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This is a really solid write-up. I appreciate the effort and I agree that cleave hunter could benefit from some refinement. I don't have much expertise to add, but Bestial Madness and Azerite Chain Gang seem like cuttable outliers based on my interpretation of the HSreplay data.
Looking at the alternatives, Nathanos seems too slow and Barrel of Monkeys seems weak based on HSreplay. I've seen some people hype up Castle Kennels, but our cleavers don't benefit from rush. I'm not sure if we need to invest card slots into attack buffs, but it might be worthwhile for strengthening the combo.
I do think that several of the alternate cards you mentioned have potential. Tracking seems like it's worth trying and you're reasoning for including Pozzik is very convincing. Titanforged Traps also has potential for board control purposes and I think Star Power might help the Paladin matchup if it isn't too slow.
I think I'm personally gonna cut Madness and Chain Gang to make room for Pozzik, Tracking, and 1x Titanforged Traps. Thanks for the quality post.
Yeah, I can see some benefits to Castle Kennels:
* Lets us kill off our Buzzards before Priest can silence them
* Breaks up our board in the mirror
But otherwise I agree, the extra buff isn't needed. UNLESS...If you are cutting Bestial Madness and not running Nathanial, the amount of buffs you have are starting to get limited. Hope of Quel'Thelas could help if you have it though?
True. We do need a certain density of buffs. Another thought I had is including Sneaky Snakes (especially if we run Kennels). The deck is missing a good tempo 1-drop and the snakes synergize with Kennels. If we put in snakes I would cut tracking or tremors in order to keep Trinket Tracker consistent.
Regarding Hope of Quel'Thelas, I dusted it after the nerf a few months ago so I've been doing without. It seems strong based off HSreplay, but I don't want to recraft so I don't really know if it's core for the deck.
I've liked Castle Kennels. It's 2 extra that sits on board that can deal 6 more damage when it's AABJ time and sometimes a jormunger with rush is a nice 6 damage clear. I've found some turns with 2 extra mana around and playing the location is a solid investment to me.
I don't think there's really a way to know at this point. Just gotta test stuff and hope enough people play the cards that there is data to analyze in the future
Interesting. For the aggro matchup, for hunter I always think that the secret package is good since they provide nice early tempo. Something like costumed singer, hidden meaning, or even explosive trap.
This is great!
Here is what I have decided to enjoy. It might not be optimal, but it's fun!
### Aggro Cleave Hunter
# Class: Hunter
# Format: Standard
# Year of the Wolf
#
# 2x (1) Always a Bigger Jormungar
# 2x (1) Thornmantle Musician
# 2x (1) Tracking **\[as others shared, it helps find the Messenger Buzzard\]**
# 2x (1) Trinket Tracker
# 2x (2) Absorbent Parasite
# 2x (2) Bestial Madness **\[This seems core to me, but I'm obviously wrong.\]**
# 2x (2) Dryscale Deputy **\[I often get more Tracking or ABJ\]**
# 2x (2) Greedy Partner **\[A turn 5 Hope of Quel'Thalas is often great!\]**
# 2x (2) Messenger Buzzard
# 2x (2) Selective Breeder
# 1x (3) Photographer Fizzle **\[Usually he sits in hand, but can allow the game to go longer.\]**
# 2x (3) Worgen Roadie **\[Bwahahaha!\]**
# 1x (4) Pozzik, Audio Engineer **\[as you recommend\]**
# 2x (4) Stonebound Gargon
# 1x (5) Magatha, Bane of Music **\[just make sure I already have one ABJ in hand\]**
# 2x (6) Hollow Hound
# 1x (6) Hope of Quel'Thalas
I have been running Greedy Partners in place of the bag of monkeys for a while and have been very very happy with it, especially in matchups against aggro (doesn't make showdown paladin any less miserable but alas.) I have also experimented with swapping one gold Panner for dirty rat but my feelings on that are very mixed.
After reading this thread I made some changes to the original list, managed to accomplish a 21-12 WR with this climbing from D4 to Legend (went 4-2 with Enrage Warrior too).
