We're taking a look at the Best Rise of Shadows Decks in Hearthstone so far! These are going to be the best performing decks for the ladder in the early stages of the release for Rise of Shadows. This post is updated frequently, and has the top decks for each class in Hearthstone!
Rise of Shadows marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon and brings along the Standard rotation. This is one of the most exciting times to start playing Hearthstone because things are very fresh and the available card pool is at its lowest point. There's also some free stuff to be gained by hopping in once an expansion launches, not only is there a free Legendary ( Archmage Vargoth ) but you'll be getting some packs just for completing some minor quests.
Keep in mind that early in every expansion that it's best to be cautious in how you decide to craft your cards. It's always going to be better to wait it out and let the meta settle before investing too much dust into one deck. There's usually at least one or two decks that look promising early on in a release that end up being at the bottom of the barrel even a few days later. Try to build around the cards you open in packs, and keep some of that Hall of Fame Dust you got for crafting some cards later.
The expansion is live, and we've been adding a bunch of new stuff to each class! We're removing some of the lists that haven't been performing as well as we'd hoped.
Deck Updates
- Update (4/28/19): All lists have been updated for the current meta!
- Updated our Midrange Hunter Guide!
- New Control Warrior Guide added!
- Updated our Secret Paladin Guide!
- Updated our Dragon Mage Guide!
- Updated our Token Druid Guide!
Best Rise of Shadows Decks
We're featuring some of the best pro decks, and along with those we have some deck guides for you to better learn how to pilot some of these new lists.
Best Druid Decks
Druid has been getting hit hard by nerfs, and it is even losing Naturalize to the Hall of Fame. Mecha'thun and Mill Druid have been their main decks, with some Malygos and Token decks thrown in there. It's not a great time for the class, especially with so many powerful class cards being rotated out of Standard. Rise of Shadows only looks slightly encouraging as it seeks to push a potential Heal Druid and adds some support for Token decks.
Druid in Rise of Shadows
Token Druid is the most popular deck on the ladder due to it being pretty easy on the wallet, and it giving you a chance to win at just about every stage in the game.
Druid Deck Guides
Token Druid
| Druid | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Acornbearer | 2x - Argent Squire |
| 2x - Crystalsong Portal | 2x - Mecharoo |
| 2x - Dreamway Guardians | 1x - Archmage Vargoth |
| 1x - Keeper Stalladris | |
| 2x - Power of the Wild | |
| 2x - Wrath | |
| 2x - Blessing of the Ancients | |
| 2x - Landscaping | |
| 2x - Savage Roar | |
| 2x - Soul of the Forest | |
| 2x - Swipe | |
| 2x - Wispering Woods | |
| 2x - The Forest's Aid |
Deck Code
AAECAZICAtaZA8mcAw5A/QL3A+YF9QXEBtfvAt/7Avb9AsOUA8WUA86UA8qcA9OcAwA=Best Hunter Decks
Hunter required some nerfs to get back down to a tolerable level due to it having so many powerful deck options. From Spell to Deathrattle, and then back to the tried and true Midrange Hunter, the class has had its way with the meta for a few expansions now. The class is now losing a lot of the cards that supported those archetypes, so it's going to need some help from Rise of Shadows to stay relevant. Deathrattle might still be around, but it's going to be a totally different deck. Mech synergy is looking potentially promising, but the class might need some more help to get a fully cohesive deck.
Hunter in Rise of Shadows
Hunter has quite a few good options for the ladder, and is probably the best overall class right now.
