2 More Core Only Decks!?

Forward

I honestly did not expect to be able to make 14 decks with only 120 unique cards, but here we are. (Only 110 cards once you ignore Dark Leader, Trihorror, Rally the People, Standard Bearer, Thundarus, Vital Mission, Bellowing Minotaur, Burrowing Wurm, Chomp!, and Wolf Companion). Bravo White Wizard Games, well played.

As a side note, I plan on streaming tomorrow once I get my new microphone to get rid of that annoying clicking sound. Probably around 3pm CST, but it will depend on when my package arrives. twitch.tv/tomsepicgaming

Core-Only Decks So Far

As of now, I have played and really liked Core Sky Force and Core Epic Humans.

I have played and not cared for Core Token Control, Core Evil Tokens and Core Big Butt Burn.

I have played and am neutral towards Core Wild Champion Overload and Core Coming Through!.

I have not played Core Feint, Tom’S Core Discard Deck, Tom’S Core Aggressive Burn List, Core Sage Army, Core Incremental Targeted Removal.

New decks in this article: Core Resurrection Evil and Core Rampaging Evil. (I really like Core Rampaging Evil.)

Core Resurrection Evil

After a brutal dark draft game where I played Thought Plucker on my opponent’s turn, played Corpse Taker to replay Plucker on my turn, and Resurrected Plucker on my opponent’s turn, I decided to make a constructed deck that could do the same thing.

The Deck

Essentially I just grabbed the most powerful champions in the game, added all of the ways to recur them, and added Surprise Attacks to help me cycle to get them.

Performance

The deck performed only okay.

Difficulty Dealing Damage to Opponent

The deck’s main weakness is that it struggles to push damage. I noticed after I played a couple test games that I had completely ignored on-turn gold-punishers! I had been so fixated on the most powerful, high-value champions that I hadn’t built the deck to compliment my midrange playstyle.

Pretty much the only way I was able to get damage through was when my opponent ran out of cards in hand, or by attacking with the zombies gained from multiple plays of Murderous Necromancer.

Reliance on Muse/Thought Plucker

Unanswered Muses and Thought Pluckers are some of the most powerful cards in the game. However, if your deck relies on drawing cards from them, and they are immediately answered (which isn’t hard when decks are built to answer them), they can perform quite poorly.

The main reason why this deck relies on these cards so much is the deck’s Evil core. Evil has the worst ability to draw in the game. Core set only includes no Evil “draw 2 and” cards and only 1 Evil Tribute/Loyalty -> draw a card champion. This is offset by the fact that they have some of the most powerful loyalty 2 effects in the game, all of which are included in this deck.

In addition, Palace Guard and Kong take up off-alignment slots that could have gone to card draw. Therefore, if my Muses/Thought Pluckers don’t draw me multiple cards, my hand eventually dries up, and I lose.

Low Impact 0-Cost Cards

Finally, my 0-cost cards in this deck aren’t able to do enough to help. They are largely removal effects to deal with Muse/Thought Plucker and chump blockers. Most of them won’t draw out my opponent’s gold to give my Kongs, Palace Guards, and Medusas effective targets. Overall, the deck just doesn’t function great as a whole. Instead of building my deck to win a game of Epic, I built it to gain as much value as possible.

Core Rampaging Evil

After playing the no on-turn gold punisher deck, Core Resurrection Evil above, I needed a palette cleanser. So I built a Rampaging Wurm deck.

Since Rampaging Wurm is an incredible on-turn gold-punisher, I wanted to give it a deck that could draw out my opponent’s gold before mine as often as possible.

The Deck

My first thought was that Medusa is one of the best off-turn cards in the game, and it can let you start your turn with a solid threat, while keeping you alive off-turn too. Then, I wanted 0-cost blitz champions that could provoke a 1-cost response from my opponent, hence Guilt Demon, Dark Knight, and Thrasher Demon. Army of the Apocalypse works great with them, as does Rampaging Wurm. From there I used the rest of my deck to include solid Sage card draw that works well with Army and Necromancer Lord. 9 break all board clears also give me the ability to consistently reset to begin a fresh assault again.

