With the new United in Stormwind expansion going live not too long ago, all competitive players knew that new decks would command the competitive Hearthstone scene. This guide focuses on the ‘D6’ version of the Quest Warlock deck. Other key variations of Quest Warlock exist, specifically Handlock, but this deck’s complexity merits its own guide. With advice from Hearthstone Legend player, caster and analyst Michael “Heatwave” Lancaster, this guide will help players understand how to play this complicated deck.
The deck that changed the Stormwind meta
To start, this deck is hard to play and is unlike any other deck from previous competitive metas. The focus of this deck revolves around one of the new questline spells, Demon Seed. After doing enough damage to yourself, players will eventually gain a 5-cost 7/7 named Blightborn Tamsin. When played, that reward minion redirects the self-inflicted damage to the opponent, including self-inflicted fatigue damage on the turn.
At the start of the expansion, this deck took over both the competitive ladder and competitive play. Its unique style of rushing the quest and drawing to fatigue led to players building decks specifically to counter its archetype. Those decks include Quest Mage and the Overload Quest Shaman. But, even after being focused on, the threat this deck still poses means that it can still rock unsuspecting opponents.
The idea of this deck is to use a combo to finish the quest quickly while either drawing from the deck to fatigue or inflicting enough damage to yourself to win. These cards are Stealer of Souls, Free Admission and Backfire. These cards work well together to accomplish both of those goals. Furthermore, this deck was named the D6 Warlock based on the six demons that make it. Those six demons are Stealer of Souls, Nightshade Matron and Darkglare. After recent Darkglare nerfs, some competitive players have removed it from their decks.
With or without Darkglare, this deck is tough to learn and master.
“This deck is one of the hardest decks in the game,” Heatwave said. “Due to keeping track of things like your turn time, quest completion, how full your hand is, health management and staying alive against fast decks.”
How to win with this deck
When it comes to starting hand choices, this deck’s auto keeps are Runed Mithril Rod and Free Admission. Playing the rod or Free Admission as soon as possible is key to set up the turns that win the game.
“The Mithril Rod and Free Admission combo is one of the strongest in the game,” Heatwave said. “I don’t use the word broken often, and that synergy is broken.”
According to Lead Designer of Hearthstone Alec Dawson, the combos within this Warlock deck are still strong enough to be focused on for nerfs.
Balance schedule over next month –
8/31: 2 Warlock changes (upping mana, feels focused)
8/31 to 9/10: Evaluating meta
9/10: Decide if changes are needed
Later Sept: Decided changes go live (BGs included)— Alec Dawson (@GW_Alec) August 25, 2021
There is one combo that lies within to win games in a strong fashion. It revolves around Stealer of Souls and the card draw within the deck, like Backfire and Free Admission. The card draw available while doing damage to yourself with Stealer of Souls helps rushing fatigue while completing the quest. When players get that combo down, aim to draw cards, complete the questline and clear the opponent’s board before ending the turn.
Essentially, the goal is to get the quest done fast, using healing spells to keep yourself alive. Don’t worry about aiming to play the reward right after completion, especially if players can’t draw after playing Tamsin. Afterwards, finishing the quest helps players focus on the win condition: doing enough damage for lethal. In the late game, fatigue is the key to victory.
Whether players like the deck or not, upcoming nerfs to Warlock might give some extra dust for some of its expensive cards.
“Right now, Demon Seed is the single safest craft in the game,” Heatwave said. “Nerfs might be coming soon, which leads to a true dust refund, and the flexibility of deck creation with it anyway is nice.”
