Brann, the (cycling) Hobo!

You should play the deck like a Lock Zoo most of the times, but a little bit more aggresively I would say. Still, board control in the early stages is what you aim for. Currently I’m 63% winrate with it on ladder (I”ve achieved legend 4 times in the past, if that is relevant. Twice with Face Hunter, once with Freeze mage and once with Tempo mage).

A few card explanations:

• Hobgoblin, Jeeves and Brann Bronzebeard are our main engines. Jeeves is the most important card in the deck, and you will win most games you get him going. Try to get as much value as you can (that means three cards, ok?).
• Elven Archer = Originally, I was playing Wisps here. Despite being cute with Hobgoblin, the 0 mana dudes were lackluster. Elven Archer helps enabling strong combos, and it has synergy with both our all stars, Brann and the Hobo.
• Defias Ringleader = Mostly used for his good early game combo. Not an amazing card, but if anyone plays arena in here, you will know he can be a strong turn 1 option with the Coin.
• Novice Engineer = A great card in the deck. Another dude that goes very well with 2 of our main engines.
• Echoing Ooze = This one does not work with Brann. Aside from that, Ooze is Hobo’s best friend and it combos with Cold Blood.

When it comes to matchups, be aware that this is a combo deck. If you get a bonkers hand, you will crush people. If you get a bad hand, you won’t.

Matchups:

• Warlock: Reno – If they don’t draw reno, you’re very favored. Loatheb is very good. Sap is valuable.Jeeves is very important. //// Zoo – I feel this one is favored. You are, most of the times, better at establishing your board on the early game than Zoo, which says a lot about the deck. Look for Backstab,Argent Squire + Abusive Sergeant orKnife Juggler + 1 drops.
• Priest: Control priest can be very problematic. Deathlord is great against us. Play your minions after killing it, in case he brings a Hobgoblin. Jeeves is very important here. Sometimes I keep it in my opening.
• Paladin: Secret – Depends on how good your starting hand is. Backstab is great, and your 1 drops too. It’s an even matchup. Midrange – Almost unwinnable. They’ll control the board too well, and you do not have the deathrattle power that a zoo deck has.
• Warrior: Control – A good matchup. They cannot keep up with hordes of minions, and with all the card drawing we have, we become resilient to board wipes. Patron – Bad matchup. You depend on them having bad hands and you having an explosive start they can’t deal with.
• Druid: You can deal with Aspirant very well. Innervate hands will give you a little trouble, but I consider this one a good matchup.
• Rogue: No idea. Haven’t seen them in a while. I’ve beat Mill ones. Easiest matchup ever.
• Hunter: Midrange is favored. You just need to play the agressive role. Face is unfavored ’cause of traps and unleash, mostly. Still, is beatable. You can control the early board very well.
• Shaman: Good matchup. Just deal with their early  minions. You will probably finish them faster.
• Mage: Tempo – I consider it a good matchup, but you’ll need Jeeves at some point. They have a very hard time dealing with an early Hobgoblin + Echoing Ooze. Freeze – Faced only two and beat them ’cause of the power we have to infest the board agains after a wipe. Do not overextend if you are ahead. This is important for every matchup BTW. You are allowed to do so only if you have a Jeeves on board.

The deck is full of sinergies. I’ll list a few:

Coin + Argent Squire +Cold Blood for a 5/1 Divine Shield on T1.

Echoing Ooze + Cold Blood for 2 5/2s.

Backstab + Elven Archer for deals with X/3 minions like Aspirant.

Knife Juggler + Defias Ringleader