Nature Core Set Refresh, First Impressions

The core set refresh is upon us, and the Public Test Realm(PTR) has been open for all of us. Thus, I wanted to give my first impressions of the changes and how potentially the meta will shake up after these changes go through for my nature lovers. All of the cards are subject to change as they are in the testing phase, and I will revisit them after they are finalized. Let's be hungry hungry hippos and feast on the nature changes, my fellow nature brethren.

Pack Stalk

• Changed mana cost from 1 to 0. Changed text from "Refresh mana equal to the number of creatures you control." To "Refresh one mana for each creature you control."

According to statistics, we start with the worst card, and yes, it was begging for a rework. The wording change doesn't make any changes; it only clarifies what the card does; the question here is getting a mana reduction to 0. Can we slot this card in future decks? My answer is yes and no, I see it played in early game decks (Amazon) and no in control decks (wild). I will go in-depth on this position in my conclusion.

Amazon Conscript

• Changed text from "Roar: Give +1 health to one of your wild or amazon creatures." To "Roar: Give +1 health to one of your creatures."

We come to our first Amazon on this list, and it got a buff. Instead of just being cornered into buffing nature/Amazons, it buffs any creature with +1 health. The question is if it still has a place in wild variations of nature decks, although it is an option to slot into amazon zoo decks. The buff is more of a ruse than anything else, in my opinion.

Arkmonian Anteater

• Add faction wild. Change domain from Neutral to Nature. Change text from "Roar: Give +1 strength to one of your wild or amazon creatures." to "Roar: Give +1 strength to one of your creatures."

This buff is insignificant to push this card to a playable state. The only way I see this played is in nature zoo decks; even then, the buff doesn't make a case for why it should be played, as other cards do a better job.

Tribal Orc (Nightleaf Hunter)

• Change name from Tribal Orc to Nightleaf Hunter. Change faction from Wild to Amazon. Change domain from Neutral to Nature. Change text from "Roar: If you control two other creatures, this creature gets +1 strength." to "Roar: If you control an other creatures, this creature gets +1 strength."

I am not sure why the dev team wanted to rename this card; I am more confused about the wording on the card. "If you control an other creatures?" My best guess is it's the same as before, with the devs trying to clarify the wording of the card and doing an AHEM confusing job at it. Giving the Card Amazon is where the buff lies, in my opinion, and we will be seeing her hunting with the rest of the Amazons.

Pyreshell Beetle

• Changed domain from Neutral to Nature. Changed text from "Creatures damaged by this creature get burn +1." To "Regen 1. Creatures damaged by this creature get burn +1."

Giving Regen 1 is a nice little buff; it could be seen in aggro early game nature decks. It is mainly played to gain board control in the early game, and the Regen 1 will definitely help it see more play.

Barksworn Trailmarker (New)

• Afterlife: Summon 1/1 Amazon Recruit.

Our first new card, which also happens to be an Amazon, is essentially a 3/2 with its afterlife, and I definitely see this being played in Amazon decks as it sets the pace for what's to come.

Curious Wisp (New)

• Roar: This creature gains +1/+1, then shuffle a copy into you deck.

An interesting card that can be utilized in all nature decks, my best guess is that the devs wanted to give an alternative to our favorite broccolini, "Marsh Walker." I also see that giving the card draw wild option with two 1/2's can slot into the midrange control variation of nature utilizing "Henver, Grim Shuck".

Frisky Fox Pup (New)

• Ward. Confused.

Move over Wild Boar, we got a new Fox in town. The dev team essentially usurped wild boar by creating this new card and giving it ward. I believe it was given ward to counteract the rise of magic play and how annoying it gets in the early game with all the spells they use for board clear. I am glad that I have a 2/3 ward wild card, and it was much needed.

Sanctum Guardian (New)

• Regen 1. Roar: Gain +1 health if you control another Amazon.

A one mana amazon who is 1/3 regen and a +1 health buff mechanic, another no-brainer to slot into your amazon deck, and it will make more sense, when we go deeper into this Amazonian revival.

Arrow of Rage

• Change text from "Deal X damage to an enemy creature where X is equal to the strength of a random creature you control." To "A random enemy creature takes your strongest creature's strength in damage."

