Meta Check #8 – The Meta Taking Shape

Hey everyone, GalaxyBird here, with this week’s Meta Check!

Meta Check is our weekly series that we’re where we share what decks Team HSP is currently and the meta that we each were up against. Check out the first episode here.

Team HSP constantly strive for Top 100 Finishes each season, and we’d like to share the knowledge and the decks that we use during our climb with you.

Almost halfway through September, on Team HSP is focusing on improving tournament play and trying out new ideas.

Be sure to check out our Monthly Meta Deck section to see what decks are being played and the guides for it.

Hoarth

1. Have you noticed the meta change much in the last week? Are people countering Secret Paladin more successfully?

   Hasn’t changed much, pretty much secret pally and patron at the top. People aren’t necessarily “countering secret pally” as much as playing decks that don’t flat out lose to the deck. Secret pally is just a really strong deck with a very low skill cap.

2. What three decks are you running the most right now? Why?

   Patron Warrior (decklist)

   Handlock (decklist)

   Secret Paladin (decklist)

3. What was the last tournament you competed in? How did you do?

   Last Chance Tournament, I did rather poorly. A lot of the people who got through the last chance phase really surprised me, but congratulations to everyone who did!

4. With dragon synergies really clicking in TGT, what race in Hearthstone do you think is next in line for getting an upgrade?

   Pirates need some help. The pirate synergy cards in TGT that were released weren’t that strong with the argueable exception of the Sky Capn

5. Any advice for those trying to ladder this season?

   Play Secret Pally, turn your brain off.

Lucky

1. Have you noticed the meta change much in the last week? Are people countering Secret Paladin more successfully?

   Although the predominance of Paladin continues -about 30% on ladder- , there has been a perceptible increase in number of Druids and Mages, which can do quite well against Paladin, as well as less people playing Hunter.

2. What three decks are you running the most right now? Why?

   Midrange Druid (decklist) and Patron Warrior (decklist), because I think they’re the top two decks at the moment.

   Besides that, I’ve been playing a bunch of different decks to understand the global balance better. For example, this Demon Handlock (decklist) has been performing fairly well lately.

3. What was the last tournament you competed in? How did you do?

   I played Last Call Tournament, and finished in round 4. At that time, it was somewhat disappointing to lose after a tight series, but at least I was able to find my A-game during the tournament.

4. With dragon synergies really clicking in TGT, what race in Hearthstone do you think is next in line for getting an upgrade?

   It could be demons, since Warlock hasn’t changed much after TGT, but it’s hard to predict until we are closer to new content. I only hope it won’t be mechs!

5. Any advice for those trying to ladder this season?

   Pick one deck that does well against Secret Paladin or be prepared to lose a lot. It is not easy to play against them, but you can improve your results with practice, so, be patient.

Sixis

1. Have you noticed the meta change much in the last week? Are people countering Secret Paladin more successfully?

   I’d say the meta is mostly the same with small variations depending on the day.

2. What three decks are you running the most right now? Why?

   Midrange Secret Paladin (decklist) and experimenting with other decks like Echo Mage or Dragonlock (decklist).

3. What was the last tournament you competed in? How did you do?

   The Last Chance qualifier. I lost on Round 4. I’d say I can be happy with my performance; I think the decks and my plays were mostly on point.

4. With dragon synergies really clicking in TGT, what race in Hearthstone do you think is next in line for getting an upgrade?

   Probably a new race with a lot of small tweaks to Pirates, Dragons, or Mechs.

5. Any advice for those trying to ladder this season?

   Expect Paladin, Druid and some Warriors and Mages to a lesser extent. Just pick a Tier 1 or 1.5 deck that you know well and try to play your best.

Keyo

1. Have you noticed the meta change much in the last week? Are people countering Secret Paladin more successfully?

   It hasn’t changed significantly, but it has slowed down a little bit. As far as Secret Paladin goes, it’s still running rampant, but I’ve start to see people testing a more midrange list again as opposed to the Divine favor lists.

2. What three decks are you running the most right now? Why?

   I’ve been brewing a lot this week, now that the Last Call Tournament is over, so its not really that I’ve played one deck more than others, maybe a little bit more tempo mage than anything else, but I’ve also played some hybrid hunter and Majordomo Mage!

3. What was the last tournament you competed in? How did you do?

   I’ve played in a couple small tournaments that I haven’t really tried too hard in, but I was playing in the NA Last Call Tournament for Blizzcon, where I lost in the round of 64. In Game 5 I lost a 67% lethal roll on animal companion, then panicked and made some very costly misplays.

4. With dragon synergies really clicking in TGT, what race in Hearthstone do you think is next in line for getting an upgrade?

   I never really got into WoW, but as a former magic player, I would LOVE to see Goblins become an actual race in Hearthstone.

5. Any advice for those trying to ladder this season?

   My one tip of advice is to not keep changing decks, stick to one or two predetermined decks each day. If you start to switch decks you play less optimally, and then you get tilted because of misplays. You can still brew, but save some brewing for other days 🙂

Closing

In case you’re looking for Kabi and Koroneko’s input – they both are participating in this weekend’s regional qualifiers, so they’re busy preparing!

Secret Paladins are still running rampant and no one is safe. Will the player base learn to deal with it? Will Blizzard step in? Who knows…

Check back next week as Team HSP refines their Tournament deck lists, and watches the ranked meta fluctuate!

Have questions or feedback about this series? Leave your comments below. See you all next week!

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