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Hearthstone9 years agoGosu "GosuGamers" Gamers

Day one of NA Hearthstone World Championship Qualifiers is over


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The #RoadtoBlizzCon is winding down, and the best Hearthstone talent in the world are gearing up for most prestegious tournament to date. Among those, are the players competing today and tomorrow in the second phase of the North American qualifers, held in New York City. Their prize? One of the four spots in the 2014 Hearthstone World Championship and a chance at $250,000.

Amongst these players are some of the most recognizable names in Hearthstone. Will StrifeCro, ThatsAdmirable, Chakki and TidesofTime continue their undefeated streak from the first phase? Or will an underdog like Stunner come in for the upset? Regardless of the outcome, this tournament is poised to solidfy some of the lingering debates on what decks perform well in the current post buzzard nerf meta.

This group promises an exciting series of matches and you can keep track of the action here with continual updates throughout the matches. Who do you think will make it out on top?


Group A recap:

Game 1: Backspace Rogue VS Ramp Druid.

These type of rogue decks use Coldlight Oracle to great affect vs slower decks and this game is a great example of that. Stunner was forced to over draw twice and Thatsadmirable’s Sap’s turned into two mana assassinates vs an opponent with a full hand. Regardless of all of this synergy, Gadgetzan Auctioneer was never drawn. Also, Stunner's use of Spectral Knights vs a nearly an all spell deck was brutal.

Game 2: Control Paladin VS Ramp Druid.

Thatsadmirable’s Control Paladin is serious about surviving the late game, but Stunner is serious about killing you when you get there. After a punishing Cenarius that buffed over 8 attack and 8 health worth of minions, there wasn’t enough holy lights in the world to keep Thatsadmirable alive.

Interesting play: The choice to NOT silence Tyrion Fordring, and instead play Cenarius. I’m not sure most players would have the discipline to not silence the most silence-able target in the game. 

Game 3: Ramp Druid vs Ramp Druid

Thatsadmirable had an amazing set of draws, doing over 12 damage with a single minion, and ending the game with two minions and double Savage Roar. Stunner had already gotten two wins out of his druid deck however, and happily decided to go into game 4 with his Rogue deck.

Game 4: Ramp Druid vs Miracle Rogue

Stunner shows in this match just how powerful Miracle Rogue can be when you manage your removal with your face damage. Thatsadmirable Fought tooth and nail, but couldn’t survive the shiv’s and daggers towards his face. Thatsadmirable is eliminated.

Group B recap:

Game 1: Aggro Hunter VS Zoo lock

Both players had similar ideas of opening the series with their most aggressive deck, and this match was an all out slug fest. Double Kill Command eventually sealed the game away in 15 damage out of nowhere, giving Firebat the win. Twisted chose Shaman for the next match.

Game 2: Aggro Hunter vs Control shaman 

Twisted runs double Lava Burst in this deck; an interesting meta call that unfortunately is the last two cards you want to draw in the first 3 turns vs aggro hunter. After a fast start from Firebat, Twisted found himself with 8 health on turn 6. You can guess what card was in Firebat’s hand. I will give you a hint: rhymes with pill demand.

Game 3: Aggro Hunter VS Mid-range Hunter.

In a mirror match gaining little bits of value at every opportunity is extra important. So when Twisted managed to silence the opposing Savannah Highmane before trading with his own Savannah Highmane, thinks were looking up. After that, a devastating Unleash the Hounds was all it took to gain back some momentum and take his first game vs Firebat.

Game 4: Zoolock VS Mid-range Hunter.

While the slower, mid-range version of the Hunter Deck provided Twisted the edge in the mirror, it was too slow to survive vs Firebats Zoolock deck. You know how the story goes: Firebat play a lot of minions, and Twisted couldn't keep up with their deadly intent to smash into faces.

Result: Firebat wins 3-1 vs Twisted.

Game 1: Aggro Hunter vs Ramp Druid.

Two Spectral Knights followed by a sun fury protector leaves a hunter opponent extremely sad. There really wasn’t much that Deathstar could of down once StrifeCro assembled the wombo-combo. In response Deathstar went to an aggressive looking Shaman deck.

StrifeCro is running two copies of sun fury protector and Spectral Knight in this deck, which is turning out to be a very wise meta game call.

Game 2: Control Shaman vs Ramp Druid

This game went down to the wire, with both players below 10 HP in the late stages of the game, trading empty board against empty board. StrifeCro’s Spectral Knight proved to invaluable again, as once played on an empty board, control Shaman has no way to clear it. Deathstar: 0 Spectral Knight: 2

Game 3: Mid-range Priest vs Ramp Druid.

Deathstar managed to get back on the board by controling the early game and entering the late game with 30 health and board control. While a timely Cenarious gave Strifecro the much needed taunt and board presence, a even more timely Shadow Madness from Deathstar gave him his first win vs the infamous druid player.

Game 4: Mid-range Priest VS Handlock

Things were going very well for Deathstar and his priest deck, until around turn 9 and he found him self facing LORD JAXXARAS OF THE BURNING LEGION and proceded to die through a combination of INFERNAL'S and more INFERNAL's.

Interesting play towards the end of the game when StrifeCro used Siphon Soul on his own creature to increase his chances of winning from 97% to 99%.

Result: StrifeCro wins 3-1 vs Deathstar

Group C recap: 

Group D recap: 

 

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