Jump to content
FORUMS
Sign in to follow this  
Sottle

The Icy Veins Deck Guides section is changing. Here's why

Recommended Posts

14245-the-icy-veins-deck-guides-section-

 

We're revamping the Hearthstone section to be cleaner and easier to use. Find out exactly what we're doing here.

 

As time as gone by and more and more expansions have been released into Hearthstone, the Deck Guides section here on our site has grown beyond the point of being manageable. Several people have commented that the section is now a little confusing, with multiple different builds of each deck archetype available and no clear indication of which is the best one to play. Well, starting today, we're taking steps to solve that.

 

The first stage is already well underway. Many of the older decks from previous expansions have been archived. While this temporarily reduces the amount of active content you can access, don't panic! They will be replaced swiftly with just as many, if not more, options for you to choose from, just presented in a much cleaner fashion.

The new layout will be broken into 4 sections that will function as follows:

Meta Decks


This is where you'll find the top level competitive decks in their most up to date form. Looking at this section will be able to tell you, at a glance, what the best options are for each class for a competitive deck to climb the ladder with.
 
Within this section there will be two different versions of most decks. Firstly the "standard" version. This is what most people play on the ladder, it can be used as a reference when playing against the deck, as well as just providing a comprehensive archive of the Hearthstone meta. Alongside this will be my personal versions of decks. These will be essentially the same guide, but will contain a few card differences that I think improve the deck, or address the current meta better. Of course, if you don't agree, or don't trust me, you can always just use the standard list instead smile.png
 

Fun Decks


This is where you'll find decks that aren't quite strong enough to be considered a staple in the Hearthstone Meta. This doesn't mean that these decks are not strong. Many of the decks that end up here will be Legend worthy decks in the right hands, it just means they are not the tried and tested archetypes that are the staples of each class. If you want to play something a little different, this is the section for you!
 

Budget Decks


This is where you'll find the current existing "Basic" and "Cheap" decks for each class, with the eventual goal of adding a lower budget version of every single deck that is featured in the Meta Decks section, and then maybe even the Fun Decks section as well! This is the section for newer players without comprehensive card collections who are looking to build the best deck they can with their available resources.

Legacy Decks


This section serves as a replacement for all the older expansion versions of decks that were cluttering up the Class pages previously. Instead of leaving older versions of decks in place to allow people to adjust to which expansions they do have, we will simply have a version of all the Meta decks available that does not use any Naxxramas cards, and a further version that features no Blackrock Mountain cards. This is far cleaner, since the Adventures are the only big hurdle for players trying to build some of the Meta decks. It doesn't matter which expansion a card comes from, if you have the dust for it, you can craft it. However, you must have unlocked the relevant Adventure wing to get a card from those sets. With the addition of this section, you will never be in the situation where you are locked out of making a deck due to not having access to those pesky Naxx wings.
 
Hopefully these changes will improve your experience while using our site, and allow me to generate content in a much more organised and helpful fashion. We're rolling out the changes as we speak, so keep an eye on the Hearthstone section to see it develop!
  • Like 6

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Looks nice, but it will definitely take me some time to get used to it. However, I think Bloodlust shaman is a meta deck (as far as Shaman is a meta class). Definitely looking forward to seeing more decks here. Keep up the good work :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I thought about that, but I think the Al'Akir/Doomhammer plan is still more "meta" currently, and the Bloodlust is the twist. Things are always open to change though. Categories are easy to switch smile.png

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hope the Solo play section will get updated as well. smile.png

 

It would be nice to see the decks updated with the expansion cards.

That's the next thing in the pipeline smile.png

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Fantastic update to the site, joined to post! Keep up the good work guys, love your work in the HS section. Been using it for a while now.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, good luck with the upcoming Adventure. How long do you think it will take you to update all the decks (in case the cards will be used)?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Loving the new layout and information! The fun decks should prove just that. Even if you lose, using those crazy cards is always a blast.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, good luck with the upcoming Adventure. How long do you think it will take you to update all the decks (in case the cards will be used)?