Performance

So much fun! Killing an opponent from 13 because they had the audacity to spend their gold before me on my turn is great.

Sage Package

I am loving the Sage cards in this deck. Winter Fairy is great to play on your turn, and Final Tasking it on-turn is pretty solid (draw 3 and deal 4 damage). Djinn continues to out perform my consistently growing expectations. Being able to draw twice with it and threaten a third draw is great. 8/8 airborne gold punisher is amazing, and if it survives until next turn I can always draw with it if I’m afraid of mass removal. Love this card. Army of the Apocalypse with Crystal Golem feels great. Get back multiple champions and draw 2, pretty nice, especially since my Amnesias and Guilt Demons do work keeping my opponent’s discard pile threatless.

0-Cost Blitzers

Guilt Demon is great. It breaks just as easily as Muse, which means many decks can answer it easily, but at minimum it takes 2 cards from your opponent’s discard pile and 1 card from your opponent’s hand with it (unless it breaks in combat). This removes recall cards, Soul Hunters, obstructs recycling, clears the way for your Army of the Apocalypses, and can severely hamper cards like Memory Spirit/Corpse Taker/Necromancer Lord/etc. There are many reasons why this is far and away my most included card in core only decks.

Thrasher Demon in a Raxxa’s Curseless environment has also been pretty nice. Mine haven’t grown very big yet, but 3 damage and the final nudge that draws the board clear against my 0’s is quite respectable. Forcemage Apprentice‘s direct damage can also be helpful when I don’t need it to break Muses.

Conclusion

Now I have Evil, Good, and Sage focused core-only decks I really enjoy: Core Rampaging Evil, Core Epic Humans, and Core Sky Force. Just need a Wild deck to complete my collection.

Core Epic Humans Update + Board Clears

Foreword

I’ve been primarily playing my Core Epic Humans deck and my Core Sky Force deck on Epic digital. Currently, my Core Sky Force deck has been dramatically exceeding my expectations with only 1 loss. Core Epic Humans has also been performing well but has a few more losses prompting this update.

Interestingly enough, I’ve been doing better in constructed than limited overall, but this is partially due to Wasabi kicking my butt all up and down Dark Draft. (I’m going to need to update my Dark Draft article and Card Ratings…)

+ Board Clears

Core Sky Force

Foreword

I am updating this article as I may use it in my upcoming Bo7 Showmatch against World Champion John Tatain on Saturday, 5/20/17 at 2:00pm CDT (UTC -5).

Other decks in this core only digital alpha series include: Core Incremental Targeted Removal, Core Evil Tokens, Core Sage Army, Core Wild Champion Overload, Core Epic Humans, Core Resurrection Evil, and Core Rampaging Evil. They are all built following my Epic Constructed Process.

(Tom’S Core Aggressive Burn List, Tom’S Core Discard Deck, Core Feint, Core Coming Through!, and Core Big Butt Burn do not yet have articles devoted to them.)

Current Deck List

As I update the deck list, I’ll update this picture and written list (currently prototype deck list).

Evil (9)

Slow ()

Fast (6)
3x Apocalypse
3x Plague

0-Cost (3)
3x Guilt Demon

Good (18)

Slow (6)
3x Avenging Angel
3x Gold Dragon

Fast (6)
3x Angel of Light
3x Ceasefire

0-Cost (6)
3x Brave Squire
3x Watchful Gargoyle

Sage (33)

Slow (9)
3x Blue Dragon
3x Djinn of the Sands
3x Winter Fairy

Fast (13)
3x Erase
3x Ice Drake
3x Memory Spirit
3x Transform
1x Time Bender

0-Cost (11)
3x Forcemage Apprentice
3x Hasty Retreat
3x Muse
2x Spike Trap

Wild ()

Slow ()

Fast ()

0-Cost ()

Prototype Explanation

Conclusion

This is one of my favorite decks, and I stumbled across it just by experimenting with cards I had yet to use in Core-Only. I love experimenting with cards I don’t often use for this very reason.

