Murloc Shaman Theorycraft Deck List – Rise of Shadows – April 2019

The example of previous successful Murloc decks in Hearthstone – or even the builds suggested by the Shaman quest over the course of the last two years – would likely lead you astray when trying to construct this particular one: apart from the Murloc Warlock archetype in the beta days (quickly superseded by Zoo), not many tribal decks managed to leverage the sort of hyper-aggressive strategy the Murloc synergies would suggest, with the old Anyfin Can Happen archetypes pushing for a combo option instead and the midrange-y Murloc Paladin decks from Un’goro days prioritizing buff-based sticky boards over rapid finishers.

However, Shaman doesn’t have the same sort of rapid refill options like Paladin used to with Call to Arms or the Murloc-spawning hero power granted by Vilefin Inquisitor, and rotation of strong buff tools (Rockpool Hunter and Gentle Megasaur) forces a different approach. While you’re capable of generating some value with Underbelly Angler, this sort of a deck will live or die depending on whether it can maintain board control: as such, our theorycraft build opted for a more token-ish approach that tries to spread out as wide as possible in the early turns before delivering the killing blow with Bloodlust. Janky late-game risk mitigation tools would simply serve to reduce your consistency and are therefore not included here.

Similarly, this is why a copy of Hench-Clan Hag and Witch's Cauldron is featured in this particular variation instead of Murloc Tastyfins: the latter provides way too slow reload for a deck that has a fairly short window of opportunity to go in for the kill but is also uniquely well-positioned to take advantage of wide boards. Scargil, Ghost Light Angler and Soul of the Murloc (note its similarities with Soul of the Forest!) also encourage you to pursue a more token-ish approach. Witch's Cauldron has already seen fringe play in certain Odd Paladin builds, and the reduced post-rotation power levels likely make it a viable candidate for this kind of a deck.

The two Lightning Bolts are included to make it even more likely that you gain board control early on but they also double as finishers alongside Leeroy Jenkins for a potential twelve damage from hand if you were to fall behind in the later stages of the game.

Even though Toxfins are an excellent way to remove pesky Taunts, a single copy of Hex is nevertheless included in the featured build. Not only does it let you take care of something even when you don’t have a Murloc available to give Poisonous to, it can also help you with pushing past a key minion without having to trade in your whole board in the mid-game.

Replacement (and “sideboard” candidates for Specialist) include The Storm Bringer, Swampqueen Hagatha and even Electra Stormsurge as a way to generate a massive board through a double Soul of the Murloc or a double Bloodlust for a really nasty turn 8 surprise.