This is a very experimental idea, so criticism and questions are more than welcome. Let’s get right into it.
VANGUARD MINIONS: Minions that are summoned automatically at the beginning of the game, right above or below your General. Only ONE can be included per deck, and the class specific Vanguards are included in the starting set of cards. They do not count as non-token minions or token minions, and thus can not be summoned through other means. They have no mana cost, because they are not played from your hand.
LYONAR
Pride
1/3
Provoke. At the start of your turn, restore 1 Health to this.
“All the light touches is my enemy”
MAGMAR
Spineback
2/2
Receives 1 less damage from all sources.
“Death has no name”
VANAR
White Wing
0/5
Flying. Whenever your General would take damage, this takes damage instead.
”Purify the end, to besiege the beginning”
VETRUVIAN
Brava
2/3, Dervish
Immune to enemy spells.
“Brave men die quick deaths”
ABYYSIAN
Grave Digger
1/3
Dying Wish: Summon a 1/3 Ghoulix.
”Fall not to mortal men nor beast”
SONGHAI
Crabfire Pup
2/2
Draw an extra spell at the beginning of the game.
”Be your enemy”
NEUTRAL
Lyra
3/1
The enemy General has -1 Attack.
”My enemies are deaf in sight”
Kin
1/3
Rush.
”I do not fall at light of day”
Baro
0/3
When you summon a minion, give it +3 Health and destroy this one.
”Grab hold, young one, and take loft”