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Building a Warlock Burst Zoo Deck on a Budget

Recently my partner and I had a kid so I haven't had as much time to game as I usually do. That said, Hearthstone is a good game to play if you only have one hand free when the other one is consoling your crying baby. Sometimes I have to put the phone down for a second to readjust my hold with him but if I am sitting on the couch it works out really well. I'm also a Hearthstone free to play player so like many, I don't have every card available to me but enjoy playing constructed and like trying out the new meta decks. One such deck to emerge post Whispers of the Old Gods is Warlock Burst Zoo. Warlock has always been great with Zoo but it's stepped up a bit after WoTG... Read All Recently my partner and I had a kid so I haven't had as much time to game as I usually do. That said, Hearthstone is a good game to play if you only have one hand free when the other one is consoling your crying baby. Sometimes I have to put the phone down for a second to readjust my hold with him but if I am sitting on the couch it works out really well. I'm also a Hearthstone free to play player so like many, I don't have every card available to me but enjoy playing constructed and like trying out the new meta decks. One such deck to emerge post Whispers of the Old Gods is Warlock Burst Zoo. Warlock has always been great with Zoo but it's stepped up a bit after WoTG due to a couple new cards like Darkshire Councilman and Possessed Villager.

I recently built a Warlock Zoo deck from a recipe but since I don't have all the cards for it I had to make some substitutions. Sometimes you really can't sub out certain cards for others but in this case I think they worked out well. Here is the deck I based my alteration on for you to check out:

http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/472913-legend-zoo-lock-standard

As you can see, the deck is mostly commons and rares with a few legendaries and one epic and I subbed out all the Legendaries and epics for other cards. Substitutions I made include:

Reckless Rocketeer for Leery Jenkins. With Arcane Golem nerfed into the dirt, Leeroy is a very viable card now. That said, I don't have it as it's a Legendary so for now I think substituting Reckless Rocketeer is a good choice. Reckless costs one more mana but it's the same stats and I think the tradeoff is pretty solid. Reckless/Leeroy allow you to cast Power Overwhelming to burst your opponent to death as a possible deck win condition. Reckless Rocketeer (http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/560-reckless-rocketeer) Leeroy Jenkins(http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/674-leeroy-jenkins)

Argent Squire for Gormok the Impaler. Yeah ok, this isn't a fair substitution but there really isn't a cheap replacement for Gormok. Since I don't have Gormok and I also dropped Crazed Alchemist as I didn't find it that useful most of the time I added two Argent Squires to make the deck more quick and added a pinch more Aggro. Argent works well with the buffs this deck can produce and is a very solid turn one. Argent Squire(http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/473-argent-squire) - Gormok The Impaler(http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/22323-gormok-the-impaler)

Northsea Kraken for Sea Giant. Again, this isn't a perfect sub but one that works pretty well for this deck. At turn 9 Kraken is both removal and a huge minion making your opponent have to deal with it or lose. Sea Giant is incredible in this deck because it costs less per each minion in play but if you don't have it, like me, Northsea Kraken is a solid replacement. Northsea Kraken(http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/22289-north-sea-kraken) - Sea Giant(http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/614-sea-giant)

What decks are you running right now and have you made any interesting changes to popular meta decks?

Give Hell A Try - The Doom Demo Has Been Extended

During E3 iD released a demo for the new Doom game that was only supposed to run for a limited time. Sometime afterward iD and Bethesda decided to extend it so if you haven't tried out the new Doom game, now is a good time. There isn't a firm demo end date and I hope they just leave it up indefinitely. A limited time demo is a far cry from Doom's Shareware roots but then again, we ain't dialing up to BBS's anymore. Which honestly is fairly sad as I always loved BBS's myself.

#missyoulord #goodbyetradewars

http://store.steampowered.com/app/379720/

Celebrate Ubisoft's 30th Anniversary With 7 Free Games

http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/13600/header.jpg?t=1447351278

"To celebrate Ubisoft's 30th anniversary, The Ubisoft Club is offering you seven digital PC games. Every month a new game will be revealed and free to download. Then its yours to keep!"

Ubisoft is handing out one free game a month for the next 7 months to celebrate it's 30th anniversary by heading over to their website and signing up. During the first month they are giving away Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and while it's not entirely clear what other games they will hand out in the upcoming months you need to head over and pick this one up!

https://30years.ubi.com/en-US/operation-index

I need Star Trek Bridge Crew

I had no idea I needed this in my life until now.

I might be biased due to my love of all things Star Trek, but this looks absolutely amazing. Unfortunately you need several VR headsets and computers powerful enough to use them with in order to play this so I doubt I will be playing this anytime soon. Still, this is pretty bad ass!

