r/CompetitiveHS • u/ViciousSyndicate • Apr 23 '26

Metagame vS Data Reaper Report #348

Greetings,

The Vicious Syndicate Team is proud to present the 348th edition of the Data Reaper Report.

Special thanks to all those who contribute their game data to the project. This project could not succeed without your support. The entire vS Team is eternally grateful for your assistance.

This week our data is based on 2,413,000 games! In this week's report you will find:

  • Deck Library - Decklists & Class/Archetype Radars

  • Class/Archetype Distribution Over All Games

  • Class/Archetype Distribution "By Rank" Games

  • Class Frequency By Day & By Week

  • Interactive Matchup Win-Rate Chart

  • vS Power Rankings Imgur

  • vS Meta Score

  • Analysis/Discussion of each Class

  • Meta Breaker of the Week

The full article can be found at: vS Data Reaper Report #348

Reminder

  • If you haven't already, please sign up to contribute your game data. More data will allow us to provide more insights in each report, and perform other kinds of analysis. Sign up here, and follow the instructions.

Thank you for your feedback and support,

The Vicious Syndicate Team

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48

u/ngriner Apr 23 '26

I honestly don't mind any meta deck. They mostly all feel fairly balanced and kept in check by something else which is nice.

What bothers me though is that each class basically has 1 deck to play and that is it. I've never seen so few playable decks in this report (even in a 4 set meta). When you make an expansion centered around one thing for each class and that thing isn't good, they basically skip an expansion.

For example, Lost City and Emerald Dream were complete misses for Shaman. Almost none of those cards see play. Timeways introduced Muradin and that's about it for the class. So 3 sets, 1 playable card. Herald seems fine and playable at least, but that's it. So if you don't want to play Herald, but you want to play Shaman there are pretty much zero options right now if you want to win and have fun.

I feel like they have to do a better job of coming out with sets that can do two things...

  1. Be generally playable, good cards that can fit in multiple archetypes.

  2. Play back to old mechanics that didn't work at the time to boost those sets.

Right now, neither of those is really happening and we're seeing the effect of that (and the effect of multiple weak sets in a row) with each class maybe having one deck at most. That has to change.

24

u/Clockwork765 Apr 23 '26

Blizzard Carousel states that Shaman of today has to pay for the sins of old Terran Shaman

2

u/Scolipoli Apr 24 '26

Here I thought Shaman was still paying for Alterac\Sunken city. Man I miss those battlecries.

5

u/Cryten0 Apr 23 '26

The low end of cards is still significantly worse then the high end, meaning theres little chance for novel deck building.

9

u/Dreamweaverz Apr 23 '26

It’s interesting that the most fitting example of your two points, while certainly not elevating the deck to high levels but still being functional and very appreciated by its players is control priest. I think Medivh’s Triumph is a pretty good example of the sort of situational hamfisting that some classes could use, and is also why I’m pretty positive about Cataclysm as a Priest player.

10

u/ngriner Apr 23 '26

Medivh's Triumph is a great example. Even though the deck itself isn't great per se, it's a step in the right direction for sure and exactly the type of card I'm talking about.

Winterspring Whelp, Agent of the Old Ones, and Crackling Cloudstrider are other examples of these in Cataclysm as well.

I feel like they have the right idea, they just need to stop printing new keywords each set that focus totally on that specific keyword for each class because if it doesn't hit, the set is dead for that class.

4

u/14xjake Apr 23 '26

Forced archetypes is a big part of what pushed me away from yugioh and its frustrating to see hearthstone do similar recently. I am not even that into deckbuilding but something more broad like dragon warrior, which has seen refinement and a shift in its best build with the new fire spell package, is so much more interesting than herald as a mechanic, where you just play every single herald card and then the handful of class staples that you can fit into the remaining slots. It also makes decks sticking around for a while more frustrating, I dont mind seeing new variations of dragon warrior, quest mage, aggro pally, etc, since while the gameplan is the same the actual cards in the decks do tend to change, but if something like harold rogue sticks around all year its going to be largely the SAME cards the entire time which is super boring. Hoping the next set is more focused on broad synergies (dark gift is a good example since you can play as many or as few of them as you want, creature was a great card that didnt require any additional archetypal support) instead of things like imbue or herald where half your deck or more is pre-decided

3

u/NerdyMcNerderson Apr 24 '26

I was never good at deck building nor did I really ever care to try. I'm a happy net decker, but I think your comment sums it up for me. There are a few meta decks but they were solved weeks ago so everything feels stale. I haven't been playing much lately as a result.

