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The original was posted on /r/hearthstone by /u/Prace_Ace on 2024-11-09 10:23:55+00:00.

In recent years, and especially since Badlands, the vast majority of playable decks focused on explosive turns that completely 180 the game state, either by setting up lethal or by undoing everything the opponent has build up. Every turn. If the other player can’t immediately answer this by setting up a new board or removing the opponent’s win condition, they lose.

Attrition, where players aim to slowly deplete their opponent’s resources (cards, health, etc.) over time and minions fought on the battlefield, is gone. There is no fatique, there is no stategic trading, no way to outplay the opponent.

Personally, I think the Starship design is one step into the right direction. You build up your win condition over time, it’s clearly indicated so that the opponent can make a plan, and the cards that immediately undo or punish you for the Starship (Lone Ranger Reno, Yogg) will rotate in a few months.

I hope Blizzard uses this rotation to rethink the power level and design of Standard. It’s an opportunity to bring the power level and ‘explosiveness’ back to a level where attrition and strategizing are possible again. A power level, where winning is the result of making the correct decisions over the course of the entire game, not because you played one card the opponent couldn’t immediately answer.

This expansion’s power level is noticeably lower than, say, Titans and Badlands. And I hope that when those expansions rotate out, next year’s core set and new expansion lets the explosive turns behind.

In recent years, cards and mechanics got more unique and creative, often also more flavourful and complexe. And I love that! Blizzard certainly got a lot better at this lately. Now I hope they can combine this creativity with a more healthy power level and interactivity.

The rotation is the perfect chance for that!