Status Update

This is not a patch. I think this game is in a great place right now, with a lot of deck variety, and I would like more time to test out the other decks. That said, I'd like to share my thoughts on the game right now.

Balance

I've been monitoring the statistics very closely. The balance is looking perfect right now. It's likely next patch will have no changes for balance reasons.

Non-balance issues

I'm liking how the darts are versatile, as designed. They, in fact, may be too versatile.

Fire Darts/Blazing Darts are very good at their job, and in neutral. This is giving little incentive to play Evoker, and especially Illusionist. Now that hydra has two lives, there's not much that Rank 6 Tornado deals with that Rank 6 Blazing does not. While Illusionist has gotten it's own Chain Darts, which is superior, the inferior darts coming with 6 extra starting life is pushing Illusionist out of the meta. Fire Darts, Rank 2 is 7 (or more) burn for just 2 aether in neutral. This is likely more than is healthy, given that even the 4 damage from A3 can win games. As such, this splitline will probably be redesigned a bit next patch.

New card ideas

I thought I would run out. Now I have several. Here's a number of possible ideas that might be in next patch, with definitely different numbers after I playtest them.

Act of Treason (Illusionist 1)

@ enemy. Freeze it, and it attacks its owner.

--

Wall of Reflection, Rank 4 (Illusionist 4)

@ lane. Summon a Wall of Reflection there. Set it to X hp.

13

--

Hateful Reflection, Rank 7 (Illusionist 7)

! Attack opponent.

@ lane. Summon a Wall of Reflection there. Set it to X hp.

9

--

Phoenix Hydra (Illusionist 9)

I have +1 attack per health bar I have lost.

1! / 10 x99

--

Spirit of Air (Banisher 6)

I have +1 attack per enemy creature.

0! / 24

--

Magister Dawngrasp [46]

@ lane. Damage enemy there or opponent there equal to charges.

Honorable Kill: +2 charges.

<2>

--

Shadowreaper Anduin [30]

@ lane. Attack enemy there or opponent.

After you play a different card: attack opponent.

2

--

Drain Souls [28]

! Spend 1 aether per charge to destroy all creatures, gaining 2 life for each.

After successful cast: +1 charge.

<7>

--

Manual Pyramid [40]

! Gain 1 life per charge, then +1 charge.

<4>