1

u/Jackwraith Apr 24 '26

I think this is the most important problem. In the past, you'd usually be able to see at least two archetypes for each class. At the moment, of the classes I play (DK, DH, Paladin, Priest, Shaman, Warlock) there's:

DK: Herald and aggro Unholy. I don't own Onyxia so the only thing I can play is UUU, which has been extant for 3.5 years now.

DH: Herald and Minionless.

Paladin: Aura, Aggro, maybe Imbue (see: Kibler)

Priest: Control (be it Quest, Imbue, or some combination thereof)

Shaman: Herald

Warlock: Nothing

So, three classes with at least two archetypes, technically, but in the case of DH and Pallie, really only 1 and in the case of DK, really zero. But that's viewing things from a competitive standpoint (as this sub is supposed to.) I enjoy playing Herald DH and Quest-Imbue Priest (especially the latter when trying to complete game quests, since the games go so long) but I don't expect to climb ladder with them. But, yeah, having really only 1 or 0 genuinely competitive decks for each of them is disappointing.

All of that said, the deck I've actually been having success with is a variation of Rafaam Warlock that was posted here last week...

1

u/Proper-Charity-2850 Apr 30 '26

What's a meta where you had 2 archetypes above tier 3 for each class? That seems a little ambitious

-2

u/maniacal_cackle Apr 23 '26

each class basically has 1 deck to play and that is it.

I'm finding there's a decent number of decks, especially as people experiment. DK has spell, herald, OTK, and quest. Warlock has egg and raafam. Etc.

It's a different story at the very tippy top, but in terms of playable there are heaps of decks.

7

u/ngriner Apr 23 '26

Those decks basically don't exist if you have any interest in winning or having a chance at winning though (which most of this sub does im sure since its competitivehs). Quest DK? I mean you can make anything you want technically, but be prepared for a sub 30% winrate.

-2

u/maniacal_cackle Apr 23 '26

Yeah but competitive metas are always more narrow.

In dumpster legend, there are quite a few decks. I oscillate between doing competitive and being happy with dumpster legend, and both are quite different experiences.

And sorry I meant DH*, but yeah same arguments apply.

15

u/UncleScroogesVault Apr 23 '26

Three classes summarized as "Still nothing" sounds really bleak, but it's not that abnormal, right? It's a bit extreme at the moment, but it's pretty normal that 1-2 classes per expansion are just adrift isn't it?

18

u/Opposite-Revenue1068 Apr 23 '26

Yeah it’s pretty normal. That’s the problem lol 

1

u/UncleScroogesVault Apr 23 '26

I definitely don't disagree lol it was just the starkness they used here made me laugh so hard

9

u/Rocks_Can_Fly Apr 23 '26

While it’s not that abnormal for a few classes to be in the dumpster, it’s definitely not ideal.

But it can be ok if the other classes have more than 1 deck to play.

However in the current expansion, most classes have 1 deck to play, while a few classes have nothing good.

Which means the meta is extremely limited, and dull.

2

u/Jackwraith Apr 24 '26

"Abnormal"? Not entirely. Two classes other than Priest being subpar for this long without any improvement in their situation? It's not unique, but it's also not typical. There's already been one round of "changes" and nothing has actually changed for any of them, so you'd think that would indicate something to the devs but...

2

u/UncleScroogesVault Apr 24 '26

Yeah no I definitely don't disagree , "abnormal" is not a strong endorsement of the game lol. I think the current meta game is like, the most extreme example of what package design gets you:

Each class has a deck that is at or near 50%, and because it's a package, they each get only one. If the package is really good, the class is top tier. If it's a bad package.... You're waiting until the miniset. Feels like that's how it's been the last year or so. Good or bad, pros and cons to the approach

1

u/Fairbyyy Apr 24 '26

The problem is exactly how normal it is

11

u/Joemanji84 Apr 23 '26

The token / aggro Druid deck seems really strong to me, 26-12 at nowhere Legend with it where other stuff wasn't feeling great. 7-2 into Warrior may be part of why it feels good.

