Tavern Brawl – Battle of the Bans

This week’s Tavern Brawl is “Battle of the Bans”!

Discuss this Tavern Brawl on our Discord!

Official Description for Battle of the Bans

Pick four cards. Your opponent will BAN one of them, then we’ll make you a deck full of the cards remaining.

Battle of the Bans Chalkboard

General Information

  • You get one Standard card pack for winning your first game this week.
  • It’s the seventh time we see this Brawl (or eighth if we count Brawliseum with the same rules). Last time we’ve see it on December 14, 2022.
  • It’s a PvP Brawl.
  • The Brawl’s format is Wild.
  • It’s a build your own deck Brawl. You pick a class and build a deck of four cards.
  • At the start of each match, your opponent will see three cards from your deck (the fourth one will be hidden, although it’s easy to guess with more common strategies) and ban it. After he bans it, the 3 cards left are shuffled into your deck – 10 copies of each.
  • It means that you want to build a strategy in which your win condition can’t be banned off – you need at least two ways to win, so your opponent can’t get rid of both.
  • C'thun, the Shattered, Whizbang the Wonderful, Zayle, Shadow Cloak, Prince Malchezaar, Patches the Pirate, Ice Block, Time Out! and Jade Idol are banned (the list is from last time – if there are any changes, let us know).

Battle of Bans Deck Lists

Post your deck ideas in the comments and we’ll put them here!

Stonekeep

A Hearthstone player and writer from Poland, Stonekeep has been in a love-hate relationship with Hearthstone since Closed Beta. Over that time, he has achieved many high Legend climbs and infinite Arena runs. He's the current admin of Hearthstone Top Decks.

Check out Stonekeep on Twitter!

Leave a Reply

78 Comments

  1. XDailyHS
    February 22, 2024 at 6:32 AM

    A fun priest one is:
    (1) Astral Automaton
    (2) Creation Protocol
    (2) False Diciple
    (2) Power Chord: Synchronize

    Pretty self-explanatory. Works with any ban. Works best, of course, if Astral remains. Use PC to copy Astral, use Creation Protocol to create Astral. If their play doesn’t summon a BS 10/10 in turn one like rogue, it wins a ton of games. Alternatively with Astral Automaton ban you can run False Diciple and copy that at will until you find an OP minion that fits the play and start copying that.

  2. Joopiter
    December 21, 2022 at 12:36 AM

    Any ideas for Standard budget users?

  3. PacoYorente
    December 15, 2022 at 6:23 AM

    warlock:
    Soul Fire
    The Soularium
    Fist of Jaraxxus
    Soul Barrage
    NO WAY FOR OPPO!!!

    alternative good deck
    Paladin:
    Feast and Famine
    Flight of the Bronze
    Holy maki roll
    Crystalsmith Kangor

  4. Budha
    June 20, 2021 at 5:48 AM

    rogue
    1xpogo hopper
    1xsecret passage
    1xedwin vanCleef
    1xcounterfeit coin
    the only time there is a chance you lose is when they ban the coin

    • ProtoSiva
      October 7, 2021 at 6:50 AM

      Cheers. Thanks for this. Pogo got banned. Turn 1 8/8 and 18/18 Van Cleef. Concede.

    • Fistouille
      December 14, 2022 at 1:25 PM

      Poggo ban
      Edwin 10/10 Turn 1

      GG lol

      Thanks

    • Cruzium
      December 15, 2022 at 5:07 AM

      Hahaha, thanks for this! I won my first match on turn 2 >:)

      People mostly insta ban the pogo, but the real mvp is the coin. once they see what theyve done, they spam well played 😀

    • Tailsfromvienna
      December 15, 2022 at 2:44 PM

      thanks!
      got 16/16 and 22/22 edwins on T1, then they conceded

    • Tailsfromvienna
      December 20, 2022 at 10:27 PM

      you write “the only time there is a chance you lose is when they ban the coin”, but with coin banned you can still pogo/passage/pogo every turn

      banning the passage seems more effective because you will run out of cards soon.

      if someone does not own edwin, sinstone graveyard is a possible replacement

  5. The19cmRedwood
    June 17, 2021 at 7:48 AM

    Warrior
    – E.T.C., God of Metal
    – Rokara
    – Playmaker
    – Bumper Car

  6. LuKeAA
    June 17, 2021 at 1:39 AM

    A good brawl for the “Yoink!” Quest for Rogue.

