The Data Reaper podcast is a companion piece providing extra insight into the weekly Data Reaper Report. Join us for a deeper dive into the numbers to help you improve your Hearthstone game.
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Data Reaper Podcast Episodes

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 97
Welcome to Murder at Castle Nathria! We don’t have a full report yet, but we have early impressions and you’re going to want to hear them in our longest episode ever. You can subscribe to [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 96
All the cards are out and we have over a week until we get to play with them… so what do we do? We theorychat! Zach has been deep in the lab making decklist drafts [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 95
We have new information that shows that Renathal is actually making some decks better instead of worse! On top of that, we have a bunch of new cards to review together. You can subscribe to [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 94
You knew it was coming. Do you want to hear about how Renathal decks are doing after a few days? Of course you do. You can subscribe to the podcast on these platforms: Anchor | [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 93
It’s yet another meta where the best deck is both underplayed and in the Paladin class. Just play it. But hey, we have stuff to talk about in every class! Well, almost every class… You [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 92
You might need one if the meta keeps going the way it’s been headed. After the last round of changes we have another completely new meta – tune in to get our first impressions! You [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 91
It’s Warrior’s format now and we’re all just living in it. Well, Warrior and Rogue. Well, Warrior, Rogue, and DH… You can subscribe to the podcast on these platforms: Anchor | Breaker | Google Podcasts [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 90
Unless you’re playing Boar Priest or Alignment Druid, at least. We have a lot to talk about with mini-set standard and there’s also 10+ minutes of Elden Ring discussion after the outro! You can subscribe [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 89
No, really, they were. We might not have a single dead class… there’s one that we have questions about but it’s not the one you think. You can subscribe to the podcast on these platforms: [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 88
There has been some concern that Hat always ask Zach how he’s doing and never gets an answer. Fear not, because this week we get the answer. Tune in to find out! We also talk [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 87
There are some pretty interesting post-nerf insights, though of course the diamond elephant in the room gets some special coverage again this week from Zach. All his homies hate Drek’Thar. But there’s more to talk [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 86
Seriously, play two Oracles of Elune! Well, at least until the deck gets nerfed on Tuesday. We recorded this episode 12 hours before the nerf announcements, but you might not believe that after hearing how [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 85
Set sail! The Voyage to the Sunken City is underway and we’re here with early impressions after two and a half days of the new standard year. You can subscribe to the podcast on these [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 84
After locking himself in the lab, Zach has emerged with a pile of decklists and thoughts about the new meta – and Hat supplements that with his own experience from the theorycrafting streams. It’s time [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 83
Zach has big dreams about some of the cards from the new set and Hat’s here to stoke the flames. This set is a class-by-class review of all the new cards we’ve seen so far [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 82
The new set has been announced and the new cards have big Un’Goro two vibes! Listen to Zach and Hat talk over the new mechanics along with some very preliminary card evaluations. You can subscribe [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 81
Zach puts on his professor Hat once again to walk us through the history of hearthstone from a design perspective. You can subscribe to the podcast on these platforms: Anchor | Breaker | Google Podcasts [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 80
Our first full report on the Onyxia’s Lair meta has dropped. What do the hosts think of the polarizing standard environment? Tune in to find out. You can subscribe to the podcast on these platforms: [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 79
Onyxia’s Lair had a bigger impact than anticipated thanks to the dramatic improvement Kazakusan has brought to Druid. We have some early impressions of the meta as well as some predictions as to what will [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 78
What a two-parter. We’re thrilled to have Gallon on for a 30 minute dev interview and then after that there are a whole lot of new cards to cover from the Onyxia’s Lair mini-set! You [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 77
The first report of the 22.2 meta has made it clear… that things aren’t very clear at all. The meta is open with lots of options and tremendous class diversity. You can subscribe to the [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 76
Is standard saved? We’re back after 22.2 brings 8 balance changes and frees the format from the Gnoll strangehold. There are lots of surprises here! You can subscribe to the podcast on these platforms: Anchor [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 75
The standard meta is badly warped around Gnolls and Scabbs. The hosts have a sobering discussion around the state of standard and talk about how they’re handling it. You can subscribe to the podcast on [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 74
Well, after the last report, Thief Rogue has exploded on ladder… how much of a problem is it? Are there other decks that are a problem? Is Guff a good boy? (Yes, he is.) You [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 73