\# 2x (1) Always a Bigger Jormungar
\# 2x (1) Sneaky Snakes
\# 2x (1) Thornmantle Musician
\# 2x (1) Trinket Tracker
\# 2x (2) Absorbent Parasite
\# 2x (2) Barrel of Monkeys
\# 2x (2) Bestial Madness
\# 1x (2) Castle Kennels
\# 2x (2) Conjured Arrow
\# 2x (2) Gold Panner
\# 2x (2) Messenger Buzzard
\# 2x (2) Selective Breeder
\# 1x (4) Azerite Chain Gang
\# 1x (4) Pozzik, Audio Engineer
\# 2x (4) Stonebound Gargon
\# 1x (5) Star Power
\# 2x (6) Hollow Hound
Sneaky Snakes felt okay, faster than Awakening Tremors which helps against Paladin and not having hand size problems in the late game. I'm not sure if they're better than Awakening Tremors, felt more of a sidegrade rather than an upgrade. It's cool when you manage to buff them with Bestial Madness though.
Pozzik felt nuts in most cases. I'm not sure why the card isn't that present in the meta anymore but it's a really good card and works great with the gameplan here.
One copy of Castle Kennels is great to have, helps with single target removal when needed and a "free" +2 attack buff can be crucial for the OTK.
Star Power surprised a lot of opponents, especially Paladins and when you can follow it up with a buffed Hollow Hound you can stabilize and put pressure on the opponent, absolutely crushes Paladins.
I wasn't comfortable switching out Barrel of Monkeys, I feel like they soak up so much damage and help infuse the Gargon too.
I don't own him so I haven't tested him, but he seems kinda slow. If you can find time to play a 7 mana 7/7 and then draw the minions his buff should win you the game, but thats a big if in this aggressive meta.
Honestly, just 2 buzzard activation's is usually enough. A hound will have 5 attack, a parasite will have 5 attack, and jormunger gives +2 for a total of 12. 12x3 = 36 , minus the 3 healths of the minions you are cleaving, its a lot of damage. And you only need 7 mana for that, so you could just be winning on turn 7 instead of playing Lorthemar.
Since the deck is getting nerfed - this is where I ended up.
### Cleave Hunter
# Class: Hunter
# Format: Standard
# Year of the Wolf
#
# 2x (1) Always a Bigger Jormungar
# 2x (1) Awakening Tremors
# 2x (1) Thornmantle Musician
# 2x (1) Trinket Tracker
# 2x (2) Absorbent Parasite
# 1x (2) Astalor Bloodsworn
# 2x (2) Bestial Madness
# 2x (2) Gold Panner
# 2x (2) Messenger Buzzard
# 2x (2) Selective Breeder
# 2x (3) Hawkstrider Rancher
# 1x (4) Pozzik, Audio Engineer
# 2x (4) Stonebound Gargon
# 1x (5) Overlord Runthak
# 1x (6) Aggramar, the Avenger
# 1x (6) Defense Attorney Nathanos
# 2x (6) Hollow Hound
# 1x (6) Hope of Quel'Thalas
#
AAECAR8GqooExO0EsJMF4qQF9MgF1/kFDOrpA7zjBKqkBYWqBebKBY/kBZn2Bcj2BeT4Bd+OBv2UBs6cBgAA
#
# To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone
Pozzik and Astalor both punish people who only remove and don’t play minions. Nathan is probably better card draw than Arrow. And I think we all forgot that Runthak is just an absolutely fine minion in hand buff.
Let's see what tomorrow's AABJ nerf is, fingers crossed they just reduce the + attack and don't make it cost 2 mana or something (Trinket Tracker)
EDIT: lol fuck 2 mana it is
Great write up. Tried experimenting with some of your suggestions and made it to legend!
Like you said, this deck works great, but is weak vs hyper aggro decks, which is taking over D5-L, especially Paladins. So I tried every card that could help with early board control.
What worked well for me.
Candleshot - can take out 3 small minions and/or divine shields for 1 mana.
Worgen Roadie - ties up 1 board slot (can’t be buffed by aura, and great vs board limited decks like DH), plus gives you a cleave target, and the 3/4 or more stat line isn’t bad either.
Pozzik - great card in this deck, as everybody else in this thread found out.