This could be considered both a buff and a nerf. As earlier, you get to choose the enemy to deal damage, yet have no say in how much damage you will be doing according to the creatures you have on your board. Now it is more akin to all other nature removals, which is "random enemy takes damage," the buff here is you will always know how much damage you will be doing as it is tied to your strongest creature. The card has a low play rate already, and I doubt this change will push it into nature decks, as it still can't compete with cards such as "canopy barrage."

Guerilla Training

• Change text from "Give a creature: "At the end of your turn, gain +3 strength." "To "Give a creature: "At the end of each turn, gain +1/+1."

I like that the card got more utility with +1/+1 instead of +3 at the end of each turn. It is neither a buff nor a nerf; in my opinion, it's more of a direction change as it will fit exceptionally well in the Amazon decks. I foresee this card getting more play time with the change.

Penthesilean Warrior

• Changed domain from Neutral to Nature. Changed stats from 5 mana 6/3 to 2 mana 2/3. Changed text from "Roar: Give each other friendly Amazon +2/+2." To "Roar: Give +1/+1 to the strongest other friendly amazon."

I love the change to this card, and the mana change is a god-sent. Slotting this card into amazon decks was painful as there are many good five mana Amazons "Myrtos Daughter/ Ferocius Rougarou." This will shoot this card up the ranks due to being a staple in all forms of Amazon decks 2/3, +1/+1 two drop Amen.

Barksworn Protector (New)

• Ward.

Another new addition for the Amazons isn't a flashy card by any means. Although, as stated previously, giving this card ward shows, the devs are aware of the magic removal abuse in the current meta, which gives this card legs for early game board control against magic decks especially.

Canopy Sniper (New)

• After one of your amazons attacks, deal 1 damage to an enemy creature.

Canopy Barrage to Canopy Sniper, a removal baked into a creature, is always a good thing to see. It would be a menace if you could keep this card alive (there are 101 buffing creatures for Amazons). I am seeing this card as a staple for Amazon zoo decks.

Beastfury Shaman

• Changed domain from Neutral to Nature. Changed health from 3 to 2. Changed text from "Roar: Summon a 1/1 Spirit Beast." To "Roar: Summon a 2/2 Spirit Beast."

This shaman got a much-needed buff, and I welcome the change. Now it being essentially wide 4/4 and putting more bodies on the board, and it can be an option over cards like "Rabid Bear ."It gives nature players more options than the stale big beast variations we are seeing currently.

Faeflame Blade

• Change stats from 2 mana 1/4 to a 3 mana 2/2. Change text from "Twin strike. Blitz. Roar: This relic gains +1/+1 if you control an amazon." to "Twin strike. Blitz. Roar: This relic gains +1 strength if you control an amazon."

The king of all nature relics is getting hit in the core set refresh. It is going from 2 to 3 mana and 1/4 to 2/2. It also lost the +1/+1 and only get +1 strength if you have an Amazon. It needed to happen to make the relic more balanced, with Amazon decks on the horizon. Is the relic done for? On the contrary, it will be more sought after, especially after this rework.

Firewine

• Change from 5 mana to 3 mana. Changed text from "Give all your creatures +2 strength and overkill until end of turn." To "Give +2 strength and overkill to each of your creatures until the end of the turn."

Giving it a 2 mana decrease with only a wording change is more for clarification. Is this the buff that may put wildfire on notice, at least in early game decks? I see a definite usage spike of this card, especially with how nature as a whole is trending in this refresh.

Gersemi, Freyja's Spear

• Add faction Amazon. Change stats from 4/2 to 3/3

Both the stat changes and giving it Amazon shoots up the value of this card, and we will be seeing it a lot after this rework goes through. Another no-brainer for the Amazon decks.

Lightning Strike

• Change text from "Deal 8 damage to a random enemy creature, and give it burn +2." to "Deal 8 damage to the strongest enemy creature."

HALLELUJAH, PRAISE THE LORD!!! Who cares about the +2 burn? At least now we KNOW it is going to hit the strongest enemy, which is why we slot it in nature decks anyways. If you already don't slot it into your nature decks, it is now a must-have. No more praying for RNGesus.

Managarmr, Moon Hound

• Add faction Wild. Change stats from 4/3 to 3/4. Change text from "Confused. Whenever this creature attacks, refresh three mana." to "Confused. After this creature attacks, refresh three mana."

My best doggo got the buff it needed. I often play this card, and it is instantly deleted due to only having three health. Making it 3/4 instead of 4/3, we can at least use the card text for one turn. Thank you, dev team; my doggo needed it (he is always a good boy and always has a place in my deck).

