Banglestab: almost solo backstab deck

[psycho1000]

Hello, I’ve been toying with lots of janky decks last month (grow magmar, vespyr vanar, egg magmar, pets magmar, dying wish abyssian) but this mainly solo backstab deck has been the funniest to play, while performing ok (55-60% win in gold, less in diamond but those damn obelysks sspawning their minions at the right place everytime didn’t help).

Since I haven’t seen anyone posting this kind of deck, here it is:

The one-of are cards that I’m currently testing, they can be changed at will.

The strategy here is being agressive, backstabing the enemy, and if needed running away while finishing off the enemy with spells.
But the key is to deceive the ennemy to be able to do lots of damage in one turn. Do not play Obscuring blow or Mask of shadow until you can backstab the same turn. Never reveal your plan unless you can do 8 damages (6 eventually if the enemy is already under 20).

Key cards are of course Mask of shadow, Bangle of Blinding Strike, Obscuring blow and Spiral Technique.

Xho is here for early presence and card draw, Azure Herald early presence too and heal, but could be replaced with another low drop (Flameblood warlock?, Bloodtear Alchemist? must test).

Silouhette tracer and mist walking to be able to get in the right position, but serve to get away from protectors and to run away late game.

Phoenix fire is an mvp (as in any deck) , finishing off opponent and cleaning the path to the ennemy’s back.

Repulsor beast has three function: Get rid of a threat, or a protector, or a minion that cover the general’s back.

Cobra strike help chipping health away while helping not being overwhelmed as well.

OBS is a great tool, but be wary that the general can use the minion to cover its back.

The greater threat to this deck is healing, but swarm decks are also a pain in the *ss.

Oh and it can also quite cheap (not budget cheap, but still) to build as Mask of Shadows and Spiral Technique are the only Epic or Legendary cards truly needed, even if OBS and Cobra strike are a big plus.

I’m welcoming any suggestion as how to improve deck

[degenerator]

Tried a similar deck. Good memes. 10 games. 2 wins

[I_PLAY_MALZ]

I like it other than the fact that you run a lot of One-Ofs in this deck. Personally I like to have as much mobility in the deck as possible ( I usually play 8 Gates though even if I have been trying out that Tempo Kaleos deck the King Onyx posted like a week or so ago) so maybe adding more Juxs or Mist Dragon Seals if possible. Like running one of Ghost Lightning wont give you enough of a chance to get it when you need it and when you do have it, youll be really inclined to keep it even when you dont really need it at the time. Maybe its because I play a lot of 8 Gates so I like Spears a lot but with how much spell damaging spells you have in this deck you may want to consider running 2-of or 3-of. Granted I’ve never made a deck with Mask of Shadows (Mostly because I dont have any… Yet ;P) so take my advice with a grain of salt.

I do like the idea of the deck however and I’m interested to see how you develop it in the future so please keep us/me updated on the progress you have with it.

[alplod]

I would probably avoid cobra strikes in favor of saberspine seal, which increases your damage potential with bangle, and is cheaper. And healing becomes less of a problem for you, since you can easily do smth like Obscuring+ obscuring+saberspine+saberspine with bangle already equipped and positioned properly=24 dmg for 6 mana.

Also -1 ghost lightning, -1 twin strike, -1 spiral -> +2 jux +1 OBS. Jux is just perfect to move any back defence your opponent has. Also helps repulsor to make funny board situations. You seem to tech against swarm, but you either should have full AOE pack = 3 lightning+3 crescent spear+ 2/3 twin strike+1 pandamonium +2/3 HE, or don’t have it at all since it just doesn’t work properly in your cut form.

Options to consider - more Lantern foxes(2-3) or any other draw, some Twilight foxes (2-of), some Zendo (1-3), some cyclone or BRM for chip damage (not necessary, depends on your playstyle).

Even then the deck is too unconsistent, tbh. But that is not your fault, this type of deck is always luck-based.

[psycho1000]

Thanks for the feedback

@I_PLAY_MALZ
I don’t understand why you would be adding Mist Dragon Seal, they serve no purpose in this deck, as minions are juste fodder for the early game. As for juxtaposition, I used to have 2 before making room to test other cards, but I was not really convinced.
I agree with you for ghost lignthing, I used to have two copies, but it only really helps against abyssian, so I’m gonna cut it out.

@alplod
Personnaly Cobra Strike is doing relly well for me in this deck. I tried saberspine seal following your answer, but I’m not convinced. It requires too many conditions to really shines (having bangle, be able to strike ennemy general, enough mana and/or not something more useful to play). But I’ll test some more.
As said above, agree with ditching ghost ligthning. I willl certainly not keep only 1 copy of twin strike, but right now I’m leaning toward adding back a second, as the card draw it provides is really welcome.

I’ll keep 2 spirals as I finish 50% of my games with them, I definitely need two.
Juxtaposition is quite situational, I don’t see the point to have 3. In this deck it’s diffcult to use because I have so few minions. To be able to move back defense I need a minion of my own that can move, and the only one is azure Herald.

I agree with your AOE remark, gonna ditch ligthning.

I’ll try more lantern foxes, but I tried a pair of Twilight foxes and they sucked, bad. Maybe if one day the meta is mainly “solo” decks it will be good. Tried BRM too but it didnt do enough for me.

[alplod]

tried a pair of Twilight foxes

Just used my own advice and tried to use twilight foxes in banglestab deck. I agree, they suck. Period.

Saberspine on the other hand seems amazing for me. Of all my suggestions this becomes the center of my deck. You’re either underestimating it, or use completely different playstyle.

What can you say about cyclone mask? Is it useful in this kind of a deck?

[psycho1000]

Cyclone mask is doing okay so far I guess. It’s nice to have when it’s time to run away. It also combo well with bangle (and saberspine). But since I’m using it late game to help fnish an ennemy, maybe I could try Geomancer instead.