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Aggro Shaman Deck List Guide (March 2017, Standard) - Season 36

Posted by: EvidentPublished: January 1, 2017Updated: October 16, 2026Dust: Dust7,080Rating: 0.5/5 (1088 votes)

Class: ShamanFormat: StandardType: AggroStyle: Meta DeckSeason: Season 36Archetype: Aggro Shaman

Shaman Cards (23)

Neutral Cards (7)

0
9
1
9
2
6
3
2
4
3
5
1
6
7+

Deck Description

Aggro Shaman is a deck list that the ladder has known well since the release of the League of Explorers. This was when the deck gained one of its most important cards which was the fearsome Tunnel Trogg. The deck was very powerful, but took a back seat to Midrange Shaman with the nerf to Rockbiter Weapon. We're in a similar situation now due to the nerfs to Small-Time Buccaneer and Spirit Claws. Aggro Shaman isn't as strong as Midrange Jade, but this time it feels like the deck is still pretty powerful.

Update - Aggro Shaman in March 2017, Season 36

Big changes for Aggro Shaman due to the nerfs to Small-Time Buccaneer and Spirit Claws. The deck is still evolving so I won't say this is the final version of the list, but I think this version is pretty consistent and well-rounded.

This list is based off of Freakeh's version of the deck.

Check out our List of the Best Standard Decks for Hearthstone Ladder

Standard Aggro Shaman Mulligan Guide and Strategy

Always send back Patches the Pirate, you only want him if he's coming out for free generally.

Sir Finley Mrrgglton, Tunnel Trogg, Jade Claws, Southsea Deckhand, and Totem Golem are your general keeps. Lightning Bolt can be a good keep if you already have a Tunnel Trogg as it will buff the card and take out your opponent's 2-drop. Feral Spirit is an okay keep especially if you have a Tunnel Trogg, but you really want your 1 and 2-drops.

Maelstrom Portal and Bloodsail Corsair are kept against Aggro Pirate Warrior. Maelstrom will take down N'Zoth's First Mate and Patches while increasing your board state.

Aggro Shaman Matchup Win Percentages

Here's a look at how Aggro Jade Shaman stacks up against other decks in the meta. Thanks to Metastats for allowing us to provide these statistics!

Winrate stats are currently unavailable for this deck at the moment!

Aggro Jade Shaman Game Play Strategy

Your hero power is pretty weak in this version of the deck, so Sir Finley Mrrgglton will make up for this fact. You are mostly targeting the Warlock and Hunter hero powers, but Mage and Druid can be useful in some situations.

Getting an aggressive start is one of the most important things with this deck. You need to start getting minions on board, and potentially protecting them with spells or cards like Feral Spirit. This is an Aggro deck, but protecting your minions which allows you to get extra face damage each turn is extremely valuable. Jade Claws is best used for taking down minions in the early game, this allows you to get more damage from your minions and keeps them on the board.

Against Aggro you are wanting to dictate the trades so you can outvalue your opponent. Decks like these don't have great comeback mechanics, so once they are out of resources they are generally dead on board. When you're playing Control is when you really want to be aggressive and trade very infrequently. You can't outvalue them, so you have to beat them before they get to the later turns to stabilize.

One of the questions you should be asking yourself every turn is how you are going to play the next turn. The deck has a lot of cards that have Overload, so you need to keep track of which cards will be playable next turn if you're playing a card with Overload. You need to be playing minions and dealing damage every turn, so if you're on turn three and you have Feral Spirit, it might be better to play something else that will allow you to play Flamewreathed Faceless on curve (then follow it up with Feral Spirit). This sort of thing isn't always going to be possible, but it's important to think this way on a turn by turn basis.

Why not Doomhammer?

Doomhammer can be a very strong finisher, but now that Rockbiter Weapon is 2-mana it's much slower and painful to run in your deck. The other problem is weapon hate is pretty popular do to Aggro Pirate Warrior, and if Doomhammer eats an Acidic Swamp Ooze you will be in a pretty poor position.

More Great Deck Guides

Standard Aggro Jade Shaman Card Substitutions (Replacements)

  • Patches the Pirate: He's the main reason for the Pirate package in this deck. If you don't have Patches you'll just want to cut it entirely, and potentially run the Water package (2x Bluegill Warrior, 2x Murloc Warleader, and Finja, the Flying Star - you'd have to make one more cut, probably Azure Drake). You can also run a more standard aggro package with 2x Argent Squire and 2x Mana Tide Totem.
  • Sir Finley Mrrgglton: Argent Horserider is a possible replacement, or you could just run Argent Squire.
  • Aya Blackpaw: Aya is very strong, you get two extra minions generally and your opponent will be hesitant to remove it from the board. I would probably run a second Azure Drake in her place.
  • Bloodmage Thalnos: This is less important now that you don't have Spirit Claws in the deck. It's still a solid cards that helps Maelstrom Portal become more impactful. I'd just run a second Azure Drake or an Argent Squire.