More details about the game here: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/06/star-trek-bridge-crew-vr-hands-on-video/

Nuka World Will Let You Be a Raider, and other DLC info

http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/490650/ss_88cf478827fbad8312609964527150d4b523da5f.1920x1080.jpg?t=1465841340

The news from E3 about Fallout 4's upcoming DLC didn't include a lot of detail about Nuka World. The other two were mostly self-explanatory, but all we could tell about Nuka World was that it takes place in a theme park. However, Bethesda has added the DLC to the Steam store now, and the description gives some details:

Take a trip to Nuka-World, a vast amusement park now a lawless city of Raiders. Explore an all-new region with an open wasteland and park zones like Safari Adventure, Dry Rock Gulch, Kiddie Kingdom, and the Galactic Zone. Lead lethal gangs of Raiders and use them to conquer settlements, bending the Commonwealth to your will. Nuka-World features new... Read All The news from E3 about Fallout 4's upcoming DLC didn't include a lot of detail about Nuka World. The other two were mostly self-explanatory, but all we could tell about Nuka World was that it takes place in a theme park. However, Bethesda has added the DLC to the Steam store now, and the description gives some details:

Take a trip to Nuka-World, a vast amusement park now a lawless city of Raiders. Explore an all-new region with an open wasteland and park zones like Safari Adventure, Dry Rock Gulch, Kiddie Kingdom, and the Galactic Zone. Lead lethal gangs of Raiders and use them to conquer settlements, bending the Commonwealth to your will. Nuka-World features new quests, Raiders, weapons, creatures, and more. Enjoy the ride!

Lead lethal gangs of Raiders and use them to conquer settlements, bending the Commonwealth to your will?
I guess they heard the complaints from players who didn't like that you couldn't go evil. While I probably won't go that route, and will instead opt to take Nuka-World away from the raiders (if that's an option), it's great that they're adding a real bad guy path.

They also released info for the other two DLC...
Contraptions Workshop:
Machines that sort! Machines that build! Machines that combine! With Fallout 4 Contraptions, use conveyer belts, scaffolding kits, track kits, even logic gates to construct crazy and complex gadgets to improve your Wasteland settlements. The Contraptions Workshop also includes all-new features like elevators, greenhouse kits, warehouse kits, fireworks, armor racks and more!

and Vault-Tec Workshop:
Build a brighter future underground with the all-new Vault-Tec Workshop. Create a massive Vault and attract new Dwellers using pre-war industrial kits complete with retro-nostalgic furniture, lighting, and art. And like every good Overseer, run Vault-Tec approved experiments on your Dwellers to learn what makes an ideal citizen. Vault-Tec has given you the tools, the rest is up to you!

Details on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/377160/

E3 2016 Tuesday Roundup - Nintendo's Announcements

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Oh, they're starting right in with the new Zelda. This game looks gorgeous. Easily the prettiest I've seen on the Wii U. It's somewhat cel shaded, like Wind Waker, but much more detailed. MUCH. Looks like you can climb trees, cook, and interact with the environment way more. Link has a new hang glider trick with his poncho.

Here's the trailer they showed: https://youtu.be/1rPxiXXxftE

Reggie is out talking. A "seamless Hyrule." Sounds open world without loading screens. It looks like Nintendo's first day is almost all about Zelda. But he has one other thing to pitch first.

Pokémon Sun and Moon
Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio are the starter... Read All

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 06/14/2016 at 05:42pm

Here's a link to the official Breath of the Wild trailer
https://youtu.be/1rPxiXXxftE

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 06/14/2016 at 05:59pm

I'll add that in!

scrypt Supporter wrote on 06/14/2016 at 06:14pm

Is it true that Breath of the Wild won't be out until next year, when the NX releases (presumably)? If so, I'd rather not have to buy a Wii U, if I don't have to ;)

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 06/14/2016 at 06:17pm

They didn't discuss that, but it's "expected" to release in 2017 simultaneously for Wii U and the NX.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 06/14/2016 at 06:44pm

I'm thinking more and more that the NX is going to be some sort of phone/handheld device, and the Wii U will still be the Nintendo "console." That's just speculation on my part of course :)

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 06/14/2016 at 08:03pm

Sweet!! Yeah, Breath of the Wild is supposed to be released in March, from what I've read.

I wonder if the new Pokemon games will run fine on the old 3DS or if they'll need to be played on the New 3DS.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 06/14/2016 at 09:41pm

I was under the impression that nothing *required* the New 3DS, they just might be less impressive on the old one. But I could be wrong.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 06/14/2016 at 10:37pm

Yeah. Hyrule Warriors on the 3DS doesn't seem to necessarily require the New 3DS, but from what I've heard and read, it has trouble running on the older models.

