Before we begin, I’d like to point out that I’m in no way, shape or form a veteran player of Hearthstone. Even though I’ve been playing on/off for the last 7 years. Normally, I’d play for a couple of days at a time before putting it back down. Mainly because I was terrible at it and never allowed myself to fully learn.
And the only reason I’ve played in recent years was because of Hearthstone’s auto-battler mode, Battlegrounds. Something I’ve spent a lot of hours on, progressively mastering my strategy and technique. Which in turn has sparked my interest once again with the original game mode. Especially while spending time abroad, away from my usual gaming platforms. I’ve since become a self-proclaimed Warlock main.
This also comes at the same time as Hearthstone launches its 20th expansion, Voyage to the Sunken City. Now, for obvious reasons, I’ve never been too interested in the expansions. Also the price point for bundles can be pricey. Not to mention that you can also purchase a single card pack relatively easy using in-game currency.
But after getting my hands on the Voyage to the Sunken City mega bundle, I’m definitely reconsidering my latter opinion. Having a larger collection of new cards at once has made learning new gameplay mechanics/playstyles easier. Not to mention, it’s made playing as a Warlock more fun and interesting than core play.
Voyage to the Sunken City introduces an underwater-themed set of cards, including a new minion type, card type and gameplay mechanics. Together, these can change the way you approach an attack and help shape the finishing result.
Veteran World of Warcraft creature race, the Naga, have been introduced into Hearthstone. Naga’s include all of the usual card-play mechanics, but two in particular stand out from the rest. “Dredge” and “Abyssal Curse” are a new keyword and game mechanic introduced to Hearthstone. Both of which play big roles in how I now play Warlock.
Playing Dredge cards allows you to pick one of three cards on the bottom of your deck to be placed on the top. And if you play your cards right (pun intended) it could draw the card straight into your hand.
Dredge cards have been helpful, but Abyssal Curse cards are where I’ve had the most fun with. And, in my opinon, is where Warlock has definitely improved. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed many a satisfying clutch win as Warlock. Bringing my health down to single digits, only to heal myself back up again and obliterate the competition is just… *chefs kiss*
While I’ve enjoyed Warlock and mastering my technique, it didn’t have that “aggressive” edge. I mean, I could just lay into my opponent with spells. But like any other spell heavy class, it’s easy to burn through cards until you’re down to nothing.
But Abyssal Curse has given it that extra “oomf” by adding a multi-attack mechanic on the opposing hero, lasting two turns. The more times you play Abyssal Curse, the more it’s damage increases. Not to mention it can also heal if you play it correctly. It has the same health dropping clutch play style while also allowing you to go ham on your enemy.
However, I do have one gripe with it. And that is the never increasing mana cost to dispel said Curse. This should come with a bigger sacrifice instead of being a flat cost of two mana crystals. Maybe it should increase every other time you’re hit with Abyssal Curse to balance it out.
Abyssal Curse has drastically improved my Warlock deck, but there’s one last cherry on top of this new and improved deck that I’m rocking. And that’s another new keyword – Colossal. And if played right, it can give your game a big boost. The keyword being “if”.
Colossal plays a heavy hitting minion, along with two (sometimes four) smaller side minions. Often with their own special plays, ie. “Randomly attack enemy minions for +1 damage if the main card attacks.” However, it’s not a sure guarantee they’ll save the day.
Sometimes Colossal Cards worked in my favour, other times my opponent has overwhelmed me too heavily. But it’s a nice change from the usual mana heavy hero attack cards, like Lord Jaraxxus for example, that have been relied on in the same way.
While I mostly played around with the new Voyage to the Sunken City card set using my Warlock, I tried out a few other class sets to see how they fared. And in turn, I almost became either a Hunter or Mage main.
Like the Warlock, Hunter uses a Naga heavy deck with plenty of aggression. Mage on the other hand use a lot newly introduced underwater Mech cards. And they don’t feel too spell heavy either.
These classes are the few I’ve invested in the most, and unfortunately I only own half of the cards needed for most of the other new class builds. But from what I’ve played around with, Voyage to the Sunken City is a fun addition to Hearthstone that will certainly fare well with new and veteran players alike.
Voyage to the Sunken City bundles/card packs are available for Hearthstone on iOS, Android, PC and Mac.
