gards;n9089420 said:
Has the ST deck always been a reactive deck rather than proactive deck?
Actually, I've got a problem using labels like "reactive" or "proactive" to refer to entire decks (or even factions). In other games that use ressources - like Mana in MtG - that might make some sense, because it gives a general idea about how the opponent is going to use the resources he builds up.
(If you haven't already, I suggest you read
Gravez' Tempo Article. It really gets the information across better than my thoughts below.)
The Dwarf deck relies on consistent positive Tempo swings to keep a positive board position.
It gets so proactive, you're basically inviting your opponent to play reactive, which makes it very susceptible to removal.
The general idea is to use lane positioning (as in Dwarven Mercenary, Sheldon Skaggs or Zoltan) and buffs (Thunderbolt/Immune Boost) to keep enough value on the board anyway. And keeping Units buffed unevenly limits the effect of Scorch/Geralt:Igni.
Spell Control basically builds around low tempo, but with the ability to make big Tempo swings on demand (Eithne+Saskia after opponent passed R1 / buffed Dol Blathanna Protectors in R3).
I sometimes find myself throwing away a Clear Weather for nothing (except +1 on DBP), just to force the opponent to play another card (Removal is worthless when your opponent has little value on the board).
However you've got to pay attention not to lose Card advantage, which can easily happen when your hand cards are suboptimal to counter your opponent (ie. having neither Nature's Gift nor Epidemic while playing vs NR 37 deck).
I haven't tried building a movement or mulligan decks, although I've played against a few. Movement was considered a weak archetype last time I checked, although it could be fun to play in tandem with weather because no one's expecting it. Overall it has less tempo than the average Dwarf Deck, but also more reactionary potential.
Mulligan seems closer to Spell Control - it uses Vrihedd Vanguards instead of Protectors, but dropping 3-4 (Operator) of those in R3 is the overall win condition.
TL.DR: Thinking of whole Decks as proactive/reactive is going too far IMO. You can try to rate a decks' overall Value vs. Deployment time of that value (Tempo). This is why sites like Gwentify list decks ranging from "Control" over "Midrange" to "Aggressive".
Overall, the concept of pure "Beatdown Decks" that lack reactive tools against the opponent doesn't apply to Gwent. Even Dwarf decks can pull some crazy tech plays.
Rawls;n9095660 said:
Not exclusively so, but I would say they are certainly the most reactive of all the factions.
Well, they certainly got the right tools for it. I decided I wanted to play a ST control deck on my first day playing, after seeing Nature's Gift.