Which beginner deck is right for you?
For the first time in its history, Hearthstone is about to sell pre-built decks designed for returning and beginner players. Surprisingly, these decks aren’t a misguided attempt at making use of new mechanics, but a result of deep meta analysis. The following decks are smooth, purring motors, the best that each class has to offer; and the caveat is you can only get one per expansion. If you’re a beginner in Hearthstone, still finding your bearings, which deck is the best fit for you? Read on to find out.
10) Barrens Stampede - Hunter
Cute eyes, but those teeth fool no one: that’s a spider wearing a bunny costume
What it is: the most direct way to bring your opponent’s life to zero. It’s a no-nonsense deck for a no-nonsense class, built for those who like going for the throat and not letting go. If you like fast, synergistic, low to the ground, and extremely aggressive decks, this might be the one for you.
How To Play This Deck Effectively
- Your early-game is a dream, and the objective is to put down as much pressure as you can and begin chipping away at your opponent’s health. Kolkar Pack Hunter is your MVP. Save a few low-cost spells to maximize his effectiveness.
- You’ll notice there are only two beasts in the deck: Wolpertinger and Trampling Rhino. This is so Warsong Wrangler and Scavenger’s Ingenuity are sure never to hit duds, targeting the Wolpertinger’s for early value and the Rhinos for a bombastic finish.
- Tame Beast is a tricky card to master. Make sure you’re playing it with tempo to eliminate an unignorable threat. If not for that, you’re better off holding on until the card is at its strongest.
- The toughest thing to learn about the deck is when to attack your opponent’s minions and when to go face to bring those numbers down. Remember that your Trampling Rhinos grow as the game progresses, and plan accordingly. Trust that with time you’ll learn when you should play conservatively and when you should go for broke (and break your opponent’s face/spirit).
Cards
2x (1) Adorable Infestation
2x (1) Demon Companion
2x (1) Intrepid Initiate
2x (1) Tracking
2x (1) Trueaim Crescent
2x (1) Wolpertinger
2x (1) Wound Prey
2x (2) Kolkar Pack Runner
2x (2) Quick Shot
1x (2) Scavenger's Ingenuity
2x (2) Tame Beast (Rank 1)
1x (3) Ace Hunter Kreen
1x (3) Mankrik
1x (4) Piercing Shot
1x (4) Rinling's Rifle
2x (4) Warsong Wrangler
1x (5) Barak Kodobane
2x (5) Trampling Rhino
9) Darkmoon Beasts - Druid
Call her Nessie to her face. Go on, I dare you.
Blizzard’s official announcement promises that with this deck you’ll be able to “defile your opponent”. I don’t know about that clever little nugget, but Darkmoon Beasts, also known as Clown Druid, sure is built for the late game. It’s a comical, carnivalesque wind-up punch that takes a while to land, but if it does… It’s gonna leave a bruise. Play this if you like big minions and spectacular finishes.
How To Play This Deck Effectively
- A far cry from the Hunter deck, Druid’s early game is slow, sedate, and patient. Ramp up with cards such as Wild Growth and Overgrowth, and draw your beasts in preparation for the middle game.
- The middle-game is when you start to gear up. Suddenly your threats are on the board, unignorable. Lake Thresher is enough to devastate many lesser minions, and Moonfang is painful to remove in the best of circumstances. Rely on these to carry you through the worst of what your opponent can dish out.
- When the time is right, play Survival of the Fittest. Notice that this turn needs to be well planned out: ideally you want your Carnival Clowns in hand, ripe for a Corrupt, and some bodies on the ground so that the turn isn’t a complete waste of tempo. If you manage this, the game is likely yours.
- When a Corrupted Carnival Clown hits the board, usually what follows is your opponent resigning. Few decks can handle a board full of 8/8s with Taunt. If, by a miracle, they manage to clear it out, you always have your second Carnival Clown. And, thanks toY’Shaarj, the Defiler, a third, there if you need it.