Revivification

• Change mana cost from 1 to 3. Change text from "Heal your god for 3. Add 3 random 3 or less mana cost wild creatures to your hand." to "Heal your characters for 3. Summon two random 1 mana wild creatures."

The first card on this list that is getting a major overhaul; it really did need one. Mana cost going up to 3 and summoning two random one mana Wild creatures is a game-changer, in my opinion. As nature goes an RNG heavy card, I see more playtime for this card with this rework—it could slot in most nature decks.

Staff of Roots

• Change stats from 2 mana 1/2 to 3 mana 2/2. Change text from "Twin strike. Blitz. Afterlife: Summon a 1/1 Walking Plant." to "Twin strike. Blitz. Roar: Summon a 1/1 Walking Plant if you control a wild creature."

Another relic getting an identity, just like Faefllame blade, this relic now would slot into wild decks whereas Faeflame Blade slots into Amazon decks. I personally like this change even though it is a minor nerf with mana cost changes and only summoning a walking plant if you control a wild creature.

Blacksoworn Ranger (New)

• Hidden for a turn.

A new card very similar to "Wiccan Warrior" is just the three-cost version of that. Getting hidden with 3/3 is nothing to scoff at, and it will have a place in most variations of Amazon decks.

Grove Summon (New)

• Add 3 random wild creatures to your hand.

I love that the dev team added this card; it is more or less the lower cost "Opalised roots." Many players have been slotting in "Celestial Stag" as their card draw option in this meta. We will be seeing more diversity with this card, making moon deer not the only go-to option for card draw.

Riverjumper Captain (New)

• Ward. Roar: Gain +1 for each Amazon you control.

Another self buffing Amazon which by now is not surprising, I will be slotting this card 100% in my Amazon zoo decks. As it is a powerful early-mid game card, and if you have a few Amazons on the board, it will give you significant value.

Bladefly

• Added the stats of the creature to the text

No changes here other than text clarification. One of my favorite Nature Wild cards will still retain its superiority as a board control monster, and I believe we will see the play rate go higher after the refresh goes through.

Nefarious Briar

• Add faction Wild

One would think the faction change is minor, but I beg to differ With the many Wild buff cards such as "Trial of the Hydra" available to nature players. This change, in my opinion, is the dev team going in the right direction and giving a unique identity to the card, and it will still be the premier relic remover for us nature players.

Singsong Satyr

• Changed faction from Mystic to Wild. Changed domain from Neutral to Nature. Change stats from 2/2 to 3/3. Change text from "Roar: Give +2 strength to each of your other wild or amazon creatures." To "Roar: Give +1 strength to each of your other creatures."

This change is underwhelming, and I view it as a nerf. There is some song but no dance; the 2/2 to 3/3 change is good, but with how many options nature players have for four mana cards, this will probably get buried under them, never to see the arena.

Vanir Lion

• Add faction Wild. Change domain from Neutral to Nature. Change stats from 5/3 to 4/4. Change text from "Roar: Give a friendly creature +2 strength until end of turn." to "Roar: Give a friendly creature +2 strength."

Vanir lion got some major love in this core set refresh, and I would go far as to say this card is the biggest winner. It receives the wild tag, balancing it to a 4/4 with a +2 strength buff without locking it to one turn. Yes, it gets a huge bump in my four mana cost nature list. We will definitely see more of this lion, and I believe the nature player base will adapt to this change.

Jungle Princess

• Changed domain from Neutral to Nature. Changed stats from 4/3 to 3/5.

It gets a buff with 3/5 change and gets the nature tag. I see it being an option in Amazon decks where you don't want to break the "Agrodor Protector" bank. A solid budget amazon card, in my opinion.

Tainted Treant

• Add faction Wild

As with "Nefarious Briar," the wild tag gives it some juice. Although with other card draw options introduced in this rework, it will be interesting to see how this card will be utilized. It will still be a solid card draw option for nature players.

Valewarden Minotaur

• Add faction Wild. Change text from "Afterlife: Heal your god for 4. If this completely heals your god, add a random Nature card to your hand." to "Afterlife: Heal your god for 3 , add a random 7 mana cost wild creature to your hand."

Another welcome change to an epic nature card. Wild tag good, heal your god for 3 good, add a 7 mana wild creature very good. Firstly making it so it will always give you a card and a 7 mana cost is significant. We may see this Minotaur take the place of "Brazen Moose."

