Its time to flip some tables!
Much like StarStorm's
Clutch Ruckus, the central idea behind the deck is to spread out amplifiable spells over a number of renown-units in order to trigger multiple abilitys with one high-cost cast.
let me introduce the main cast:
Ruckus Rouser: This loveable tableflipper is the heart and soul of the deck. Renowning with an amplified
Mighty Strikes or
Bottoms Up turns him into a small, red nuclear power plant.
Glacier Shaper: The Yin to Ruckus Rouser's Yang and your main source of defence. Since most of your spells are fast, Glacier Shaper essentially allows you to play an Ambush whenever you need it.
Xo of the Endless Hoard: This guy doesn't really need introduction, but here we go. He's a power 7 dragon that likes to pop Aegises, create value, kill weaklings and soar above the waves in the moonlight.
Kenna, Shaman of the Scale: Since both Xo and Kenna have soewhat high influence requirements and this deck focuses on playing them as early as possible through Rabble Rouser, I put both in the market and draw one depending on my current influence. I prefer Xo, tho.
Bottoms Up (snickers) and
Mighty Strikes trigger the Renown of your Oni and Shapers. I hardly use their actual effects. It's more important that they are expensive, spells and hit multiple units.
The Strategy:
Xo and Kenna are usually your winning conditions. Use Ruckus Rouser to play them early. Then use more Ruckus rousers to create loads of power to either
-Turn xo's first Attack up to 11
-cast loads of Spells to beef up Kenna
But wait! There's more. When you can't find your merchant or don't want to spend your precious Shiftstone for some Legendaries, you can still control the board without them.
Glacial Shaper, when renowned properly can churn out a monstrosity of eerie proportions and if you're lucky, a
Shingane Firebrand may even one-hit your enemy.
Let's do the math:
Q: Jimmy has 6 power and two Tableflippers on the board and a copy of Mighty Strikes on his hand. What does this allow him to do?
A: Renowning both Ruckus Rousers will grant Jimmy 24 power for one turn. Depending on the board and hand he can:
-Renown F Firebrands and/or G Glacial Shapers to dish out 24xF direct damage and/or G 24/24 Overwhelm Ice Dragons.
-Burn down his neighbours house while creating value with Xo
-Senselessly play spells to transform Kenna into a freaking beefcake. BEEFCAKE!
-Play another Mighty Strikes on any unit and deal out some damage.
Let's get to the Sidecast:
Fevered Scout and
Softfoot Burglar are your pawns against Aggro. Given their Stats, that sounds ridiculous and it is not that easy to pull off, but if you have enough remaining power and
Parry
Gruanform on your hands, they work quite well for a surprise. Especially in Gauntlet, as the AI falls for these tricks all the time. That being said, they also work quite well later in the game, as you will sling spells left right and center.
Speaking of slinging spells: Sooner or later there will always be the option to play
Pyre Elemental for the low, low cost of 2 power, making it a fairly good drop.
Skycrag Scalebreaker is mostly in there because I like that gal a lot. Her renown is quite nice, especially since it stacks when you play a copying spell on her. And her Goad lets you renown any unit for four power or send a Schwarzeneggeresque Monstrosity flying. That being said, her 2P influence can also slow you down in some rare cases.
Kosul Huntsman is mostly a filler, but his killer can win you a game when he is high on Mighty Strikes and targets a low-health unit.
Mirror Image and
Sudden Schism can renown your units in a pinch wihile leaving the oportunity to use their ability again later. This is especially great for getting Xo on the board and providing him loads of power the following turn. Whether you prefer Mirror Image or Schism is up to you, though keep in mind that higher cost is actually better in this deck and Schism is not only reminds you of Tool but actually provides you two 4def Ambushs when combined with Glacier Shaper.
Your main problem with this deck will be flyers and the removal spells may help here. Especially since you can crank them up with your
Howling Peak Smuggler. And as a neat side-effect, they also act as stereoids for Kenna, the Softfoot Hamburgler and the Scout.
Finally Staff of the Arch-Magister ramps up quite nicely with all your spells and gives at least some kind of use to all the Treasure troves that you have to discard to reduce your hand back to nine cards. I have not yet used it, though.
If you are lloking for some replacements for the two legendaries, anything that can profit from enough power will do. It is, of course also possible to focus on one of them and switch your merchants accordingly. and without their influence demands, it may even be possible to splash in some Time, just so you can abuse
Maddening Whisper to trigger all the renown abilities (or even Xo's Ultimate) twice.
This deck is pretty much a first draft and there's a lot room for improvement. Especially since it does not hold to well against many forms of aggo or control (and especially airboune) decks.
And if you're still here: Thanks for reading my ramblings! I'm stoked to see any improvements or additions!