My 230 Zaladar Deck - "Mega-rush"

[Raphael Majere]

Edit: A lot of changes has been made to the original post. In order to make this clear for new visitors, I've decided to do a major overhaul of the post.

Firstly, I would like to thank several people. Everyone who took their time to build and play this deck, thank you!

Special thanks to people who have tested and posted suggestions to make this deck even better: Gondorian, Giskard, Morphalath, Rizla79, . Thanks to people who gave compliments, they inspire me: yuming09, otto7, ertai88.

Thanks to Killtrend who pointed me to his own Zaladar deck, providing greater insight and deeper thoughts.

This deck started out as a fun deck, but evolved to be a real contender.

It surprised me and after a lot of tinkering and suggestions, it actually worked quite well competively.

You can track its growth - please refer to the end part of this post

ORIGINAL BUILD

1 x Zaladar

4 x Keldor
3 x Infernal Gargoyle
4 x Plasma Behemoths
3 x Chimera
3 x Medusil
4 x Mind Control
4 x Shriek
4 x Dimension Ripper

Total: 30.

12th July - 17th July 2011 BUILD

1 x Zaladar

4 x Keldor
4 x Infernal Gargoyle
4 x Plasma Behemoths
3 x Chimera
2 x Medusil
4 x Mind Control
4 x Shriek
2 x Soul Reaper
2 x Life Infusions (or 2 x AoA - Godorian and Risla)

21st July 2011

1 x Zaladar

4 x Keldor
4 x Infernal Gargoyle
4 x Plasma Behemoths
4 x Chimera
4 x Mind Control
4 x Shriek
2 x Soul Reaper
2 x Life Infusions
1 x Dimension Ripper (It's back!)

CURRENT/PROBABLY FINAL BUILD 16 Aug 2011

1 x Zaladar

3 x Keldor
4 x Infernal Gargoyle
4 x Plasma Behemoths
2 x Chimera
4 x Mind Control
4 x Shriek
2 x Soul Reaper
2 x Life Infusions
2 x Blood Lust
2 x Dimension Ripper


First things first, build the deck and try it out - it's devilishly effective.

Strategy

Board control - 2 words. When playing for this deck, you will want to control all aspects of the game as much as possible. You'll want to kill off all of your opponents' allies, while having a few on your side to deal damage.

Shrieks are used on crucial items such as cards that allow your opponent to draw more cards. (Research, Wizient Staff, on some occasions, Bazaar). In the late game, Shrieks can also be used on opponents' weapons and armor. (Amour of Ages, Snow Sapphire)

The deck has no card draw engines or spells hence you will need to restrict the number of cards your opponent can draw.

The deck has a feature that I always put in my decks. The ability to deal damage in multiple ways. For example, Mages (human and shadow) can deal damage through burn spells and allies. Hunters/Warriors can deal damage through weapons and allies.

My Zaladar "Mega-rush" can deal damage through 2 ways. Allies (lots of those!), and direct damage (Plasma Behemoths and Zaladar ability).

Key Strategy: Patience and Board presence.

When faced with a choice of eliminating opponents allies/removing threats or dealing damage, always (ok, almost always...) destroy the threats first.

For this reason, the deck has Plasma Behemoths, Keldor (who can kill of 4 Life enemy allies) and Chimera (who can deal a nasty 5 damage when pumped up) (5 damage can kill of enemy Plasmas and Gargoyles). And of cos, Zaladar's hero ability.

Turn 3! Mega-headache!?

At turn 3, there are many allies to summon. Which is the right choice? The advanced players should have no problems. For the new players, as a general guideline:

Vs Majiya: Gargoyle
Vs Any opponent who already has a 4 life ally in play: Keldor (Keldor's pump-up can kill them off in turn 4.)

- exception: vs a possible scenario of Blake + Aldon combo. If you feel that the Keldor is going to be killed by the Blake/Aldon combo, obviously do not summon Keldor in turn 3, summon Gargoyle instead.

Going to cast a Chimera in turn 4? Resource Keldor and cast Gargoyle or Medusil

Hence, knowing which ally or card to resource in turn 1 and 2 is somewhat important - but all it takes is just some games to figure it out and learn. You will be sacrificing some allies in turn 1 and 2.