Streaming Epic 3/23 at 1pm CST

I’ve been having a lot of fun playing in the Epic digital alpha. Currently I’m undefeated (in games where my computer didn’t lose power resulting in a timeout) at 8 of 8. Keep the Thought Pluckers coming, I’m ready for them.

I plan on streaming (twitch.tv/tomsepicgaming) tomorrow, Thursday, 3/23 at 1pm CST stopping around or before 9pm CST.

Let me know in the comments below what you would like to see. Also, I’ll be looking for games, so feel free to challenge (TomEpicGamin) or leave your username in the comments, and I might challenge you.

Of my 12 core-set only decks, the 5 I currently have built are Core Epic Humans, Core Sky Force, Core Evil Tokens, Core Wild Champion Overload, and Core Token Control. If you would like to challenge one of those specific decks, let me know.

Twitter: @TomSEpicGaming
Discord: discord.gg/QTJjTER
Twitch: tomsepicgaming

Two New Core Only Decks

I created an 11th deck a couple days ago, and then I realized I had 3 decks for each alignment except for Wild. Finished the first pass on the final Wild Core deck, and I think I’ll stop at these 12 decks, at least until Monday when I get access.

Core Big Butt Burn

Core Coming Through!

Dark Draft Card Ratings Edited

It took a while, but I have finally gone through and edited the entirety of my ratings and analysis for each card in Epic Card Game (Core, Tyrants, and Uprising): www.tomsepicgaming.com/epic-card-game-dark-draft-card-ratings/

Let me know what you think. Do you disagree with me on any of my ratings? Did you realize something about a card that surprised you? Did you manage to read it all the way through without having your eyes bleed?

Epic Card Game Page Updated

I’ve been wanting to update my Epic Card Game Page for a long time. Today, I finally did it. I would greatly appreciate any honest feedback anyone has for that page as it is the first thing many Epic players see on reaching this site, and I want it to be both welcoming to new players and practically useful for everyone.

I would also like to take this time to thank all of my frequent readers for continuing to check out what I post. It is an excellent feeling knowing people want to read what I write and enjoy doing so.

5 Core-Only, Alpha Deck Poll (+ Data)

I had some extra time on my hands… I’m up to 10 core-only alpha decks now.

The new decks include (in the order I made them):

  • Tom’S Core Discard deck
  • Core Sky Force
  • Tom’S Core Aggressive Burn list
  • Core Token Control
  • Core Feint

Previous 5 decks (in the order I made them):

I am probably not going to write articles for all of these new decks (at least not immediately). So, I decided to let everyone vote on which deck they want to see. I will write an article on whichever deck receives the most votes by the time the Kickstarter backers get access to the alpha. Below I outline the genesis idea of each deck.

Votes can be cast at Straw Poll here. Trying to convince people to vote for a specific deck in the comments below is encouraged.

Tom’S Core Discard deck

Core Sky Force

Tom’S Core Aggressive Burn list

Core Token Control

Core Feint

Card Choice Data

I started out curious which cards I didn’t use (which partially informed the decks I made next). Then, I wanted to see which cards I used the most. I figured I might as well just compile everything out of curiosity.

Below are all of the cards I used across all 10 core-only decks for the alpha. They are formatted as Card Name: Copies Included (Decks with at least 1 copy). For example, Erase: 8 (3). I included 8 copies of Erase across 3 decks.

Core Token Control

Forward

In a recent article, I created a poll to determine which of my core only decks for the digital alpha I would discuss next, this deck won that poll.

This article follows the progression of my core-set-only Core Token Control deck. I start by explaining how I created the experimental, untested deck (in preparation for the core only alpha for Epic Card Game Digital). Then, I plan on updating this article with an analysis of how the deck performs, in addition to explaining any changes I make to it (assuming it performs well enough to update).

Other decks in this Epic Card Game Digital series include: Core Incremental Targeted Removal, Core Evil Tokens, Core Sage Army, Core Wild Champion Overload, and Core Epic Humans. They are all built following my Epic Constructed Process.

