With the most recent mini set release, SBE also decided to refresh the card pool for draft. It looks like all of the set 6 cards are still here but the changes in the supporting cards should significantly shake things up. You can find the complete draft pool here but I’m going to highlight the cards changes that I think will have the greatest impact.



Alloyin

Notable gains: Onyxium Marauder, Skyknight Glider, Ironbound Reinforcements

Notable losses: Battle Techtician, Alloyin Strategist, Nexus Gunner, Nexus Overwatch

Alloyin did not change much compared to the other factions but it did get a couple key cards that should help certain types of decks. Onyxium Marauder is a great addition to AN decks especially with Infernal Visage returning to Nekrium. It’s a solid creature at all levels, is a great win condition on its own and becomes really annoying with any kind of buff. Skyknight Glider is also great in Visage decks giving you the flexibility of moving into a side lane when necessary. Alloyin even gets the one and only bound card in the pool. Often maligned as the worst of the bound cycle from set 3, it is still a very good draft card, and a welcome addition.

I don’t think Alloyin lost much from the meat of their draft pool but I did notice some premier heroics are gone. Techtician and Strategist were often the cards that would get me into Alloyin and without them (or much else at heroic) I don’t see myself first picking it often. That’s ok though. It will still be a great faction to pair with.



Nekrium

Notable gains: Infernal Visage, Zombie Titan, Byzerak Drake, Dirge Banshee, Corpulent Shambler,

Notable Losses: Nyrali Symbiote?

Man, Nekrium got a lot of new toys. Zombie Titan and Infernal Visage bring the fear back to the side lanes while Dirge Banshee and Corpulent Shambler help to shore up Nek’s shortage of quality role players. Visage isn’t a card I’ve always liked because of the restrictions it puts on your plays, but this draft set looks like pretty good for it. Pairing with Alloyin gives you access to some mobility creatures and the previously mentioned Marauder. Pairing with Tempys gets you more mobility creatures including the old favorite Byzerak Drake and the new favorite (oh man) Kadrasian Stoneback. If you think getting rid of Stoneback is annoying now, think about making it an 8/8 and giving it regen. And Wallbreaker Yeti’s not around anymore to bail you out, either. Might want to move those Tangles up on the priority list.

Nekrium really didn’t lose much either. No Nyrali Symbiote makes the NU pump deck a little harder to put together but losing Ursine Strength is a bigger blow there. All things considered, Nekrium should see a lot more play in the next month.



Tempys

Notable gains: Umbruk Glider, Avalanche Guardian, Storm Caller, Sparkstone Elemental

Notable losses: Thranik Ambusher, Borean Stormweaver, Cloudcleaver Titan, Flamerift Instigator, Frostshatter Strike

Tempys lost two of their best commons, Thranik Ambusher and Borean Stormweaver, as well as some key partners in the dominant Umbruk decks. It won’t be quite as easy to steam roll ranks 1 and 2 this time around, which is probably a good thing. There’s plenty of meat left, though, with core commons like Nargath Bruiser, Blizzard Shaman, Kadrasian Stoneback, and Aethertap Shaman all still present. Tempys will still be a great faction to base a draft deck on.



Uterra

Notable gains: Poisoncoil, Esperian Wartusk, Roaming Warclaw

Notable losses: Snowdrift Alpha(!), Stinging Invocation(!!!), Ursine Strength, Swampmoss Ancient, Venomfang

Yes, Snowdrift Alpha is gone, but that’s not the real victory. Stinging Invocation, that hideous abomination of a draft card, is no longer going to haunt player’s dreams. So long bees and thanks for the salt.

As mentioned earlier, Umbruk is losing some staples in Swampmoss Ancient and Ursine Strength. These cards were key for overwhelming your opponent in rank 1 and keeping up the pressure in rank 2. The Big Dumb Animals are going to have to get a little smarter to succeed in this draft environment.

While Umbruk slips down a notch, I think Esperian rises. Set 6 Esperian was sorely lacking for late game reach, having to rely mostly on breakthrough damage or Ionic Warchargers. Wartusk and Glider give the deck two more cards that help get you there while also being solid at the lower ranks. I’d still love to see an Alloyin spell that grants mobility a la Jet Pack, but Even without it, AU should work a little bit better now.

Overall, the format looks more balanced, and at the very least some underplayed faction pairs will see an improvement. Many of the most powerful heroics were removed, but don’t worry, Borean Windweaver is still there if you’re looking for something to rant about. It looks like a nice change of pace until the next big set release. See you in the queues!