Mega-interrupt!

NEVER EVER sacrifice the Shrieks! (unless you have 3 in your opening hand) They are only 4 in the deck and you'll need them later. Hold them in your hand to be used later.

Card selections (Why these cards make the deck and others don't)

Multiple Choices at Turn 3 creates a lot of flexibility. Where are the Fire Snake/Brutalis and Sparks?!

IMO, too weak and virtually useless at mid-game and late game. I only want to draw effective cards in the mid to late game.

4 Plasmas + 2 Life Infusions

PBs are the darlings of the deck.

The Life Infusions are good too with Gargoyles (2/9 Super-hard Stone) and Chimera (5 Damage Monster)

GAME ACCOUNT - TORAK IRONFIST

I created another game account to document the growth of this deck.

You can view all my games using the in-game search.

My Game Handle: Torak Ironfist - I will only play this deck with Torak Ironfist

12th July 2011

Boris - Win
Nishaven - Win
Elementalis - Win
Majiya - Lost
Victor - Win
Gwen - Win
Gwen - Lost
Gwen - Win
Amber - Win
Majiya - Win
Eldawen - Win
Dark Claw - Win
Gravebone - Win
Nishaven - Lost
Nishaven - Win
Dark Claw - Win
Dark Claw - Win
Elementalis - Win
Zaladar - Win (playing Mega-rush!) Mirror match. Very interesting.

13th July 2011

Zhanna - Win
Dark Claw - Win
Victor - Win
Majiya - Win
Gravebone - Win
Majiya - Lost
Amber - Win
Amber - Win

Ratings: 224

14th July 2011

Gwen - win
Gravebone - win
Gwen - win
Eladwen - win
Nishaven - win
Majiya - win
Nishaven - win
Nishaven - win
Majiya - Loss
Baduruu - Win
Majiya - Loss (very close loss)
Gwen - Win

Ratings: 238.

15th July 2011

Elementalis - Win
Zaladar - Draw - Game Glitch
Majiya - Lost (Made critical mistake in late game)
Gravebone - Win
Jericho - Win

Ratings: 236.

16/17th July 2011

Eldawen - Win
Serena - Win
Boris - Win
Majiya - loss
Jericho - Win
Ter adun - Win (Adun?!)
Majiya - Win
Majiya - Win
Grave bone - loss
Nishaven - loss due to bug (I hate this!)
Zaladar loss
Gwen loss
Nishaven - Win
Majiya - Win
Serena - Win
Gwen - Win
Majiya - loss
Dark claw - Win

Large drop in ratings: 219

UPDATES:

CURRENT/PROBABLY FINAL BUILD 21st July 2011

1 x Zaladar

4 x Keldor
4 x Infernal Gargoyle
4 x Plasma Behemoths
4 x Chimera
4 x Mind Control
4 x Shriek
2 x Soul Reaper
2 x Life Infusions
1 x Dimension Ripper (It's back!)


21 July 2011

29 Wins - 1 Loss (To Bashere's Boris deck)

Amber - Win
Elementalis - Win
Zhanna - Win
Zhanna - Win
Gwen - Win
Gwen - Win
Zaladar - Win
Dark Claw - Win
Dark Claw - Win
Gravebone - Win
Amber - Win
Boris - Loss (To Bashere's 247 Boris Deck)
Majiya - Win
Nishaven - Win
Eladwen - Win
Nishaven - Win
Gwen - Win
Lance - Win
Zhanna - Win
Moonstalker - Win
Gravebone - Win
Jericho - Win
Amber - Win
Gwen - Win
Boris - Win
Amber - Win
Zhanna - Win
Boris - Win
Boris - Win
Nishaven - Win

Ratings: 240.


I am going to continue to play and post the deck's growth here.

I will still continue to answer your questions and provide tips. As of now, I am happy with the deck and my job is pretty much done.

Thank you for the journey - it was a "Mega Rush!"

15th July 2010 - I have started on another project:

Boris - Fun deck "Captain Carnage"

Please check it out too! It's really fun to way with it!