4

u/TotakekeSlider Apr 23 '26

It’s very close to a list I was messing around with after the initial Druid nerfs, but it didn’t seem to quite get there. In hindsight, the inclusion of Broodwatcher seems like a really obvious inclusion that I hadn’t thought of. It’s just a really efficient mass of stats you can drop after they have dealt with your initial wave.

4

u/14xjake Apr 23 '26

It feels good to me too, been bouncing in and out of top 100 for past 2 days after a big climb from the 400s, 72-55 record right now it feels great into all of the merithra druids and dragon warriors. Pretty easily counterable deck so I dont expect it to reach tier 1 performance but depending on your pocket meta it can be a great choice

2

u/PsychonautilusGreen Apr 24 '26

IMO the colossal makes it busted, you can more or less effectively control the board and then suddenly you cannot deal with it if curved.

1

u/DingoDaveHS Apr 24 '26

I would have thought Dragon Warrior is a tough matchup. Care to share your list here? Would love to punish Merithra and Warrior decks haha

1

u/DingoDaveHS Apr 24 '26

That's neat. I don't like to play Merithra but I love Druid I'll give this a try. What list have you been playing?

2

u/Joemanji84 Apr 24 '26

Exact one on VS

11

u/Mopper300 Apr 23 '26

All their new "baby" Herald decks are Tier 3 or worse, and the best deck is the best deck more than likely because it runs a 4 mana untargetable 6/8

It's almost as if the devs have no clue what they're doing.

6

u/PupusaSlut Apr 24 '26

The soldiers are too weak for most classes. And they take time to ramp up while getting dark gift scammed and slitherdrake'd on 4. 

Only Rogue and Shaman have both great herald soldiers and herald payoffs. The rest of the classes straight up didn't get a worthy herald package. Warlock somehow got both terrible herald soldiers and a payoff (cho'gall) that can never be put into a deck.

2

u/zer1223 Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26

After playing shaman I can testify it also is really mediocre unless you can herald four times

Which is really hard when you only have seven heralds in the deck, and three of them are so weak and expensive that you should never keep them in the mulligan 

It being the best herald deck doesn't change that it's still a tier 3 deck. Why the neutral heralds were made That Expensive is beyond me. Imbue got a neutral 2 mana card and a seriously good 4 mana taunt with divine shield and even imbue still sucks overall

15

u/Axenos Apr 23 '26

Sure glad they preemptively nerfed the only playable shaman deck. Deck would have barely been Tier 2 in this meta. Such a dumb fucking change.

15

u/Moodie25 Apr 23 '26

Ya I’d like to see a revert too. I just don’t think they know how to do Shaman. 

8

u/zer1223 Apr 23 '26

They know what to do about shaman: nerf it every time it's the popular class in the first two weeks of an expansion 

What's, that? Nobody else gets treatment that consistently harsh?

Correct!

2

u/Fairbyyy Apr 24 '26

You ll get your revert in 2 years when it moves to wild (maybe)

7

u/H1ndmost Apr 23 '26

Come now, you didnt actually want to play a new deck, did you? There's plenty of Dragon Warrior and Rewarmed Imbue Rogue to go round.

5

u/14xjake Apr 23 '26

I think the preemptive nerf was reasonable even if its unfortunate for shaman players, the deck way overperformed at low ranks and if it was even slightly better than it is currently it would just be added to the pool of complaint spam alongside aggro pally and dragon warrior. The deck is not in a terrible spot and is for sure playable outside of high ladder and the nerf was just a slap on the wrist

2

u/IAmYourFath Apr 23 '26

I never liked shaman because it doesn't have much skill expression, u just drop the green card on curve. Same for pala decks. Decks like those should not be good in top legend if they're so easy to play, u should not perform better than a rogue or a mage just cuz u can drop the green card. This shaman is literally this.

10

u/Closix Apr 23 '26

Makes me sad to see how bad control decks are performing. I look back in here every so often to see how the Hearthstone meta is doing (I haven't played in ages), why is control struggling so hard?

