounted champs and boost beast. I'm not sure if they will approve of the newer mounted barbarians in a public deck just yet. But it doesn't hurt to try.

http://poxbase.com/deck/cq@cpkc8nc9bCuicoJCjkc7+c4Cjhcjgc9ncwncy@s5Xs4Bs1YSls4Gs5Gs2dsKrirYe3ie_

 

For the third option, Ironfist Crusade, I think something else might be better, such as Paladins, Constructs, or maybe even Trolls.

Paladins:
http://poxbase.com/deck/CuacoJcpHC4KcwycqAc8WchychtChucifc6Ic4-ci5s5Xs4Bs1Ms1Ys31Sls6Ms2drirYe2Oe3i
This theme has quite a few expensive options. This battlegroup has kept that to a minimum, with Bastion the Avenger, Ironfist Minister and Talgar being the exo/legs.

I do not have much experience with Construct and Trolls. There are enough constructs to put together a nice public deck, but they will most likely lack range. You can add Glorious Charge to help that some. There may not be enough Trolls to put a public deck together. I'll leave that to the experts.

 

Personally, I think the Paladin BG is not a good choice for a Public BG as most of the range options (and champs) are Limiteds/Legendary.

I think we should try to change it to Strux.

 

I dunno, paladins are super marketable as an idea throughout all aspects of the fantasy industry. That could be a great simple deck to get people hooked and part of the reason I pushed for obtainable ranged pals.

Everyone everywhere knows about the paladin. You get a taste and then start learning just how great they could be if you invest.

Gotta fix Magnus though.

 

Euan and Paldin Commander for exos. Use Priestess for range. This deck building would be much easier if some champs had their default upgrades swapped.

 

Umhu

 

These are some of the ideas I have so far :

Barbarians:
http://poxbase.com/deck/Cq@CpkC3c2 c8nCuicoJC13c1ZCwns5Xs4BSlsvs4Gs5GSPs2dsKrYeleh

So we have the Barb Archers and Hunters for range , Interrogators for anti equip, Commanders for stat buffs ( and some old school nostalgia ), Bolts and Terraformer for alt damage. Shaman for Healing, Bastion/Elite/Chieftains as our main strike force. Spell support pretty standard.

Dwarves :
http://poxbase.com/deck/c5ICw9c2jcFctdC4Kc5PC10C8Wc5mc1tc7Bc4-s5Xsfs31SlSPs2drYr3te1ueleh

I think people would prefer a proper representation of the Dwarves since they are pretty much the identity of the faction and the current drunk BG does not do them justice.

Constructs :
http://poxbase.com/deck/CalC4JcoTc4BCfhCfgC3YC8YCwTsfSlsvs7nS43sPs75sKrHrYehe2Y

Paldin/Holy Theme :
http://poxbase.com/deck/C9vcpHctdc6nCgoC8WChuc6Ic1tc4-Ci5s5Xs7=s1Ms1Ys6WslSPs87sKr3arYehe1v

Beasts :
http://poxbase.com/deck/CgpCjkcjjC10C4CjhCgdCgfCgas5Xs4Bs31Sls4GSPS7JrYe3ie_

Drunk Dwarves : http://poxbase.com/deck/C5C8QCPCh7ctdC4KC8mC8Wc1ts4Bs1YsfSls4GSPs2drYr3te1ue1yeh

 

I like your idea's the only thing is I think we might be better off with a pure Dwarf BG as opposed to a drunk one, while it is fun bear in mind that these do need to be competitive in the right hands and I don't feel like the Drunk theme is strong enough for that at the moment. Also I think Talgar and his Equip is too strong a combination to expect new players to be able to deal with, especially as some factions lack some anti equip. Sepulcher of Kings does work, and is rather decent in a Dwarf BG I have to say.

 

I probably should have stated that we'd like to 2x up on champs as much as possibly, that way it gives new players less things to learn right off the bat and keeps the learning curve down a bit. I would say the newer mounted champs are out of the picture unfortunately yeah. I am enjoying your ideas and will definitely be taking them into consideration before making any final decisions, keep up the good work !

 

for me decks are ok best one so far drunken dwarves pretty much fun to play

 

- I worry that we keep throwing around a "dwarf" deck to new players...when it's not really a thing yet. Drunken of course is weaker but mainly because we are calling a bunch of meta runes that happen to be dwarves a "dorf deck".

- I think the best decks for new players have a clear "obvious" spoon fed core interaction ...then some subtle synergies underneath the surface that as they get to understand the game discover and branch out from.

 

It doesn't have to have a racial or boost to make it a theme. Its a Dwarf deck. New players aren't going to expect to have some crazy synergistic battle group right off the bat.

What sort of obvious core interactions do you have in mind ?

 

- New players respond to more "clean" starter decks. Moga or skeleton are clean and streamlined. You have to think like a new player. We sometimes drift into something else as vets....something more hipster. I know its not "fashionable" to like cookie cutter themes but i think its precisely what new players will respond to

- I think new players need a lil spoon feeding at first to "learn" the game before we force them to build decks "we" consider worthy. It does however expose the need to streamline what IS wants to do with dorfs in the future. Drunk at least would be clearer to a new player..."oh i equip these certain guys wih beer and they get special buffs etc...ok cool". Rather then.."oh ...i have a bunch of guys...that happen to be dorfs...i guess i just run them at the enemy".

- Until dorfs are a real fleshed out theme i would not consider it the best choice for new players to be pushed into imo.

 

Why is Earthgod Sigil in the Barbarian and Dwarf decks?

I really think we need a Dwarf deck first and foremost, followed by Barbarians. Between your Construct vs Pally decks, I like the Construct better. However, do you think they will allow 2x protectors?

 

I understand where you are coming from, but the only champions with Carouse that would work are Brewmasters and Hooligans, having a deck and or theme fit around 2 champions is poor design. What happens if they don't reveal till late in the game ? You've had to play the whole match with a bunch of subpar champs in a non-existent theme. New players won't automatically look for crazy interactions between runes. Trust me I agree with you, I would prefer to have some awesome synergistic fleshed out theme to present them with when it comes to Dwarfs, but we don't have one and the Drunk one is not nearly good enough, bare in mind these decks have to be competitive against other factions publics, how do you think Drunks would fare against Voils or Skeletons or even Skeezick ? We have to present something fun, but also strong.

 

Mostly to lock down champs to provide a WarCry turn in Dwarfs, same sort of idea in Barbarians with Bastion. Its a pretty good equip in most situations. Yeah the Protectors are fine in the Constructs since the theme needs them to work, exceptions can be made

 

- Im totally with you ...but it simply leads me to believe there just shouldnt be a dorf or drunk deck advertised then at all. until they are things.

 

What do you think of this Drunk Dwarves BG as a possible public : http://poxbase.com/deck/C5C8QCPCh7ctdC4KC8mC8Wc1ts4Bs1YsfSls4GSPs2drYr3te1ue1yeh