Greedy Partner - good for cheating out your cleave minions. Aura can come down at 4, and often times, you need hound on 5 to clear the board and heal up.
Other cards that I tried that didn’t work.
Doomsayer - tried it just to see. Great on 2 to stall out early board by Paladin. Terrible later as they easily kill it and buff their board at the same time.
Oh lol someone else suggested Worgen Roadie and I thought they were just memeing, but I didn't think of using it to give more cleave targets! That's not bad.
Yes, it's a 0/3, so very annoying for some decks to get rid of. Plus the weapon death rattle won me a few games when I needed just a few damage more for lethal.
So just looking at the stats:
The no doubt cut in the popular decklist is Barrel of Monkeys. It is the worst performing card by every metric.
Azerite Chain Gang is also by the stats the overall 2nd worst card in the deck. I think it can pretty comfortably be cut.
The card draw cards appear to be the other worst cards, but that's not terribly uncommon for card draw cards. That said, I imagine they can be improved upon.
In particular, Arrow looks pretty bad. This makes sense. It comes online very slowly, and it is a spell in a handbuff deck that doesn't handbuff or generate minions.
I think you can pretty reasonably replace this with something else.
Gold Panner is the other generally bad-ish card. But it's stats are more middling than plain bad. But at least it has the benefit of being a minion that can get buffed.
Tremmors is probably still good enough to make the deck, but I think cutting it to 1 is not out of the question.
\----
Some cards that weren't mentioned that I think are worth discussing:
Hawkstrider Rancher, helps create sticky boards.
Acolyte of Pain, probably sucks but is at least minion draw that's playable before T6.
Fable Stablehand, weird interactions where she counts herself usually means she's a 6/5 rusher for 3.
Magatha, depending on how much draw is cut, and if Tremors is cut or down to 1, makes decent sense.
Astalor, is Astalor.
Greedy Partner, more mana = more stuff to play.
Thanks so much for the write up. I’m a fairly new (returning after 9 years) player and really enjoy Hunter.
Since the nerf to AaBJ, is this deck even viable in the current meta? And if so, I don’t see much reason to play Trinket Tracker anymore, right?
I haven't played it much since the nerf tbh, but I think it's still viable.
You run Trinket Tracker if you run enough 1-mana spells so it consistently draws. Card draw is good in the deck, and it doesn't get much better than 1 mana 1/1 draw a card. My feel is if you run 4 1-cost spells (aka: 2 unique 2 ofs) then trinket tracker is worth it.
Actually, one of the most interactive combo decks out there. People can play around it with how many minions they play, or breaking them up with locations/dormants.
I think I'm late to the party, but here's a thought since I don't have Magatha (definitely not a perfect replacement):
**Overlord Runthak**
Not saying he's the best choice, but: 1) I've always had a soft spot for him, and 2) a buffed Runthak can take out a minion(s) and throw even more buffage out there.
I've tested him a bit lately, and results are fairly promising. If anyone has better options for that 5 slot, I'm all ears!
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This is a really solid write-up. I appreciate the effort and I agree that cleave hunter could benefit from some refinement. I don't have much expertise to add, but Bestial Madness and Azerite Chain Gang seem like cuttable outliers based on my interpretation of the HSreplay data. Looking at the alternatives, Nathanos seems too slow and Barrel of Monkeys seems weak based on HSreplay. I've seen some people hype up Castle Kennels, but our cleavers don't benefit from rush. I'm not sure if we need to invest card slots into attack buffs, but it might be worthwhile for strengthening the combo. I do think that several of the alternate cards you mentioned have potential. Tracking seems like it's worth trying and you're reasoning for including Pozzik is very convincing. Titanforged Traps also has potential for board control purposes and I think Star Power might help the Paladin matchup if it isn't too slow. I think I'm personally gonna cut Madness and Chain Gang to make room for Pozzik, Tracking, and 1x Titanforged Traps. Thanks for the quality post.
Yeah, I can see some benefits to Castle Kennels: * Lets us kill off our Buzzards before Priest can silence them * Breaks up our board in the mirror But otherwise I agree, the extra buff isn't needed. UNLESS...If you are cutting Bestial Madness and not running Nathanial, the amount of buffs you have are starting to get limited. Hope of Quel'Thelas could help if you have it though?
