Started this Weekend Ranked in Ethereal Diamond and made only 9/18 with one technical loss "the client failed" while I was clearly winning (as it often happens in Gods Unchained)... 😒 Then, I made changes to my deck, contunied playing, and reached Mythic [on WR] with this $12 aggro Deception deck:
Deck code: GU_1_2_IAnIAnKDPKDPCCmCCmCCZCCZIAoIAoMBfMBfCFVCFVIAlIAlCDDCDDIClIClMBgMBgKDSKDSCEQCEQCFTCFTGBnGBn
Everyone know this sub-archetype but I'll share some thoughts that might be useful for those who have never played this sort of deck but only encountered it.
Cobra Scepter - I had noticed that people played it and decided to try. You can't clear the board and don't get favor with it but it produces more than 5 damage (comparing to Makeshift Shiv) in case of some archetypes with much card draw. In some cases, Cobra Scepter alone can win the game since it's the only card in this deck that makes the time your friend.
Crooked Quartermaster - opponents regularly misplay spending valuable spells to clear Crooked Quartermaster long after this card already brought all 3 spells it's able to bring. I had also previously thought Quartermaster is a factory that endlessly produces Stoneskin Poisons, Hunting Traps, and Trapdoors. Only one of each, alas. Nevertheless, it's an amazing card that allows aggro Deception to have in the pocket 6 supervaluable spells (if you have 2 Crooked Quartermasters in the deck).
I also have a pair of Stoneskin Poisons in the deck. Is that too much? I believe they are needed to clean the way for aggro cards.
Happily, Tides of Fate set hasn't left Deception without amazing cards. Another one is Second-Rate First Mate. Manasurge 5 and you have two 2-strength creatures to clear the board.
Not everyone knows that "Manasurge 5: give +1 strength and blitz to each friendly Rogue Skulker" also works for Rogues of Lady Marcella, Contract Broker, and any other card, like, Madame Denholm, Mugging, or Professor of Murder (if some finds out one day how to play it).
Second-Rate First Mate is able to create many synergies and, thus, is a must-have for anybody who play Deception.
I thought to swap Frumentarii Instigators for something hidden in this deck. However, no, they play an important role. Besides, the very obvious things like drawing a couple of cards, they can win the game against archetypes that make your board stuck with sleep and order spells. Playing Frumentarii Instigator at that moment can draw a Cutthroat Insight and break the loop of sleeping.
Cutthroat Insight - great to break combos and stop control decks. Spending 3-mana for a non-aggro spell can be also a way to lose for regular aggro Deception. However, look at the discussed deck and you'll see how many 1-mana cards in it.
So, playing Cutthroat Insight can be combined with something else already on the turn 3 + pip, like, 1-mana Second-Rate First Mate with 2 two-strength blitz creatures.
What other cards can be included in the deck?
That's another great thing about the deck - you can add many cards and that makes this sub-archetype quite adaptive.
Rogue Skulkers of Lady Marcella buffed twice with Second-Rate First Mates
Lady Marcella - not many aggro Light decks on the way in the last time. Otherwise, I would have Marcella in this deck.
Merrick, Keeper of the Many goes well with Whisper Barons.
Pietro, Merry Bandit can permanently hide your fragile minions. Worth mentioning Pietro has become stronger with two new 1-mana War creatures.
Lokian Disciple - a killer of relic War decks and a support to Whisper Barons if you feel the deck needs one more creature with significant health.
However, you should be careful with including 3+ creatures to the deck because it works well due to excess of 1 and 2-mana creatures.
Blade Borrower - 3-mana strength-diminisher isn't that someone dreams about. However, its echo is priceless. The card can work well with the discussed sub-archetype.
Assasin's Aim - it's not only give +3 strength but also hides a creature for only 2 mana. You can hit, hide, and cast Cutthroat Insight, for example.
Did anybody try to play this kind of deck with The Hollow? Could be fun, actually.
These were my news and thoughts about last Weekend Ranked and the deck.
Hope you've got many wins on this WR (have you? Share news in the comments below 🙂).
Cheers!