Hello all! Hope you’re all having a good time in this (now a bit less) brand new year of 2017. Last time I posted budget lists was after the Denizens of Shim’zar expansion had released, and there were a host of new cards to add to our decks. I did not update the decks for the most recent Rise of the Bloodborn expansion, since acquiring cards from this set is not easy for beginners. In the meantime, many cards got buffed and nerfed, and now I feel is a good time to get us an update.

When you’re new, or when spirit is tight and you want to get your quests done on the cheap (1800 spirit or under) – these decks should come in handy. There are 10 decks here. 10 decks for 12 Generals, you ask – well, it’s a personal feeling that Kara and Sajj decks cannot be ideally committed to with low spirit totals, without turning them into worse decks of their counterpart. Reva, Starhorn, Cassyva and Zir’an all manage their own distinctive play style even at sub-2000 spirit.

Since at a low budget you don’t usually have access to high value threats like Spectral Revenant, Makantor Warbeast and Grandmaster Zendo yet – the more tactical approach is to use an early-game focused deck with short-term removal options. This is why we stick to some general ‘rules’ in most of our new decks – 8-9 2 cost minions that can be played turn 1 to contest mana orbs, about 6 forms of card cycle or draw and 2-3 Removal cards/Repulsor Beasts to give yourself room to execute your plan.

A good article to look at if you want budget card alternatives for your deck is here (Budget card replacements).

Enough exposition – let’s dive in. The format is click-to-expand images split into different sets, some text regarding each of the factions, and a Rise of the Bloodborn orb priority score (How useful will getting the cards from the new expansion for this faction be for your decks) –

Lyonar Kingdoms and Songhai Empire

Argeon’s is one of the easier play styles to understand. Playing minions to establish board control is priority, after which utilising Provoke and buffs will do the rest. Roar is a good tempo-play, use it often to trade minions advantageously, and sometimes to deal damage to the general. Sabrespine Tiger is often a piece of the finishing damage. A surviving Azurite Lion can wreak havoc with Afterblaze. More Holy Immolation and then an Arclyte Regalia is the way to go. Zir’an decks will look at Sunriser, Sunforge Lancer and Circle of Life. The deck here is Divine Bond friendly, and a lot of your power comes from outlasting opposing minions and healing your buddies.

RotB priority: 5/5 – Scintilla, Trinity Oath, Meltdown

Kaleos is seen less than Reva these days, but to get to her you have to play him! Just as well too, since Songhai is difficult to get the hang of as a new player. The idea usually is to chip away at the opponent’s health until you can set up a decent 10hp+ burst with Katara or Chakri Avatar combining with Mist Dragon Seal and Killing Edge – have minion, have buff, combine. Ki Beholder can hold up key enemy targets giving you time to execute your damage. Reva gets to use her Heartseekers to create distractions while she sets up, while Blink lets Kaleos reposition his offence. Lantern Fox and Onyx Bear Seal are ideal for most decks, and card draw such as Spelljammer and Heaven’s Eclipse are also great future crafts.

RotB priority: 2/5 – Ethereal Blades, Obscuring Blow, Meltdown

Vetruvian Imperium and Abyssian Host

Zirix has a lot of early game tools which can allow you to set out with a pure aggressive style, or use the Wish spells to create a tempo advantage for yourself, setting up a strong midrange deck. Obelysks and Whisper of the Sands allow constant pressure, Falcius is removal with a body and Starfire Scarab acts as the value-gaining threat. Aymara Healer, Stars Fury and Rasha’s Curse are usually seen as the strong additions to both Zirix and Sajj, while Sajj herself benefits more from Wildfire Ankh. Sajj also has one of the better artifact-focused decks available, Aurora’s Tears and Time Maelstrom being the key cards in that concept.

RotB priority: 3/5 – Grandmaster Nosh’Rak, Autarch’s Gifts

Lilithe has one of the best ‘linear strategy’ decks in the game – simply aim to summon as many units as you can and then try to buff one or many. Bloodmoon Priestess generates a constant supply of bodies once the process is started, while Soulshatter Pact brings the damage. Play-sets of Deathfire Crescendo and Soul Grimwar will be the aim for this style. Cassyva, in stark contrast, wants to live a little longer so she can abuse the late-game power of Spectral Revenants and Obliterate. In the absence of those legendaries, of course, you have to make do with Tiger+Shadow Reflection. Daemonic Lure is very good for both generals, and Shadow Sister Kelaino continues to be an irritating staple for the decks that want to get to the 8-9 mana mark.

RotB priority: 4/5 – Furosa, Cryptographer, Grandmaster Variax

Magmar Aspects and Vanar Kindred

Vaath is the safe beginner pick while Starhorn is more advanced in that you need to manage your own health carefully to get the best out of him. Makantor Warbeast deserves an early mention as the warhorse of the faction and a definite crafting priority. Flash Reincarnation allows you to run less than 9 early minions as long as you have strong 4 mana options, and Thumping Wave is one of the most versatile spells in the game. Plasma Storm covers against swarm and obelysks, while Earth Sphere is available as a health buffer if needed. Starhorn’s Bloodborn Spell draws cards. Let that sink in. On a budget, this means you benefit most from just building a super low mana curve deck with cards that are all quickly playable no matter what it is since they all cost so little. You can go even more aggressive with Flameblood Warlocks!

RotB priority: 5/5 – Drogon, Tectonic Spikes, Rancour, Cryptographer

There is a reason ‘Faice’ was a term used when describing Faie decks. While this isn’t completely in the spirit of full aggro, the concept is not far removed from it, since that is a stregth of Faie’s Bloodborn spell. The 2-card combos here are Tiger and Wings which can combine with Wailing Overdrive meaning your potential long range damage is very high past 4 mana. Other than that, it is the usual combination of moving their minions around with Hearthsister and Repulsor, often to deal Warbird procs and continuing the steady stream of damage from your spells and minions. Spelljammer is pretty good for the aggressive decks, and Jax Truesight + Razorback are the midrange specialists. Iceblade Dryad is a worthwhile choice if you go Vespyr focused. Probably the best Mech general if you lean towards that archetype. Kara = Walls, but is both expensive and less reliable – Gravity Wells, Grandmaster Embla, Winter’s Wake and Jax among other legendaries.

RotB priority: 4/5 – Enfeeble, Frigid Corona, Concealing Shroud

‘Expert’ alternative ideas (aka ‘Try these for fun, but if anyone asks – I had nothing to do with this’ section)

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Well, that’s all of them for now! I hope you enjoy playing these as much as I enjoy making them. A word of thanks and appreciation to tundranocaps (credit for the Zirix deck), MrEnderman, Pyl0ns and many others from Discord, and ElDynamite for making the splendid up-to-date Bagoum Deckbuilder.

{Quick P.S. – Any 2 non-2-cost minion cards of your choice can be replaced with Lightbender (2 costs with Ephemeral Shroud) if you find things are getting too oppressive}