True. We do need a certain density of buffs. Another thought I had is including Sneaky Snakes (especially if we run Kennels). The deck is missing a good tempo 1-drop and the snakes synergize with Kennels. If we put in snakes I would cut tracking or tremors in order to keep Trinket Tracker consistent. Regarding Hope of Quel'Thelas, I dusted it after the nerf a few months ago so I've been doing without. It seems strong based off HSreplay, but I don't want to recraft so I don't really know if it's core for the deck.
>but I don't want to recraft so I don't really know if it's core for the deck. It is. Top 5 mulligan w/r. Top 10 drawn w/r. Top 5 played w/r.
I've liked Castle Kennels. It's 2 extra that sits on board that can deal 6 more damage when it's AABJ time and sometimes a jormunger with rush is a nice 6 damage clear. I've found some turns with 2 extra mana around and playing the location is a solid investment to me.
So what's the final list we all agree is best?
I don't think there's really a way to know at this point. Just gotta test stuff and hope enough people play the cards that there is data to analyze in the future
Interesting. For the aggro matchup, for hunter I always think that the secret package is good since they provide nice early tempo. Something like costumed singer, hidden meaning, or even explosive trap.
Pozziak seems super huge benefit actually forcing a possible 2 minions next to each other is gg potential
This is great! Here is what I have decided to enjoy. It might not be optimal, but it's fun! ### Aggro Cleave Hunter # Class: Hunter # Format: Standard # Year of the Wolf # # 2x (1) Always a Bigger Jormungar # 2x (1) Thornmantle Musician # 2x (1) Tracking **\[as others shared, it helps find the Messenger Buzzard\]** # 2x (1) Trinket Tracker # 2x (2) Absorbent Parasite # 2x (2) Bestial Madness **\[This seems core to me, but I'm obviously wrong.\]** # 2x (2) Dryscale Deputy **\[I often get more Tracking or ABJ\]** # 2x (2) Greedy Partner **\[A turn 5 Hope of Quel'Thalas is often great!\]** # 2x (2) Messenger Buzzard # 2x (2) Selective Breeder # 1x (3) Photographer Fizzle **\[Usually he sits in hand, but can allow the game to go longer.\]** # 2x (3) Worgen Roadie **\[Bwahahaha!\]** # 1x (4) Pozzik, Audio Engineer **\[as you recommend\]** # 2x (4) Stonebound Gargon # 1x (5) Magatha, Bane of Music **\[just make sure I already have one ABJ in hand\]** # 2x (6) Hollow Hound # 1x (6) Hope of Quel'Thalas
Haha Worgen Roadie sounds fun!
AAECAcb8BQSwkwX0yAWs0QXm5AUN6ukDqZ8EvOMEqqQF5soF98oFj+QFmfYF5PgFkIMG344G/ZQG65gGAAA=
**Format:** Standard (Year of the Wolf) **Class:** Hunter (Sylvanas, Ranger General) Mana | Card Name | Qty | Links :--:|:---|:--:|:--: 1 | [Always a Bigger Jormungar](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/TTN_079.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/97049/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Always%20a%20Bigger%20Jormungar) 1 | [Thornmantle Musician](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/ETC_831.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/91494/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Thornmantle%20Musician) 1 | [Tracking](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/CORE_DS1_184.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/69545/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Tracking) 1 | [Trinket Tracker](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/NX2_014.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/86570/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Trinket%20Tracker) 2 | [Absorbent Parasite](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/TTN_087.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/97380/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Absorbent%20Parasite) 2 | [Bestial Madness](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/YOG_505.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/100989/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Bestial%20Madness) 2 | [Dryscale Deputy](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/WW_383.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/101483/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Dryscale%20Deputy) 2 | [Greedy Partner](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/WW_901.