Anti-Meta Tempo Mage (Season 33)

Tempo Mage didn’t get much in Mean Streets of Gadgetzan, but the core package is still strong. With so many Pirate Warriors and Aggro Shamans running around, Mage has amongst the strongest tech cards in the game for dealing with them.

Acidic Swamp Ooze x2 – At two mana, you can play this guy early to shut down upgraded Rusty Hooks and Fiery War Axes. Always keep in your opening hand against Warrior and Shaman.

Mirror Image x2 – The ultimate anti-Warrior card. This card shuts down so much early aggression. Play it for free with Sorcerer’s Apprentice, protect your Flamewaker while pinging down their board, great card.

Water Elemental x2 – Always go face with this guy to shut down your opponent’s Doomhammer or Arcanite Reaper, forcing them to spend burn or trade their minions away to get rid of it! Big beefy body is tough to remove and trades well.

Why no Flamestrike?

This card is way too slow against aggressive decks and doesn’t do enough damage against midrange and control. If you’re ahead, it sits dead in your hand, and even if you get to use it while you’re behind, it won’t bring you back into the game. This deck aims to get ahead and stay ahead, then eventually cede control of the board to the opponent while going face and trying to finish the game with burn. Flamestrike is better for grindy control decks, not aggressive tempo decks.