    • LuKeAA
      June 17, 2021 at 1:55 AM

      Or it WOULD be if it counted the Hero Powers in Brawl which doesn’t seem to.

      Very nice …

      • FooBars
        June 17, 2021 at 4:18 AM

        If you’re on about the achievements they only count when playing ranked or Duels games IIRC, Tavern Brawl and Casual mode don’t count

  7. Varaxis
    June 16, 2021 at 11:09 AM

    If you don’t have or want to craft Wild cards, this Druid deck will work.

    1x Adorable infestation
    1x Gibberling
    1x Power of the Wild
    1x Thorngrowth Sentries

    Generally, Gibberling will get banned.

  8. Panik
    December 11, 2020 at 10:44 PM

    I built this deck and won 18 games today. I’ve not seen any gold! Do they give it after the event? I contacted support… we shall see.
    This is my mage deck. I only have a few legendaries but these common little cards worked for me.
    *1 mirror image
    *1 wand thief
    *2 sorcerer’s apprentice
    *3 raid leader
    Decent deck, I’m sure it could be tweaked with better cards. I just wish I could get some gold! Lol

    • Cruzium
      December 15, 2022 at 5:22 AM

      I returned to HS last week, so mabey im wrong, but you only get 1 standard pack for your first win in tavern brawl. After the first win, you dont get anything except for normal question progression just like when you play standard etc.

      • RKD14
        December 15, 2022 at 5:25 PM

        correct

        • Nathair
          December 16, 2022 at 12:48 PM

          Cruzium is correct however Panik made that post shortly Madness of the Darkmoon Faire released. Given his issue he meant the 3 wins/10 gold that used to be in effect across all modes BEFORE the rewards track not the usual tavern brawl/pack reward.

  9. Morganno1872
    December 10, 2020 at 12:52 AM

    I really hate this lucky I created a demon hunter and someone auto conceded. I tried playing a few more games but quickly realised that everyone just wants to play long long priest games. Thanks but I’ll just take my pack and go.

  10. Nope
    December 9, 2020 at 7:20 PM

    Despite Ice Block and Time Out, somehow Cloak of Shadows dodged a ban this time. The Zayle ban makes sense too.

    • Nope
      December 9, 2020 at 8:04 PM

      Somehow C’thun the Shattered isn’t banned either..

  11. Jiajun123
    May 20, 2020 at 3:41 AM

    I used paladin with Brazen Zealot, Knife Juggler(Banned), Imp master, Moroes to win the game in 3 minutes and 5 turns.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69N7eYRQTNM

  12. Riptide
    May 15, 2020 at 2:07 PM

    This deck is great. So much value regardless of what card they ban. If your opponent takes a mill strategy you will outlast them by adding up to 10 Murgurgle Prime to your deck, Crystalsmith Kangor can be an offensive liability but provides huge HP swings and with two discover minions you should always be able to find what you need.

    ### Brawl Deck
    # Class: Paladin
    # Format: Wild
    #
    # 1x (2) Crystalsmith Kangor
    # 1x (2) Grimestreet Informant
    # 1x (2) Murgur Murgurgle
    # 1x (3) Stonehill Defender
    #
    AAEBAaToAgSavAKbwgL9+wL8uAMAAA==
    #
    # To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

  13. RockFury
    May 13, 2020 at 10:13 PM

    ### Brawl Deck
    # Class: Warlock
    # Format: Wild
    #
    # 1x (1) Malchezaar’s Imp
    # 1x (1) Soulfire
    # 1x (2) Darkshire Librarian
    # 1x (4) Fist of Jaraxxus
    #
    AAEBAaPDAwTOB8QUr6wCvLYCAAA=
    #
    # To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

  14. H4rG0
    May 13, 2020 at 9:12 PM

    16 wins 1 loss currently with what else than SCUMBAG PRIEST:
    1. Imprisoned Vilefiend for easy board presence
    2. Shadow Word: Death for everything above 4 attack
    3. Shadow Word: Pain for everything less than 4 attack
    4. Thoughtsteal – just for if all else fails you get to play what your opponent is playing

