Because they are a unique feature to the WoW TCG, the Hero card is an often ignored resource for many deck builders. What typically happens during deck-building is that you create a deck with the cards you enjoy playing, and then say to yourself, “Ok, now what is the best Hero for me to play with this deck”. I know that I have done many searches on the Internet to find any hero with a specific class specialization and the correct faction. The Hero flip could be blank and it I would still choose to play it. However, considering the Hero flip is essentially an extra card that is always in your hand, I highly recommend you choose your hero carefully before you begin building. In fact, this week I challenge you all to start with a Hero card and then base a complete deck around its flip power.

In the history of the game, there have been a few cases where the Hero flip has defined the entire deck. [Marlowe the Felsworn]’s Rip & Flip deck is the first to come to mind, as its entire game plan is based around using the Hero flip to give -50 health to the opponent’s Hero by destroying an [Azaloth].

Arguably, the core stud [Ringleader Kuma] deck was also entirely based around the Hero flip. Giving everything +2 ATK while attacking a hero meant Kuma was willing to play any card that created multiple allies in one turn. [Feral Spirit], [Signet of Manifested Pain], and [Nathanos Blightcaller] are all in the deck because they allow Kuma’s flip to end the game.

Even more recently, a breed of Warrior Strike-Out decks emerged at Worlds 2010 by riding on the back of [Kungen the Thunderer]. Kungen’s game plan was to establish a combo-like one turn kill with [Mortal Strike] and/or [Rak Skyfury] combined with an [Edge of Oblivion] or [Twig of the World Tree]. While normally disrupted by decks with heavy Armor, multiple Protectors, or multiple interrupts, the flip allowed the deck to ignore all of its drawbacks by preventing opposing card exhaustion. Without the flip, the deck would have been unsuccessful in the sea of Kuma, Control Mage, and [Death Wish] Armor decks.

Unlike the previous three deck examples, the recent Worldbreaker set brings us a style of hero flip that will provide us with a passive bonus instead of a one use effect. Of all these passive effects, I think [Grizlik Sparkhex] gives us one of the more interesting possibilities. Throughout the history of the game, Pet cards have been among the most powerful allies that a deck could play. Whether it is the mage’s [Water Elemental], the Priest’s [Shadowfiend], or the variety of options available to Warlock and Hunter, Pets always provide higher than average stats, exceptional powers, or incredible versatility. Their drawback, however, has been their “one in play at a time” restriction. Not anymore!

While the idea of two Pets in play at one time has been in the game for a while, the cards that allowed it were always very susceptible to removal. Whether it was [Goldenmoon] being killed, or [Stable Master] and [Master’s Stable] being dispelled, the loss of these cards also caused a uniqueness violation with your pets (meaning you instantly lose two cards thanks to one of theirs). Even with the Icecrown release of [Deuce], we still didn’t see two pets in play at one time, since graveyard removal like [Undercity] or a shuffle graveyard quest like [The Restless Dead] created the same uniqueness violation as the previous example. Having a “you may control an extra pet” power on a Hero almost completely eliminates this automatic two for one. The only cards capable of stopping the power are the rarely played [Hero’s Surrender] and [Dawn Ravensdale], as well as the rarely played Arcane Torrent keyword from Blood of the Gladiators.

Looking at Warlock Pets, there are a few instant standouts that we definitely want to include. [Hesriana] will be a long time staple in any Warlock deck, so not including 4 copies in a pet themed deck seems silly.

My next favorite pet is a recent addition to the class: [Sardok]. While it is only a one-drop, this ally completely shuts down so many cards. For starters, [Sardok] is capable of surviving [Mikael the Blunt]’s two damage when the little pet readies, and then it can into him without trading. He can also completely stop an opposing Hero’s attack from a weapon, Cat Form, [Death Wish], or even the Assault from [Ashnaar, Frost Herald] or a dead [Broderick Langforth]. [Sardok] is also capable of shutting down [Feral Spirit]s, [Nathanos the Blightcaller] and his Blighthounds, [Adam Eternum] and the super powerful [Avatar of the Wild]. Whether protecting your hero or being an ongoing two damage to opposing physical threats, [Sardok] is going to see a lot of play.

[Rhuunom] is also likely to be an inclusion for a deck, thanks to the potential card advantage he can create against abilities like [Spell Suppression], [Everlasting Cold], [Mortal Slash], [Haunt], or a variety of Death Knight’s Diseases. Since Warlock can no longer play [Banish to the Nether] in Core Constructed, [Rhuunom] is also capable of clearing out its most common replacement, [Suspended Curse]. Even if his power is irrelevant in the match-up, having a 2/2 on turn 1 can sometimes be all you need to create enough pressure for your opponent to be on the defensive.

