In times when everyone’s crazy about fast Druid and face Hunter, Russian player Denis “Freikuk” Kukushkin brings a very solid tempo Mage, designed to crush the ladder.
Since GvG launched, the Mage class has been in an upsurge. Where previously there was just the Frost Mage spec and similar control-oriented builds, now came Mech Mages, fatigue Mages, value Mages, weird burst Mages and what have you.
The tempo Mage was another archetype that gained popularity with the new expansion. Cards like [card]Unstable Portal[/card], [card]Flamecannon[/card] and [card]Piloted Shredder[/card] provided high-value minions and effective removal, strengthening even more the minion-based decks.
With his #1 Legend deck, Freikuk exploits the tempo concept to the maximum. His curve starts with the classic [card]Mana Wyrm[/card], a minion protected with lots of removal which initiates the beatdown. The likes of [card]Unstable Portal[/card], [card]Sorcerer’s Apprentice[/card], [card]Mad Scientist[/card] and [card]Kirin Tor Mage[/card] present more potential for “cheating the curve”, summoning spells or minions for free, or at least at a reduced mana cost. Imagine a free [card]Mirror Entity[/card] which came from a [card]Kirin Tor Mage[/card] and now you’re copying your opponent’s minions for no mana.
This is what this Mage is all about – build a stronger board with each consecutive turn, confidently marching towards the end-game finishers like [card]Dr Boom[/card], [card]Kel’Thuzad[/card] and [card]Ragnaros the Firelord[/card]. Every turn offers a variety of value plays and whoever pilots the deck needs to find the most optimal way towards victory.
As Freikuk writes in his guide, the deck is at 79,2% win-rate, the worst match-up being Warlock at 6-4 (60%). It’s undefeated against other Mages and holds a great 87,5% against Druids and Warriors.
So if you’re in need of a strong Mage deck, give this one a try. Or, alternatively, search our deck section for more ideas.
