I’ve complained a lot about Hearthstone’s Jade and Token Druid Druid problem and triedg to find a solution. If you want to win, according to the statistics, it seems like you’re only option is just to play the deck. Malfurion’s rock collection is the strongest all-around deck, combining a strong curve with explosive late-game potential. That’s just the way the meta’s panning out, but it doesn’t mean it’s the only deck out there. Catching an opponent by surprise with an off-meta playstyle can often be just as powerful as a good deck. If you’re a good player who learns how to best beat Jade Druid, you stand a better chance of moving up the ladder.
Here are a few tips I’ve put together to help you beat all those Jade Druids you see on the ladder.
Come Out Swinging- Jade Druids biggest strength is also one of it’s strongest weaknesses. Jade Blossom and Wild Growth give Druids the ability to earn more mana crystals, eventually having a big enough pool to play their stronger cards. If you can wail on them before they build up any defense, they won’t be able to fight back and you’ll win the game. Early game pressure decks, like Murloc Paladin and Pirate Warrior perform overwhelmingly well if Malfurion doesn’t get any Jade Idols or curve. I know betting on the RNG gods isn’t a reliable strategy, but Hearthstone is a game all about random shenanigans. You have just as much of a chance of drawing the exact card you needed off Primordial Glyph as you opponent drawing a counter, so use that as an advantage.
Stall Them Out- A good Jade Druid player knows that their deck is just a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. That bomb can be defused, which is why they’ll run powerful Taunts and spells to keep their ball rolling. Trying to kill a Druid with fatigue isn’t possible with Jade Idol being around, but there are a few ways you can keep them from bringing your life counter to zero. Board clear should be saved against Jades for use in the mid to late game, when they are only 4/4 or 6/6 Golems, wasting a Fiery War Axe on a Jade Spirit with a weak 1/1 baby is never a smart idea. Against Token Druid, you want to do the exact opposite, killing every single minion as quickly as powerful. The longer it sticks on the board, the higher chance your opponent will have to give you an old fashioned Savage Roar OTK. Fandral Staghelm isn’t as powerful as you think, letting him stick around for a turn or two won’t be the end of you.
Tech Cards- If you are only seeing Jade Druid decks and want to claw your eyes out, try introducing some new cards into your deck. Skulking Geist is an incredibly powerful tool when playing against Jade Idols, since they’ll just disappear into thin air. Black Knight will decimate Jade Behemoths and Primordial Drakes without any fuss, giving you a clearer path to victory. If you’re up against more Tokens than Jades, Spreading Plague can keep your health above the danger zone until you stabilize.
Hearthstone’s a game where everyone tends to net deck and jump on whatever deck is popular at the time. Druids will be getting a nerf, that I’m sure of, but these tips should help you until that day comes.
How do you beat Jade Druid? Tell us in a haiku in the comments.
