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Xenan Gauntlet Grinder

Gauntlet Deck By
Zelda64

Work in Progress
+7

Cost Curve

Type

Faction

Information

This deck is inspired by LtsTenz great gauntlet decks :)

The idea of the deck is to run around x16 2-drop units, x12 3-drop units, and x8 4-5 drop units. All of the units are over stated (compared to vanilla units) and the deck has an excellent removal package. I feel like Banish is the best removal in the game (right now) at fast speed 3-cost and is nearly unconditional (for fast decks) with added relic removal to boot. There is an emphasis on 2-drops because of power screw in gauntlet, you need to be able to survive on 2 power for at least a few turns.

Details

Shiftstone Cost
Does not include campaign cost
54,000

Premium Cost
259,200

Influence Requirements
2 2

Power Sources
17 23 14

Power Calculator
Shiftstoned Icon View Deck on Shiftstoned

Deck Rarities
4 26 28 13

Card Types
37 0 17 0 26

Contains Cards From Campaigns
The Tale of Horus Traver [Set1002]
Into Shadow [Set1004]
Homecoming [Set1005]

Archetype
Midrange

Updated
August 9, 2019

Added
July 11, 2019

Views
4,245

Eternal Version
Dark Frontier

BBCode For Comments

Deck URL

Revisions (Since last major patch) August 9, 2019


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Comments

abby315 Eternal Version: 1.46.8
If you're looking to break boardstalls in Gauntlet, you can't get better than Stonescar Sneak. I run it in my mono-S gauntlet grinder and it's just fantastic, especially with deadly units. The AI never notices it as a threat and chump blocks early. I think it'd be a good replacement for Dreamsnatcher, which is only okay, and it'd be even better with Ripknife Assassin in over Teacher of Humility and Tocas. Added bonus of making your mana a little easier. :)
Zelda64 Eternal Version: 1.46.9
I've been tweaking the deck and I've added Cabal Standards, Spiteful Strike, & Olly. Quickdraw is working well so far to break board stalls. I kind of like Stonescar Sneak because it's reusable but my issue is that it's often better to just keep advancing your board state instead of using 3 power to get an attack in. This deck is focused on low cost efficient cards and finishing gauntlet runs quickly, it just wasn't achieving that goal very well (yet). I might try Stonescar Sneak though, I have played with it before and it's a strong card in the right deck.
biologynut99 Eternal Version: 1.46.9
Spiteful Strike I prefer!
abby315 Eternal Version: 1.46.8
Also - it's AMAZING as a draw engine with Interrogator!
Zelda64 Eternal Version: 1.46.9
Good point :)
SecondBlue Eternal Version: 1.46.8
My favourite way to break board stalls with xenan in gauntlet is a thief's pick in the market.
Zelda64 Eternal Version: 1.46.8
I'm actually trying out Secret Passage in the market, maybe thief's Picks is better though. I'll try it as well.
PandaBroPound Eternal Version: 1.46.8
I really like using Nullblade (from theme deck) for markets. 5/3 goes a long way.
Zelda64 Eternal Version: 1.46.8
Nullblade is great against Makto and Aegis, something to consider for sure. Thanks.
CizzleSteam Eternal Version: 1.46.8
Teacher isn't particularly strong against the AI (no markets) and Memory Dredger is just better than SST in gauntlet - so I'd pick something with more value than teacher and put 3 dredgers main over the SSTs. This will help "fix" the powerbase to be more shadow based
Zelda64 Eternal Version: 1.46.8
I'm kinda just testing out over stated units. Teacher has been OK for me as a 3/3 for two cost and the AI values it highly, there might be a better card for this slot though (sometimes I don't want the opponent to draw a card). I tried pulling SST for Memory Dredger and I was beat down by fliers. It's still a WIP, Titan might get cut at some point.
CizzleSteam Eternal Version: 1.46.8
Xenan site should probably be in the market for the Makto deck because that one can cause problems
Zelda64 Eternal Version: 1.46.8
I'll give that a try, thanks Cizzle :)
VoidKing Edited Eternal Version: 1.46.8
I am about to (finally) craft the Blackhalls I need and after just realizing that 1 tocas is available in a theme deck, I'll have this deck as a byproduct of my other deck crafting endeavors.

Having played the Gauntlet a lot, I will try to see if I can come up with any handy suggestions (especially for side) and let you know.

Maybe, I can at least spark a few thoughts for you.

At first glance, I can't understand why it plays Dreamsnatcher. I know it's a solid two cost card but, other than the lifesteal, it doesn't have much to offer. I feel like I'd rather have two more Vara's if nothing else. Also, the Auric Interrogator seems out of place, too. I know you could dark return him, or perhaps, blackhall him up, but, again, I feel like there are better cards? Maybe I'm wrong, as I haven't tried it yet.
Zelda64 Eternal Version: 1.46.8
I'm kinda just testing out over stated units. I'm also seeing how much life steal this deck needs, I want to play just enough (and no more) in order to have more deck slots for other things. Dreamsnatcher is only in because it's a 2/3 lifesteal for 2, same principle for Ayan. Auric Interrogator has been good for me as a beat down unit but also with Blackhall, Alhed, & Dark Return for card draw, it's non-essential though and may get cut in the future. Thanks for the feedback :)
VoidKing Eternal Version: 1.46.8
You make a lot of good points. I guess I just wasn't sure about those picks, but the very reasons I suspected you played them are all the reasons you articulated. I'm going to give it a shot and let you know how it does for me. Thanks for the response!
Comment Deleted
Jkjkgrl Eternal Version: 1.46.8
How necessary is alhed?
Zelda64 Edited Eternal Version: 1.46.8
There are 2 problems that this deck has: it's power base (it needs Insignias) & getting into board stalls. Alhed helps break board stalls, so I like it in the deck so far, but there is likely a better card to do that. The idea of the deck is to run around x16 2-drop units, x12 3-drop units, and x8 4-5 drop units. All of the units are over stated (compared to vanilla units) and the deck has an excellent removal package. I feel like Banish is the best removal in the game (right now) at fast speed 3-cost and is nearly unconditional (for fast decks) with added relic removal to boot. I think the market also needs some work. Long answer short, yes you can change Alhed as it's non-essential, but I wouldn't.