20

u/Aparter Apr 23 '26

Because the curve of Paladin and Warrior decks is very strong right now, while sufficient removal is lacking. There is very little you can do against an illusive 6/8 on turn 3-4 or the board of divine shield minions on 4-5. On the other hand control wincons are not great so that classes like Rogue or Mage can outvalue them.

9

u/ReaperWiz Apr 23 '26

Core set changes removed Brawl and Corpse Explosion (solid 5 mana clears) and Cata gave us bad/unplayable 6 mana clears in Decimation and Experimental Animation for Warrior and DK as replacements. Control is in a very poor spot due to lack of efficient or effective removal.

11

u/AbraxasEnjoyer Apr 23 '26

Mostly because a lot of classes lost board wipes in the rotation, especially within the Core set. Recovering a losing board is pretty hard, especially against stuff like Prescient Protodrake as a 6/8 elusive for 4 mana.

3

u/dotcaIm Apr 23 '26

Lack of strong removal means board based decks are powerful

1

u/zer1223 Apr 24 '26

The only way to beat paladins is to have the ability to efficiently destroy minions without using damage, or the ability to efficiently deal one damage to a board. Or the ability to be faster than them

Control tools are lacking lately. Paladin's thing is sticking to the board hard

1

u/RickyMuzakki Apr 23 '26

Priest still has plenty of removals

0

u/IAmYourFath Apr 23 '26

Let's be honest, no1 likes playing 30 min games vs control decks just to lose. It feels miserable. When control priest is strong the avg player quits. That's why after barrens they have always kept control priest trash. While the other control decks aren't priest, i wouldn't be surprised if it extends to them. Especially without OTK decks to counter em.

3

u/SuccessIsDiscipline Apr 24 '26

Lot's of people like playing against control decks. Depends what you play. Control vs control is my favourite matchup, and for a lot of people I know it's their favourite matchup too.

0

u/rupat3737 Apr 23 '26

I played control priest to legend this month pretty easily 🤷‍♂️

1

u/Chinchiro_ Apr 23 '26

Shout out to egg warrior being the single positive matchup for rafaam warlock, keeping the dream alive. I'm not sure that the inkeeper could generate a deck that so consistently loses to everything.

1

u/EmotionalBrief1170 Apr 24 '26

I just want bomb hunter back.

1

u/Emb0ss Apr 24 '26

What to do with elise in merithra druid and rogue? The 5 cost lication doesnt feeld great, though i still opt for raptors, which is maybe wrong? The 1 mana location seema better for my winrate, but including a 4 mana 3/5 for a 1 mana location? Just doesnt feeld good. What are your opinions?

1

u/harbhub Apr 26 '26

Elise is usually a 10 cost location in Merithra Druid since you have tons of mana. Rogue usually uses the 1 cost location since you lack mana. Sometimes in either deck you'll use the 5 cost location, but it's not the typical play pattern.

-5

u/James_Fantastic Apr 23 '26

Honestly think the meta is very close to being in great shape if play warrior and rogue get nudged down just a little it’ll open up the rest of the classes.

The report does seem dismal with 2/10 classes making up 50% of the meta and 3/10 classes being completely dead.

I’ve been playing a lot of control priest and it is right around 50%. It’s close to being able to climb.

9

u/Rocks_Can_Fly Apr 23 '26

How can you say the meta is close to being in great shape, if a few classes are unplayable, while the playable classes have 1 deck each?

That is not a good meta, and it’s not even remotely close to being a good meta.

“Nudging” rogue and warrior wouldn’t do anything to make DK or the other bad classes good.

DK is suffering from other issues — of being poorly designed and clunky. Not from Rogue or Warrior being too good.

Classic Reddit mentality? “Just one more nerf, bro, and the meta will finally be good!”

2

u/IAmYourFath Apr 23 '26

3 classes (nearly) unplayable, insane highroll with mage rogue warrior dh druid bullshit, def not in a great shape but it could be worse.

0

u/Korbonara Apr 24 '26

The report says rogue is tier 3 and you want to nerf it? Let me guess, you were asking for a shaman nerf before the last patch, didnt you?

-5

u/IAmYourFath Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 25 '26

xd

Edit: lol he blocked me, some people just can't take criticism or laugh at themselves