This week, Hearthstone not only brought a brand new expansion to players across the world, but a handful of nerfs for cards that have sat in collections for some time, and new ways to play the game.
Here though we're focusing on the expansion, Whispers of the Old Gods, after being lucky enough to open 208 (so far!) packs of cards from the new collection, allowing us to play around with all of the common, rare and epic cards on offer, as well as a handful of legendaries.
Adding 134 new cards to the game was always going to shake up gameplay in some form, but it's really something to see just how much these new faces (and in some cases, some corrupted recognisable faces!) can flip a match completely on its head.
One of those additions is C'Thun, an 'Old God of madness and chaos' who is added to your collection upon the gaining of your very first Whispers of the Old God pack, guaranteed alongside two Beckoner of Evil cards.
C'Thun is just one of four Old Gods available through the new expansion and can have its attack and health stats bumped up through the use of cards such as the Beckoner of Evil whether it's in your deck, in your hand or on the battlefield. Starting out with 6 attack and 6 health and being bumped up progressively throughout a game, when it's played its battlecry can be devastating.
'Deal damage equal to this minion's Attack randomly split among all enemies' reads the battlecry - meaning if your opponent has minions with a small amount of health out on the field, it's likely that after bumping up C'Thun, just his battlecry can wipe them out and take a few health from your opponent's hero. The unique mechanic this adds to proceedings absolutely outweighs the other three Old Gods available - but that doesn't mean they're not worth a look.
N'Zoth, the Corruptor holds the battlecry 'Summon your Deathrattle minions that died this game' which of course could be extremely powerful if you couple it with the right minions.
Meanwhile, Yogg-Saron, Hope's End will upon being played 'Cast a random spell for each spell you've cast this game (targets chosen randomly)'. This one's a little trickier to work into a deck. Because of its random nature, it could and has already brought those who play it to their premature loss. Perhaps this should be a card kept in a deck only for a last punt at turning things around...
Finally, Y'Shaarj, Rage Unbound adds a minion from your deck to your battlefield at the end of your turn, for as many turns as it remains alive or for as many turns as you have minions still in your deck. Great if you need to get some traction on the board and your opponent is hammering your face, but not as powerful as it first may seem, because it cannot be played until 10 turns in.
Hearthstone professionals may not be looking to C'Thun as this expansion's most powerful appearance however and instead might list a different legendary a little higher. Not one of the Old Gods, but the 4-6 for 7 mana neutral legendary Twin Emperor Vek'lor. As the perfect save for a C'Thun deck, he will summon another Emperor to the battlefield when played if your C'Thun has at least 10 attack, with both emperors being given taunt. He's already saved my neck a couple of times.
Building a brand new deck from your newly available options along with those still included in standard play can at first be a little daunting, so players struggling should feel no shame in heading to a website that specialises in giving tips for decks for a little inspiration. I've done it a few times in the past and will continue to in the future - it's even worth checking out Hearthstone's own in-game recipes and making some changes.
It's fair to say that Whispers of the Old Gods is a majorly successful addition to the Hearthstone franchise. It's been a little while now since I found myself addicted to the title but, after playing over three hours worth of games last night I'm back right in the thick of it and loving every second. The game continues to deliver on the artwork front, with gorgeous pictures and golden card animations - the art team have done a brilliant job. This could be my favourite game addition to-date.
Hearthstone: Whispers of the Old Gods is available now.
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