Cards
2x (0) Innervate
2x (0) Lightning Bloom
2x (1) Animated Broomstick
1x (1) Nature Studies
2x (2) Guess the Weight
2x (3) Wild Growth
2x (4) Overgrowth
2x (5) Lake Thresher
1x (5) Moonfang
1x (5) Taelan Fordring
2x (5) Twilight Runner
2x (7) Strongman
2x (8) Guardian Animals
2x (8) Primordial Protector
2x (9) Carnival Clown
2x (10) Survival of the Fittest
1x (10) Y'Shaarj, the Defiler
8) Blackthorn’s Brutes - Demon Hunter
Nice piggie.
This quick and durable deck has been steadily climbing the ranks since the last meta shake-up. It centers around Watchposts, cards that directly interfere with your opponent’s game plan, and Deathrattle minions, which sequence off each other and make it much harder to completely remove your guys from the battlefield. If you like to be a puzzle for your opponent, consider piloting this mean machine.
How To Play This Deck Effectively
- Your main priority should be to mulligan for your best early drops, like Far Watch Post and Razorfen Beastmaster (especially with Darkspear Berserker in hand). But if you already have a strong start, consider keeping Death Speaker Blackthorn. The tempo generated by playing this card on curve is often enough to end games.
- This deck revolves around cheating out minions after minions, never letting your opponent pause for breath. As with Hunter, Blackthorn’s Brutes is an aggressive deck, and knowing when to go face is an essential skill to master.
- Maximize Skull of Gul’dan’s efficacy. In many ways, its mana-cost reduction is your secret weapon, the one variable your opponent can’t completely play around. Getting a sizeable reduction on one of your big threats can turn a game around completely.
- Illidan Inquisitor is a natural finisher. Though it has no direct synergy with Deathrattle minions, this card is value personified, capable of eliminating a minion and still go face after it attacks once. Use it wisely.
Cards
2x (1) Trueaim Crescent
2x (1) Tuskpiercer
2x (2) Far Watch Post
2x (2) Fogsail Freebooter
2x (2) Razorboar
2x (3) Death's Head Cultist
2x (3) Mor'shan Watch Post
2x (3) Razorfen Beastmaster
2x (4) Darkspear Berserker
1x (4) Kurtrus Ashfallen
2x (4) Renowned Performer
2x (4) Vengeful Spirit
1x (5) Taelan Fordring
2x (6) Skull of Gul'dan
1x (7) Death Speaker Blackthorn
1x (7) Kargal Battlescar
2x (8) Illidari Inquisitor
7) Aegwynn’s Army – Mage
Yeah? You and what ar-- oh.
For our Mage deck, we’ve got a rather hopeful combination that makes the best possible use of the Spell Damage mechanic. Aegwynn, the Guardian has an eternal Deathrattle effect that continuously passes from minion to minion. If you like slow control decks that continuously blast your opponent’s threats off the board, this one might have your name on it.
How To Play This Deck Effectively
- The Mage class is currently blessed with a large variety of useful spells and minions, many of which produce more spells when played. You want this, so you never run out of options. Mulligan for Babbling Book, Wand Thief, and Wandmaker.
- Don’t be afraid to play Aegwynn as early as you can. Even if she dies, her sticky ability will remain useful, finding a home in minion after minion until you run out.
- Try to find the best moment to use Cram Session with tempo, refilling your hand for very little cost. This shouldn’t be hard with Aegwynn or, hopefully, a Aegwynn-boosted Lab Partner.
- Closing games with this deck isn’t about flashy finales or overwhelming your opponent, but slowly, methodically dismantling their threats until they’re hopelessly behind in cards and tempo.
Cards
2x (1) Babbling Book
2x (1) Brain Freeze
2x (1) Devolving Missiles
2x (1) Lab Partner
2x (1) Primordial Studies
2x (1) Shooting Star
2x (1) Wand Thief
1x (2) Astromancer Solarian
2x (2) Cram Session
2x (2) Runed Orb
2x (2) Wandmaker
2x (3) Firebrand
1x (3) Mankrik
1x (4) Kazakus, Golem Shaper
1x (5) Aegwynn, the Guardian
1x (5) Ogremancer
1x (5) Ras Frostwhisper
1x (6) Jandice Barov
1x (7) Mask of C'Thun
6) Holy Secrets - Paladin
Blade, check. Grip, check. Ominous yellow glow, check. Yup, that’s a magic sword, alright.
