Smoldering Ascent
This is a decent AOE spell, especially when kept in the mulligan in faster matchups. By turn 3, Smoldering Ascent will deal 3 damage and clear most early game minions in the format. The drawback is not a big deal, as it is discarded only when it is not needed.
The main gripe we have with the card is that it is a good AOE spell for slower Priest decks that look to survive and stabilize. These kinds of strategies have been unplayable throughout this expansion and the mini-set is not expected to make them any better, so it might be a while before Smoldering Ascent gets the chance to see serious play.
Score: 2
Spirit of the Kaldorei
A taunt meant to be utilized in Imbue Priest, or another deck that is greatly encouraged to click its hero power consistently throughout the game. With a basic hero power, Kaldorei is not worth playing. We would not play a 3/5 taunt with lifesteal for 4 mana, even with a “free” hero power.
The problem, of course, is that Spirit of the Kaldorei can only realistically see play in an archetype that is completely unplayable and is not getting an appropriate power boost. What is also concerning is that Imbue Priest’s hero power is very weak in the early game, so Spirit of Kaldorei is not even strong at its most crucial stage of the game.
In a world where Imbue Priest receives a buff to its hero power, such as removing the temporary drawback of its discover effect, Spirit of the Kaldorei looks a lot better. Until then, do not bother.
Score: 1
Light of the New Moon
A baseline 3 mana 3/3 buff is mediocre and should not see play in any deck. The upside requires significant support through spells to turn it into a persistent resource. Note that we add a new baseline copy of the spell, one that we need to fuel with three spells again. This is a very slow and difficult task, one that we cannot expect to be relevant. On turn 3, it is extremely unlikely that we manage to upgrade the spell on time, especially when we want to play a proactive deck that develops minions. Occasionally, we will get two buff charges in the mid-game. That is about it.
We cannot see where this spell would see play. It is not particularly strong in aggressive strategies, as it is difficult to activate in a faster deck and does not have strong stats to cost ratio. Meanwhile, a slower deck is more passive in its board development, so a proactive buff card that needs minions in play looks like a waste of deck slots.
Score: 1
Final Thoughts: Priest’s set looks like a waste of time. Zarimi or bust for another two months, or until Imbue Priest gets buffed.
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