Hunter Deck Guides
- Secret Hunter Deck Guide
- Midrange Hunter Deck Guide
- Malygos Spell Hunter Deck Guide
- Deathrattle Mech Hunter Deck Guide
Mech Hunter
| Hunter | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Tracking | 2x - Mecharoo |
| 2x - Bomb Toss | 1x - Dire Wolf Alpha |
| 2x - Fireworks Tech | 2x - Galvanizer |
| 2x - Venomizer | 1x - Whirliglider |
| 2x - Spider Bomb | 2x - Explodinator |
| 1x - Unleash the Hounds | 2x - Replicating Menace |
| 2x - Ursatron | 1x - Leeroy Jenkins |
| 1x - Boommaster Flark | 2x - Wargear |
| 1x - Zilliax | |
| 2x - Missile Launcher |
Deck Code
AAECAR8GrwTZB9sJ4fUCvPwCoIADDJcI4PUC4vUC7/UCufgCmPsCqPsC9v0C1/4CiYADzIEDtpwDAA==Secret Hunter
| Hunter | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Explosive Trap | 2x - Secretkeeper |
| 2x - Freezing Trap | 2x - Sunreaver Spy |
| 2x - Rapid Fire | 2x - Masked Contender |
| 1x - Rat Trap | 2x - Lifedrinker |
| 1x - Snake Trap | 1x - Subject 9 |
| 1x - Snipe | |
| 2x - Animal Companion | |
| 2x - Eaglehorn Bow | |
| 1x - Kill Command | |
| 1x - Unleash the Hounds | |
| 2x - Marked Shot | |
| 1x - Baited Arrow | |
| 1x - Unleash the Beast | |
| 1x - Vereesa Windrunner | |
| 1x - Zul'jin |
Deck Code
AAECAR8KqALHA64G2wmY8AKnggObhQOiigP5lgP7lgMKngG1A4cEyQT+DO/xAvWJA+aWA+yWA76YAwA=Midrange Hunter
| Hunter | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Shimmerfly | 2x - Dire Wolf Alpha |
| 2x - Springpaw | 2x - Hench-Clan Hogsteed |
| 2x - Timber Wolf | |
| 1x - Tracking | |
| 2x - Headhunter's Hatchet | |
| 2x - Scavenging Hyena | |
| 2x - Animal Companion | |
| 2x - Kill Command | |
| 2x - Master's Call | |
| 2x - Unleash the Hounds | |
| 2x - Dire Frenzy | |
| 1x - Tundra Rhino | |
| 1x - Savannah Highmane | |
| 2x - Unleash the Beast | |
| 1x - Zul'jin |
Deck Code
AAECAR8EuwWXCO0Jm4UDDagCtQPeBNkH2wmBCsn4AqCFA6SIA7CLA/mWA56dA8edAwA=Best Mage Decks
Mage had some hard times over the last expansion, but it eventually fell into having an Odd Mage version that really worked for the class. However, it lost its trusty Mana Wyrm to a nerf, and is losing all of the odd cards that kept the class afloat. The cards it's getting in Rise of Shadows look to be incentivizing the class to head in a spell based direction, and maybe even tempo with the addition of Magic Dart Frog. The class also had some success with Dragon Mage, which could end up seeing some more play in the future. We'll see where the class heads as we get deeper into the launch of the expansion.
Mage in Rise of Shadows
Khadgar Dragon Mage is the top deck for the class right now, all other options are pretty weak at the moment.
Mage Deck Guides
Khadgar Dragon Mage
| Mage | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Book of Specters | 2x - Acidic Swamp Ooze |
| 1x - Khadgar | 2x - Firetree Witchdoctor |
| 2x - Conjurer's Calling | 1x - Sunfury Protector |
| 2x - Messenger Raven | 2x - Scaleworm |
| 2x - Astromancer | 2x - Spellbreaker |
| 2x - Power of Creation | 2x - Twilight Drake |
| 1x - Kalecgos | 1x - Dragonmaw Scorcher |
| 1x - Zilliax | |
| 2x - Crowd Roaster | |
| 1x - Alexstrasza | |
| 2x - Mountain Giant |
Deck Code
AAECAf0EBsUE+waggAPsiQOWmgOKngMM8gWKB+EHjQjO7wKJ8QLD+ALoiQPolAPnlQODlgOgmwMABest Paladin Decks
Paladin has had a pretty good year and swapped back and forth between Odd and Even builds that each held the top of the meta at different times. The class even saw a revival to Secret Paladin that ended up being a quality option for the ladder in the later part of the Rastakhan meta. If you weren't a fan of more aggressive decks, then you could even try your hand at Holy Wrath, OTK DK, and Shirvallah Paladin. You had a lot of options if you were a fan of the Paladin class, but with the rotation about to happen, we'll see how it fares without Genn & Baku. Rise of Shadows appears to be flirting with keeping Secret Paladin around after the rotation, but also brings back Dragon synergy to the class after a long layoff.