Angry Angry Hippo (New)

• Frontline. Confused.

This hippo is mad and confused and wants to get in the arena badly; the question is can it stand out from the other 5 mana cost options. If you're looking for a frontline wild card, it will slot in perfectly; if not, I don't see it thriving. The jury is out on this card, and I am certainly looking forward to seeing how it plays out (Quick shoutout to Black Rhino).

Frost Giant Deadshot

• Added faction Wild. Changed domain from Neutral to Nature. Changed stats from 4/5 to 6/6. Changed text from "Roar: Deal 3 damage to an enemy creature." to "Roar: Deal 3 damage to the strongest enemy creature."

6/6, deal three damage to strongest enemy and get the wild tag? Can it compete with the undisputed six mana king "Giant Pangolin"? In the next episode of how to shake up the meta, we will figure it out. @kstreet on mental breakdown watch. I definitely think it makes a case to be in your deck, and I won't be surprised to see a surge in play rate.

Amazon Flanker (Nightleaf Prowler)

• Changed name from Amazon Flanker to Nightleaf Prowler. Changed domain from Neutral to Nature. Changed strength from 2 to 3. Changed text from "Flank. Roar: Summon two Amazon Flankers." to "Hidden for one turn. Roar: Summon two Nightleaf Prowlers."

With name changes come good things. It gets hidden and a strength buff; it went from a 6/6 to 9/6 board wide. It will definitely be a good late-game option for Amazon decks with Amazon's rising.

Opalised Roots

• Change text from "Add four random nature cards to your hand" to "Add five random 3 mana nature creatures to your hand and reduce their cost by 1."

Recently I have been running this card in my more aggro decks as a fail-safe in the late game. Although with these changes and a better younger brother ("Grove Summon") coming on to the scene, this card just became one-dimensional. It gives you an extra draw, but it is locked, to 3 mana creatures. Putting this card in the box of wild zoo decks.

Oliphaunt Mount

• Added faction wild. Changed text from "Roar: Give each other friendly creature +2/+1 or +1/+2 at random." To "Roar: Give each other friendly creature +2/+1."

Given it a faction change to wild with knowing exactly what your getting, +2/+1 to your creatures. Does that push it to viability? With how the wild meta is being pushed to zoo buff wild decks, and it just may come to prominence.

Vinebound Jotun

• Added faction Wild.

No changes other than adding the wild tag, which I don't see it layed much as it still has the "deal 3 damage to each creature" tacked on. It won't suit the meta currently nor in the future.

Henver, Grim Shuck (New)

• Frontline. Overkill. Confused. Ward. Roar: Gain +1/+1 for each wild creature in your void.

Finally, we arrive at the card I am most hyped about; it can compete and better "Guerilla Gardner." Most of the cards got the wild tag, pushing it even further. Late game, this card has the ability to become an unstoppable monster. I believe "Henver, Grim Shuck" could be the catalyst to make nature players go from Aggro-Midrange decks to more control-based decks.

Conclusion

With this core set refresh, I believe there will be two major playstyles taking prominence. Not that Big Beasts is going anywhere, although I see Midrange-control wild decks and Zoo Amazon decks coming into their own.

Wild

Seeing how most of the cards are getting the wild tag especially mid to late game cards, I predict we will see a more controlled playstyle. "Henver, Grim Shuck" is going to play a significant role in molding this meta. Further, we see the card draw options being expanded, with "Groove Summon" and "Opalised Roots" reworked, giving lower cost Wild cards. This gives more credence to my future outlook into the Nature Wild paystyle.

Amazon

If you haven't realized by now, the dev team is pushing for an Amazon revival with this core set refresh. 6 out of the 11 new cards are Amazon while also giving the amazon tag to many nature creatures, notably being "Geresmi, Freyja's Spear." We will be seeing many variations of this although zoo variations will take precedence in my opinion. Lastly, I want to note that @copperpitch gave us an early warning regarding this with his article. Read it as it gives some great insight into Amazon decks.

As all the above cards are subject to change before being finalized, I will update you if and when that happens. Although, as for now, this is my first impression of the core set changes. I hope you all had a great ranked weekend.

Sources

I want to shout out @voidbattler for the images; thank you as I was a little lost on how to get the images, and you made it simple for me to attain them.

Background - Hans Eiskonen on Unsplash

Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheJungleBoy4