These cards are integral or defining parts of multiple strong decks and have a strong influence on the current meta.

• 
  N'Zoth, the Corruptor

  N'Zoth features prominently in various decks built around him. Beyond that, many niche control decks use him in conjunction with a few strong Deathrattle minions.

• 
  C'Thun

  C'Thun Warrior and C'Thun Druid are powerhouse decks in the current meta. Beyond that C'Thun helps beginners create medium to strong decks.

• 
  Twin Emperor Vek'lor

  Makes C'Thun decks viable. Very strong combo play with Brann on turn 10. If you're serious about playing a C'Thun deck, you bring the twins.

Cards in this tier are mostly class cards and are essential to specific strong ladder decks. The neutrals are used only in one or two decks each.

• 
  Justicar Trueheart

  Control Warrior/Control Priest - Very strong control card. Consider her a win condition if drawn early enough when playing Control Warrior.

• 
  Malygos

  Malygos has come back into fashion. With the nerf of Yogg, Malygos Druid positions itself as a strong contender for the top Druid deck.

• 
  Alexstrasza

  Freeze Mage - Alex is a must-craft for Freeze Mage, but she can also be used in other control lists such as Warrior or Reno Warlock.

• 
  Tirion Fordring

  Contender for strongest minion in the game. Fits in almost any Paladin deck. Core to the common and strong N'Zoth Paladin deck.

• 
  Grommash Hellscream

  Iconic Warrior legendary that adds tremendous value to any Warrior deck. He doubles as a control tool and a finisher.

• 
  Ragnaros, Lightlord

  Very strong Paladin Minion. Crucial component of Control Paladin.

• 
  Edwin VanCleef

  Miracle Rogue - VanCleef poses a strong threat if utilised well in Miracle Rogue. It's not the main win condition, however.

• 
  Malkorok

  One of the strongest cards in terms of mana value. A must-craft for Tempo Warrior for the tempos swing it brings.

• 
  Fandral Staghelm

  Fandral is so strong, he is an auto-include in all Druid decks. He is for Druid decks what Veklor is for C'Thun decks.

Cards in this tier are not worse than cards in Tier 2, most of them are actually more versatile. They're just not as crucial to specific decks, as in they're not win conditions and the decks can be played successfully without them.

• 
  Leeroy Jenkins

  Strong finisher in various aggro and control decks. Would be Evergreen Tier if not replaceable by Reckless Rocketeer if you're on a budget. It's a must craft, if you plan to maximize your aggro deck.

• 
  Bloodmage Thalnos

  Miracle Rogue/Freeze Mage - Thalnos is a powerhouse in both lists - some might say indispensable to both.

• 
  Cairne Bloodhoof

  Cairne provides great value and is very sticky. He's an auto-include in N'Zoth decks and just a very strong card in general.

• 
  Yogg-Saron, Hope's End

  Not as meta defining as it once was, Yogg is still a solid addition in spell heavy decks.

• 
  Harrison Jones

  In a weapon-heavy meta Mr Jones is one of the strongest tech cards in the game. The combination of tempo gain and card draw can swing a game.

• 
  Baron Geddon

  Strong against zoo decks. Often included in control decks when the meta is aggro-heavy.

• 
  Chillmaw

  Dragon/N'Zoth decks - Chillmaw works well as an aggro stopper in dragon decks, but can be used purposefullly without his synergy in N'Zoth decks.

Cards in this tier represent a very strong enhancement to the deck in question, but are not must-crafts. Mostly class cards or cards that are only used in very specific decks.

• 
  Cenarius

  Token Druid - Cenarius currently only sees play in Token Druid. It's a very strong addition to the deck but not an absolute requirement, because it is only one of 5 buff cards the deck uses. You can play the deck without him, but we strongly recommend adding Cenarius if you are playing to reach Legend.

• 
  Xaril, Poisoned Mind

  Sees some play in all variants of Rogue, but is not a universal auto-include. Particularly strong in N'Zoth Rogue.

• 
  Lord Jaraxxus

  Reno Warlock - It's a strong addition to the list because it acts as both an alternate source of healing and an alternate win condition. But not a must-craft if you want to try the deck.

• 
  Al'Akir the Windlord

  Used in some variants of Midrange Shaman as an alternative win condition. His drawback is the low stat line for the high mana cost.

• 
  Varian Wrynn

  Strong addition in Tempo Warrior, but there have been successful variants without him.

• 
  Hallazeal the Ascended

  Crucial component in the niche control Shaman. Would be rated higher if the deck were more popular.

• 
  Gormok the Impaler

  It's a neutral, but currently only used in Zoolock, where it is a strong addition. Many decks play Sea Giant or Doomguard instead. This card has a significant spot in the current meta, but it's rated fairly low, because it can be replaced without hurting the deck and it is part of the TGT set which is the next to rotate out of Standard.

• 
  Onyxia

  Used in some variants of Token Druid, but many variants don't play her.

• 
  Eadric the Pure

  Played in some Control Paladin lists.

• 
  Nexus-Champion Saraad

  Can be played in Tempo Mage. Unfortunately the current meta is too fast for most Inspire minions, and Cabalist's Tome is a lot faster.

• 
  Archmage Antonidas

  Used to be the primary win condition in Tempo Mage, but it's too slow for the current meta. Still used in Reno Mage.

Not all these cards are pure gimmick cards. Some of them are very strong in the Arena or work incredibly well in special niche decks like mill decks or very specific decks like Astral Druid.

Classic Set

• 
  Deathwing

  Strong synergy with his older self, and Varian. It sees some play in the current meta, but is not a staple in any decks. It used to be a bit of a gimmick card in the past, but he's infinitely cool.

• 
  Prophet Velen

  Primary win condition in Spell OTK Priest, but the deck hardly sees any play in the current meta.

• 
  King Krush

  Krush can be added to Midrange Hunter, but is not a must-craft.

• 
  The Black Knight

  Provides incredible value if you can utilise him properly, sub-par if you can't. May see play if ever a slower, more taunt-heavy meta develops.

• 
  Hogger

  No need to craft him, but if you do find him, he can be useful in a beginner's deck. Can theoretically be used in a taunt deck.

• 
  Captain Greenskin

  Can theoretically be used in Pirate Warrior, but usually does not make the cut.

• 
  Xavius

  Theoretically viable in token decks, but does not currently see play because it's hard to combo him due to the high cost.

• 
  King Mukla

  Has seen play in mill decks in the past. May see a comeback if mill decks rise in popularity.

• 
  Gruul

  Strong bomb, but his effect is too slow. Essentially just a big minion without a Battlecry.

• 
  Nozdormu

  Some players used him to exploit latency issues to win games. Beyond that he does not currently see play.

• 
  The Beast

  The strong drawback paired with the lowish health of 7 results in a mediocre card in terms of value.

• 
  Lorewalker Cho

  Cho is a fun card that can be used in some Tavern Brawls or wacky decks.

• 
  Nat Pagle

  Much stronger before he was nerfed. Now a pretty bad card.

• 
  Tinkmaster Overspark

  His effect is theoretically usable as a Hex/Polymorpfh substitute, but due to the randomness of his effect too situational to be of significant use. His effect used to be powerful before the nerf, when you could target which minion to transform.

• 
  Millhouse Manastorm

  Try playing him in a matchup against Tempo Mage, you'll have the time of your life.

Whispers of the Old Gods

• 
  Deathwing, Dragonlord

  Strong in dragon decks, but too slow for the current aggressive meta. Will rise in strength if the meta slows down and dragon decks play a more prominent role.

• 
  Y'Shaarj, Rage Unbound

  Incredibly strong in Astral Druid - but that deck itself is a gimmick deck.

• 
  Princess Huhuran

  Technically viable, but does not see much play.

• 
  Soggoth the Slitherer

  Strongest taunt in the game. Unfortunately it is too slow for the current meta, as it is too expensive to be an efficient aggro stopper.

• 
  Cho'gall

  Hasn't been made use of yet.

• 
  Mukla, Tyrant of the Vale

  Mukla's angrier self just comes with too much tempo loss.

• 
  Nat, the Darkfisher

  Strong card in mill decks.

• 
  Anomalus

  No deck builder has been able to make proper use of him yet. Will you be the first?

• 
  Herald Volazj

  Interesting card, but currently does not see play on the ladder.

• 
  Hogger, Doom of Elwynn

  Hogger's evil self.

• 
  Shifter Zerus

  Veeery RNG-heavy.

• 
  The Boogeymonster

  Heralded as the worst legendary in the Old Gods expansion.

The Grand Tournament

• 
  Dreadscale

  Sees play in some Hunter decks to combat zoo.

• 
  The Mistcaller

  Helps all Shaman decks, but is not a must-craft.

• 
  Confessor Paletress

  Strong card, but not currently being in used.

• 
  Rhonin

  Can be used in Reno Mage.

• 
  Anub'arak

  Theoretically a strong card, but too expensive for the fast paced rogue class.

• 
  Aviana

  Too slow for the current meta.

• 
  Fjola Lightbane

  Can be useful for Paladin or Priest.

• 
  Eydis Darkbane

  Can be useful for Paladin or Priest.

• 
  Acidmaw

  Currently at gimmick status.

• 
  Wilfred Fizzlebang

  Theoretically viable in Reno Lock, but usually loses his spot to better cards.

• 
  Icehowl

  A good card in Arena, but has not seen play in constructed.

• 
  Bolf Ramshield

  Can break the day for aggro decks, but does not see play currently.

• 
  The Skeleton Knight

  Too squishy for a fixed spot in the current meta.

• 
  Skycap'n Kragg

  Try him out in a pirate deck if you have him. No need to craft.