The Meta Report #54

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Here’s Team IHEARTHU’s weekly Meta ranking. Keep in mind, it’s about which classes and archetypes are played the most, not about which are the strongest. Most of the time, the strongest decks will also be the most frequently played, but that’s not always the case. That’s just part of how the Meta works.

Hunter: Hunter rose quickly to the top of the ladder this week. Most opponent’s are using the midrange build utilizing Savanah Highmane and Dr. Boom. Until the Undertaker nerf takes effect, expect to face a lot of Hunters on the ladder. Hunter will see much less play after the nerf, but midrange builds will still be viable and potentially powerful.

Paladin: Mid-range Paladin has risen through the ranks this week due to its slightly favorable Druid and Hunter match-ups. Most builds are very similar, with only a couple cards different. Some builds are using Zombie Chow, while others use Mind Control Tech and Equality. Most builds are now using at least one copy of Antique Healbot as well.

Druid: Druid remains a popular deck choice, but not as much as last week with Hunter on the rise. Most builds remain combo-less ramp variants, typically topping out with Sneed’s Old Shredder, Kel’thuzad, and Cenarius. Expect Druid to once more gain popularity after the Undertaker nerf.

Mage: While the vast majority of your opponents will be playing Hunter, Druid, and Paladin, Mech Mage and midrange Mage variants are seeing a reasonable amount of play on the ladder. Many of the midrange builds have adopted Counterspell, so be sure to play accordingly!

Rogue: Rogue has not changed significantly this week, but is seeing relatively increased play. Be sure to play around extreme burst combos utilizing Tinker’s Sharpsword Oil and Southsea Deckhand.

 

Warlock: Warlock is seeing shockingly little play on the ladder. Zoo and Handlock are both positioned poorly with Paladin and Hunter seeing significant play. Expect Handlock to see a rise in play after the Undertaker nerf.

 

Warrior: Warrior has struggled to see play since Druid once more became a powerful ladder force. With Handlock and Druid likely being two of the big winners post-nerf, don’t expect Warrior to come back to the ladder anytime soon.

Priest: Priest sees little more play than Shaman on the ladder. Expect any Priest opponents you face to be playing Prophet Velen and Baron Geddon. While Priest doesn’t gain anything specific from the Undertaker nerf, the nerf may be just what the class needs to shake up its rank.

Shaman: While seeing almost no play on the ladder currently, expect Shaman to be a big winner from the Undertaker nerf. Shaman midrange is historically weak to Hunter but strong against the other midrange and control decks which will likely see more play.

 

Deck of the Week – StrifeCro Paladin

StrifeCro’s build of midrange Paladin will be one of the more common builds you run into. Be sure to play around Mind Control Tech when facing Paladin! As a Paladin, don’t be scared to play Mind Control Tech as a 3-drop.