Hearthstone

Play it on: Windows, macOS, Android
Current goal: Make Legend rank

I’ve been away from Blizzard’s digital card-battler since last August’s Murder at Castle Nathria expansion. Second Dinner’s Marvel Snap and Magic: The Gathering’s deliciously flavorful Lord of the Rings set have been scratching my strategy itch up until now, but Hearth’s new Showdown in the Badlands set has managed to draw me in once again.

Hearthstone’s experienced many changes in my absence, chief among them is a whole fricking new class, the Death Knight, to contend with as well as the 145 new cards introduced with Badlands. Thankfully, amidst these roiling seas of change, I’ve found a port of calm with one of those aforementioned new cards, Reno, Lone Ranger

Offering incredible board clear, extra armor, and an impactful hero power that rotates every turn, Reno’s tradeoff is he requires you build any decklist they’re in without duplicates. Also known as “Highlander” (there can only be one) decks, these have always been my favorite archetype to pilot due to their flexibility and built-in variance. Truly, no two games feel the same when rolling with Reno.

Which brings us to my stated goal, making Legend, the highest echelon of Hearthstone ranked play. Normally, I wouldn’t be this cocky if not for the fact I’ve already climbed the mountaintop with this type of list before and so am feeling extra-comfy charting out the lines of play that lead to victory. Even against Death Knights. See you on ladder, my pals.— Eric Schulkin