Meta Check #6 – The Grand Tournament Begins!

Hi everyone!

I’m Alex, the new Team Manager for Team HSP. I’m excited to be a part of the team and to work with the great players on our team and the staff at HSP! I go by the handle Galaxybird when I game, and that’s the name I’ll be using here!

Meta Check is our weekly series that we’re where we share what decks Team HSP is currently and the meta that we each were up against. Check out the first episode here.

Team HSP constantly strive for Top 100 Finishes each season and we’d like to share the knowledge and the decks that we use during our climb with you.

Now that the August Season is finishing up, Team HSP is setting their sights on solid tournament finishes and exploring new decks in the new expansion, The Grand Tournament (TGT).

Be sure to check out our Monthly Meta Deck section to see what decks are being played and the guides for it.

Hoarth

1. What’s your initial feel for The Grand Tournament? Any cards you’re loving way more or way less than you thought?

   TGT has made paladin and shaman feel much stronger than I could’ve imagined. Of course, Patron is still the best deck, but paladin and shaman are actually viable classes now (in their Midranged builds). I’m really loving Totem Golem, its insanely strong for a 2 drop and solidifies Shaman’s early presence.

2. What are your top 3 decks currently? What TGT cards do they feature?

   Patron (no TGT cards), Face Hunter (very strong against Zoo, Shaman and Paladin; no tgt cards except maybe the divine shield 2/1 charge (Argent Horserider)), and Midranged paladin (Murloc Knight, Justicar Trueheart, Tuskarr Jouster)

3. What was the last tournament you competed in? How did you do?

   I participated on the Hearthlytics Open and I finished in the top 8 getting knocked out by HL_Muzzy.

4. How do you anticipate the meta changing now that you’ve seen some TGT cards in action?

   People are experimenting with a lot of decks right now though on the last day of the season, Patron will still be the top of the ladder deck.

Keyo

1. What’s your initial feel for The Grand Tournament? Any cards you’re loving way more or way less than you thought?

   I love TGT, it’s a super fresh meta and it’s great.I have been super impressed with Justicar Trueheart, it has really lived up to his hype, in addition I am really enjoying Frost Giant so far, it’s a very powerful card.

2. What are your top 3 decks currently? What TGT cards do they feature and why?

   Flood Paladin, Midrange Hunter, and Patron Warrior (in no particular order)

   While Patron has no additions with TGT, Paladin gained a ton of great cards with Justicar Trueheart, Silver Hand Regent, and Murloc Knight, all allowing you to play a more token oriented deck. Hunter on the other hand is always strong and consistent in a fluctuating meta. Its still being tested if King’s Elekk is good enough to see play, and my initial instinct is yes, a 3/2 for 2 beast is decent, but a 3/2 for 2 that can give you an even better chance of drawing a Savannah Highmane or Dr. Boom is great.

3. What was the last tournament you competed in? How did you do?

   Haven’t played in any tournaments recently as I’m on vacation, but I’m playing in the Archon Saturday Open monthly finals tomorrow (8/29) in my hotel room, so it should be interesting.

4. How do you anticipate the meta changing now that you’ve seen some TGT cards in action?

   Now that everyones tried out all the slow stuff, the meta will gradually get faster. still slower than it was, but it will be faster than it is now!

Lucky

1. What’s your initial feel for The Grand Tournament? Any cards you’re loving way more or way less than you thought?

   My feeling has been quite positive so far, the metagame is a bit slower and diverse these days.

   I would highlight Justicar Trueheart, that card is really cool and powerful in slow metagame.

2. What are your top 3 decks currently? What TGT cards do they feature and why?

   Totem Shaman – 2x Totem Golem, 2x Tuskarr Totemic, 2x Thunder Bluff Valiant. This deck is so much better after TGT because of how strong these additions are.

   Midrange Druid – 2x Darnassus Aspirant, 2x Living Roots. These new cards make the deck better against aggro and more consistent than the old version.

   Patron Warrior – No TGT cards, but still a top tier deck.

3. What was the last tournament you competed in? How did you do?

   My last tournament was Scan Invitational II, one day before TGT. I finished in the quarter finals.

   http://wiki.teamliquid.net/hearthstone/SCAN_Hearthstone_Invitational/2

4. How do you anticipate the meta changing now that you’ve seen some TGT cards in action?

   Curretly, the emerging deck seems to be Secret Paladin. After initial tests, many people are going to return to Patron Warrior because it remains one of the best decks. Druid is also very strong and one of the best options against Patron Warrior. From there it is very hard to know how the meta will develop.

Sixis

1. What’s your initial feel for The Grand Tournament? Any cards you’re loving way more or way less than you thought?

   So far it’s looking pretty good. I feel the sleeper card is Murloc Knight. Also on a second level Mysterious Challenger, but, in this case, more than surprised with the card(it was obviously insane) I’m surprised it was so easy to adapt it to a decent deck.

2. What are your top 3 decks currently? What TGT cards do they feature and why?

   I feel like Patron and Paladin are tier 1 with a lot of others really close in viability. I feel Patron might still be a level above everything else and Paladin is just a little flavor of the month atm.

3. What was the last tournament you competed in? How did you do?

   I placed Top 8 on the last TNH

4. How do you anticipate the meta changing now that you’ve seen some TGT cards in action?

   The meta moves on a fine line that balances around Patron Warrior. Paladin is in good position because of his ability to punish the deck that counter patron(handlock, ctrl warrior) Meanwhile, if paladin becomes prevalent patron will increase in numbers only to be neutralized by his “counters” and then paladin gets stronger again.

Koroneko

1. What’s your initial feel for The Grand Tournament? Any cards you’re loving way more or way less than you thought?

   i like TGT cards, because Joust is so strong against Aggro. i hate Aggro deck. so good Joust.

2. What are your top 3 decks currently? What TGT cards do they feature and why?

   Secret Paladin. Patron Warrior. Midrange/Combo Druid. Paladin is a new challenger – so strong. Druid is Darnassus Aspirant so strong against Aggro. Patron is ALWAYS EVERYONE GET IN HERE.

3. What was the last tournament you competed in? How did you do?

   1st! HGL Amateur 250 Series #1 2nd Rusty Horn #12

4. How do you anticipate the meta changing now that you’ve seen some TGT cards in action?

   Maybe always Tier 1 Secret Paladin.

Closing

Next week will mark the end of the August season and the end of season finishes having an impact on Blizzcon 2015. Check back as Team HSP delves deeper into TGT and focuses on Tournament play!

Have questions or feedback about this series? Leave your comments below. See you all next week!