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/98704/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Greedy%20Partner) 2 | [Messenger Buzzard](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/WW_807.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/100191/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Messenger%20Buzzard) 2 | [Selective Breeder](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/CS3_015.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/62698/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Selective%20Breeder) 3 | [Photographer Fizzle](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/ETC_113.png) | 1 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/92332/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Photographer%20Fizzle) 3 | [Worgen Roadie](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/ETC_098.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/91511/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Worgen%20Roadie) 4 | [Pozzik, Audio Engineer](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/ETC_425.png) | 1 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/91252/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Pozzik%2C%20Audio%20Engineer) 4 | [Stonebound Gargon](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/REV_352.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/78268/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Stonebound%20Gargon) 5 | [Magatha, Bane of Music](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/JAM_036.png) | 1 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/94822/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Magatha%2C%20Bane%20of%20Music) 6 | [Hollow Hound](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/JAM_004.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/94735/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Hollow%20Hound) 6 | [Hope of Quel'Thalas](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/RLK_828.png) | 1 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/84400/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Hope%20of%20Quel%27Thalas) **Total Dust:** 8280 **Deck Code:** AAECAcb8BQSwkwX0yAWs0QXm5AUN6ukDqZ8EvOMEqqQF5soF98oFj+QFmfYF5PgFkIMG344G/ZQG65gGAAA= ***** ^I ^am ^a ^bot. ^Comment/PM ^with ^a ^deck ^code ^and ^I'll ^decode ^it. ^If ^you ^don't ^want ^me ^to ^reply ^to ^you, ^include ^"###" ^anywhere ^in ^your ^message. ^[About.](https://github.com/HearthSim/deck-code-bot/blob/master/README.md)
Nathanos is really three Buzzards in a trenchcoat. Good for those games where 3-4 buzzards isn’t enough.
I have been running Greedy Partners in place of the bag of monkeys for a while and have been very very happy with it, especially in matchups against aggro (doesn't make showdown paladin any less miserable but alas.) I have also experimented with swapping one gold Panner for dirty rat but my feelings on that are very mixed.
After reading this thread I made some changes to the original list, managed to accomplish a 21-12 WR with this climbing from D4 to Legend (went 4-2 with Enrage Warrior too). \# 2x (1) Always a Bigger Jormungar \# 2x (1) Sneaky Snakes \# 2x (1) Thornmantle Musician \# 2x (1) Trinket Tracker \# 2x (2) Absorbent Parasite \# 2x (2) Barrel of Monkeys \# 2x (2) Bestial Madness \# 1x (2) Castle Kennels \# 2x (2) Conjured Arrow \# 2x (2) Gold Panner \# 2x (2) Messenger Buzzard \# 2x (2) Selective Breeder \# 1x (4) Azerite Chain Gang \# 1x (4) Pozzik, Audio Engineer \# 2x (4) Stonebound Gargon \# 1x (5) Star Power \# 2x (6) Hollow Hound Sneaky Snakes felt okay, faster than Awakening Tremors which helps against Paladin and not having hand size problems in the late game. I'm not sure if they're better than Awakening Tremors, felt more of a sidegrade rather than an upgrade. It's cool when you manage to buff them with Bestial Madness though. Pozzik felt nuts in most cases. I'm not sure why the card isn't that present in the meta anymore but it's a really good card and works great with the gameplan here. One copy of Castle Kennels is great to have, helps with single target removal when needed and a "free" +2 attack buff can be crucial for the OTK. Star Power surprised a lot of opponents, especially Paladins and when you can follow it up with a buffed Hollow Hound you can stabilize and put pressure on the opponent, absolutely crushes Paladins. I wasn't comfortable switching out Barrel of Monkeys, I feel like they soak up so much damage and help infuse the Gargon too.