Paladin in Rise of Shadows
Mech Paladin has taken the best parts of Secret Paladin and paired it with heavy Mech synergy to give Paladin a viable deck for the ladder.
Paladin Deck Guides
Mech Paladin
| Paladin | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 1x - Autodefense Matrix | 2x - Sunreaver Spy |
| 1x - Hidden Wisdom | 1x - Harrison Jones |
| 2x - Never Surrender! | 2x - Wargear |
| 2x - Redemption | 1x - Zilliax |
| 2x - Mysterious Blade | 2x - Mechanical Whelp |
| 2x - Aldor Peacekeeper | 1x - Countess Ashmore |
| 1x - Commander Rhyssa | |
| 2x - Annoy-o-Module | |
| 2x - Bellringer Sentry | |
| 2x - Blessing of Kings | |
| 2x - Consecration | |
| 1x - Kangor's Endless Army | |
| 1x - Tirion Fordring |
Deck Code
AAECAZ8FCPoGkAeb8ALA/QLY/gLx/gKggAOUmgMLjAHcA68Hjwmt8gK09gLh/gLMgQO+mAOOmgOQmgMABest Priest Decks
Priest has had an interesting Year of the Raven, it never really got to enjoy the Odd and Even decks that most other classes got to use. However, it found some unique lists like the more standard Control Priest, the exciting Clone Priest, and enjoyed some late popularity with Wall Priest becoming somewhat of a phenomenon. Rise of Shadows seeks to still support some of that resurrect style of play, as well as trying to bring Priest back to the days of Purify and Silence Priest.
Priest in Rise of Shadows
Resurrect Priest and Nomi Priest are the best options for the class, but both decks are not top tier.
Priest Deck Guides
Resurrect Priest
| Priest | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Forbidden Words | 1x - Archmage Vargoth |
| 1x - Topsy Turvy | 2x - Witchwood Grizzly |
| 2x - Inner Fire | 1x - Zilliax |
| 2x - Northshire Cleric | 2x - Damaged Stegotron |
| 2x - Power Word: Shield | 2x - Mosh'Ogg Enforcer |
| 1x - Divine Hymn | |
| 2x - Divine Spirit | |
| 1x - Shadow Word: Death | |
| 1x - Shadow Word: Pain | |
| 1x - Shadow Madness | |
| 1x - Hench-Clan Shadequill | |
| 1x - Convincing Infiltrator | |
| 2x - Mass Hysteria | |
| 1x - Catrina Muerte | |
| 2x - Mass Resurrection |
Deck Code
AAECAa0GCtwB0wrXCr3zAtD+AqCAA4KUA4OUA9aZA5ObAwr4AuUE0QryDPLxAvv+ApeHA9iJA5ibA5mbAwA=Nomi Priest
| Priest | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Circle of Healing | 1x - Acidic Swamp Ooze |
| 1x - Forbidden Words | 2x - Wild Pyromancer |
| 2x - Lazul's Scheme | 2x - Acolyte of Pain |
| 2x - Regenerate | 2x - Gadgetzan Auctioneer |
| 2x - Silence | 1x - Chef Nomi |
| 2x - Topsy Turvy | |
| 2x - Northshire Cleric | |
| 2x - Power Word: Shield | |
| 2x - Divine Hymn | |
| 2x - Seance | |
| 1x - Mass Hysteria | |
| 2x - Grave Horror |
Deck Code
AAECAa0GBIoHl4cD0pkDmJsDDeUEpAf2B6UJ0gryDPsMvfMC0P4C5ogD64oD6owDsJEDAA==Best Rogue Decks
Rogue's been kind of hit or miss for a while, but it still has had many pretty good options. Miracle, Pirate, Tempo, and even Quest Rogue returning periodically throughout the last year or so. Rise of Shadows is looking to push Rogue down the path of being a thief once again, and gave it some pretty strong cards that will add a card from another class in your hand. We'll see if it ends up being strong enough to work, because it would be a pretty fun deck to have the option to play!