  15. SupHypUlt
    May 13, 2020 at 7:09 PM

    Druid:
    Living roots
    Mark of the lotus
    Dreamway guardians
    Power of the wuld

  16. MilesTegF
    May 13, 2020 at 5:28 PM

    There are many fun combination to try here, So far my favorites (Not necesarily the strongest) have been:

    Priest: Twilight Drake + Netherspire Historian + Drakonic Operative + Breath of the infinite
    Hunter: Dire Frenzy + Scavenger’s Ingeniuity + Diving Gryphon + (Viscious Scalehide or Zixor)
    Shaman: Marshspawn + Menacing Nimbus + Earthen Might + Big Bad Voodoo
    Mage: Sorcerer’s Apprendice + Arcane Missiles + Research Project + Flamewaker

    • MilesTegF
      May 13, 2020 at 5:32 PM

      Ups, a mistake.. in the first one is not Twilight Drake, is Twilight Whelp.

  17. WhipWhap
    May 13, 2020 at 3:34 PM

    Demon Hunter
    – Twin slice
    – Crimson Sigil Runner
    – Battlefiend
    – Altruis the Outcast

  18. Immortalflame994
    May 13, 2020 at 2:34 PM

    Pacifist Priest
    – Power Word: Glory
    – Renew
    – Mind Blast
    – Greater Healing Potion

  19. Zombie69
    May 13, 2020 at 11:41 AM

    Pogo rogue still works:

    Pogohopper
    Mechwarper
    Galvanizer
    Sn1P-Sn4p

    • Drugo
      December 10, 2020 at 2:14 AM

      I don’t know if it’s better but I did it with coin, pogo, swindle, edwin and it worked

      • Budha
        June 20, 2021 at 5:57 AM

        you dont draw enough to get big minions turn 1 its better to use secret passage then swindle you just draw through your whole dech and play every coin you find then at the ende you play an edwin
        i think that is better cuz its turn 1 i got a 26/26 edwin turn one

  20. TheTekin
    March 26, 2019 at 12:05 AM

    it was the best tavern mode i’ve played so far. normally, i only play 2-3 games per week just to get the free pack. but this time, I’ve played over 40 times during the weekend; just because it was so entertaining. hope to see it again!

  21. Potison
    March 24, 2019 at 11:41 AM

    Best Deck:Mirror Immage,Sorcerers apperentice,Raid leader,Archmage Antonidas

    Weakness:Banned Mirror image (People never ban mirror immage),Damage all minion cards(always ban those people usually only carry 1)

    How to play:
    First way,Spam mirror image put raid leader for attack(keep 1 apprentice for free mirror image)
    Alternative way,(If raid leader is banned)try to spam fireball with antonidas since mirror image is a spell and you can reduce mana cost with apperentice
    Worst way,(never happened to me)mirror image got banned

    Got 10-0 youll never lose thank me later

  22. March 23, 2019 at 9:14 PM

    Shaman
    – Evolve
    – unstable evolution
    – snowflipper penguin
    – wisp / tinyfin

    I haven’t seen a good shaman deck. I only lost 1 game out of 10 with this deck because u can play 4 1/1 s on turn 1 and evolve them and most decks have no way to deal with this.

  23. Rickert von F
    March 23, 2019 at 1:50 PM

    Been playing my favorite combo for these kinds of brawls, Hallucination + Tess Greymane. Added Blink Fox for extra thievery, and I’ve tried a couple of anti-aggro options in the fourth slot. Doomsayer seems to work the best.

  24. Stalker Baby
    March 23, 2019 at 2:17 AM

    20-0 Turn 5 ez win
    #
    # 1x (1) ARCANE MISSILES
    # 1x (2) RESEARCH PROJECT
    # 1x (2) SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
    # 1x (2) FLAMEWAKER
    #
    AAEBAY0WBLQE5gTjEbT8AgAA
    #

  25. Doomelf
    March 22, 2019 at 5:32 AM

    Another sweet deck to try, from a friend.