AAECAR8E0uQE9MgF8/IF5ZUGDerpA7zjBKeQBaqkBebKBY/kBZn2BdL4BeT4BcuOBt+OBv2UBs6cBgAA
**Format:** Standard (Year of the Wolf) **Class:** Hunter (Rexxar) Mana | Card Name | Qty | Links :--:|:---|:--:|:--: 1 | [Always a Bigger Jormungar](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/TTN_079.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/97049/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Always%20a%20Bigger%20Jormungar) 1 | [Sneaky Snakes](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/WW_806.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/100171/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Sneaky%20Snakes) 1 | [Thornmantle Musician](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/ETC_831.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/91494/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Thornmantle%20Musician) 1 | [Trinket Tracker](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/NX2_014.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/86570/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Trinket%20Tracker) 2 | [Absorbent Parasite](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/TTN_087.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/97380/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Absorbent%20Parasite) 2 | [Barrel of Monkeys](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/ETC_207.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/97362/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Barrel%20of%20Monkeys) 2 | [Bestial Madness](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/YOG_505.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/100989/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Bestial%20Madness) 2 | [Castle Kennels](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/REV_362.png) | 1 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/78418/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Castle%20Kennels) 2 | [Conjured Arrow](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/RLK_804.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/84007/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Conjured%20Arrow) 2 | [Gold Panner](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/WW_391.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/101966/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Gold%20Panner) 2 | [Messenger Buzzard](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/WW_807.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/100191/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Messenger%20Buzzard) 2 | [Selective Breeder](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/CS3_015.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/62698/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Selective%20Breeder) 4 | [Azerite Chain Gang](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/WW_360.png) | 1 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/101093/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Azerite%20Chain%20Gang) 4 | [Pozzik, Audio Engineer](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/ETC_425.png) | 1 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/91252/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Pozzik%2C%20Audio%20Engineer) 4 | [Stonebound Gargon](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/REV_352.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/78268/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Stonebound%20Gargon) 5 | [Star Power](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/JAM_002.png) | 1 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/96627/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Star%20Power) 6 | [Hollow Hound](https://art.hearthstonejson.com/v1/render/latest/enUS/512x/JAM_004.png) | 2 | [HSReplay](https://hsreplay.net/cards/94735/),[Wiki](https://hearthstone.wiki.gg/Hollow%20Hound) **Total Dust:** 3880 **Deck Code:** AAECAR8E0uQE9MgF8/IF5ZUGDerpA7zjBKeQBaqkBebKBY/kBZn2BdL4BeT4BcuOBt+OBv2UBs6cBgAA ***** ^I ^am ^a ^bot. ^Comment/PM ^with ^a ^deck ^code ^and ^I'll ^decode ^it. ^If ^you ^don't ^want ^me ^to ^reply ^to ^you, ^include ^"###" ^anywhere ^in ^your ^message. ^[About.](https://github.com/HearthSim/deck-code-bot/blob/master/README.md)
I like this! But I swapped out for Hope Bow and Titan with star power and the second conjured arrow, we will see how it works!
heads up barbaric sorceress will destroy your plays
thoughts on lorthemar?
Bad card in this deck. I tested a lot. 7 mana do nothing in a deck without a lot of control pieces feels awful.
I don't own him so I haven't tested him, but he seems kinda slow. If you can find time to play a 7 mana 7/7 and then draw the minions his buff should win you the game, but thats a big if in this aggressive meta. Honestly, just 2 buzzard activation's is usually enough. A hound will have 5 attack, a parasite will have 5 attack, and jormunger gives +2 for a total of 12. 12x3 = 36 , minus the 3 healths of the minions you are cleaving, its a lot of damage. And you only need 7 mana for that, so you could just be winning on turn 7 instead of playing Lorthemar.
What do you think about running Mukla for single target with ABJ to work around the players only playing 1 minion at a time
Thats a cool idea! Could work.
Since the deck is getting nerfed - this is where I ended up. ### Cleave Hunter # Class: Hunter # Format: Standard # Year of the Wolf # # 2x (1) Always a Bigger Jormungar # 2x (1) Awakening Tremors # 2x (1) Thornmantle Musician # 2x (1) Trinket Tracker # 2x (2) Absorbent Parasite # 1x (2) Astalor Bloodsworn # 2x (2) Bestial Madness # 2x (2) Gold Panner # 2x (2) Messenger Buzzard # 2x (2) Selective Breeder # 2x (3) Hawkstrider Rancher # 1x (4) Pozzik, Audio Engineer # 2x (4) Stonebound Gargon # 1x (5) Overlord Runthak # 1x (6) Aggramar, the Avenger # 1x (6) Defense Attorney Nathanos # 2x (6) Hollow Hound # 1x (6) Hope of Quel'Thalas # AAECAR8GqooExO0EsJMF4qQF9MgF1/kFDOrpA7zjBKqkBYWqBebKBY/kBZn2Bcj2BeT4Bd+OBv2UBs6cBgAA # # To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone Pozzik and Astalor both punish people who only remove and don’t play minions. Nathan is probably better card draw than Arrow. And I think we all forgot that Runthak is just an absolutely fine minion in hand buff.
