Rocket Hopper
A 5-mana 10/10 rush is massive, but so is the Overload. You’re essentially passing turn 6 if you play Rocket Hopper on turn 5, which means this card requires Overdraft to be playable. One less Overload and we’d be more on board, as it opens the opportunity to play Thorim on turn 6.
We think most players will be less enthusiastic by Rocket Hopper once they remember Command of Neptulon, which had the same rushing power split into two bodies (which is usually better) on top of only having one Overload. Rocket Hopper can be considered a bigger threat, but if it’s dealt with cleanly, the Shaman falls behind so hard it likely loses the game.
This card doesn’t fit a Reno Shaman deck. Since Overdraft is mandatory, it would have to be an aggressive Overload deck. Is Rocket Hopper enough to make that deck happen? Little chance.
Score: 1
Wave of Nostalgia
A symmetrical, non-legendary Storm Bringer. This spell seems unplayable if your opponent has minions on board. You need to be way ahead for it to be a strong play. Its high cost makes it difficult to combo with board reload too, so you’re very reliant on having minions survive a turn before playing it.
There is no great purpose for this card. Defensive decks don’t flood the board and will usually have enemy minions facing them, while aggressive decks would rather buff their board and kill their opponent rather than transform it. Very awkward to fit in any kind of deck.
Score: 1
Murloc Growfin
Growfin is a 1-drop with both early game and late game implications. Its baseline form is already a serviceable constructed card, producing a couple of 1/1’s in play, with one of them having rush. This makes it a decent minion to contest early game board control.
The Gigantic version produces 16/16 in stats with half of those stats with rush. What makes the card very enticing is a Shudderblock setup, which turns Growfin into a massive board swing with three 8/8 rushers and 32/32 in total stats. That’s assuming we haven’t played Wish Upon a Star and buffed it further. You might recall this is stronger than the battlecry from a fully Invoked Galakrond (two 8/8 Rushers and 5/2 weapon) without as much required setup.
Murloc Growfin is an easy inclusion in Reno Shaman, as it’s desperate for more Shudderblock payoffs. Shaman’s late game is its primary weakness, so it should appreciate any infusion of power.
Score: 3
Final Thoughts: The potential nerf to Brann and the addition of Murloc Growfin should excite Reno Shaman players. It might be time for the archetype to shine once again, after a difficult period that started with Deepholm.