 

Shouldn't be long, it's much easier to handle when the cards release week by week and you can react in small portions.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sottle, the new layout is fantastic! I've been using Icy Veins as my go-to net-decking site for a while, but this new layout makes it even better. I've been having a lot of success with your decks on the ladder and I look forward to continuing to see what you put out. It's nice to know that all of your decks have been tested and proven, as I generally don't have time to put in all the legwork necessary to fine tune a strong deck. Not only are your decks competitive, but they're also a lot of fun to play. So keep up the great work! Thank you!!!

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The new format is excellent, thank you!

 

I personally prefer this kind of curated content rather than the community-generated stuff that can be found at places like hearthpwn. It takes time and energy to sort through community generated stuff, and I'm usually not that motivated :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So, we've finished the first iteration for all classes. Meaning, each class has decks in the 4 main categories (meta, fun, budget, legacy). Now, Sottle is going to slowly add more decks, as he sees fit. And of course, we're going to get guides for the new expansion tonight.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sottle, the new layout is fantastic! I've been using Icy Veins as my go-to net-decking site for a while, but this new layout makes it even better. I've been having a lot of success with your decks on the ladder and I look forward to continuing to see what you put out. It's nice to know that all of your decks have been tested and proven, as I generally don't have time to put in all the legwork necessary to fine tune a strong deck. Not only are your decks competitive, but they're also a lot of fun to play. So keep up the great work! Thank you!!!

 

This post pretty much sums up how I feel about Icy Veins and I couldn't have said it better. I'd also like to give my thanks and appreciation to all the moderators and contributors for all the effort it takes to update and maintain this site. One question, though: is there a way to get notifications when a class' deck list gets updated? I check every class on an almost daily basis for new decks or updates to existing decks and was wondering if there was a more convenient way to do so. Thanks again!

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Liking the new org a lot. Been coming here to net-deck and learn since I found out about it. Without the Basic deck guides and Gold Guide and (very importantly) Why Am I Losing I might have given up on HS pretty early. Improving (slowly) now and really enjoying it. Looking forward to being good enough to do my decks justice now!

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
Sign in to follow this  

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.