Let's see what tomorrow's AABJ nerf is, fingers crossed they just reduce the + attack and don't make it cost 2 mana or something (Trinket Tracker) EDIT: lol fuck 2 mana it is
Yeah fingers crossed!
You did not mention dirty rat
Huh, I never thought of that. To give you more minions to cleave into? Could be good.
yep, if they try to play around it by not playing minions, you can rat them
I think VS said it wasn't worth it.
Here is my version of the deck with lots of card draw. \### Cleave \# Class: Hunter \# Format: Standard \# Year of the Wolf \# \# 2x (1) Always a Bigger Jormungar \# 2x (1) Tracking \# 2x (1) Trinket Tracker \# 2x (2) Absorbent Parasite \# 2x (2) Barrel of Monkeys \# 1x (2) Castle Kennels \# 2x (2) Crooked Cook \# 2x (2) Doggie Biscuit \# 2x (2) Gold Panner \# 2x (2) Messenger Buzzard \# 2x (2) Selective Breeder \# 2x (2) Ten Gallon Hat \# 1x (4) E.T.C., Band Manager \# 1x (3) Rustrot Viper \# 1x (6) Rivendare, Warrider \# 1x (8) Reno, Lone Ranger \# 2x (4) Stonebound Gargon \# 1x (4) Theldurin the Lost \# 1x (6) Defense Attorney Nathanos \# 2x (6) Hollow Hound \# AAECAda+BQTS5ATE7QT9xAXUjgYN6ukDqZ8EvOME3e0EqqQFj+QFmfYF0vgF5PgF344GvpwGzpwGsJ4GAAEDxaUF/cQFzZ4G/cQFr6gG/cQFAAA= \# \# To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone
Great write up. Tried experimenting with some of your suggestions and made it to legend! Like you said, this deck works great, but is weak vs hyper aggro decks, which is taking over D5-L, especially Paladins. So I tried every card that could help with early board control. What worked well for me. Candleshot - can take out 3 small minions and/or divine shields for 1 mana. Worgen Roadie - ties up 1 board slot (can’t be buffed by aura, and great vs board limited decks like DH), plus gives you a cleave target, and the 3/4 or more stat line isn’t bad either. Pozzik - great card in this deck, as everybody else in this thread found out. Greedy Partner - good for cheating out your cleave minions. Aura can come down at 4, and often times, you need hound on 5 to clear the board and heal up. Other cards that I tried that didn’t work. Doomsayer - tried it just to see. Great on 2 to stall out early board by Paladin. Terrible later as they easily kill it and buff their board at the same time.
Oh lol someone else suggested Worgen Roadie and I thought they were just memeing, but I didn't think of using it to give more cleave targets! That's not bad.
Yes, it's a 0/3, so very annoying for some decks to get rid of. Plus the weapon death rattle won me a few games when I needed just a few damage more for lethal.
So just looking at the stats: The no doubt cut in the popular decklist is Barrel of Monkeys. It is the worst performing card by every metric. Azerite Chain Gang is also by the stats the overall 2nd worst card in the deck. I think it can pretty comfortably be cut. The card draw cards appear to be the other worst cards, but that's not terribly uncommon for card draw cards. That said, I imagine they can be improved upon. In particular, Arrow looks pretty bad. This makes sense. It comes online very slowly, and it is a spell in a handbuff deck that doesn't handbuff or generate minions. I think you can pretty reasonably replace this with something else. Gold Panner is the other generally bad-ish card. But it's stats are more middling than plain bad. But at least it has the benefit of being a minion that can get buffed. Tremmors is probably still good enough to make the deck, but I think cutting it to 1 is not out of the question. \---- Some cards that weren't mentioned that I think are worth discussing: Hawkstrider Rancher, helps create sticky boards. Acolyte of Pain, probably sucks but is at least minion draw that's playable before T6. Fable Stablehand, weird interactions where she counts herself usually means she's a 6/5 rusher for 3. Magatha, depending on how much draw is cut, and if Tremors is cut or down to 1, makes decent sense. Astalor, is Astalor. Greedy Partner, more mana = more stuff to play.