This very quick, very aggressive deck plays with Secrets to give your opponent pause and yourself the edge. In this meta, there’s no quick and easy way to deal with Secrets beyond just playing and come what may, which means your opponent will always be guessing. If you like aggro decks and quick games, consider picking Secret Palading. It won’t let you down.
How To Play This Deck Effectively
- The mulligan shouldn’t present many issues, since most of your cards are great early plays. However, you want to leave your Secrets in the deck and play them mostly through Sword of the Fallen, which is an automatic keep in any matchup.
- While you play, keep in mind that your best bet for a win is to close the game quickly. The more time your opponent has for finding counterplay, the worse your options become. Kazakus and Smythe may provide a little bit of oomph, but like with all aggressive decks, the point isn’t to wait until your opponent is comfortable.
- Differently from other aggressive decks, minions in this one have huge staying power thanks to Divine Shield. Don’t be afraid to trade one turn for a larger burst of damage in the next, especially if your Conviction gets to power up in the meanwhile.
- Hammer of the Naaru is a great way to close the game with powerful minions that can support and protect your smaller ones. The card is best left for the mid-to-late game, though, so don’t get any ideas when mulliganning.
Cards
2x (0) First Day of School
2x (1) Argent Squire
2x (1) Avenge
2x (1) Conviction (Rank 1)
1x (1) Galloping Savior
2x (1) Knight of Anointment
2x (1) Oh My Yogg!
2x (1) Righteous Protector
2x (2) Crabrider
2x (2) Hand of A'dal
1x (2) Murgur Murgurgle
2x (2) Sword of the Fallen
2x (3) Goody Two-Shields
2x (3) Northwatch Commander
1x (4) Kazakus, Golem Shaper
1x (5) Cannonmaster Smythe
2x (6) Hammer of the Naaru
5) Xyrella’s Blessing - Priest
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
We could graciously call this deck appropriate for beginners looking for a challenge, but that would be a little too gracious. The truth is that in a meta flooded with super-aggressive choices, Control Warlock is a solid choice for a challenging fight. Priest, on the other hand, might be asking for trouble. Still, if you like healing synergies and out-thinking your opponent, if you like Priest and want to give the class the love it deserves, read on. You might have found a deck that suits you.
How To Play This Deck Effectively
- The early game is a crucial moment, and the smart Priest pilot will know it as a time to be patient. Draw your cards, control your opponent’s board with Holy Smite, Conviction, and Wandmaker, and wait. It’s a marathon, not a race.
- Coming into the middle game, you should have a few more options in hand. Palm Reading can make a lot of them less painful and even surprising to use, and Sethekk Veilweaver can refill your hand while you build a strong answer to your opponent’s threats.
- Your board clears come into play very synergistically. You can play Apotheosis on Blademaster Samuro and be almost guaranteed to heal to full. You can heal and play Xyrella for a devastating wave. Your goal is simple: slowly but surely wipe out your opponent’s forces, leaving them out of resources.
- Close out the game with Ysera the Dreamer and the cards she makes available for you.
Cards
2x (0) Raise Dead
2x (1) Draconic Studies
2x (1) Renew
2x (2) Condemn (Rank 1)
2x (2) Sethekk Veilweaver
1x (2) Shadow Word: Death
2x (2) Wandmaker
2x (3) Apotheosis
2x (3) Hysteria
1x (3) Mankrik
2x (3) Palm Reading
2x (3) Venomous Scorpid
1x (4) Blademaster Samuro
2x (4) Holy Nova
1x (4) Xyrella
2x (6) Lightshower Elemental
1x (7) Soul Mirror
1x (9) Ysera the Dreamer
4) Field Agents - Rogue
Skadoosh.
The latest iteration of Miracle Rogue is for the combo-happy beginner or returning player who’s reaaaaally itching to blow their opponent out of the board. The Secret package isn’t as strong as the Paladin’s, but, as a delaying mechanic, it doesn’t really need to be. Direct damage is the way to go, and no one knows that as well as the Rogue.
How To Play This Deck Effectively
- While pre-nerf iterations of the deck relied extensively on Pen Flinger’s ability to go face, we don’t need that here. Control the battlefield through cards such as Blackjack Stunner and Prize Plunderer. Don’t be afraid to use a Shadowstep to gain a more advantageous position, since leaving the early game is the priority right now.
- Your Secrets should be used to keep your opponent in check. Sparjoy Cheat is a great card tempo-wise, and both Shadowjeweler Hanar and Wand Thief can get you more expensive Secrets for an even bigger upside. Hanar’s large health pool also allows him to be played on turn 2 with a good chance of surviving one turn.
- Efficient Octo-bot discounts your cards, so save it for your costlier minions. You want to get a hit on both Alexstrasza, the Life Binder and Tenwu of the Red Smoke for a later, devastating combo.
- At some point, you’ll have to start making the big decisions, such as when to deploy Wicked Stab to lower your opponent’s health to comboable levels. Jandice Barov and the associated mind-tricks are also valuable for the same purpose.
Cards
2x (0) Shadowstep
2x (1) Blackjack Stunner
2x (1) Prize Plunderer
2x (1) Secret Passage
2x (1) Wand Thief
2x (2) Ambush
2x (2) Dirty Tricks
2x (2) Efficient Octo-bot
1x (2) Shadowjeweler Hanar
2x (2) Swindle
1x (2) Tenwu of the Red Smoke
2x (2) Wicked Stab (Rank 1)
2x (3) Field Contact
1x (3) Mankrik
2x (3) Sparkjoy Cheat
1x (4) Kazakus, Golem Shaper
1x (6) Jandice Barov
1x (9) Alexstrasza the Life-Binder
3) Nature’s Power - Shaman
I don’t know if it’s the blue, the red, or the lack of mud, but I’m fairly sure she’s a Mage.
As a deck that aims to make the most out of the Nature spell tag, Nature’s Power is like a more aggro Aegwynn’s Army, the Mage deck. Don’t be distracted by the number of spells in the deck, because Shaman certainly isn’t in it for the long haul. Strike quick, strike hard, and leave only ashes behind -- just like lightning. If you enjoy the idea of an off-beat beatdown deck, Shaman might be the class for you this expansion.
How To Play This Deck Effectively
- This is a high-pressure Spell Damage deck, and so your mulligan goal is always to find Novice Zapper. Even without the added power it lends to your spells, a 3/2 one-cost is a great start to any game. Primordial Studies synergizes very well with the Zapper, filling your hand and playing the minion in the same turn.
- From the start on, the game plan is never to let your opponent catch a moment’s rest. Zap down minions when you’re fighting for board control, and don’t discount the option of selectively zapping your opponent’s face as well. Get them low on health and you’ll get them sweating.
- Diligent Notetaker and Marshspawn can be used to keep your hand full and your spells cycling. Instructor Fireheart does the same job, either as a 3/3 Discover card on turn 3, or a devastating chain of spells in later turns.
- The deck may be named after Bru’kan, but Inara Stormcrash is the real game ender. With her, Doomhammer, and attack-granting cards like Stormstrike and Rockbitter Weapon, your Hero can swing for 10 or even 14 damage each turn. Use her to clear a threat so your minions can go face, or simply go face yourself for a big, thunderous finish.
Cards
2x (1) Lightning Bolt
2x (1) Novice Zapper
2x (1) Primordial Studies
2x (2) Cagematch Custodian
2x (2) Diligent Notetaker
2x (2) Landslide
2x (2) Rockbiter Weapon
1x (2) Wandmaker
1x (3) Instructor Fireheart
2x (3) Marshspawn
2x (3) Serpentshrine Portal
2x (3) Stormstrike
1x (4) Bru'kan
2x (4) Dunk Tank
1x (4) Torrent
2x (5) Doomhammer
1x (5) Inara Stormcrash
1x (5) Ras Frostwhisper
2) Shadowed Souls - Warlock
“Rawr :uwu:”
Y’Shaarj, The Defiler
The one true choice for the brainy beginner, Shadowed Souls, the Control Warlock deck, also happens to grant the best bang for your buck. Though the official announcement lists the deck as containing 4 Legendaries, we counted no less than 7. As it stands, the deck is very faithful to the current Control Warlock iteration, which may present a welcome challenge to a player looking to branch out from quick and aggressive decks. Let’s take a look.