Standard Aggro Jade Shaman Combos and Synergies

Bloodmage Thalnos can be used just as a cycle if you are desperate for cards, but pairs great with Maelstrom Portal. Also, Bloodmage can help get you lethal in certain situations, so make sure to factor him if you are close.

You could potentially play another weapon over your Hammer of Twilight if you really wanted the minion on board. It's likely a very fringe scenario, but it does work.

93 Comments

  1. OrangeRhymer

    Any replacement for Lavashock?

    And also, what rank do you think this deck can reach to?

    1. Evident

      Argent Squire or a second Master of Evolution. I think this deck should be able to get legend.

      1. Incarnation

        Of course you can get to legend with it, it's most likely the best deck to do it right now x) Im on a 11 win streak and rank 2 right now, rushed from rank 23 (havent played for 2 months) to 2 in 3 days and rank 6-2 was mostly shaman since I need fast games to get to legend in time :D

  2. Pengon

    No Argent squires and flametonge totems?
    Care to say why?
    Thanks

    1. Evident

      Flametongue Totem is a viable option. The problem with Flametongue is that it can sometimes sit in your hand when you'd rather have a card you can just play out. If you get behind on board it's not a great card to have in hand. Argent Squires are better when you do have Flametongue so that's why they aren't in here.

      1. Pengon

        Gotcha!

  3. Gantzu

    i replace the argent horseraider for 2 unbound elemental and the results are great.

  4. Lettinggo

    Any replacement for doom hammer?

    1. Evident

      None, it's way too good in this deck.

      1. Rhey

        What if you only have one?

        1. Evident

          You can potentially live with that, I'd try a second Ancestral Knowledge.

    2. Simone Lazzari

      It's what makes the entire archetype viable lol.

  5. Calabrese

    How do you deal with having next to zero board clear. I just did a match with this deck, opponent had 4 minions on the board by turn three. I had one. If they put up any taunts you are basically done with this deck. I am about 1 win 5 loses so far, and they were heavy losses I didn't even have a chance.

    1. Evident

      You might want to try this list, it has more options: http://www.hearthstonetopdecks.com/decks/loyans-wotog-season-25-standard-1-aggro-shaman/

    2. noirLapin

      In the beginning, you have to use your early strong minions to hit face and keep your bolts, rockbiters, and (if you have nothing else) lava shocks to protect them and to keep the opponent's board clear. Only make a minion trade if it's favorable (ie, 2 for 1 or really dangerous like a flamewaker) and then mid-game you switch to focusing on face, pressuring him to remove your minions with his to keep his life totals from dropping too fast. Try not to over extend. If you have a few minions on the board, keep a few in your hand for when they play a board clear. Calculate how much damage you can do over the next couple turns. If you see a possible two turn lethal, especially if you can do it with burn and enough minions to push through a taunt on the 2nd, then go for it.

      But some decks are designed to take this one down. And if you don't have a strong early game, they can snowball you and beat you badly. Just the way it goes.

  6. vasalu

    why do i get stuck on rank 15 or 16. What am i doing wrong?

    1. NilaLife

      It could be meta or just a bad lose streak? Lot of possibilities.

    2. Necronlord111

      Meybe you don't trade efficent and just go on face?

  7. AlexHearthstone12

    Can be Eternal Sentinel replaced with Lava Shock? I think is great replacement until i get it.. any opinions? :)

  8. Gambit

    this is literally worst deck right now, don`t know what happened but I`m losing to any control mage, Zoo warlock or miracle rogue which are very popular...

  9. Ryan

    How do you feel about swapping out a flametongue totem for a lightning storm? I feel like it would make the deck much better against zoolock or other aggro decks

    1. Evident

      It might strengthen your Zoo matchup a bit, but it'll weaken a lot of your other matchups.

  10. demo

    whats a replacement for sir finnly plz respond fast

    1. Evident

      Tuskarr Totemic.

  11. TkcifAkifneB

    Hi!

    Is it an good idea to go with leeroy jerkins instead of sir finley ?

    thx evident

    regards

    1. Evident

      I could see that being fine, but Finley can represent a lot of damage and card draw with Hunter and Warlock Hero Powers.

      1. TkcifAkifneB

        Thx!

  12. Chaos

    Is it possible that I can squeeze a lightning storm or 2 in the deck?

    1. Evident

      I've seen Elemental Destruction in this list, but not much in the way of Lightning Storm.

  13. John

    A similar deck finished #1 NA for July 2016 without the 7/7. Personally I agree with the decision to leave it out because the 7/7 is just too slow

  14. chris

    been getting beat pretty badly by some of the new dragon deck floating around.

    anyone else having trouble?

    1. Just4today

      I'm doing all right. I added two hex and a Leroy Jenkins to my deck. I was getting owned before hand. I dropped from rank 20-14 pretty easily today with the changes.

    2. Maestro

      Swapping out Maelstrom portal for a Hex when facing alot of priest or dragons has helped me.

  15. tsiripimpop

    Remove a Doomhammer then add Harrison Jones, and wait for your opponent shaman to concede :)

  16. Brandjum

    Where is the Card Draw? My hand is empty so often

    1. Davis The Savage

      Maybe a manatide totem?

    2. Dekklin

      Ancient Knowledge used to be a two of in older versions. Try that. It synergizes with the troggs

  17. Brandjum

    Keep Flamejuggler? There is no Flamejuggler in the deck list lol

    1. Evident

      Whoops, Flame Juggler used to be in the deck, must have missed it. Thanks!

  18. Ben

    Iv just crafted something like this deck. I'm a f2p player so i can't put in all the cards, but i can get most of them. I'm saving up gold now to get tunnel trogg, which obviously helps a lot, but this deck has got me a lot of success, but i use double hex, and it works amazing. Maybe consider that? Anyway, thanks for the deck (:

  19. Vishvaajit

    nerf is out so i suggest a truskbarr be replaced with mana tide totem and a a abusive sergeant with hex

    1. WidowMaker

      Replaced them both and im 6-2 so far in constructed thanks man

    2. JOHNNY

      What do u think about the subs suggested by Vishvaajit@Evident

      1. Evident

        I'd have to look into it more, I wouldn't be surprised if Spirit Claws makes it into this deck. I would think Mana Tide Totem is too slow.

        1. Banji

          Exactly. U need to kill shit fast.

        2. Legend

          So if you have no card in hand what would you do? I mean if you get controlled. I'm building this deck but I think the tuskar isn't good anymore since last update. Plus rockbitter needs 2 mana instead of 1

          1. Evident

            It looks like Ancestral Knowledge might be the card draw option for this deck. Rockbiter might actually stay in the deck because it's still strong burst potential, I saw a couple of tournament lists with them in it.

          2. Legend

            Which one is better for draw? And what should i remove for that? I have full of these cards. But my hand sometimes empty

  20. D01tY

    I love this deck! With the new pirate stuffs it crushing the meta! Zorkthar had 93% with it and i do a rush upp the ladder

  21. Kit

    I have been wrecking with this deck. Went from 15 to 9 pretty fast. Using a lava shock instead of patches. Might need to give it a try with patches.

  22. Nightstorm

    No good in current Gadgetzan Meta, 50/50 win rate after much testing. You can get lucky, but generally it's too slow. You're either slowing yourself with overload or poor card draw such as flametongue and rockbiter when there's nothing to work with. Compare this deck with pirate warrior where every card drawn is attacking then this is not worth playing. It loses to jade shaman so what's the point.

  23. Larry

    Replacement for thalnos ?

    1. Evident

      Kobold Geomancer.

  24. A Man

    What can I substitute for Spirit Claws? I dont have that wing.

    Argent Horserider and Earth Shock maybe?

    1. Evident

      Argent Horserider is a decent option.

    2. Zandrov

      If you have enough dust get doom hammer and use it with rock bitter.

  25. Lexiles

    I mostly agree with this list, if you encounter many agro especially pirate warrior swap 1 southsea deckhand for 1 maelstrom portal.

    I'm not sure about Azure Drake, while it gives card draw and spellpower I need sometimes a finisher so I play Leeroy instead.

    With Acidic Swamp Ooze in many decks the jade package with Aya Blackpaw is a safer route to victory than Doomhammer + Rockbitter Weapon combo.

  26. JeLomun

    Replace for Patches, ty ;)

    1. Evident

      Argent Horserider or 2nd Maelstrom Portal.

      1. Zandrov

        On average argent horseriding is better.

  27. InstalokVasa

    I'm lacking thalnos, spirit claws, and malestrom portal, can i still make this deck, and what would be good replacements if i can?

    1. Evident

      I don't think it would be good without Spirit Claws unfortunately. You could maybe try 2x Argent Squire (maybe 1x Lightning Storm) and 2x Argent Horserider as temporary substitutes.

      1. InstalokVasa

        FeelsBadMan, I know those substitutes wouldn't work good enough for a competitive level.
        Thanks for the reply anyway

  28. Strawman

    Which one is more important for this deck? Aya or patches? I can craft only one of them

    1. Evident

      I'd probably say Patches is more important.

  29. RataMestari

    I swapped sir finley for second azure drake and had a blast smashing from rank 6 to rank 3 with winstreak. Had a 80% winrate.. This deck is pretty broken.

    1. Mars

      You went from "rank 6 to rank 3 with winstreak"? Smh..