(Core Sky Force, Tom’S Core Aggressive Burn List, Tom’S Core Discard Deck, and Core Feint do not yet have an article devoted to them.)

Next Deck Article

In anticipation of the Alpha hopefully coming out today, I have gone ahead and posted the decklists and taken pictures of the other 4 core-only decks I have made. Whichever deck generates the most discussion (based on comments below) will be the one I write an article for next.

Current Deck List

As I update the deck list, I’ll update this picture and written list (currently prototype deck list).

Evil (6)

Slow (6)
2x Drinker of Blood
2x Inner Demon

Fast ()

0-Cost (2)
2x Guilt Demon

Good (33)

Slow (12)
3x Avenging Angel
3x Banishment
3x High King
3x The People’s Champion

Fast (10)
3x Inheritance of the Meek
2x Inner Peace
3x Noble Unicorn
2x Secret Legion

0-Cost (11)
3x Courageous Soul
3x Priestess of Angeline
2x Watchful Gargoyle
3x White Dragon

Sage (12)

Slow ()

Fast (8)
2x Ancient Chant
3x Thought Plucker
3x Wave of Transformation

0-Cost (4)
1x Amnesia
3x Forcemage Apprentice

Wild (9)

Slow (3)
3x Pack Alpha

Fast (3)
3x Wolf’s Call

0-Cost (3)
2x Fireball
1x Flash Fire

Prototype Explanation

Conclusion

As with the rest of the decks, I’ll be interested to see where this one goes.

Core Epic Humans (Good)

Forward

This article follows the progression of my core-set-only Core Epic Humans deck. I start by explaining how I created the experimental, untested deck (in preparation for the core only alpha for Epic Card Game Digital). Then, I plan on updating this article with an analysis of how the deck performs, in addition to explaining any changes I make to it (assuming it performs well enough to update).

Other decks in this Epic Card Game Digital series include: Core Incremental Targeted Removal, Core Evil Tokens, Core Sage Army, and Core Wild Champion Overload. They are all built following my Epic Constructed Process.

This bonus deck is the most interesting one in the series, and I’ve been looking forward to writing about this one the most.

(Extra 5 decks: Core Token Control, Core Sky Force, Core Feint, Tom’S Core Discard Deck, and Tom’S Core Aggressive Burn List)

Current Deck List

As I update the deck list, I’ll update this picture and written list (currently + Board Clears deck list).


*Picture not updated to reflect the -1 Angel of Mercy +1 Divine Judgement change

Evil (12)

Slow ()

Fast (8)
3x Apocalypse
3x Final Task
2x Plague

0-Cost (4)
1x Guilt Demon
3x Wither

Good (36)

Slow (9)
3x Lord of the Arena
3x Palace Guard
3x White Knight

Fast (15)
3x Angel of Light
2x* Angel of Mercy
3x Angelic Protector
1x* Divine Judgement
3x Noble Unicorn
3x Resurrection

0-Cost (12)
3x Brave Squire
3x Faithful Pegasus
3x Priest of Kalnor
3x White Dragon

Sage ()

Slow ()

Fast ()

0-Cost ()

Wild (12)

Slow (3)
3x Kong

Fast (5)
2x Pyromancer
3x Surprise Attack

0-Cost (4)
2x Flash Fire
2x Lash

Prototype Explanation

Eventful Champions Changes

+ Board Clears Changes

-1 Angel of Mercy +1 Divine Judgement

After succumbing to the all 3 Angel of Mercy early draw, I’ve decided to be a bit less greedy. Therefore, I’m taking out 1 Angel of Mercy and replacing it with 1 Divine Judgement. Angel of Mercy is very strong, but it can be awful if you draw too many of them early, especially when playing against decks that have a lot of banish effects.

Conclusion

I really look forward to seeing how this deck plays. Feel free to discuss/ask any questions throughout the decks development. Always happy to provide answers (usually very long, detailed answers).

+ Board Clears

The deck has been performing well, and it is fun to play. Hopefully the additional board clears will make it even more resilient.