{Editor's note: DMG is about sharing opinions from many sides in the community and discussion is always healthy and encouraged. We’ve posted articles in the past from both sides of heated debates and will always be open to any opinions even when they do not agree with our own. In fact, we are individuals, so our opinions don't always mesh either.

With that, someone criticized one of our authors in what I personally felt was a bit of a harsh and nonconstructive manner. He later recanted and has since made an effort to be more constructive with his contributions to the community. As part of what was a heated debate, I challenged him to do better and if it was reasonably readable I said I would not only post his article, I would also send him a DMG T-Shirt.

So I may not agree with everything he says, and I might find some of his ideas a little outside my own views, but it’s always good to explore all avenues and debate the merits and faults therein.

Ever a man of my word, here we go. -Kirk}

{Another Editor's note: I’m a cheeky bastard with tongue therein. All of my notes are meant to be in good fun}

Hatemedude's - Retadin

Hello, this is Hatemedude comin’ at you from Daily MetaGame. I will try my best to spare you a long, drawn out introduction. The main thing I will let you all know is that, every deck I post has been successfully tested on MWS, local groups, or BGs. Successfully tested meaning, more than a few games and some of those games are worst case scenario (bad mulligans etc.). Keep in mind that metagaming and game theory will win you more games than a flashy deck. So let's get started!

As most people are aware, Cryptozoic has changed to Block for their standard {Editor’s note: They haven't really changed to Block as their standard, it’s just the format for this season}. With that change a lot of players kicked off with rush, all in, and, because of Worgen, ally heavy decks. Aberration, in my opinion, has de-evolved the game in a very negative way. I expect to see less Aberration in the next block and more unpreventable damage in order to balance how strong the Worgen racial is {Editor's note: Be sure to click on the Discuss Article button below. I thought now would be a good time to remind you}. Getting back on subject, how do we handle Aberration, rush, and ally heavy decks?

A good start is Elusive, stat heavy, and Protector allies. Elusive is going to be very strong right now until more players are comfortable with their control decks. Allies like [Apprentice Teep] and [Drax Felfuse] to me, seem under used for how potent they are. Some easy combos are turn 1 [Apprentice Teep] , turn 2 Favor of xxx* or turn 2 [Drax Felfuse] , turn 3 [Ruby Flameblade] and a cost 1 Favor of xxx. Notable Protectors are [Bronze Warden] , [Telor Sunsurge] , and [Gully Rustinax] . The most common stat heavy allies are generally pets. Hunters and Warlocks have a solid ally base right off the bat with their class specific strong allies. Hunters in particular are considerably strong, because of their pets and [Aspect of the Wild].

*Editor’s note: Favor of xxx cards:
[Favor of Mischief]
[Favor of Nature]
[Favor of Spirit]
[Favor of Steel]
[Favor of the Arcane]
[Favor of the Elements]
[Favor of the Hunt]
[Favor of the Light]
[Favor of the Nether]
[Favor of Undeath]

Anyway, moving on to why I choose Paladin! Paladins for me have an answer to everything. You got Aberration? That's cool, I’m all unpreventable damage. You want to spam allies every turn? Not bad, I've got [Seal of Wrath] and more card flow than the Bellagio {Editor’s note: I live in Vegas and was a dealer and a Pit Boss, and I don't even know what that means}. You want to control the board? That’s fine, the longer the game goes on the stronger my combos become. Being able to dish out a lot of damage, respond to almost anything the opponent plays, and out draw every other non plate class sounds like a winning combination to me. So without further ado, here is my Retadin. {Editor's note to self: Ask what a Retadin is in the Forums}

Hero: [Rekwa Proudhorn]
            [Rekwa Proudhorn back]

Allies: 25

3 [Sinestra]

3 [Zeni'vun]

3 [Obsidia]

4 [Bronze Drake]

4 [Bronze Warden]

4 [Obsidian Drakonid]

4 [Obsidian Drudge]

Abilities: 8

4 [Repentance]

4 [Seal of Wrath]

Equipment: 16

4 [Shalug'doom, the Axe of Unmaking]

3 [Polished Breastplate of Valor]

4 [Etched Dragonbone Girdle]

3 [Warmace of Menethil]

2 [Grim Campfire]

Locations: 4

4 [Twilight Citadel]

Quests: 8

4 [Challenge to the Black Flight]

4 [Dragon, Unchained]

Grand Total: 61

Yes, you see that correctly. A Paladin deck without [Hammer of Justice] or [Holy Shock]. Don’t get me wrong, I like both abilities very much. However, I can't use [Holy Shock] with this hero and quite honestly, I don’t get all the hype on [Hammer of Justice] {Editor's Note: Hey folks, remember to use the Discuss Article button at the bottom. Right down there. I’ll be waiting.}. Removal is always superior to stall. Another thing you will notice is [Zeni'vun] without [Timriv the Enforcer]. With the amount of card draw I have I don’t mind using her ability twice and discarding 2 cards in order to clear the board of most Aberration rush allies. I can also do this on turn 4 instead of waiting for turn 5.

This deck packs a lot of punch, anti-rush and equipment removal. Your anti-rush tools are, turn 1 [Bronze Drake] , attack opposing 1 cost ally. Turn 2 attack with [Bronze Drake], drop [Shalug'doom, the Axe of Unmaking] followed by [Seal of Wrath]. If this combo isn’t available you still have, [Repentance], [Zeni'vun], [Polished Breastplate of Valor] and eight 1 cost allies to shield yourself. I generally use turn 3 or 4 to preemptively prepare for equipment and/or abilities depending on who the opposing hero is. Don’t forget you can drop an [Obsidian Drakonid] or [Obsidian Drudge] and then sacrifice a token to your belt to procure their effect without losing the ally. By turn 6 you are able to start doing considerable damage. I have consistently performed 25+ damage combos with [Sinestra], [Shalug'doom, the Axe of Unmaking] and [Obsidia]. [Obsidia] becomes an absolute animal if not removed before turn 6. However, since that is common knowledge you can expect your [Obsidia] to be shut out immediately. {Editor’s Note: Hence the continued inclusion in your deck after testing?}

The one ally I wasn't able to fit in that I would want is the [Ruby Flameblade]. Since [Sinestra] works so well with [Shalug'doom, the Axe of Unmaking], you can swap out [Obsidia] for [Ruby Flameblade]. You can use [Scimitar of the Sirocco] or [Akirus the Worm-Breaker] over [Warmace of Menethil]. However, your belt will be a high priority target and you can potentially lose your card flow. The [Warmace of Menethil] is there as a supplement for that loss.

I am very confident in this deck. If played correctly and with a little bit of metagaming you will have an answer to pretty much everything an opponent can throw out. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think about the deck. Thanks!

-Hatemedude