[Budget] Keelo, Iron Tutor - 8.3k shiftstone, 2 campaigns - roadmap to upgrade

Intro

This deck is a budget version of Keelo, Iron Tutor. You should go and read the detailled gameplan explanations there, this page will only focus on the budget cuts and a suggested upgrade roadmap.

The shiftstone cost advertised does not match the one calculated by EWC because the deck includes Vara, Limitless that you should get for free in your starter shadow deck.

The budget constraints were initially:

- No rare nor legendary (except the free Vara that is)
- No campaign
- With the exception of Whispers of the Throne (for Keelo, Bold Innovator) and 1 Rolant, Iron Tyrant, both core to the shell's concept.

Sadly the result was quite miserable while adding Shadow of the Spire brought the deck to life. I'll update this list if I find a way to do without in the future.

As a new player it felt safer to me invest gold in new decks anyway, rather than shiftstone. Happy to discuss it in comments.

Performance-wise, I can't say it's been battle-tested extensively. I did 3 runs so far, 2 completed and 1 lost to the boss, but it felt good enough while piloting it.

Really though, I believe it to be a serious candidate to consider for a starter deck because it's a shell that you can easily build upon and get to a really good version. This very budget version is alright already, but your mid-budget version will be especially good for its cost.

Also, very fun deck to play, so there's that.

Gameplan

All of the following assumes you read the corresponding section from the original decklist.

Keelo cycles

Cycle 1: Crownwatch Paladin, Blightmoth
--> Rolant, Iron Tyrant, Darkmask Stalker

This cycle lost some fuel (8 instea of 14 pieces) with Ripknife Assassin and the merchants. You also lose Vara, Vengeance-Seeker, so get more vulnerable to aegis beatdowns.

Running only one copy of Rolant, Keelo would be left hanging after she summoned him. Stalker fills the role of the 2nd-choice 4-cost unit to fetch then. It synergizes ok enough with our strong removal suite, as it will gain plenty of battle skills.

Cycle 2: Kodosh Evangel Blightmoth Shade
--> Blightmoth, Deathwing

Your kodosh evangels gave you that sweet J influence already, time to sac them for units that will do real work now. Honestly not a bad fit, I've played with them for a very long time.

Extra fuel for this cycle (now 8), but fewer targets for this cycle with the loss of the market opportunity. Consider crafting a single merchant to have them on call whenever you need it.

Cycle 3: Deathwing
--> Icaria, First Reaper

This stays untouched, and the reason we need Shadows of the Spire. 2 Icarias because this version really needs the hitting power. Shadow symbols added to be able to cast her easily. Adding a third one worth considering.

Cycle 4: Silverblade Reaper
--> Longtail Cavalry

Tried it out as the budget replacement for Vorlunk before including Shadows of the Spire. I tried it out without much conviction, and have been quite pleasantly surprised. Flying Rolant is no joke and closes games real quick.

Cycle 5: Longtail Cavalry
--> Vara, Limitless

Basically unchanged.

Cycle 6: Darkmask Stalker
--> Longtail Cavalry OR Icaria, First Reaper OR Vara, Limitless

Stalker may gain battle skills over time, and offer you different options at different times. Potentially very useful.

Market

Dark Return, Triumphant Return: You only get one Rolant, bring it back up when it goes down.
Grisly Contest, Backbreaker: Unchanged.
Rapid Shot: Didn't have any brillant idea, put in something you like.

Upgrade roadmap

The entire point of this deck is to start with a shell that's gradually upgradable into the real thing. There would be more to say in this section, mostly about shiftstone-locked alternatives to gold-locked upgrades, but I'll do it if and when there's a demand for it. I'm vailable in-game or on reddit to discuss your options, and I'd be happy to do so.

You will get a massive improvement-to-shiftone return for crafting any one-of's. That's what made Keelo so appealing to me early on, I could get to play Rolant quite a bunch while having only one copy in my collection.

Loosely ordered by perceived overall impact:


Shiftstone-locked

Argenport Cylix: Very safe craft as cylixes are used anytime they're available in every deck.
Blight Pass Smuggler OR Kerendon Merchant OR Hidden Road Smuggler: Anyone really, but Kerendon would be a safer craft while Blight Pass fits slightly better in this deck. Synergize very well with the Kodosh evangels.
Rolant, Iron Tyrant: Expensive, but a 2nd Rolant will fix the deck's current biggest weakness in him dying to removal.
Crest of Vengeance: Very safe craft, and great consistency gains as it's quite often the best option for a petition.
Crest of Order: Idem, slightly less often the best option though.
Just Desserts: The most versatile removal if you ask me. Craft as many as 3


Gold-locked

Ripknife Assassin: Huge improvement, slam it in place of the kodosh evangels.
Vara, Vengeance-Seeker: Heavy aegis matchups are now easy mode.
Know Thy Enemy: Now you really gotta craft them merchants.


Please shoot me a heads-up if you use and enjoy it (Pix's+3162, /u/Pix-s) !