[Disclaimer: I am an ST main and hardcore ST fan if you didn't already know. The reason I am saying this is, I know the in and out of ST and deckbuilding with ST. Despite that I will try to be as unbiased as possible. Also, I wanted to wait till the last two cards are revealed, but I think it will come on Monday only. So, here it goes.]
First let me get some myths out:
Double Puffball: Absolutely horrible idea. Playing a 12P Legendary with two more 6P card to kill one single unit is absolutely laughably horrible. 'But what about the +6 potential damage?' you ask? Still absolutely horrible. It is a potential damage which will not be consistent and even with that 6 damage it is JUST horrible.
Double Talisman: This will seem viable option with elfs. But when you add two 7P card, you actually lose your ability to add other important cards like Yeaven/Isengrim since you need to have the scenario and Vernossil and Oneiro too. The deck would probably need to have twelve 4P cards which would suck. I can guarantee this wont fly. And you wouldn't add this in Nature'sGift deck as you are going anti-synergy with the leader.
Double Lacerete: Very meta dependent. Even a single Lacerete is no where seen. But if the meta becomes swarmy (strangely this card may encourage people to try and fail swarmy archetypes) this can be an option. But still it wont be a thing. People will try (I will try) and give up.
None of the above is worth it and will not be played. People will try, but they are not worth it and it wont win games for you. Now, lets come to the illusion of how this card will be used in NG (from now on NG = Nature's Gift). If you have never played ST or NG (Gift), you will think that Simlas can be played for 2 Rebukes to remove two targets or play two Dryad Caress for 16 points (provided there is a dryad on board). But that is not how you play NG decks. You would ideally want those Dryad Caress in your hand to support/enable Hammadryads. You ideally will play one Hammadryad in R1 with a Caress or Shaping Nature and the next in another round. You would want to play caress to remove lock or poison. In NG deck the 4p DryadCaress is an important card and not just a throw away mullion fodder. You will need rebukes in hand to take care of engines when they are played. You wouldn't wait for a turn to remove dangerous cards. So, if you think DryadCaress or Rebuke is a good target for him, you probably don't know how NG decks need to be played.
So, am I saying this card is unplayable? NO. This card is anti-synergetic with NG if you consider Rebuke or Caress or not worthy if you consider Lacerete, Talisman or Puffball. This card will be played as generic point slam card. I discussed this with Trynet on his stream and he made a good point. Consider this card like a portal. 12P card which can give a point slam 14 points. So, you can play two Pacts or Swallows
shrug:because Neutrals are better than ST cards) for pointslam. You wouldn't want to add him in NG deck to play two Tempering as NG deck is already tightly packed and he may need Eithne removed which is not worth it. So, basically ST has got a generic pointslam card which can get the value of a Portal by adding Neutral 4P cards. I wont deny that he can be useful in no-unit decks to give +2 to Gord.
Based on the Epic card, he can actually become a good card or remain as a Portal for ST for R1 pointslam. Nothing to be excited about. And I swear to God I hope I am wrong and this card is made good/promising with the next two card reveals and the balances in the patch.
First let me get some myths out:
Double Puffball: Absolutely horrible idea. Playing a 12P Legendary with two more 6P card to kill one single unit is absolutely laughably horrible. 'But what about the +6 potential damage?' you ask? Still absolutely horrible. It is a potential damage which will not be consistent and even with that 6 damage it is JUST horrible.
Double Talisman: This will seem viable option with elfs. But when you add two 7P card, you actually lose your ability to add other important cards like Yeaven/Isengrim since you need to have the scenario and Vernossil and Oneiro too. The deck would probably need to have twelve 4P cards which would suck. I can guarantee this wont fly. And you wouldn't add this in Nature'sGift deck as you are going anti-synergy with the leader.
Double Lacerete: Very meta dependent. Even a single Lacerete is no where seen. But if the meta becomes swarmy (strangely this card may encourage people to try and fail swarmy archetypes) this can be an option. But still it wont be a thing. People will try (I will try) and give up.
None of the above is worth it and will not be played. People will try, but they are not worth it and it wont win games for you. Now, lets come to the illusion of how this card will be used in NG (from now on NG = Nature's Gift). If you have never played ST or NG (Gift), you will think that Simlas can be played for 2 Rebukes to remove two targets or play two Dryad Caress for 16 points (provided there is a dryad on board). But that is not how you play NG decks. You would ideally want those Dryad Caress in your hand to support/enable Hammadryads. You ideally will play one Hammadryad in R1 with a Caress or Shaping Nature and the next in another round. You would want to play caress to remove lock or poison. In NG deck the 4p DryadCaress is an important card and not just a throw away mullion fodder. You will need rebukes in hand to take care of engines when they are played. You wouldn't wait for a turn to remove dangerous cards. So, if you think DryadCaress or Rebuke is a good target for him, you probably don't know how NG decks need to be played.
So, am I saying this card is unplayable? NO. This card is anti-synergetic with NG if you consider Rebuke or Caress or not worthy if you consider Lacerete, Talisman or Puffball. This card will be played as generic point slam card. I discussed this with Trynet on his stream and he made a good point. Consider this card like a portal. 12P card which can give a point slam 14 points. So, you can play two Pacts or Swallows
shrug:because Neutrals are better than ST cards) for pointslam. You wouldn't want to add him in NG deck to play two Tempering as NG deck is already tightly packed and he may need Eithne removed which is not worth it. So, basically ST has got a generic pointslam card which can get the value of a Portal by adding Neutral 4P cards. I wont deny that he can be useful in no-unit decks to give +2 to Gord.Based on the Epic card, he can actually become a good card or remain as a Portal for ST for R1 pointslam. Nothing to be excited about. And I swear to God I hope I am wrong and this card is made good/promising with the next two card reveals and the balances in the patch.
