The Comprehensive Core Set Preview

Battlefiend

The iconic Demon Hunter 1-drop is sticking around, and it will likely remain a staple for any aggressive DH deck going forward. Not as busted as the original iteration, but strong, nonetheless.

Score: 3

Crimson Sigil Runner

The nerf to Sigil Runner was far more damaging to the power level of the card. Unless we highly prioritize draw or some outcast synergy, it doesn’t merit inclusion.

Score: 1

Chaos Strike

The strongest cycle card in the format, Chaos Strike has seen play in every Demon Hunter deck over the last year that wasn’t purely aggressive. Should remain an easy inclusion for many decks, especially now that Twin Slice is gone.

Score: 4

Spectral Sight

Spectral Sight is one of the best sources of card draw in the core set, but that doesn’t say much, as it still only sees play in one type of deck. It is largely outclassed by Skull unless it’s played alongside it in a pure combo deck such as Lifesteal DH. We give it a generous score for the opening statement.

Score: 3

Aldrachi Warblades

Imagine this weapon with three charges. Warblades has been a Demon Hunter staple, and even though Twin Slice is going away, any attack buffs printed in the future are going to push for this card’s inclusion. Warblades is so strong that it’s even been included in Aggro DH for its synergy with Il’gynoth.

Score: 4

Coordinated Strike

Token Demon Hunter. Do we need to say anything else?

Score: 1

Gan’arg Glaivesmith

This card is quite comparable to Stiltstepper, which was initially utilized by Aggro DH at Darkmoon Faire. But unlike Stiltstepper, this can be strong as early as turn 3, so we think it has a decent chance of seeing play in Aggro DH.

Score: 2

Ashtongue Battlelord

Defensive Demon Hunter decks just haven’t been a thing, and this is the only place where Ashtongue Battlelord can do some decent work. We doubt things are going to change: Demon Hunter will likely always have something better to play.

Score: 1

Chaos Nova

This card would have been nuts in another class, but just sees fringe play in Demon Hunter due to the fast-paced nature of the class. Good building block for a theoretical archetype we have yet to see succeed.

Score: 2

Feast of Souls

Token Demon Hunter has been a Tier 4 deck for the entire year, and Feast of Souls was a weak card even for this archetype. A fat 1.

Score: 1

Sightless Watcher

Demon Hunter is blessed with card draw, so this kind of effect just doesn’t hold the same appeal. There will always be something better to play.

Score: 1

Raging Felscreamer

This card can have its moments. It’s a good support card for Demon Hunter decks that run big minions, or as we’ve more recently seen, Mo’arg Artificer. Should respect mana cheating.

Score: 2

Illidari Inquisitor

This big boy seems quite scary in theory. Can be cheated out by Raging Felscreamer, and pretty much ends the game if it’s ever left alive as it can deal 16 damage to the enemy hero in one turn. Works extremely well with pre-equipped weapons. Interesting, but expensive cards haven’t worked that well in the class because of Skull of Gul’dan and the Outcast mechanic in general.

Score: 2

Eye Beam

Was proven to be a strong removal card even after it was nerfed, though it started to get pushed out of decks once they got better cards over the next couple of expansions. Still carries valuable synergies with Il’gynoth as well as Outcast mechanics, so very likely to see play in some decks.

Score: 3

Warglaives of Azzinoth

Back to its original cost, but has one less charge, which is still a massive difference from its original iteration. Demon Hunter will likely use better weapons, but this does have some synergy with on-attack effects. Fringe playable.

Score: 2

Kor’vas Bloodthorn

This card feels a little overloaded. A 2 mana 2/2 charge with Lifesteal is already well above the curve for 2-drops. The ability to bounce on outcast is Flinger-esque, but this is a harder condition to trigger and it’s a card that’s twice as expensive. Aggro DH may want this just for the base stats and possibly added reach in the late game.

Score: 2

 

Final Thoughts

Core Set Rank: 2^nd

Demon Hunter has one of the most well-rounded core sets. It’s got pretty good card draw options, a strong aggressive 1-drop as well as one of the strongest healing tools out there in Aldrachi Warblades. It also has a few other serviceable cards sticking around, such as Eye Beam, and not many of its cards can be considered entirely useless. Sure, it lost Altruis and Twin Slice, but we don’t think anyone expected them to be kept. Illidan can consider this set a big W.