Getting Into Hearthstone For Free

Hearthstone has moved into open beta, and while the game is one of the most accessible digital collectible card games out there, it can be challenging to jump into blind. Hearthstone’s mechanics are easy enough to learn, and the in-game tutorial (combined with low-impact PVE matches to unlock heroes and cards) is an excellent introduction.

 

So you’ve already played the tutorial and you’re looking to dig into the game, but you’re having trouble getting past Angry Chicken rank? Playing with friends who are also learning is a great way to earn some experience and unlock the basic cards, but what if you want to try casual or ranked play? What if you want to get started without spending any money? If you know the basics and what the stats on cards mean, we’ve got some suggestions for you.

 

It’s certainly possible to reach legendary (top rank) status without paying, as Reynad recently displayed with a Warrior deck. But you have to play quite a few matches to put the gold and dust together to get some quality options going. Let’s take a look at some of the great basic cards and common cards that you have access to immediately.

 

Neutral

Amani Berserker

 

This is one of the great 2/3 options out there. It can trade with dangerous 3/2’s, turn into a dangerous threat after fighting a 1/1 or 2/2, and can be triggered with things like a Mage’s class skill and the Warrior’s Cruel Taskmaster.

 

Faerie Dragon

 

One of the better 3/2 options out there because the opponent will have difficulty removing it. Played early, it can cause serious problems for decks that will rely on turn 4 or 5 removal spells in order to hit it.

 

Loot Hoarder

 

Almost any way things go down, the Loot Hoarder is going to provide you with an edge. Assuming the worst-case scenario (where it’s removed via a hero ability), you’re still trading 2 mana for 2 mana because it replaces the card. In many cases, this little guy can provide actual card advantage by trading with a small drop.

 

Harvest Golem

 

3 mana may seem like a lot for a 2/3, but unless your opponent is willing to waste a silence ability, this creature is the definition of insane value. It’s possible to trade with up to three or more of an opponent’s smaller creatures with a well-played Harvest Golem, and there are other ways to abuse the deathrattle effect on the cheap. Can combine with Paladin’s Redemption secret on the cheap for some additional deathrattle fun!

 

Shattered Sun Cleric

 

This creature is important because it provides three points of power and an immediate boost on entry. A solid 3-mana option.

 

Chillwind Yeti

 

With no abilities, the Yeti’s 4/5 frame is the definition of raw value for mana. Almost always trades up.

 

Dark Iron Dwarf

 

You get one less toughness than the Yeti for 4 mana, but a relevant entry ability that can drastically alter combat.

 

Gnomish Inventor

 

While not quite as pure as the Loot Hoarder, the potential card advantage here can be higher for the added cost. You may be able to take out several small creatures with this and it won’t even cost a card to play.

 

 

Druid

Innervate

 

Pushing out your big creatures fast can have serious game impact. On turn two, one of these will let you frontload a Yeti. You can even do it on your first turn with the coin!

 

Claw

 

This is an efficient way to take out a small creature or finish off the opponent. Just an efficient and versatile one-mana spell.

 

Wrath

 

Wrath’s versatility gives you the edge. On a one-health creature it won’t cost you a card, can kill larger things for 2 mana, and gains value from spell power creatures too (once you can afford a pair of Azure Drakes).

 

Swipe

 

This is one of the best removal spells currently available in Hearthstone. Take out a big creature, an army, or both at the same time.

 

Druid of the Claw

 

Again displaying the versatility of the Druid’s arsenal, this will mostly be used as a 4/6 with taunt. However, there are plenty of situations where the fast 4/4 can come in to take out an immediate threat or close out a game.

 

 

 

Hunter

Explosive Trap

 

This is one of the hunter essentials. Against smaller armies you can allow the opponent to overextend and use your hero ability safely knowing that an attack will result in serious board chaos.

 

Starving Buzzard

 

This is an important card, possibly the most important Hunter card, and learning how to play it is essential. There are few situations where you’re going to want to roll out its fragile body on turn 2, it is often better to wait for a turn where several other beasts can be played afterwards, in order to ensure you’re getting value from its powerful ability. Combos well with Unleash the Hounds.

 

Unleash The Hounds

 

This card has seen a lot of changes, and I think it’s just perfect in its current form. You can combine this with Starving Buzzard and some other commons/basics like Timber Wolf.

