Umbruk, the most aggressive of the faction pairs. Let's take a look at the strategies we can use to build fast and powerful decks.

(Mouse over section headings for definitions.)

Core Cards



Kadrasian Stoneback Kadrasian Stoneback

Blizzard Shaman Blizzard Shaman

Aethertap Shaman Aethertap Shaman

Deepbranch Prowler Deepbranch Prowler

Razortooth Stalker Razortooth Stalker

Nargath Bruiser Nargath Bruiser

Magma Hound Magma Hound

Roaming Warclaw Roaming Warclaw

Frostshatter Strike Frostshatter Strike

Blood Boon Blood Boon

Ursine Strength Ursine Strength

Archetype: Aggro

Lead Heroics



Borean Windweaver Borean Windweaver

Uterradon Rex Uterradon Rex

Thunderstomp Thunderstomp

Gemhide Ravager Gemhide Ravager

Emberwind Evoker Emberwind Evoker

Avalanche Invoker Avalanche Invoker

Umbruk Icecrusher Umbruk Icecrusher

Key Cards: Mobility



Windborn Hellion Windborn Hellion

Arc Wurm Arc Wurm

Umbruk Glider Umbruk Glider

Cloudcleaver Titan Cloudcleaver Titan

Windcaller Shaman Windcaller Shaman

Ashurian Brawler Ashurian Brawler

Zephyr Mage Zephyr Mage

Key Cards: Dinos



Mosstodon Mosstodon

Umbruk Glider Umbruk Glider

Uterradon Mauler Uterradon Mauler

Featherfang Featherfang

Stouthide Stegadon Stouthide Stegadon

Oxidon Spitter Oxidon Spitter

Shardplate Delver Shardplate Delver

Description

Umbruk aggro decks focus on constantly presenting threats that your opponent has to answer. It uses creatures that are big early but also level into solid finishers. Tricks like Ursine Strength and Frostshatter Strike are typically used later in the game to push a board advantage or fix bad trades. The decks can be generic good-stuff, relying primarily on the core cards and heroics or they can use powerful synergies within the pairing. The two most common variations of UT aggro are mobility and dinosaur tribal. The mobility deck is usually signalled by an early Windborn Hellion while the dinos deck needs a first pick Uterradon Rex or early Mosstodon. Quality support cards for each variation are easy to find with many of them serving both decks.

The deck works best when you can get an early lead, making it easier to set up synergies between cards, play creatures like Razortooth Stalker and Ashurian Mystic, and take advantage of powerful pump spells. Not too long ago, the deck had no problem going all-in on an early Deepbranch Prowler, but the presence of Death Current has forced the deck into a more honest game. Now, you are better off leveling good cards and saving your pump spells for later. Even with careful play, the deck can struggle against opoonents with a lot of removal and strong individual threats (NT Control). On the flip side, it preys on durdly Alloyin decks that spend the early game leveling up extra cards.

Archetype: Midrange

Lead Heroics



Frostspeaker Shaman Frostspeaker Shaman

Weirwood Patriarch Weirwood Patriarch

Soothsayer Hermit Soothsayer Hermit

Frostwild Tracker Frostwild Tracker

Firefist Uranti Firefist Uranti

Key Cards



Torrent Soldier Torrent Soldier

Poisoncoil Poisoncoil

Wildwood Sower Wildwood Sower

Dendrify Dendrify

Avalanche Guardian Avalanche Guardian

Sparkstone Elemental Sparkstone Elemental

Umbruk Glider Umbruk Glider

Cloudcleaver Titan Cloudcleaver Titan

Uterradon Mauler Uterradon Mauler

Toorgmai Mender Toorgmai Mender

Description

While I prefer the aggro archetype in Umbruk, I think there is also a decent midrange deck available. Rather then focusing on deploying dangerous creatures and pushing a lot of damage, the midrange deck is all about value. In order for it to work, you need a good engine, something that can continuously win trades and slowly build a board advantage. I put cards like Frostspeaker Shaman, Torrent Soldier, and Poisoncoil into this category. You'll also want a lot of cross-lane tricks like Magma Hound, Nargath Bruiser, Roaming Warclaw and Toorgmai Mender and lastly a couple solid finishers like Umbruk Glider or Cloudcleaver Titan. A defender strategy is another source of late game inevitibility, just make sure you get your Sparkstone Elemental first before going all in on Steam Sentinels and Avalanche Guardians.

The tools for the midrange deck are not as common as the tools for the aggro deck, so you won't see it as often, but with the right engines it can be a solid deck. The main advantage is that it doesn't rely as much on being ahead to be successful. It can handle bigger swings in momentum throughout the game. Torrent Soldier and Magma Hound, for example, are great at recovering a board that you've lost control of. The disadvantage is the lack of raw power, which can end games quickly. Games can be a long slog and, right now, the popular AN leveling decks can probably out slog you.