  • Similar Content

    • By Staff
      Hearthstone is taking a bold step into the StarCraft universe with "Heroes of StarCraft: The Great Dark Beyond," a 49-card mini-set launching in January 2025.
      Featuring iconic factions like Zerg, Protoss, and Terran, complete with legendary leaders Sarah Kerrigan, Artanis, Jim Raynor, this set blends StarCraft nostalgia with Hearthstone's gameplay.
      Additionally, Arena Mode is getting a massive overhaul, introducing shorter Normal Arena runs and a high-stakes Underground Arena with a game matching "re-draft on loss" mechanic, giving you the option to re-draft cards, edit your deck, and keep your run alive, after you lose.
      The year ahead promises 3 expansions, including the Emerald Dream's battle between Old Gods and Druids, a return to Un'Goro Crater, and a Chromie-led journey through alternate realities.
      (Source)
      Hearthstone: Heroes of StarCraft – The Great Dark Beyond Mini-Set  
      Early next year, Hearthstone is going beyond Warcraft and into... Heroes of StarCraft! This special Mini-Set will have a whopping 49 new cards across three themed factions, which show what the StarCraft universe would look like in the Hearthstone Tavern. Each faction is made up of cards that can be used across multiple classes, including an iconic Hero card. 
       Zerg 
      Death Knight, Demon Hunter, Hunter, and Warlock have joined the Zerg! Led by the formidable  Sarah Kerrigan, they will have aggressive cards that win the game by swarming the board. 
       Protoss 
      Druid, Mage, Priest, and Rogue fight for the Protoss Empire. Led by the High Templar Artanis, they will have powerful, high-cost cards that are made cheaper throughout the game. 
       Terran 
      Paladin, Shaman, and Warrior make up the Terran forces, led by the one and only Jim Raynor. They will command Battlecruisers—a special take on the Starship mechanic from The Great Dark Beyond. 
      The Mini-Set will feature a slew of StarCraft units which are sure to invoke nostalgia, as well as the Terran-armored Murloc, Grunty, and new, thematic music. You can chart a course for the Heroes of StarCraft Mini-Set, launching in January 2025! More announcements, details, and card reveals are coming closer to launch. 
       Major Arena Updates 
      Then, for the first time in 10 years, Arena Mode is getting a major overhaul. With that update, there will be two kinds of Arena to choose from. Normal Arena will be shorter form, allowing you to complete your runs more quickly. Competitive Arena players will be able to play in the higher-stakes Underground Arena, with longer runs and a new feature: Re-Draft on Loss. Re-Draft on Loss means that, after you lose, you’ll have the option to re-draft cards, edit your deck, and keep your run alive. 
      Ratings will also be added to both Normal and Underground Arena. Normal, skill-based matchmaking will be used for Normal Arena. Underground Arena throws caution to the wind and lets you face off against opponents of all skill levels. 
      This major Arena revamp is coming in the first half of next year. Look out for more details about this update closer to when it goes live. 
      A Preview of the Year Ahead: The Year of the Raptor!
      On top of those updates, Hearthstone has an exciting year of expansions ahead, with much-requested themes, locations, and familiar faces across Azeroth. 
      In the first expansion of the year, enter the Emerald Dream and join the battle between the Old Gods and the Druids of the Emerald Dream for the fate of the World Tree. Things will heat up even more when the Druids of the Flame light up the Mini-Set (releasing earlier than normal this year, during the 32.2 Patch). 
      The second expansion of the year will be Hearthstone’s first-ever sequel: the return to Un’Goro Crater! Join Elise on a hunt for a mythical, lost Tortollan city. When you find it, join the Tortollans in a festival to celebrate the mighty dinosaurs of the crater in the 33.4 Mini-Set. 
      In the third expansion of the year, travel with Chromie through alternate realities to recruit Legendary Warcraft heroes like you’ve never seen them before. Leading to the 34.4 Mini-Set: an epic showdown against Murozond at the end of time! 
    • By HSEnthusiast
      Today, we're recapping the four Shaman cards revealed by Gamespot. We also have some dev clarifications on how they work.
      If you missed our previous Warrior recap, you will find it here.

       
      What a way to kick things off; this card looks insane! The dream is that Drakuru takes out two of your opponent’s minions, resurrects them on your side, and survives combat somehow. You’re looking at a 5-for-1 exchange on board.
      In the more likely scenario that it doesn’t survive, that’s still a complete flip of the board state. Even if it’s trading into a single big minion on the opponent’s side, that’s still a 2-for-1, with that 1 on your side being a big tough-to-kill minion. The only worry is that there will sometimes be late-game scenarios where the 6/8 stat line won’t be enough to get you any resurrections, but I’m hopeful those are few and far between.
      Still, even if the Big Shaman archetype doesn’t catch on for Shaman, I expect this card, in particular, to find a home in Renathal Control Shaman lists. This card is doing much of the same work that Sylvanas and Insatiable Devourer are without having to run through the trouble of infusing first.

      Once again, another big expensive card and a solid showy effect to go along with it. Obvious deathrattle/reborn synergy, as well as good with big minions in general. At 10 cost, it will take up your entire mana pool for the turn, though there are things you can do to play around that as a shaman.
      We’ve gotten some clarification from the devs on the mechanics of this one:
      All the copies summoned die at the end of the effect trigger after having attacked. Unfortunately, it won’t be some corruption-style aura effect that a cheeky Showstopper effect can silence off. Your copies are made from your hand from left to right until no more board spaces are available. Beware that Colossals will summon their appendages and take up potential board space from your other copies. Windfury minions will only attack. Sorry Drakuru, no double freebies for you ? Minions that enter Dormant won’t attack, but they won’t die either! The interaction of getting free dormant minion copies on board is interesting, but is there enough to build a deck around? In standard, there is Gangplank, Slimescale, and Pelican Divers, but outside of From De Other Side “synergy,” they might not be worth it. In Wild, at the very least, there is meme potential with getting Magtheridion and The Darkness out with this and getting their battlecries to awaken both copies when you play them out the turn after.
      There’s obvious synergy with the other big cards revealed here, with Prescience loading up your hand with some beefy bois, getting get off reborn, lifesteal and deathrattle value, summon a minion from Overlord Drakuru.

