Worthy Expedition
A flexible card most suitable for a highlander deck needing some redundancy, especially one that runs Untapped Potential. Less likely to make it in a non-highlander version due to the stiff competition for slots.
Score: 2
BEEEES!!!
Very nice removal spell that reminds us of Explosive Runes in the way it always produces maximum value. While 4 damage for 3 mana isn’t that great, this damage is never wasted in overkill, allowing you to simultaneously develop bodies in the case you’re killing a smaller minion. Can also target your own minions, which could make for some interesting combos. Both slower and faster Druid decks will be interested in this card.
Score: 3
Oasis Surger
Rabid Worgen is a 3 mana 3/3 with Rush. This minion summons two of them for 5 mana, which is a very good deal. The other option, a single 5/5 with rush, is also very powerful for its mana cost. Choose-One cards are usually not priced so generously. This card is just very good by itself.
And then when we take Untapped Potential’s reward into consideration (two 5/5’s with rush), Oasis Surger becomes completely unfair and one of the strongest comeback tools in the game. It is a perfect fit for a deck that looks to float mana in the early game, only to swing back into the board in dramatic fashion. If Untapped Potential becomes a staple of the format, this card will have a lot to do with it.
Score: 4
Garden Gnome
Strong 4-drop that could work well in a slower Token Druid deck that runs Forest’s Aid and Overflow, which could potentially appear. However, this card might not see play strictly because Druid has received so many well-rounded options that are not reliant on a specific strategy or deck building requirement.
Score: 2
Hidden Oasis
A card we would never be interested in outside of Untapped Potential but becomes incredible with it. The Choose One options are weak by themselves, but a 6/6 taunt that also heals us for 12 is close to the level of the original Reno Jackson in terms of effective defense. We are also expected to complete Untapped Potential on turn 6, meaning that Hidden Oasis is ready to come down on curve and stabilize aggressive matchups. Makes non-highlander quest decks very tempting.
Score: 3
Overflow
Ultimate Infestation’s little brother. This card might not be as powerful as UI, but it’s certainly powerful enough to make it into every Druid deck that is interested in playing Hearthstone beyond turn 7. Unlike UI, this card is not even reliant on ramping mechanics either. One of the strongest draw engines in the format.
Score: 4
Crystal Merchant
A 2 mana 1/4 that persistently draws a card if we stick to a game plan we’re already trying to do with Untapped Potential? Crystal Merchant is basically the busted version of Mana Tide Totem. We will specify that this card would impress us even if we didn’t have the quest. It can’t be ignored and is very annoying to remove on turn 3. Seems very overtuned.
Score: 4
Anubisath Defender
If you thought Arcane Tyrant was good, just wait until you face a much better and stronger version of it. This card is busted and makes the comeback potential of Druid in Saviors of Uldum even stronger. A free Sen’jin Shieldmasta as a follow up to Hidden Oasis, Nourish or Overflow is incredible.
Score: 4
Elise the Enlightened
The strongest explorer, in our opinion, because it’s not just a strong card. It has the potential to enable unique win conditions that the other explorers simply cannot. In fact, Elise’s potential with Floop makes it a tempting build-around card even for non-highlander decks that will be looking to aggressively draw their deck in order to activate it. As for highlander decks, Elise’s interaction with Floop allows us to copy Zephrys multiple times and make multiple wishes. That should be able to win many Hearthstone games.
Score: 4
Untapped Potential
One of the strongest quests in the set, for a few reasons. The first reason is that it doesn’t require us to build our deck in a certain way and doesn’t pigeonhole us into a one-dimensional win condition. The second reason is that it has received the strongest support, with Choose One cards that are ridiculous after quest completion. The final reason is that these ridiculous cards specifically address the issue that is created by completing the quest, which is falling behind on the board. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Untapped Potential become the foundation of every late-game Druid strategy.
Score: 4
Final Thoughts
Saviors of Uldum Set Rank: 1st
Overall Power Ranking: 4th
The Druid set in Saviors of Uldum is one of the most complete class sets we’ve seen. Every single Druid card ranges from playable to powerful. Indeed, these cards could build the foundation for Druid’s new late-game strategies, after the complete collapse of the old ones as a result of the heavy nerfs to cornerstone ramp cards during Rastakhan’s Rumble as well the rotation of Year of the Mammoth sets in April.
After being reduced to a one-dimensional class only capable of casting Savage Roars to stay competitive, Druid should be back in a big way, because it finally has a solid plan to fend off aggression and turn the tables on its opponents. The one thing holding it back should be its inability to effectively stand up to Mage, but if that ends up being Malfurion’s only worry, it will mark significant progress.
One more thing about the Warrior quest: Yes it does conflict with Madlad Boom but I think H4xx0r Warrior will be its own deck and even be very good (like tier 2). Warrior is already on the verge if being broken, and imo the Bomb-Control-Quest dark triad of warrior decks will dominate the meta. Madlad Boom will finally be nerfed.
My 2 cents:
– You’re overrating the Druid quest. You’re underestimating the huge tempo loss of having to spare mana on the first turns. Druid is a class that naturally struggles with tempo and this is making things worse. If there were more cards like Oasis Surger that are insane when the effects arr combined, it could hve been viable, but those that exist are too scarce. I can see it being viable later expansions.
– Similarily you’re overestimating the warlock set. The quest sucks, we agree on that (it’s even worse than Lakaari Sac!) but the lackey synergy doesn’t compensate for that. Youre way too optimistic about EVIL summoner, its harder to activate than you think. Will see play for sure but its not insane.
– Bug Collector is the sleeper neutral common of the set. It’s excellent tempo and fits in a wide variety of decks. I may be completely wrong but if im right i’ll take credit. Jar Dealer and Pit Crocolisk could see some fring constructed play.
Apart from that, I agree with the rest of your analysis.
Where is spitting camel?
perfect quality as usual! thank you.
THANK YOU GUYS!
I love that you all are doing this for every expansion now. love, love, love how informative it is for the reader. thank you.