How To Play This Deck Effectively
- As with most control decks, the early game is when you’ll suffer the most, especially against the amount of extremely aggressive decks in the meta. But Spirit Jailer, Armor Vendor, and your many board control options are key here. Dump the minions early, and apply your board wipes judiciously.
- In the midgame, pressure begins to ease up, though you’re not out of the woods yet. Use Tamsin Roame to give your Shadow spells another run around the block. Be smart about your Hero Power: drawing more options is good, but not if it puts you in range of lethal.
- As turns 7 and 8 approach, your time to shine arrives. You have so many late game tools, so many strategies, that if your opponent hasn’t managed to grind you down by now they might as well concede. Twisting Nether into Strongman, Soulciologist Malicia for a surprise board clear with a body, Tickatus to burn your opponent’s deck down. Past this point, the game is yours.
- The very late game is likely when you’ll do better. Lord Jaraxxus can play threat after threat, Alexstrasza can heal you up if needed, and Y’Shaarj, the Defiler can bring back a lot of your more devastating options. If you made it this far, there are precious few ways to lose.
Cards
2x (1) Armor Vendor
2x (1) Spirit Jailer
2x (2) Drain Soul
2x (2) Soul Shear
2x (3) Hysteria
2x (3) Luckysoul Hoarder
2x (3) School Spirits
1x (3) Tamsin Roame
1x (3) Venomous Scorpid
2x (4) Cascading Disaster
2x (5) Siphon Soul
1x (5) Taelan Fordring
1x (6) Tickatus
1x (7) Soulciologist Malicia
2x (7) Strongman
2x (8) Twisting Nether
1x (9) Alexstrasza the Life-Binder
1x (9) Lord Jaraxxus
1x (10) Y'Shaarj, the Defiler
1) Rokara’s Rushers - Warrior
Don’t even try to get out of her way. Believe me, you’re not fast enough.
As a deck that is surprisingly overperforming in the current meta, Rokara’s Rushers is fun, quick, and loaded with synergies. Strike your opponent down with a combination of weapons, hand buffs, and many, many Rush minions -- you’ll be attacking from hand so much that it will feel like you and your opponent are playing with different rules. Like with many others we’ve seen, pick this deck if you like aggressive plays and beating your opponents down to a pulp.
How To Play This Deck Effectively
- You’re looking for synergies. Parade Leader is a great card if you get it to stick to the battlefield, powering up minions such as Bumper Car, Crabrider, and Rokara herself. Playmaker is the same, and both together are the dream -- but your opponent will make you work for it.
- Fight for a stable board situation, trading your Rush minions to protect your more valuable cards. Start buffing your minions with Conditioning, Stage Dive, Rokara, and Overlord Runthak.
- Blademaster Samuro is your one and only board-clear, so use it wisely to recover from a losing position. Troublemaker, on the other hand, is a set-it-and-forget-it type. The Ruffians it generates can go face, so don’t be afraid of playing it on an empty board.
- Alexstrasza the Life-Binder, currently the favorite Neutral game-ender, should only be used for that extra reach or when you’re about to lose.
Cards
2x (1) Athletic Studies
2x (1) Imprisoned Gan'arg
2x (1) Stage Dive
2x (2) Bumper Car
2x (2) Conditioning (Rank 1)
2x (2) Crabrider
2x (2) Parade Leader
2x (3) Playmaker
1x (3) Rokara
1x (3) Venomous Scorpid
2x (3) Warmaul Challenger
1x (4) Blademaster Samuro
1x (4) Outrider's Axe
2x (4) Sword Eater
1x (5) Overlord Runthak
1x (5) Ringmaster Whatley
1x (5) Tent Trasher
2x (8) Troublemaker
1x (9) Alexstrasza the Life-Binder
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- [Top 21] Best Hearthstone Legendary Cards in 2020
- Top 10 Best Hearthstone Beginner Decks That Wreck Hard!
- Top 10 Best Hearthstone Standard Decks That Wreck Hard!
