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Heroes of Rivenbrandt Mini-Expansion Day 1 Compilation (Rotation)

Zones

August 18, 2023

Fairy Forest

78950
Source: @mattan_game's Fairy Forest
Deck Builder Link: Deck Link

Fairy Forest was gaining traction in the pre-mini metagame as its biggest problem matchup - Ghost Shadow, was simultaneously on the decline, and with the addition of Lily it's not about to lose any steam. May is also an option, but multiple sources seem to eschew May at the moment in favor of consistently finding Rayne, as Fairy Forest struggles to have enough board space to invoke both cards at the same time. This is an aggro deck with a very strong Combo finish, so mulligan for Nobilis, or an otherwise aggressive curve. Plumeria + Shining Valkyrie is also a good hand to keep. Once you are at 10 followers left play, you can look to accumulate Verdant Prayers from Castelle which is generally how you are looking to close out the game.

Loot Sword

57200
Source: @banao_DCG's Loot Sword
Deck Builder Link: Deck Link

Loot Sword is the big winner based on a single powerful card from this mini-expansion and there are many builds finding a lot of initial success. Rogers opens up a variety of OTKs, but you do need to make sure to hold onto more flags now. This also worsens General Maximus, as it's a bigger problem to pull your Condemned followers from your deck without generating Loots from them. There are still a few slots of wiggle room in this deck, and I'm sure we'll find refinements to come. I think you want to mulligan for Rogers and First Mate, as the deck plays enough 1-drops and 2-drops to fill the curve before that point on a hard mulligan. You're going to be looking to hit 7 loot by using Rogers's Leader effect on top of First Mate's ability to generate a ton of Loot on his own. You'll want to start looking for lethal outs on turn 7 (Storm Barbaros is often a good chunk of damage) but the reliable OTKs tend to need some discounted Flag setup if you want to pull them off before turn 8. Don't forget that your first Loot each turn refunds a play point once you have Rogers's Leader effect!

Earth Rite Rune

42350
Source: @para_chan_'s Earth Rite Rune
Deck Builder Link: Deck Link

Earth Rite is likely still not quite there yet, but if you've got a Sweet Golem Tooth, you can have a taste of what the future may hold in store for this archetype. Mulligan for Juno, Sweet Defender, and Ultramarine Witch. You're looking to close out the game with a combination of burn damage from Levi and Storm damage from Colossal Summoning. That said, I think the same Mysteria decks as from before the Mini-expansion are still going to be doing better as Rune options.

Bahamut Dragon

66500
Source: @no_verse_p's Bahamut Dragon
Deck Builder Link: Deck Link

With a lack of direction for Dragoncraft's more proactive archetypes, Bahamut has become the go-to deck for Dragon players. Asuka & Shiori are a great addition to this archetype as they reprise the barely-rotated Angel's Blessing, which is huge in this deck that looks to stall out the game and benefits from both PP recovery and healing. Mulligan for Ramp cards and Azvaldt. Asuka & Shiori are keepable either with Ramp or going second

Vengeance Blood

68150
Source: @oki_kana_916's Vengeance Blood
Deck Builder Link: Deck Link

Vengeance Blood, well, it's not really back with a vengeance, since it hasn't really ever disappeared. Instigator of Discord is here to not only Waltz in and ruin your day but also give you more ways to activate Vengeance in this deck, notably being a far less risky alternative to Vulgus. I do (not) blame oki_kana_916's list for being a little all over the place, as I think this archetype will see some refinement in the days to come. Mulligan for Doublame, 1-drops, and a Vengeance Activator.

Enhance Portal

71450
Source: @iketerusika's Enhance Portal
Deck Builder Link: Deck Link

Battlecruiser Operational! The new Interstellar Battlecruiser seems to be designed for a slow Portal deck of old in Enhance Portal. Since a lot of Enhance's 8pp OTK options have rotated, Battlecruiser helps stall one turn for 9pp for the 10 damage Cutthroat play. Mulligan for Cutthroat or Ironforged Right Hand to find your Cutthroat. It's also a good idea to keep the one-ofs that shine in particular matchups or situations, like Metatron going second or Olivia & Sylvia going first.