      That’s a lot of keywords for a single card, but they work together to become the stuff of nightmares for any board-based aggro deck. Taunt and lifesteal make this a nightmare to trade into, and even with enough removal to clear the main body and the reborn one, the deathrattle effect still will hit for 3 twice and heal you for 6. So while the 3 attack won’t be anything to write home about, plopping this down will buy you a good deal of time. There’s also the possibility to make use of the leftover reborn 3/1 body to evolve into a 9 or 10 drop.

      This card will get you 2 Mana 2/3 Ghostly Apparitions with the Undead minion type, which can matter for cards like Unliving Champion, or Invincible, for instance. Suppose you trigger the secondary ability here both times. In that case, that’s a pretty sweet deal right there, advancing a Big Shaman win con in 2 ways: The taunt on the Ghostly Apparitions advances your gameplan of stalling the game out until you can stabilize on board enough to play the 5+ Mana minions you’ve tutored out of the deck.
      We’ve theory crafted 3 potential builds that can use this package of Shaman cards.
      First, consider diving head first into the Big Shaman theme, bringing in Vanndar Stormpike and forgoing all other sub-5 cost minions to get max value out of Prescience and From De Other Side. We’re also going to run with the evolve subtheme to take advantage of any leftover bodies that we might get from Stoneborn General, Overlord Drakuru, or Blighblood Berserkers. The departure of the Knights of the Frozen Throne set will make evolving 10 drops better again now that there are no more Snowfury Giants in the Evolve pool, and we get to re-roll for the generally better bodies from the 10 costs. We’re adding in some early-game removal to compensate for the lack of early drops so we can better survive the early game.
      Deck code / link: 
      AAECAaoICunQBMORBKeNBK/ZBNnsA/rsA4qSBfuRBYfUBKrZBArG+QOs7QS12QTgtQS22QTblATGzgTj9gOGoQX4oAUA
      Next, let’s try to use the standard Renathal Control Shaman archetype that’s doing rather well in the meta as a starting point. One safe idea is to look at slotting Overlord Drakuru and potentially Brightblood Berskerker and From De Other Side into this standard XL Renathal Control Shaman as ways of fighting back on board while getting your infuse cards stacked up.
      Deck code / link: 
      AAECAaoIFKjuA6bvA4b6A6SBBMORBMeyBOm2BOnQBJjUBLjZBJfvBKTvBNWyBODtBIqSBdWyBPuRBfSgBbzwBODtBArG+QPTgASVkgTblATgtQSWtwSywQTFzgS12QS22QQA
      We could instead also try and drop all the duplicates from the list and convert it into a Reno deck, as the deck was already playing a lot of one-offs. That gives us just enough room for one of each of these bad boys, which together with Reno will up the turnaround potential of the deck at the cost of a little bit of consistency. Doing so we can end up with this list:
      Deck code / link: 
      AECAaoICunQBMORBKeNBK/ZBNnsA/rsA4qSBfuRBYfUBKrZBArG+QOs7QS12QTgtQS22QTblATGzgTj9gOGoQX4oAUA
      Why not use both and make it a Reno-thal deck? Prescience and Windchill will try to compensate for the loss of card draw from droping one copy of Gorloc Ravager and Famished fool. We are adding in Convincing Disguise to have still enough evolve effects around. The idea of including Bracing Cold and Far Sight is to hopefully discount From De Other Side or the evolve cards so we make use of any leftover bodies in the same turn. Ozumat’s in here not just to get us up to 40 cards, but because it’s a near guaranteed board clear combo with From De Other side, if you manage your hand and board space just right, that leaves you with all its appendages afterward.
      Deck code / link: 
      AAECAaoIKKjuA6bvA6SBBMORBMeyBOm2BOnQBJjUBLjZBJfvBKTvBMb5A9OABJWSBNuUBNWyBOC1BJa3BLLBBMXOBMbOBLXZBLbZBODtBLzwBIb6A6/ZBPrsA/SgBcSsBNnsA4fUBIXUBLGwBJrUBLzOBIahBfigBYqSBfuRBQAA
       
