We've been waiting with bated breath for the next balance patch. Quite a lot was riding on it honestly. It was the first of the 'aggresive' patches we were promised to overhaul Mortal Judgment and Core Set Refresh. TLDR: I'm happy. The patch hasn't fixed everything, but it has made big (positive) changes and is a great first step.
For full patch notes:
https://blog.godsunchained.com/2022/08/12/balance-update-august/
Mana cost reduced from 7 to 6
Change text from
” After you play a spell, refresh mana equal to its base mana cost.”
to” After you play a spell, refresh mana equal to its mana cost.”
Aethersnap
Change mana cost from 3 to 4
Rejoice! This was actually how he was supposed to function originally. Now you can't reduce a card down to 0 mana and get refunded it's base cost when you play it. This makes it much less likely to pull off combos in one turn, which gives opponents a chance to interact with him on the board instead of just losing. Also consider that open decklists are going to be a standard thing in the game. You'll know if you're facing Dralamar, and will have until 6 mana to prep for him.
Dralamar shut out control decks and contributed to pushing the meta in a more aggro direction. You had to win before 7 to beat the deck.
Also, the change to Aethersnap is a recognition that the card can create problems for them in the future in other decks. Increasing its mana cost doesn't impact Dralamar (which refunds it anyway), but does make it less powerful in card draw magic lists.
Prayer of the Desperate:
Change mana cost from 5 to 1
Change text from “Give +2/+2 to each friendly creature “
to” Heal you god for 4, and give it protected.”
Homeguard:
Change text from” Echo. Protected.”
to” Echo. Frontline.”
Great changes, which mean aggro light is going to be a lot less oppressive. Also, thinking bigger picture, the change to PoD is a clear signal that the balance team was serious when they said "sweeping/aggressive" changes.
Penumbra Howler
Change mana cost from 1 to 2
Change stats from 2/1 to 2/2
Change text from” Roar: If you control two or more other Wild creatures, give them +1 strength.”
to” Roar: If you control two or more other Wild creatures, add a 1 mana 2/1 Eagle to your hand.”
Satyr
Change text from
” Roar: Give +1 strength to each friendly creature.”
to” At the start of your opponent’s turn, their god goes to sleep.”
Slowing down aggro nature similar to aggro light. Yes, please. I don't think Satyr sees much play, but I do like that she offers a counter to relic OTK war. Those lists run lots of relics, so removal isn't viable. They also try and keep your board clear with heavy use of relics. It's not enough - and relic war still needs nerfs - but it's something.
Change mana cost from 1 to 2
A good change. Harder to play a card with a strong roar effect and then meta them same turn. (Looking at you Crystaltech Scholar.) The card is still probably to strong, but we're getting there.
Change text from “Give each enemy creature “Can’t attack for 1 turn.”
to” Give each enemy creature “Can’t attack gods for 1 turn.””
An interesting change, but control light is just trying to stall face damage anyway, and the card still does that. Any nerf to super sleep (can't be blocked by ward) is a good one. I'd like to see this card completely reworked. Order is bad enough.
Change mana cost from 5 to 4
Change text from “At the end of your turn, summon a 1/1 Thaeric Militant. Empower 3: Summon a copy of this creature. “
to” Empower 1: Increase the mana cost of a creature in your opponent’s hand by 2, up to a maximum of 9.”
This is now a solid card for a midrange deck. I'm not sure yet if it's random or if you get to see your opponent's creatures and pick one. Need to test in PTR.
Change mana cost from 6 to 2
Change text from” Give +2 strength to each of your creatures. Give -2 strength to each enemy creature.”
to” Pull the strongest relic from your opponent’s deck to your hand.”
Over-tuned and (hopefully) won't make it out of PTR. It's probably better in most situations than counterfeit. It's definitely more reliable. You can grab magic's pallas wand right from their deck. You can also still use your own relics unlike Counterfeit. Playing zombies? Help yourself to one of their necroscepters.
The other changes all seem decent, but not as meta-defining as the ones above. Also, they made it clear that Anubians are going to get reworked (Land of the Dead). Over the next 1-2 patches, I expect to see lots of big changes, but for now, I'm glad Dralamar is neutered and the meta has definitely been slowed down.
Most importantly, they are getting back to what made this game fun: board interaction. Love to see it.