Next up is likely going to be [Jek'kresh]. This ally is huge for his cost, and has the important keyword [Shadow Resistance]. Like his little brother [Sardok], [Jek'kresh] is capable of nullifying so many cards that are in the metagame. [Dreadsteed], [Bloodsoul], [Dimzer the Prestidigitator], [Hesriana] and even a Death Knight’s [Corpse Explosion] are all irrelevant against the Big Blue.

If you are playing Classic Constructed, I would also suggest you include [Dread Infernal], as he is a giant body that can also clear out small opposing allies with his enters play and leaves play effects. At DMF Seattle, Glenn Jones made great use of [Dread Infernal]’s Area of Effect by sacrificing him with [Demonic Knowledge]. Since all of Warlock’s pets are Demons, [Demonic kwowledge] will also provide us with insane card advantage every time we are done with a pet. In addition, if you need a quick Shadow Resist for another ally, you can also sacrifice your [Jek’kresh] for his Death Rattle effect. Lastly, classic allows us to play [Warbringer Arix’amal] to give all of our Demonic allies +2 attack. Remember, unlike the assault keyword, the +2 attack from the Warbringer applies when your Demons are defending as well.

In place of [Dread Infernal] in Core, I would probably go with [Jhuunash] as your beefy finisher. This ally gets out of control quickly if he is unanswered, but beware of opposing [Marundel the Kindred]s or [Hesriana]s. Luckily, this ally should always be at least as big as an opposing [Avatar of the Wild], so that is one less Core threat you have to worry about. Combining [Juunash] with [Dominate] can also be a significantly more successful AoE threat than [Dread Infernal] and his [Demonic Knowledge].

Since the deck is completely Demon oriented, [Unholy Power] is an easy way to make all of your allies gigantic. Giving your pets a +3/+3 buff will create monsters that will quickly end the game. Interestingly enough, Warlock also doesn’t have a lot of powerful Pets in the 4-drop slot, so the card should fit in perfectly with your resource curve.

[Fel Blaze] is going to be one of the key cards you will need in the deck to halt opposing aggressive strategies. Since every ally in your deck is a Demon, [Fel Blaze]’s drawback can almost be completely ignored. Along with a [Dreadsteed] and your 2/2 one-drops, [Fel Blaze] should give you all tools you need to get to those later turns.

With [Unholy Power] and [Warbringer Arix'amal], you might be tempted to play [Super Simian Sphere] in the deck. In initial testing, I have found this card to be slightly underwhelming however, as there simply just is not enough synergy to make it worthwhile. If I was playing an Alliance version with [Victor Baltus] I might be more inclined to play the Sphere, as a static +1/+1 on the hero would likely be worth a 1 resource investment.

Unfortunately, the Judges have ruled that a Demon Hero cannot create Demon Allies with [Signet of Manifested Pain], so there isn’t any synergy there. Keeping the Sphere out of the deck also allows us to play an ally like [Munkin Blackfist] to fill up that four-drop slot while giving us some needed equipment removal. If the upcoming two sets give us another card like [Unholy Power], you might want to take another look at the Sphere.

As a side note, you probably do not want to include [Metamorphosis] in the deck since it means you no longer have your “two pets in play” flip. The marginal effect of the Master Hero simply is not worth it.

In the quest department, [Dreadsteed of Xoroth] should be included as it essentially acts as an uninterruptable [Resurrection] card for any of your allies. Xoroth will essentially act as copies 4-8 of the demon you need in a given matchup. Since each of your pets are specific to a certain match-up, the extra copies will definitely increase your consistency.

If you are playing Classic, I would round out my quest lineup with [One Dranei's Junk] as most of your cards cost 3 or less, and I would also look at the Demon quest [You are Rakh'likh, Demon]. In Core, we have less options for quests, so I would simply go with the more standard draw quests like [Proving Grounds], [Darkness Calling], or [A Question of Gluttony].

While it seems like I have simply taken a bunch of random Pets and thrown them into a deck, this strategy has a surprising amount of synergy. Because I chose a theme with my Hero flip before the deck building began, every card choice works with each other.

Perhaps some of the other Worldbreaker Hero Flips are worth building a deck around. If you have an idea feel free to share it on the DMG forums.

-Chris Reilkoff

Chris “Jedion” Reilkoff is currently the top rated Canadian player in the game, and one of the primary deck builders for Team East Coast. He has numerous good finishes at high-level WoW TCG events, including a top 8 finish at DMF Seattle. His recent finishes include 10th place at the 2010 North American Continental Championship, where he piloted the now well-known Zorak'tul Control deck.