    • By HSEnthusiast
      March of the Lich King, set to release on December 6th, is Hearthstone's third expansion in the Year of the Hydra. Blizzard gave us an early sneak peek at some of the Warrior cards revealed today that we discuss in our latest post.
      Today, we'd like to dive into the Warrior cards revealed by Inven Global.

      Pretty straightforward card. The effect gives us much more value the larger the minion is. It gets really scary with the potential follow-up with Bulk Up giving you this massively overstated minion in hand twice. Or If you can get this on Mor’shan Elite, that’s another nice double dip of value.

      Honestly, this feels like it was tailor-made to be the ideal target of Last Stand, as your opponent can’t easily get rid of it with cheap removal. It lets you use your stats immediately by letting you trade in and stabilize with a big taunt. It might not be too shabby on its own, as the 3 effects make it an annoying wall most opponents will be forced to trade into.

      Wow, they’re really not holding back with hand disruption this set. One (nearly) guaranteed discard is pretty impactful and becomes a must-remove card in any control matchup. This card will absolutely crush the hearts of some Big Spell Mages in the coming months, that’s for sure.
      It should be noted that this discard, the devs have confirmed to us that it will trigger your opponent’s “Whenever you discard a card” effects. So try and clear a Discard Warlock's Tiny Knight of Evil and perhaps try to play around having Suffocating Shadows or Soul Barrage trigger in that matchup. 

      To round off the control toolbox from this expansion, we’ve got a pretty unique effect here. Hopefully, this doesn’t end up being too easy to play around for savvy opponents. You could pre-empt this by running out a Blademaster Okani first and baiting out your opponent into playing a small spell first. But still, while the effect will only be as game-changing as your opponent’s last spell, getting any meaningful spell off seems pretty nice.
      Putting it all together, we have put together an interesting Taunt Control Warrior decklist to try out:  AAECAQcMmu0D784EvIoE2fkDqIoEiN8E784E0qwEmu0DlJUEzJIFiKAECcWSBZTtA47tA5+fBImgBIagBJDUBMSSBcuSBQA= . Slotting in Varian seems like a natural addition to any deck with Silverfury Stalwart and Tealan hops along to be the one divine shield minion you might want to have in your control deck. Rokara and Remornia are just good cards and they’ll go a long way to having your Mor’shan Elite’s active. The rest of the deck is the classic Control Warrior shell that will hopefully give you the armor and removal needed to live long enough to throw down your double-stated taunted win conditions.
      https://hearthstone.blizzard.com/deckbuilder?deckcode=AAECAQcMmu0D784EvIoE2fkDqIoEiN8E784E0qwEmu0DlJUEzJIFiKAECcWSBZTtA47tA5%2BfBImgBIagBJDUBMSSBcuSBQA%3D
    • By Staff
      Murder at Castle Nathria is Hearthstone's latest expansion. It adds a new Infuse keyword that absorbs anima from your friendly minions, a new card type named Locations, and more.  
      (Source)
      .blog-detail .gallery figure { width: 100%; max-width: calc((100% / 3) - 6px); } @media screen and (max-width: 600px){ .blog-detail .gallery { justify-content: center; } .blog-detail .gallery figure { width: 100%; max-width: 250px; } .blog-detail h4 { text-align: center; } } Announcing
      Murder at Castle Nathria
      Hearthstone’s Newest Expansion