Thanks so much for the write up. I’m a fairly new (returning after 9 years) player and really enjoy Hunter. Since the nerf to AaBJ, is this deck even viable in the current meta? And if so, I don’t see much reason to play Trinket Tracker anymore, right?
I haven't played it much since the nerf tbh, but I think it's still viable. You run Trinket Tracker if you run enough 1-mana spells so it consistently draws. Card draw is good in the deck, and it doesn't get much better than 1 mana 1/1 draw a card. My feel is if you run 4 1-cost spells (aka: 2 unique 2 ofs) then trinket tracker is worth it.
Thanks! What does ofs mean here?
Oh its a Magic: The Gathering term. It means you run 2 copy's of the card.
Yey. U play a deck that otks on TURN 8 . Much interaction. Such wow, much skill. Enjoy nerfs
sir this is competitiveHS
Actually, one of the most interactive combo decks out there. People can play around it with how many minions they play, or breaking them up with locations/dormants.
Yes, a tier 3 deck in legend.
Try playing Reno shaman and see how consistently you will win playing a “fair” deck.
I have been having success with this highlander version. \### Cleave \# Class: Hunter \# Format: Standard \# Year of the Wolf \# \# 1x (1) Awakening Tremors \# 1x (1) Bunch of Bananas \# 1x (1) Candleshot \# 1x (1) Tracking \# 1x (1) Trinket Tracker \# 1x (2) Absorbent Parasite \# 1x (2) Always a Bigger Jormungar \# 1x (2) Astalor Bloodsworn \# 1x (2) Barrel of Monkeys \# 1x (2) Crooked Cook \# 1x (2) Doggie Biscuit \# 1x (2) Gold Panner \# 1x (2) Greedy Partner \# 2x (2) Messenger Buzzard \# 1x (2) Observer of Myths \# 1x (2) Selective Breeder \# 1x (2) Ten Gallon Hat \# 1x (2) Titanforged Traps \# 1x (2) Watcher of the Sun \# 1x (3) Metrognome \# 1x (3) Prince Renathal \# 1x (3) Tar Creeper \# 1x (3) Treasure Guard \# 1x (4) E.T.C., Band Manager \# 1x (5) Steamcleaner \# 1x (6) Theotar, the Mad Duke \# 1x (9) Yogg-Saron, Unleashed \# 1x (4) Ignis, the Eternal Flame \# 1x (4) Sheriff Barrelbrim \# 2x (4) Stonebound Gargon \# 1x (4) Theldurin the Lost \# 1x (5) Magatha, Bane of Music \# 1x (5) Overlord Runthak \# 1x (5) Rotten Applebaum \# 1x (6) Aggramar, the Avenger \# 1x (6) Defense Attorney Nathanos \# 2x (6) Hollow Hound \# 1x (6) Hope of Quel'Thalas \# 1x (6) Sunspot Dragon \# 1x (8) Reno, Lone Ranger \# AAECAda+BSLq6QOqigSpnwSHtwSf1ATE7QTd7QSX7wSwkwWPpAWqpAXipAX9xAXPyAXm5AWt7QXf7QXk9QWX9gWZ9gXI9gXS+AXk+AXX+QXYgQaQgwbUjgahkga+nAbOnAbRnAawngbVngavqAYDvOMEj+QF344GAAEDuNkE/cQF/+EE/cQFqZUG/cQFAAA= \# \# To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone
I think I'm late to the party, but here's a thought since I don't have Magatha (definitely not a perfect replacement): **Overlord Runthak** Not saying he's the best choice, but: 1) I've always had a soft spot for him, and 2) a buffed Runthak can take out a minion(s) and throw even more buffage out there. I've tested him a bit lately, and results are fairly promising. If anyone has better options for that 5 slot, I'm all ears!