    ~ Mind Blast
    ~ Grave Horror
    ~ Shadow Visions
    ~ Radiant Elemental

  26. Pizzarulesbro
    March 21, 2019 at 8:57 PM

    I made this to meet my daily goal, haven’t lost yet:
    Warlock
    Clutchmother Zavas
    Succubus
    Howlfiend
    Soulwarden
    Everyone takes the bait and bans soulwarden, lol

  27. Cruxkid
    March 21, 2019 at 8:31 AM

    EZ farm

    ### Brawl Deck
    # Class: Priest
    # Format: Wild
    #
    # 1x (1) Fire Fly
    # 1x (1) Shadowbomber
    # 1x (2) Knife Juggler
    # 1x (2) Shadow Ascendant
    #
    AAEBAa0GBLEIkQ/rwgLOzAIAAA==
    #
    # To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

  28. TranquilKnight
    March 21, 2019 at 6:43 AM

    7-1 the loss was pure bad luck as i didn’t see a single soularium even with muligan and draws by fourth round.

    ### Brawl Deck
    # Class: Warlock
    # Format: Wild
    #
    # 1x (1) Soulfire
    # 1x (1) The Soularium
    # 1x (3) Silverware Golem
    # 1x (4) Fist of Jaraxxus
    #
    AAEBAf0GBM4HxBTUswKPggMAAA==
    #
    # To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

  29. Necronlord111
    March 21, 2019 at 12:17 AM

    Does anyone know wich card is hidden in the bannings?

  30. DoubleT
    March 20, 2019 at 9:54 PM

    Value Rogue is finally playable.

    ### Brawl Deck
    # Class: Rogue
    # Format: Wild
    #
    # 1x (1) Swashburglar
    # 1x (3) Stonehill Defender
    # 1x (4) Academic Espionage
    # 1x (12) Mountain Giant
    #
    AAEBAYO6AgThB5K2ApvCAqj3AgAA
    #
    # To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

  31. ChaosDancer
    March 20, 2019 at 3:23 PM

    This one’s fun: if Jan’alai or fire eater is banned, you go machine-gun style with cinderstorm, and if cinderstorm or sorcerer’s apprentice is banned, you become a control-style deck with Jan’alai as your finisher.
    I got pretty consistent wins with this, going 14-5 within an hour.

    ### Brawl Deck
    # Class: Mage
    # Format: Wild
    #
    # 1x (1) Daring Fire-Eater
    # 1x (2) Sorcerer’s Apprentice
    # 1x (3) Cinderstorm
    # 1x (7) Jan’alai, the Dragonhawk
    #
    AAEBAf0EBOYE++wCqIcDzYkDAAA=
    #
    # To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

  32. Doomelf
    March 20, 2019 at 1:54 PM

    Almost undefeated deck with incredible satisfaction and fun 🙂

    ~ Doomsayer
    ~ Naturalize
    ~ Coldlight Oracle
    ~ Branching Paths

    • Trollguy119
      March 20, 2019 at 7:18 PM

      Thanks for sharing this amazing list.
      This deck is even better than I orignally thought.
      I was facing a mech hunter who banned naturalise and I was wondering how I could actually win.
      With time, I realised, if I just kept dropping doomsayers while drawing cards with coldlight every turn, he couldn’t establish a board. On top of that, the 12 armor gain from branching paths each turn was also critical so that fatigue killed my opponent first 🙂

      • Doomelf
        March 21, 2019 at 4:27 AM

        Glad you like it 😛

        The strategy you described is just how you win if Naturalize is banned and if Coldlight Oracle is banned you can draw 1 card and gain 6 armor from Branching Paths to stay ahead in fatigue. Your opponent will draw 2 cards from Naturalize and you only 1 from Branching Paths.

        The amazing thing about this list is no matter what your opponent bans you can always make him draw more cards than you.