  30. Phteven

    Just a question, why would you run Southsea deckhand? Yes, it is an activator for patches, but with the current meta being just mainly reno and aggro decks they remove it easily. At best it does 3 damage (itself with charge from weapon and patches), where as a second azure drake gives you draw and longer reach or a second maelstorm portal which is so important against other aggro decks. This is my point of view on Southsea deckhand. Anyone have a different point of view?

    1. TacoRocco

      Because this is an Aggro deck. Sure, it does 2 damage, but it is 2 IMMEDIATE damage for only 1 mana. It's an aggressive card and a pirate. It can be used in combo with Flanetongue Totem, pull out Patches, etc. An aggressive deck wants aggressive cards. Azure Drake is a 5 mana minion. By turn 5, you're hoping to finish the opponent off. The deck already has 1 Azure, 2 is too many.

  31. MrMeme

    What can I replace Aya Blackpaw with?

    1. Evident

      Second Maelstrom or Azure Drake. You could also consider Bloodlust.

  32. Zabou

    Thank you for the deck !!! I got Legend from 5 rank !!!

  33. mikediesel

    Aya doesn't come through for me in this deck. Should I drop this card? Anyone else feel like Aya isn't being played in this deck (I haven't seen it once besides me playing it)?

    1. vimus

      aya is really good. maybee you have been unlucky

    2. 8BitBrain

      Some people use finders keepers for flexibility

  34. deepblue

    I'm F2P and don't have thalnos and spirit claws :( What do you think about these replacements: -2 spirit claws, -1 Thalnos, -1 Azure drake, +2 Doomhammer, +2 Rockbiter Weopon
    Thx :)

    1. Evident

      That sounds fine, I've seen some lists that run Doomhammer.

      1. deepblue

        I got rank15 to 9 with 14-2. Doomhammers worked well with Rockbiter weapons even with Shapeshift from Sir Finley. Thx :)

        1. Evident

          Great to hear!

  35. 0qile

    Hi guys! I dont have Spirit Claws and Aya Blackpaw. Any replacement for these? Ty :)...

    1. Evident

      Maybe go 2x Argent Squire, remove Bloodmage Thalnos and play Bloodlust.

  36. Dereck

    Made 1:1 replica of this deck.
    But due to the fact that other peope always have that one card to counter you in hand instead of on the bottom of their deck i cant get passed rank 17

    1. 8BitBrain

      Try not to netdeck, then. Maybe you'll have better results

  37. Zexton

    guys,Small time buccaneer and spirit claws got nerfed. any suggestion?

    1. Evident

      They aren't nerfed yet, so this guide won't be updated until that happens. It will take a little while to determine what the replacements for those cards will be.

  38. radichetta

    i can only craft one, thalnos or patches?

    1. Evident

      That's tough, I'd say Thalnos is the safer overall craft, but Patches is pretty important in these aggro decks. The problem with Patches is that with the nerfs to STB coming, I'm not sure how good he is going to be soon. Thalnos also gets weaker in Shaman now that Spirit Claws is going to be nerfed.

      1. radichetta

        yup, and without those asure drakes... i`ll need some extra spell damage.
        starting to think that keeping the dust untill next expansión is released is the best way to proceed.
        Any idea the rotation date?

        1. Evident

          Rotation is likely to happen in Late March - April, but nothing is for sure.

  39. Fabuloso

    Any update to this deck with the recent nerfs to Small-Time Buccaneer and Spirit Claws? Is this still one of the best decks with these cards nerfed?

    1. Evident

      Not positive on what's replacing those yet, I'll have this updated soon though.

  40. Cruxkid

    Post-Nerf now and I'm thinking of trying 2xRockbiter and 2xDoomhammer over STB and Claws BUT this slows down the deck a lot, could I also replace Thalnos and Drake, considering we don't NEED the spell damage for Claws, with 2xArgent Squire?

    1. Stonekeep

      It might actually be a good time to pick up Doomhammer again - most of the decks have dropped Ooze, as its only strong against Pirate Warrior now. Replacing Spell Damage might not be the best idea, though. The deck still runs tons of spells - Bolts, Portals, Lava Bursts and Jade Lightnings.

      I would probably try getting rid of 2x Spirit Claws and 2x STB and replacing it with Doomhammer + Rockbiter. It would slow the deck down significantly, but the meta has also slowed down a bit. I haven't playtested that, because frankly I'm sick of Aggro Shaman at this point, but let me know how it works if you try it in the end.

      That said, Aggro Shaman really needed those STB to have a powerful and snowbally early game. It's falling out of the meta a bit, because it's really hard to replace those. Argent Squires are meh, because they only work well with Flametongue - without it, 1 damage is just not enough right now. The deck is technically not "dead", but I feel like both Pirate Warrior and Aggro/Water Rogue are better Aggro decks right now.

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