With wild cards returning to standard, Jarla foresees meta changes before Hearthstone Grandmasters Playoffs
Some of the most popular and impactful cards in the history of Hearthstone will be returning to standard play on Tuesday, October 8, as part of an in-game event titled “Hallow’s End: Doom in the Tomb.”
Blizzard announced the changes in late September, sharing: “Now that the Saviors of Uldum Standard ladder experience has solidified, we think it’s a great time to throw a wrench or two (or twenty-three) in the gears.”
Here are the 23 cards that will return to standard play:
- Druid – Astral Communion, Kun the Forgotten King
- Mage – Babbling Book, Flamewaker
- Paladin – Mysterious Challenger, Avenge
- Hunter – Lock and Load, Call of the Wild
- Shaman – Evolve, Thing from Below
- Rogue – Shaku, the Collector, Swashburglar
- Priest – Lightbomb, Vol’jin
- Warlock – Imp Gang Boss, Renounce Darkness
- Warrior – Varian Wrynn, Bloodhoof Brave
- Neutral – N’Zoth, the Corruptor, Sylvanas Windrunner, Ragnaros the Firelord, The Curator, Emperor Thaurissan
The returning cards will be considered temporary “event” cards that are granted to all players for the duration of the in-game event (October 8 to October 30).
Considering that the majority of these cards have impacted gameplay significantly over the years, Europe Division B standings leader Jaromir “Jarla” Vyskocil believes that the meta will change before the Grandmasters Playoffs and Masters Tour Bucharest.
“I think the meta will change, at least a little bit,” Jarla stated in a blog post.
“In terms of new or revitalized decks, I think Tempo Mage with Flamewaker, Emperor Thaurissan, and Ragnaros the Firelord will be pretty good. Maybe some Control decks could bring back a Deathrattle package and N’Zoth, the Corruptor. Swashburglar and Shaku, the Collector will probably make burgle rogue a bit better.”
“I’m looking forward to playing with old legendary cards like Sylvanas Windrunner and Ragnaros the Firelord. My favorite card returning is Emperor Thaurissan though. I loved playing with him in the past in old Grim Patron Warrior, Malygos Druid, Freeze Mage, and Reno Warlock. I’m not sure If he will find a place in current meta, because I’m not sure you really want him in the current Malygos Druid list. We could see him in OTK Paladin potentially for 50 damage combo in one turn! But, I’m also not sure if you’d want to play him in that deck either.”
“I think some players in the running will benefit from these changes, namely Casie. He’s pretty good at quickly adapting to a new meta. I will still try to do my best and qualify for Blizzcon after the changes!”