        • Rayscary
          March 22, 2019 at 1:37 AM

          This deck is insane. It wins against everything except turn 1 board flood into buffs or face damage decks that ban branching paths. Genius list 😀

      • QuestionablyViable
        May 13, 2020 at 7:56 PM

        Crushed this deck with This Priest one:
        Disciple of Galakrond
        Phsychic conjurer
        Renew
        Galakrond the Unspeakable

        You never run out of value. If they don’t ban galakrond and apprentice you always win. Ban either of them and it’s still nearly unbeatable

  33. FlinkerMomonga
    March 20, 2019 at 1:24 PM

    Easy 7-0 brawl with Mech Hunter:
    – Galvanizer
    – Mechwarper
    – Metaltooth Leaper
    – Zilliax

  34. Specxd
    March 20, 2019 at 1:08 PM

    *Arcane Missiles
    *Mirror Image
    *Frostbolt
    *Mana Wyrm

  35. MilesTegF
    March 20, 2019 at 12:55 PM

    i made a warlock deck with:

    -Kobold Librarian
    -Soul Infusion
    -Prince Keleseth
    -Doubling Imp

    Most likely the enemy bans Keleseth, and in that case you just dedicate yourself to drop as big as possible Double imps, while drawing more cards with the kobolds.

    • MilesTegF
      March 20, 2019 at 12:56 PM

      i did this and it workeded for three matches, but now that i think about it i’m lucky the enemy does not think too much about it, cos keleseth should not work in my deck XD

    • Dahz
      March 21, 2019 at 3:16 AM

      Lul it actually works

  36. XenonJay
    March 20, 2019 at 12:35 PM

    ### Brawl Deck
    # Class: Warlock
    # Format: Wild
    #
    # 1x (1) Grimscale Oracle
    # 1x (1) Murloc Tidecaller
    # 1x (2) Murloc Tidehunter
    # 1x (2) Rockpool Hunter
    #
    AAEBAf0GBNsD/gPQB53CAgAA
    #
    # To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

    ### Brawl Deck
    # Class: Priest
    # Format: Wild
    #
    # 1x (1) Inner Fire
    # 1x (2) Divine Spirit
    # 1x (2) Mind Blast
    # 1x (2) Spellshifter
    #
    AAEBAa0GBPgCoQTRCpLvAgAA
    #
    # To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

  37. Pantelo
    March 20, 2019 at 12:30 PM

    My hunter deck and I have good result:
    Timber Wolf
    Crackling Razormaw
    Scavenging Hyena
    Master’s Call

    • Ominouswing
      March 20, 2019 at 1:58 PM

      Oh, interesting.
      I played:
      Springpaw
      Crackling Razormaw
      Scavenging Hyena
      Animal Companion

      Your deck seems more consistent.

  38. Dnmph
    March 20, 2019 at 11:57 AM

    Alley Cat
    Springpaw
    Knife Juggler
    Timber Wolf

    Currently 15-2 with this. It absolutely eats mech hunter’s lunch and usually kills turn 5 barring wipes.

  39. TZACANEL
    March 20, 2019 at 11:24 AM

    Jade Idol, Ice Block, Time Out! and Whizbang the Wonderful are banned too.

  40. Manuel71
    March 20, 2019 at 10:48 AM

    Ice Block and Time Out are banned too.

  41. Darknes386
    March 20, 2019 at 10:28 AM

    The Soularium
    Clutchmaster Zavas
    Darkshire Librarian
    Silverware Golem

  42. StriderHS
    March 20, 2019 at 10:17 AM

    Getting some easy wins with this deck:
    – Dire mole
    – Crackling Razormaw
    – Animal Companion
    – Jeweled Macaw

  43. Bwilson
    March 20, 2019 at 10:06 AM

    Undefeated thus far. Enjoy!
    # 1x (2) Alexstrasza’s Champion
    # 1x (2) Dragon Roar
    # 1x (2) Firetree Witchdoctor
    # 1x (5) Emberscale Drake
    #
    AAEBAQcExhWBhwPoiQOqiwMAAA==
    #

  44. Moltar
    March 20, 2019 at 10:04 AM

    Went 3-0 with this shaman deck:
    – Witch’s Apprentice
    – Blazing Invocation
    – Evolve
    – Jade Claws

  45. IceQweem
    March 20, 2019 at 9:27 AM

    Something to note, Patches the Pirate is banned.

    • Stonekeep - Site Admin
      March 20, 2019 at 9:29 AM

      Thanks for letting me know, I’ve added it to the post!