      The Shadowlands is normally where souls go after they die, so when someone dies in the Shadowlands, that’s a special kind of mystery. Sire Denathrius invited 10 of his counterparts and enemies to Castle Nathria for a dinner party so that he could address the malicious rumors that he is hoarding anima, the life-energy that is drained from tortured souls and used to power the Shadowlands. But just after the festivities started, Sire Denathrius was found dead! It seems a gaggle of enemies does not a good dinner party make. Now the illustrious Murloc Holmes, and his trusty sidekick Watfin, have been called to solve the case. Scour new Location cards, follow the trail of Infused minions, question the 10 Legendary suspects, and help determine who committed Murder at Castle Nathria!   

      Murder at Castle Nathria will launch worldwide on August 2 with 135 new collectible cards! You can find the full Murder at Castle Nathria reveal schedule, and all cards that have already been revealed, by visiting the card library here. Check back frequently—the list will be updated with new cards as they’re revealed!
      Ten Suspicious Suspects
      Sire Denathrius had a lot of enemies. And it just so happens that 10 of them were under his roof at the time of his demise! Each class will have a Legendary minion that is a prime suspect in Sire Denathrius’s murder. They all have the means and the motive, but it is up to you and Murloc Holmes to determine who is guilty.



      New Keyword: Infuse
      Anima, drawn from wayward souls, powers all the Shadowlands—and those who consume it! Cards with the Infuse keyword sit in your hand and absorb anima from your friendly minions as they die. After the specified number of friendly minions die while the Infuse card is in your hand, the Infuse card transforms into a more powerful version. Infuse your cards to unlock their full power!

      New Card Type: Locations
      Castle Nathria is like no place Hearthstone has ever been before. Explore the castle grounds through the all-new Location card type! Locations are played onto the battlefield for an initial cost, and then have an ability that can be activated for free on your turns, each time for a powerful effect. Each activation costs 1 Durability and has a 1-turn Cooldown. Every class gets their own Location card in Castle Nathria which represents where they claim their suspect was at the time of the murder, and synergizes with the themes of the class.

       
      Locations Gameplay Preview with Brian Kibler and Designer Leo Robles Gonzalez
      Want to get a longer look at the new Location card type? Join Brian Kibler and Game Designer Leo Robles Gonzalez as they explore the new Location card type, try them out in a couple games, and reveal some more new cards! Join them on Friday, July 1, at 11 a.m. (Pacific) on Twitch and Youtube!

      Prince Renathal Login Reward Available Now!
      Log in to Hearthstone to get your first hint at what Castle Nathria holds with the complimentary Prince Renathal Legendary minion!* Grow more powerful as you draw more souls to your cause with 40 life and a 40-card starting deck! Add him to your collection and see what you can do when you have more space to work with.

      * Limited one per account. After Patch 24.6, Prince Renathal will be granted upon opening your first Murder at Castle Nathria card pack instead of upon logging in.
      Pre-Purchase Murder at Castle Nathria
      The Murder at Castle Nathria Mega Bundle includes 80 Murder at Castle Nathria card packs, 5 Golden Murder at Castle Nathria card packs, two random Murder at Castle Nathria Legendary cards, the Sire Denathrius Warrior hero skin, the Denathrius card back, the Sandy Shores Battlegrounds Board, and 10 Mercenaries Packs!*

      The Murder at Castle Nathria Bundle includes 60 Murder at Castle Nathria card packs, 2 random Murder at Castle Nathria Legendary cards, and the Denathrius card back!

      Pre-purchase
      * Battleground Perks are not included in the Mega Bundle pre-purchase this time. We’re reworking how Battlegrounds Perks and rewards work for next Battlegrounds season. Until then, some of the current Perks are being extended. Check out the Patch Notes and stay tuned for more details.

    • By Damien
      This thread is for comments about our Handbuff Paladin Deck.
×
×
  • Create New...