Rogue in Rise of Shadows
Tempo Rogue remains one of the best options for taking to the ladder right now! Thief Rogue has fallen back now that the meta has started to settle.
Rogue Deck Guides
Tempo Rogue
| Rogue | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Backstab | 2x - Southsea Deckhand |
| 2x - Preparation | 2x - Dread Corsair |
| 2x - Shadowstep | 2x - Lifedrinker |
| 2x - Deadly Poison | 1x - Captain Greenskin |
| 2x - Eviscerate | 1x - Leeroy Jenkins |
| 2x - Sap | |
| 2x - EVIL Miscreant | |
| 1x - Edwin VanCleef | |
| 2x - Raiding Party | |
| 2x - SI:7 Agent | |
| 2x - Waggle Pick | |
| 1x - Myra's Unstable Element |
Deck Code
AAECAaIHBLICyAOvBOf6Ag20Ae0CywPNA9QF7gaIB90Ihgnv8QLVjAOPlwOJmwMAThief Rogue
| Rogue | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Backstab | 1x - Zilliax |
| 2x - Preparation | 1x - Safeguard |
| 2x - Shadowstep | |
| 1x - Togwaggle's Scheme | |
| 2x - Eviscerate | |
| 2x - Underbelly Fence | |
| 2x - Blink Fox | |
| 2x - EVIL Miscreant | |
| 1x - Edwin VanCleef | |
| 2x - Fan of Knives | |
| 2x - Academic Espionage | |
| 2x - Hench-Clan Burglar | |
| 2x - Vendetta | |
| 1x - Walk the Plank | |
| 2x - Sprint | |
| 1x - Tess Greymane |
Deck Code
AAECAaIHBrIC6/ACoIADzowDr5EDwJgDDLQB7QL2BJsFiAeGCaj3Asf4Ao+XA5CXA/uaA/6aAwA=Best Shaman Decks
Shaman has had an interesting year, with it mostly relying on Even Shaman to take it through the meta. It did also have some other options. Shudderwock has been a pretty powerful ally for the class, and powers an Elemental version and just a straight up all-in battlecry version. Rise of Shadows has brought back the Murlocs to Shaman, and it looks like early on this could be a winning strategy for the class. Shudderwock will still be a player, especially with the new Hagatha card that looks strong as we head into the release of the expansion.
Shaman in Rise of Shadows
Murloc Shaman was pretty strong early on, but has quieted a bit and lost its top spot to Big Shaman.
Shaman Deck Guides
Big Muckmorpher Shaman
| Shaman | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Ancestral Healing | 1x - Zilliax |
| 2x - Earth Shock | 1x - Cairne Bloodhoof |
| 2x - Ancestral Spirit | 1x - Ysera |
| 2x - Big Bad Voodoo | 1x - Big Bad Archmage |
| 1x - Witch's Brew | |
| 2x - Far Sight | |
| 2x - Haunting Visions | |
| 1x - Spirit of the Frog | |
| 2x - Hex | |
| 2x - Hagatha's Scheme | |
| 2x - Muckmorpher | |
| 2x - Eureka! | |
| 1x - Al'Akir the Windlord | |
| 1x - Hagatha the Witch | |
| 2x - Walking Fountain |
Deck Code
AAECAaoICCCkA6IJp+4CoIADjIUDxJkDxZkDC5UBlAP+Bf8Fsgaf/QKKhQO9hQOtkQOKlAOPlAMAMurloc Shaman
| Shaman | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Zap! | 2x - Murloc Tidecaller |
| 2x - Lightning Bolt | 2x - Toxfin |
| 2x - Sludge Slurper | 2x - Murloc Warleader |
| 2x - Voltaic Burst | 2x - Sunreaver Warmage |
| 2x - Likkim | |
| 2x - Soul of the Murloc | |
| 2x - Underbelly Angler | |
| 2x - Storm Chaser | |
| 2x - Thunderhead | |
| 2x - Bloodlust | |
| 2x - Rain of Toads |
Deck Code
AAECAaoIAA/bA/kDpwiTCfbwAur6Ao/7Apz/AvOKA/aKA4yUA7WYA9OYA8aZA/SZAwA=Best Warlock Decks
Warlock has been bouncing around with multiple decks at its disposal from Even Warlock to Zoo, and even Cube came back again as a viable option. It also had a generally viable control version, plus you could throw a Mecha'thun Warlock at the ladder for good measure. All that basically means is that the class has had a versatile lineup as we head into the rotation. The class will be losing a lot of the cards that powered those decks, and Zoo in particular is completely decimated which includes the Hall of Fame bound Doomguard . If you liked Mecha'thun, however, then you might be in luck because there's some possibilities still there for that deck.