As for Pokemon Sun and Moon, Vinny and I have already discussed which one of us is going to get which game. I'm going to buy both games, one for each of us. Moon is going to be for me. Popplio is likely to be the starter I pick, as I often start with Water-types, if for nothing else because of the blue. :)

scrypt Supporter wrote on 06/15/2016 at 03:22am

Is anyone else watching the Breath of the Wild demos, and getting really annoyed by the new item pickup sound?

jdodson Admin wrote on 06/15/2016 at 04:37am

Just watched the trailer and I really liked it. Art wise it seems to be a mashup of Ofarina and Wind Waker. Maybe some No Mans Sky too

I really like the ducks too and I'm pretty sure the duck effects and simulation will be the reason I get this. Jokes aside this looks more and more like something I'll need to get. I hope the NX is cool.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 06/15/2016 at 09:22am

@Scrypt, I haven't watched enough to pay attention to the sounds, perhaps I will watch more of them.

Honestly, it doesn't take me much to sell me on a Zelda game and from what little I've seen and read about Breath of the Wild, I'm completely sold.

@Jon, the art style looks incredibly like Wind Waker. I wonder if that will make some people less interested. From what I remember from WW's release, a lot of people seemed to complain about the art style. I, however, loved it. The one thing I noticed was that the water didn't seem to match the art style, but it was still beautiful.

I also read that both Wii U and NX versions of the game will be exactly the same (see link below). That's great news, to me as a Wii U owner. It means, I don't have to buy an NX. I'm usually excited about whatever console Nintendo dishes out, but from what I've read about the NX, it's outside of my scope of interest, meaning I'm not currently interested in it.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-on-wii-u-and-nx-will-be-t/1100-6440876/

jdodson Admin wrote on 06/18/2016 at 06:53pm

http://i.imgur.com/JXqhp3c.gif

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 06/18/2016 at 08:35pm

Hahaha, yeah. I have a feeling I'm going to want to do that.

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E3 2016 Monday Roundup - Sony's Announcements

So I'm doing this one as a stream of consciousness basically because that's more fun. I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it. I added some titles in after the text because I wasn't sure what they were at first, so it might seem weird sometimes when you just read what the game was, but then I'm surprised by it.

Sony has a pit orchestra. Nobody else has had a pit orchestra. Whatever they're playing is great. Now there's a woman making strange mouth noises and playing a big drum. Still a great piece though.

OH SHIT IT'S GOD OF WAR! BUT KRATOS IS OLD AND BEARDED! HE SURVIVED! And he has a son, who he's trying to train.

God of War
There's no subtitle on... Read All

scrypt Supporter wrote on 06/14/2016 at 02:34am

This was huge. Such a huge event. So many good games. Not worried at all that they didn't talk hardware, besides PSVR (that's 50 games in the launch window, Oct-Jan, by the way). All about the games, and they look stunning. Love that extended gameplay from Horizon: Zero Dawn. Norse God of War!! With a third-person combat system!! The new Quantic Dream game looks impressive, of course. Insomniac, please bring back fluid, city-wide web-swinging, a la Spider-man 2. That (exclusive) Kojima game announce was unexpected, and will likely be best game he's ever made. He looked quite happy to be on that stage, free from Konami's chains.

Whose buying a PS4? Is everyone buying a PS4 now?

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 06/14/2016 at 02:36am

Yeah, there wasn't really a dud in the show. This was all quality stuff.

I do wonder if that's the same Kratos or a different take on Kratos.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 06/14/2016 at 03:25am

I'll freely admit that I haven't really been paying much attention to Sony or Microsoft. I only have a very small interest in getting a PS4 and that's only because of FFXV, FFVII: Remaster, and the new (anticipated) Kingdom Hearts. Everything else is just outside of my radar and thusly ignored. Sure, maybe other things would interest me if I looked into them, but otherwise I have no interest in anything else I've seen. While slightly tempted to get a PS4 for those games, I more strongly feel like waiting until their released on Steam. Knowing my lovely PC, I'm sure you can understand my hesitation. :)

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 06/14/2016 at 03:31am

Right but you can't play God of War on a PC :D

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 06/14/2016 at 03:32am

Also it hasn't been confirmed that the FF VII Remake is coming to PC. Last I heard anyway.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 06/14/2016 at 03:35am

Psh, God of War is not showing up on my radar. Haha. Yeah, those games haven't been confirmed for PC, as far as I know either, but I imagine they'll come eventually.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 06/14/2016 at 11:19am

I would assume that's because you haven't played God of War :D You can probably get GoW3 for pretty cheap, you should check it out.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 06/14/2016 at 07:54pm

Yeah, I've never played it.

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E3 2016 Monday Roundup - Ubisoft's Announcements

This is the first one of these I'm writing while watching the conference. I don't know why I didn't think to do that earlier :D

Aisha Tyler is amazing. Ubisoft couldn't have found a better host. So far it's the only conference in which the f-bomb was dropped in the first five minutes.

Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Releasing in March 2017. This game looks absolutely beautiful. But I can't really comment much on whether it looks good because I've never played a Clancy game, but to my uneducated eyes it looks like a great addition. It looks highly strategic. It supports solo play or up to four-player co-op.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole
Get it? It sounds like "fractured... Read All

E3 2016 Monday Roundup - Microsoft's Announcements

Microsoft, as always, had quite a bit to say. Here's the gist!

Xbox Hardware and Xbox Live

Xbox One S: A slimmer version of the Xbox One, launching in August for $300.

Project Scorpio: A totally new console from Microsoft, coming in 2017. It's capable of 4K gaming. Microsoft says this is the first step toward their plans for incremental console upgrades. New consoles will be able to play older games, older consoles will be able to play new games, but at lower quality.

Custom controllers: Microsoft is launching a Design-your-own controller service, with 8 million possible combinations.

Xbox Play Anywhere: A program that lets you buy a game once and play it on Xbox... Read All

Microsoft, as always, had quite a bit to say. Here's the gist!

Xbox Hardware and Xbox Live

Xbox One S: A slimmer version of the Xbox One, launching in August for $300.

Project Scorpio: A totally new console from Microsoft, coming in 2017. It's capable of 4K gaming. Microsoft says this is the first step toward their plans for incremental console upgrades. New consoles will be able to play older games, older consoles will be able to play new games, but at lower quality.

Custom controllers: Microsoft is launching a Design-your-own controller service, with 8 million possible combinations.

Xbox Play Anywhere: A program that lets you buy a game once and play it on Xbox One or PC, with synced saves and achievements..

Xbox Live Multiplayer: Three new multiplayer features were announced. Clubs, connecting people with similar interests (like Steam groups); Looking for Group, which lets you seek out multiplayer buddies for games; and Arena, a new tournament platform that lets people compete across the world.

Game Presentations
It's important to keep in mind in these early announcements that many games that say "coming to Xbox One" may also hit the PS4. They just won't tell you that at the Microsoft conference. One thing I love, though, is how many of these say "and PC." Though it may require buying them from the Windows Store :/

Gears of War 4: Horde Mode is coming to GoW4, and the campaign will be a return to the classic style.

Sea of Thieves: Rare's new pirate game has a new trailer, and it looks Swashbuckling.

Scalebound: Platinum Games title that involves killing dragons? Sign me up! With co-op to go dragon slaying with friends.

Recore: Launching in September on Xbox One and PC, this Keiji Inafune title is a robot action adventure game with some intense platforming and a lot of charm.

Final Fantasy XV: It's still weird to see Final Fantasy on the Microsoft stage. A demo was shown, and it looks pretty incredible. The battle system seems far more action-oriented than previous games, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The series can't keep doing standard turn-based ATB battles and stay relevant.

Dead Rising 4: Coming holiday 2016, and set during Christmas.

Forza Horizon 3: Absolutely beautiful, as all the Forza games have been. This seems to really be pushing the tech. This supports cross play between Xbox One and PC.

Halo Wars 2: Coming February 21, 2017. It looks a lot like Starcraft in the Halo universe, and that's about the best compliment I could give a sci-fi RTS. There's a beta out today on Xbox One.

Gwent: If you played The Witcher 3, you probably played the in-game card game, Gwent. It's getting a standalone release for Xbox One and PC.

State of Decay 2: Coming in 2017 for Xbox One and PC.

Minecraft Realms: A multiplayer cross-play powered Minecraft, that lets you play on Xbox One, Windows, and mobile platforms, as well as Gear VR. It also has dedicated servers, which is a biggie for the Microsoft versions of Minecraft.

Limbo: Currently free for a limited time.

Inside: Coming in June for Xbox One and July for PC. A new title from Playdead, the developers of Limbo. It looks kinda dark and twisted and amazing.

The Division: Underground DLC coming this month, first to Xbox One. Stupid timed exclusives.

Tekken 7: Coming to Xbox One and PC in early 2017.

Phew, that's a lot.

Gamespot has the first roundup that I've seen, if you want to read more:
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/all-the-news-from-microsofts-e3-2016-press-confere/1100-6440223/

Our Hearts Are Heavy Today

By now I’m sure you’ve all heard about the tragic shooting in Orlando yesterday. It’s the largest mass shooting in US history. Such a senseless act of violence caused by fear and lack of understanding. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and friends today.

To those who lost someone in this attack, please know you are not alone. We can’t imagine what you’re going through right now, but we’re mourning with you.

This event will become politicized (and that’s already started), but that’s not what this post is about, and we ask you not to do so in the comments. There are political ramifications and those need to be discussed, but not now. For now, we mourn this... Read All