Heya, how do I beat Eladwen?

[OptimisticS]

I'm a newish player in the sense that I've already playdd this game for a few months on and off on my ipod but started getting serious about SE. I'm an avid fan of Zaladar and used quite a few decks such as the Feedbombd Dynamo and Crystal Miner. While I feel those are really strong decks, I can't help but feel frustrated when playing against Eladwen. She controls the board with her ability and mage spells while taking out my DR's with LLN and Acid Jets. I'm totally shut down as she blasts me to oblivion with fireballs and supernovas. When I go into irc chat, people tells me that Zaladar trumps Eladwen because of MC and DR, but that is not the case for me. Can you guys help me by telling me what I'm doing wrong and maybe make some deck adjustments? Hell, I'd even take up a new hero that hard counters Eladwen decks (but I'm a bit poor so that'd take a bit).

If it helps, I use Preybird's Crystal Miner 2.0 deck a lot.

[Zhou86]

Hi there again,

You are using a DR Zal, against a Mage, DR is good, but you have to be careful not to give away any Mind Controls.
Before using DR, make sure you have at least 3 Mind Controls out already.
Another way is to perform the 1 way steal: Cast Bad Santa to fill up your opponent's hand, then use DR to steal cards from your opponent, this way your opponent will not get any cards from you.

Another thing is that you can use Molten Destroyer against Mages, they generally perform better than Plasma Behemoth against them. Other than that, just use your Mind Controls for fatties or PoTL or Jasmines, then use your hero ability to take out any threat and damage your opponent.

If your opponent uses a Rush Eladwen, and has first turn advantage and a good hand, generally is very hard to beat, but not impossible.

Most importantly is that you have to work your sac choices. If you are daring, you can try to pack 1 Soul Reaper as a surprise package. (But remember to use DR once your Soul Reaper is out, there was once I lost to Eladwen, I was very close to winning until she drew my Soul Reaper due to my DR).

[Index]

Zhou, I won't care about how many MC he took from me when against Eladwen.
All I DO care is damn Soul Reaper!!!!!

[Atomzed]

Zhou, I won't care about how many MC he took from me when against Eladwen.
All I DO care is damn Soul Reaper!!!!!

+1! MC is not an issue. SR is, but DR is such a great weapon against mages, you just have to bite the bullet.

Other tips for Zaladar against Eladwen, never sac your gargoyles. Gargoyles are difficult to kill for Eladwen so you want to drop a few on the board. The only way Eladwen can clear 2 gargoyles is a nova, and that means that she take 5 dmg too. Try to bait Eladwen in using her shadow ability first, then drop a DMT; don't over commit but remember that nova is also a plus for you since Eladwen can't heal.

If you can get a SK loop going, it's looking good for you. She has to spend burn to kill SK, or she would take 5 dmg next turn.

Also try to pack some DMT in your deck. DMT helps because it takes out that pesky Kris which often can deal 3 dmg or more.

Be careful with when you are casting that bad Santa too. If you have the board, and Eladwen has only 1-2 cards on hand and you are lower in HP, don't use your bad Santa. It's better to top deck than to give 3 burn cards to Eladwen who can finish you off. Remember the typical Eladwen uses ally for early dmg, then switch to burn in late games. If she has to spend burn to deal with your allies that's less dmg for you.

Finally, remember that Eladwen with the perfect opening (T1 kris, T2 Puwen, T3 Aldon is very very difficult to beat).

[Index]

Finally, remember that Eladwen with the perfect opening (T1 kris, T2 Puwen, T3 Aldon is very very difficult to beat).

Almighty Fire Snake could really help.

[Bayushi]

T1 - FS
T2 - Brut
T3 - Gargoyle
T4 - SF (if going first) / another Gargoyle if going 2nd
T5 - DR

If I remember correctly someone from KA conceived this strategy.

[Geckt]

Doesn't matter much cept the dr's and sr is important, spam sf and zal blast him, ignore allies unless you have MC and race him down. Mostly it's down to only a few allies that last like Gargs for constant damage.

Why DR?
It can be your saving graces if you fish out some of his burn cards, tho you might wanna hold them if you're afraid of him ripping your reapers instead.

[Raphael Majere]

T1 - FS
T2 - Brut
T3 - Gargoyle
T4 - SF (if going first) / another Gargoyle if going 2nd
T5 - DR

If I remember correctly someone from KA conceived this strategy.

Oh yes. Ka anson used this on me and I actually have a zal Deck like that for qm. Will post later.

Also amber is great to take down elad.

Portal maj also stands 50/50 chance.

Lance, on a lucky hand and with spelleater bands that is not LLNed is virtually an auto win vs elad.

Others : solo Gwen (with or without bands)

Banebow with ss bow, garg and SK and wrath of the forest.

Boris with worms and aeon and KP and enrage and rampage.

Millstalker with 4 regen 4 Lw and a fairly lucky hand.

[Atomzed]

Almighty Fire Snake could really help.

Iirc, the Crystal miner don't run firesnake. That's why I didn't ask him to include that auto-win card.

[Atomzed]

KA Kakamong popularized the FS Zal, which he called Wind & Dust Zal. It's very effective against the mages. The standard form includes

Zal
- 4x bad santa (for the Santa bomb, and to fill the opponent hand so that he don't benefit from the DR)
- 4x firesnake
-4x brutalis
- 4x gargoyles
- 4x DMT
- 4x shadow font
- 4x Mind control
-4x DR
-3 to 4 shadow knight

You can then mix in some tech cards like LLN, sever ties, energy discharge, blood lust, soul reaper..

It's very effective against mages because the mage often have to spend a lot of burn to keep the board. With DR, you can deal 6 dmg per weaponand you often get the burn.it's a proven deck. I remember 1ndeed using the deck to reach the US regionals final.

Hope that helps!