After multiple days of deck refinement and 15 hours of writing, Zach has emerged from the lab with over 40 decklists for the latest report. Is this the most diverse meta ever? And is Thief [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 72
13 cards were changed the day after worlds and we have some early impressions of the new meta. Are the solitare five dead? You can subscribe to the podcast on these platforms: Anchor | Breaker [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 71
The first and last report of pre-nerf Alterac is here. The devs have heavily implied nerfs are coming this week after worlds, so it’s time for some patented ZachO predictions – not to mention a [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 70
Everyone’s wrong on occasion, of course, but it’s funnier when it’s Hat predicting that Hero Tamsin would not make it into Handlock. Find out what other predictions came true (or didn’t) in the first episode [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 69
All the cards for Alterac Valley have been revealed and we’re quite thankful for the extra time. Tune in for a class by class review! You can subscribe to the podcast on these platforms: Anchor [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 68
We’ve got early impressions and we’ve got new cards! We’ve got time for both somehow – let’s discuss the meta we have now along with what could be the meta we have in two weeks [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 67
The first full report for Deadmines is done just in time to anticipate nerfs next week. What’s good now and what will be good after the changes? You can subscribe to the podcast on these [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 66
The Deadmines has shaken up standard and there are a ton of new decks to talk about along with some updates on older ones. Mr. Smite seems to be everywhere and has even found his [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 65
Thank goodness we have new cards to talk about! There were sixteen Deadmines cards revealed on Thursday and the crew talks about every single one of them. You can subscribe to the podcast on these [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 64
School is back in session as ZachO puts on his high skill cap and expands on the paradigm between resource and initiative with real-world examples to help illustrate opportunities to grow as a player. If [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 63
The meta has a few developments going on, so it’s time for one more review of standard before the mini-set. The format is unusually balanced and diverse with a few surprises worth covering even three [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 62
Is Garrote Contact Rogue really the most skill-testing deck of all time? Can a deck’s skill ceiling really be measured in data? Yes and yes. Tune in to find out the details. You can subscribe [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 61
The first full report of 21.3 is out and we’re here to break it down along with a lengthy discussion on the state of standard’s balance and play patterns. This meta isn’t for everyone, but [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 60
21.3 is live with some significant changes–we were curious about Team 5’s perspective on the meta so we had Alec on again to tell us what they think! Join us for an interview and a [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 59
The pace of Stormwind patches hasn’t slowed down and we’re due for 14 card changes next week. Alec himself challenged Zach to come up with a list of changes – and Hat has some (bad) [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 58
The post-Stealer meta has continued to develop and the first official report has a lot for us to expand on. Does Rod make Handlock OP? Is Garrote Rogue the highest skill cap deck ever? Can [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 57
What would Stormwind look like without Stealer of Souls? Well, we finally get the chance to find out thanks to another couple of balance changes that went live earlier this week. And Flesh Giant moved [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 56
The first report of patch 21.0.3 is here and it turns out it’ll be the final report as well – some Warlock changes have been announced for next week! What does that mean for the [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 55
8 nerfs! Team 5 went wide with changes as expected. We don’t have a full report yet, but we have early insights into the new meta and it may not be what you’re expecting. Don’t [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 54
We didn’t get nerfs yet though we know they’re coming – but we do have the first report of Stormwind and it’s a doozy! And of course, at the end we update our balance predictions [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 53
It’s time for the first look at the United in Stormwind standard environment! There are more decks to cover than we’ve ever done before in a single episode. Join us for an early peek at [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 52
We have an early look at the 20.8.2 field as Barrens winds down. With the significant changes to Priest and the removal of Gibberling highrolls, the field looks rosy for Rush Warrior… but are there [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 51
We don’t have new cards, but we do have new information from Alec via tweet – balance changes are coming next week! There are also some interesting developments to Watch out for in standard that [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 50
United in Stormwind is our next expansion! We have a ton of new cards to talk about as well as the new mechanics introduced in the reveal stream on Thursday. You can subscribe to the [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 49
There’s a lull at the end of the third month of the Barrens meta, but there’s been plenty of activity on social media around the class everyone loves to hate. The boys spend some time [Read More…]

vS Data Reaper Podcast: Episode 48
The second report of Wailing Caverns has given us some new developments. Can Hybrid Shaman work? Should Rush Warrior play N’Zoth? Are we going full yoink? Tune in and find out! You can subscribe to [Read More…]