As with any expansion or wave of nerfs (or buffs) on Hearthstone, a question keeps coming up: "What are the legendary cards to crack first?" We will try to help you spend your dust in the best possible way by offering you the legendary cards that we believe should be "almost" essential in the contemporary meta of the Saviors of Uldum expansion.
We will also add the legendary from other expansions that are essential to craft because they have a key role within some decks.
For each legendary, we tell you if we consider it simply a good craft option, i.e. a good card that is not essential in any archetype, or if it is essential, i.e. it is essential to have an optimized version of some decks.
Please note that this ranking is by no means a 100% safe bet, but that it includes the most obvious cards (we based ourselves on hsreplay data), and that it will be updated if necessary.
Saviors of Uldum
Legendary cards you should craft as a priority
- Without any surprise, the most played card is a neutral one: Zephrys the Great, the mythical genie of the lamp. Even though the card might be a bit hard to master, it can save pretty much every class from any situation.
- Another neutral card with a high versatility: Siamat. Played either defensively or aggressively, this card perfectly fits into Reno Mage, Highlander Hunter, and Warrior Control decklists.
- Reno the Relicologist is the only class card in this first tier — however, no one had thought this new version of Reno Jackson would have had so much impact on the meta.
- Great Priest Amet should only be crafted if you're planning on playing Combo Priest decks. This archetype is quite strong in the current meta as it's capable of handling Mage and Warrior.
- Armagedillo is absolutely mandatory if you want to play new Warrior Control decklists. The synergy between this card and either Tomb Warden, Zilliax or Scared Servant is so powerful that you can't go without it.
- Dinotamer Brann is another of these cards that were judged irrelevant before the expansion was released. Now that people have discovered that you can summon King Krush on turn 6 or 7, opinion on this card has massively changed. Within the Highlander Hunter decklists, this sole card applies an enormous pressure on the opponent while opening a possible lethal.
Legendary cards you should keep an eye on
- Before the expansion was released, the Quest Druid deck was considered as one of the best decks of the expansion. However, it quickly became crystal clear that Mage decks were obliterating these Druid decklists. However, the Quest Druid decklist allows you to play both Malygos and Chef Nomi — and Elise the Enlightened allows some duplicating shenanigans. Untapped Potential will help you survive mid-game while getting your OTK ready.
- Corrupt the Waters is probably the easiest Saviors of Uldum Quest to complete. Thanks to your new Hero Power, your Lackeys will soon become a real nightmare for your opponent. Shudderwock won't be played until you finish your quest, but it remains as one of the best finishers of the game if you swarmed your opponents with Weaponized Wasp or Lifedrinker.
- King Phaoris is already seen in greedy decks such as Reno Mage or Druid Decks. It might not be as competitive as other Legendaries but it's very fun to play — especially since you can rebuild an entire board with one card, thus countering Control Warrior decks.
A few days ago, numerous players have pointed out how strong the Mage and the Warrior classes currently were — as testified by the Master Tour Seoul winning decklists. Well, brace yourselves because Hearthstone Principal Game Designer Mike Donais seems to imply that nerfs are coming...
Top Legendaries from other expansions
- Heistbaron Togwaggle is one of the most important cards of Tempo Rogue decks. Since Rogue often struggles to win against Warrior, this card allows you to generate value and beat Warrior decks at their own game.
- Khadgar is a mandatory card in almost all Mage archetypes (Cyclone Mage, Reno Mage, Freeze Mage). The fact that it synergizes with Conjurer's Calling or Power of Creation makes the card stronger — to the point that your opponent should perceive it as a heavy threat and use a removal card as soon as possible.
- Archivist Elysiana was nerfed but it's still a very important card within Control decks. It's currently played within Warrior and Shaman Control decks since it allows to push the fatigue off.
- The new Boom is without contest the star of the Bomb Warrior deck. If you're planning on playing a Bomb Warrior decklist, this card is definitely mandatory — and probably stronger than Dr. Boom from the Gobelins vs. Gnomes expansion.
- Kalecgos became as important as Khadgar is the current Mage decklists. Since it brings a lot of tempo, it's played in both Freeze Mage and Reno Mage.
- Chef Nomi is the keystone of these decklists which revolves around drawing such as the Quest Druid, the Murlocs Paladin, and the Rogue Tempo.
In theory, the three legendary cards above are pretty good but they're dedicated to specific archetypes:
- Swampqueen Hagatha is only playable within Control Shaman and is pointless against aggressive decks.
- Keeper Stalladris is a card full of potential which fits quite well within the new Saviors of Uldum Quest Druid deck.
- Jepetto Joybuzz is already played in Battlecry or Combo decks but remains unplayable within Aggro or Midrange decks.
- Zul'Jin is THE card that allows the Hunter to beat Control decks. Do you plan on playing Hunter? Then, you need it.
- The OTK Holy Wrath Paladin deck can't be played without Shir'vallah, but that's the only use of the card within the current meta.
- Zilliax is simply the most played card in Hearthstone. Polyvalent and versatile without being overpowered, this card is really strong except maybe in aggressive decks.
- Since it can generate a swarming legion of Microbots, SN1P-SN4P is a hell to deal with. Also, since it's a Neutral minion you can play it within any deck.
- If you're playing a Control or a Bomb Warrior deck and you have successfully played Dr. Boom, Mad Genius on turn 7, you will most of the time win. This card is so powerful that it might get hit by a nerf pretty soon...
- Myra's Unstable Element is THE card that allows gaining tempo within most matchups. Empty your hand in a Smorc style, draw more damage, win.
- Since its buff, Luna's Pocket Galaxy is the strongest card of the Mage class — perhaps in the entire game. The card is so mandatory and overpowered that it should also soon get struck by the nerf hammer...
- Shudderwock and Hagatha the Witch are two mandatory cards within Shaman Control decks. If you love the class, then don't think and craft them.
- Houndmaster Shaw used to be played a lot when it was released but it slowly became less and less popular. With the new Highlander Hunter deck, this legendary card makes its big return!
- Leeroy Jenkins will always fit within aggressive decks until it rotates out of Standard mode — especially since Rogue can easily abuse from its power with Shadowstep.
- Edwin Van Cleef is one the Rogue win conditions against control-oriented classes such as Warrior or Druid.
- Harrison Jones often depends on the meta. If a lot of decks are playing weapons, then Harrison is pretty strong. Otherwise, it might be a dead card.
- Antonidas is slowly becoming popular especially since new Mage archetypes often need more fuel to end the game. Also, since the current Mage style is heavily focused on the board, the possibility to generate range targeting spells will help you get the final ticks of damage that you need.
- Alexstrasza was released with Hearthstone Basic Set... and it's still played. Playable both defensively and aggressively, it fits all control decks — especially Combo ones.
- Thalnos will be always played since spell damage combined to draw mechanic is probably one of the most versatile combo of the game.
Hearthstone — Mike Donais teases Saviors of Uldum future balance changes
A few days ago, numerous players have pointed out how strong the Mage and the Warrior classes currently were — as testified by the Master Tour Seoul winning decklists. Well, brace yourselves because Hearthstone Principal Game Designer Mike Donais seems to imply that nerfs are coming...