Warlock in Rise of Shadows
After a weak first day, it looks like Warlock might have found a pretty good Zoo build. Unfortunately, it looks like Warlock is largely locked into this style of play which has been so prevalent over the years for the class.
Warlock Deck Guides
Zoolock
| Warlock | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Flame Imp | 2x - Abusive Sergeant |
| 2x - Grim Rally | 2x - Argent Squire |
| 1x - The Soularium | 2x - Crystallizer |
| 2x - Voidwalker | 2x - Mecharoo |
| 2x - EVIL Genius | 2x - Saronite Taskmaster |
| 1x - Arch-Villain Rafaam | 2x - Dire Wolf Alpha |
| 2x - Knife Juggler | |
| 2x - Scarab Egg | |
| 2x - Magic Carpet | |
| 2x - Sea Giant |
Deck Code
AAECAf0GAo+CA5eXAw4w0wHyAfUF2QexCMII9v0C+v4C3IYDxIkD7IwDiJ0DtZ8DAA==Best Warrior Decks
Warrior hasn't been doing too terribly in the meta, but it's been largely limited to Odd decks. However, a lot of people feel that Warrior's core is looking pretty strong going into the rotation. The class is also receiving one of the better looking legendaries with Blastmaster Boom. You'll only need to get a couple of bombs into your deck to be able to fill up your board with Boom Bots and the new Dr. 7. Warrior is also one of the few classes with a hero card sticking around after the rotation which makes it in an even better spot.
Warrior in Rise of Shadows
While Bomb Warrior started off hot, it turns out that Control Warrior is the most dominant deck for the class. It is also one of the best options for the ladder right now!
Warrior Deck Guides
Control Warrior
| Warrior | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Eternium Rover | 1x - Youthful Brewmaster |
| 2x - Omega Assembly | 2x - Acolyte of Pain |
| 2x - Shield Slam | 1x - Harrison Jones |
| 1x - Town Crier | 1x - Zilliax |
| 2x - Execute | 1x - Archivist Elysiana |
| 2x - Warpath | |
| 2x - Weapons Project | |
| 2x - Shield Block | |
| 2x - Militia Commander | |
| 2x - Omega Devastator | |
| 2x - Brawl | |
| 2x - Dyn-o-matic | |
| 1x - Dr. Boom, Mad Genius |
Deck Code
AAECAQcGnwOQB53wApL4AqCAA4adAwxLogSRBv8H+wyb8wLR9QL09QKD+wKe+wKz/AKSnwMABomb Warrior
| Warrior | Neutral |
|---|---|
| 2x - Eternium Rover | 2x - Augmented Elekk |
| 2x - Omega Assembly | 2x - Seaforium Bomber |
| 2x - Shield Slam | 1x - Zilliax |
| 1x - Town Crier | 1x - Archivist Elysiana |
| 1x - Slam | |
| 2x - Warpath | |
| 2x - Clockwork Goblin | |
| 2x - Shield Block | |
| 2x - Militia Commander | |
| 2x - Wrenchcalibur | |
| 2x - Brawl | |
| 2x - Dyn-o-matic | |
| 1x - Blastmaster Boom | |
| 1x - Dr. Boom, Mad Genius |
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Best Rise of Shadows Decks – The Top Meta Lists So Far!
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