Following Patch 20.2's addition of Diamond Ragnaros the Firelord for those who own all the Legendary cards from the Legacy (formerly Classic) set, the process of adding old Diamond cards into the game that Iksar mentioned a few months ago has begun. Since we're really excited about these and so is the community, its time to highlight the best possible targets for Diamond cards for pre-existing cards.
With today's article, we'll be looking at the Year of the Phoenix, the fifth one in Hearthstone's Zodiac and containing Ashes of Outland, Scholomance Academy and Madness at the Darkmoon Faire.
Here are the criteria we followed when picking the cards:
- At least one Neutral Legendary per set/adventure, but Class Legendaries are valid as well;
- The stronger the better - upgrading a Legendary to Diamond without chances for it to see play would really suck!
- Meme-potential - a card the community has fond memories of or that is famous because of memes about it.
In case you missed them, here are our previous suggestions for:
- The sets of Hearthstone's first two years
- The Year of the Kraken
- The Year of the Mammoth
- The Year of the Raven
- The Year of the Dragon
Ashes of Outland
Not only does Lady Vashj have relevant lore (she was a servant of Azshara, queen of the naga, and lieutenant of Illidan Stormrage), but she also represents the Prime mechanic, which is exclusive to the Ashes of Outland expansion if we don't count Envoy Rustwix.
We think that rewarding Lady Vashj, a Prime minion, for completing one of the most expensive difficult achievements of an expansion would feel really thematic. However, this unit has never seen much play, so Team 5 could also think about a slight buff while they're at it!
Ashes of Outland is Illidan's expansion, so what better than giving some love to the first demon hunter's archenemy?
Maiev Shadowsong was intended to be one of the main attractions of that card set, but ended up being powercrept by Frozen Shadoweaver, a Common card from the same expansion - definitely not the success that Maiev deserved.
This unit also represents one of the new Team 5 takes on Dormant, one of the least explored keywords that has recently found home in Archdruid Naralex and Flightmaster Dungar.
Honourable Mentions
Keli'dan the Breaker - Stunning golden and entry animations: how about completing the circle with the Diamondification process?
Shadowjeweler Hanar - Let's give more life to those incredible floating stones!
Scholomance Academy
Pretty much like the Prime units for Ashes of Outland, Scholomance Academy has Dual Class cards and Soul Fragments as major mechanics - Soulciologist Malicia represents both these mechanics at the same time.
While it's been one of the most played Legendaries from that expansion, we're very much intrigued by the fact that, as we already mentioned, Malicia is a Dual Class Legendary, so transforming it into a Diamond unit will allow two classes to boast it in their respective decks, which is double the chances for the card to see play - not bad in our book!
Although Headmaster Kel'Thuzad is the poster character of this expansion, we think that Lorekeeper Polkelt is the Neutral Legendary that deserves a Diamond upgrade the most.
Not only has Polkelt has seen vastly more play than new Kel'thuzad, but it also represents a take on deck manipulation that we've never ever seen before. Before being nerfed to 5 mana, this unit saw play in many different decks: from the aggressive Face Hunter, to Soul Demon Hunter, Turtle Mage and Reno Priest (where it currently still sees play, despite the archetype's recent lack of success).
Lorekeeper Polkelt represents a card so unique that it definitely deserves to be taken into consideration.
Honourable Mentions
Sphere of Sapience - The first Neutral Weapon ever: it would be fun to see it turned into Diamond!
Rattlegore - RATTLEGOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!
Madness at the Darkmoon Faire
Ashes of Outland has Primes, Scholomance Academy has Dual Class cards, and Madness at the Darkmoon Faire has... Corrupt. The minion we're talking about isn't one that needs any presentation: despite being rarely viable, we think Tickatus is one of those cards that are able to make a big part of the community angry just because they exist. The Reddit threads "Tick" has caused are countless, as well as the number of people baited into asking for a nerf.
However, now that Control Warlock hasn't been supported for the last two expansions, this might be the right time to turn back and have a little more fun with a card that is going to rotate relatively soon.
A card that saw little to no play in the Darkmoon Faire meta, but that quickly became a staple in Rogue once the Core set, and in particular Alexstrasza the Life-Binder, was introduced. While he’s not the most prominent character in his expansion, we think that his art pose is very dynamic and has some great potential to be improved even further with a Diamond version.
Honourable Mentions
N'Zoth, God of the Deep - It's 100% personal bias and I am not even trying to hide it.
What do you think about our nominations for the next batch of Diamond cards? Do you agree with them or do you think there are better candidates? Let us know in the comments below!
Comments
Why are we picking trash tier cards for diamond in outland? Vash is the worst prime. Almost any other one would be better. Murgle, Zixor, Solarian?!? Kayn also makes thematic sense because outland was the DH set. Maive is GARBAGE and never sees play! What about Teron Gorefiend? Or even Magtheradon for the memes?
Because this is a subjective article. Feel free to develop your own website and write your own opinion piece : )
Because Diamond cards should be iconic and high power level so you can actually use them in decks. Definitely not bad cards that never see play. It just feels like a waste otherwise and brings down diamonds as a whole. I guess the best criteria would be quality of golden animation to begin with.
My votes.
Ashes: I would love a prime. However I worry that doing both sides might impact them making another card. Still if I were to choose a prime Kargath! I also agree that Maieve is a great pick.
Scholo: I'm all in on KT. Love that card and concept alot. Would love him Diamond. Alura, priest pally legend, would be good too. Rattlegore is always a top pick too!
Faire: Tickatus for sure. Loved and hated and great art. Again concern about the time but still, I want it. Also one of the gods should get it. I love N'zoth but I think YShaarj should get it for the corrupt theme. Don't forget the races too. Moonfang would look cool I think.
I crafted Soulciologist Malicia in golden back in scholomance, i would love a Diamond version of her for sure
Tenwu of the Red Smoke is one of my favorite cards ever because of the art but more importantly the name. Tenwu of the Red Smoke. (anybody) of the Red Smoke. Sounds cool.