[Pre-Release Card Discussion] - Shadowcaster

Huckster won't be good. A 2 mana 2/2 with deathrattle "add a random card to your hand" just isn't that strong despite what this sub seems to think. Having random cards played for you is strong (mad scientist) but having random cards put in your hand that you have to pay full price for is not (grand crusader, recruiter).

It's a cantrip, you retain card advantage which is a big deal in HS. Like Loot Hoarder, except that it generates a card instead of depleting your deck. Cantrips have a lot of value - look at how much Azure Drake gets used despite the fact that spell damage is generally valued low.

The fact that it doesn't die to hero powers (Mage, Druid, and a Silver Hand recruit) makes it much better than Loot Hoarder. Playing LH early against those classes just equates to both of you wasting a turn. Also class cards are more powerful than neutrals with a high chance of generating a spell.

It's really going to depend on the metagame right now. There are so many mages that Huckster is very very powerful against them, and that's what Rogues are excited for. It can trade with an Apprentice, plus it can kill/trade with a Mana Wyrm with dagger, and you're ahead on the trade because you get a Mage class card in your hand. Think about what Rogue could get against a Mage - Animated Armor, Counterspell, Fireball, Polymorph, Antonidas, Flamestrike...

Of course it's not as good against Paladins (all over the ladder and arena now), but still objectively better than Loot Hoarder. It's great to have a 2/2 on the board, even if you don't have a turn 3 play you can take out two tokens on turn 3 and unlike LH your minion doesn't die to the weapon. Even late game it's great to have something to pop divine shields without losing card advantage, and those class cards can have great synergy.

Plus, it's going to create some cross-class combos, and while none of them are reliable they'll make for some interesting highlight videos.

/r/WOGPRDT Thread Parent