 

Animal Companion

 

Essentially the deal with this card is as follows – You’re going to get a beast worth four at the cost of three, but since you’re getting a great creature for the price it’s going to be somewhat random. All three potential beasts are a great bargain for the cost.

 

Kill Command

 

As removal or a way to deal lethal damage to an opponent, this is a great Hunter staple.

 

 

Mage

Frostbolt

 

It’s an efficient removal spell that can be used to finish off players or neutralize their weapons for a crucial turn.

 

Fireball

 

There may be a Mage deck out there without two Fireballs, but I haven’t seen it.

 

Polymorph

 

An excellent way to take care of giant creatures that are too tough for your removal arsenal.

 

Flamestrike

 

The big one-sided board wipe. Your opponents have to play around this or they will walk into losses.

 

 

Paladin

Noble Sacrifice

 

A great early game trap that will protect your smaller creatures so they can keep getting in for damage and trade with opposing Faerie Dragons and the like.

 

Argent Protector

 

What’s better than divine shielding a creature? Getting a 2/2 out of the deal too! Many ways to set up big advantages with the shield.

 

Truesilver Champion

 

Probably one of the best “removal spells” in the game… You’ll get to take out two creatures and it won’t even cost you much life, or send the attacks straight at the opponent.

 

Blessing of Kings

 

The swing this spell provides can topple decks that don’t have any kind of hard removal (Which will likely be many of your entry-level opponents). Dropping this on even a 1/1 can have serious game impact.

Consecration

 

An excellent and well-priced board removal option and you probably shouldn’t play a Paladin deck without two of these after you unlock them.

 

Hammer of Wrath

 

Three points of damage and a card, there’s not much complexity here but it’s a great spell to have in a lot of situations.

 

Guardian of Kings

 

This one may seem unwieldy with a high casting cost, but it’s actually quite perfect. You’ll get a substantial amount of board presence and get a nice heal.

 

Priest

Northshire Cleric

 

We all have horror stories of the early-game Northshire Cleric card advantage setups. There are many ways to get value out of this one and most Priest decks should consider it.

 

Shadow Word: Pain and Shadow Word: Death

 

Having both of these in your deck takes care of most of the threats you’ll come up against. While you’re kind of stuck going against 4 power creatures, you’ll be able to take out expensive legendary cards like Nat Pagle or Ragnaros with ease.

 

Holy Nova

 

It’s a bit expensive for a 2 damage board clear, but the added benefits of a group heal can make up for it. Especially if you have a Northshire Cleric on board!

 

 

Rogue

Deadly Poison

 

Used on your hero ability, this provides two valuable attacks for three points of damage for only one mana. This makes it an ideal ability to trigger other cards that rely on combo.

 

Eviscerate

 

It’s two points of damage if you need it right away to clean out an early threat or four later on when the opposing forces are bigger. It’s also a great way to finish off a wounded opponent.

 

Defias Ringleader

 

Two creatures for the price of one! Combos well with Deadly Poison, Backstab, and many other low casting cost Rogue cards.

 

 

Shaman

Stormforged Axe

 

Don’t waste charges attacking the opponent unless you absolutely have to. There’s considerable card advantage go be gained here, allowing you to take out three small creatures for the price of a single card!

 

Flametongue Totem

 

Play this one correctly and you’ll be able to realize some substantial value. Play your other creatures first (Don’t be afraid to use your hero ability to make some cheap totems) and then boost them to take out opposing forces. Don’t plop this one down in harm’s way or on an open field.

 

Hex

 

It’s important to realize that this does give the opponent a creature with taunt, small as it is – Get your big attacks out of the way first or have a point of damage ready to clear it away. Critical removal spell for dealing with large creatures.

 

Fire Elemental

 

This is a pretty amazing card, giving solid stats for 6 mana and nice nuke attached, that can be used to clear away creatures on the table or dish out damage directly.

 

 

Warlock

Many Warlock decks hinge on rush strategies that use many neutral creatures (Murlocs) and take advantage of the Warlock hero power to draw cards and keep the threat level high. For this reason it may be best to get a few cards under your belt to facilitate this playstyle before going full Murlock.

 

Soulfire

 

This card may seem like it has a horrible disadvantage at first, but paying nothing for the spell makes it well worth it as removal or a finisher. Note that you can simply play it as your last card and ignore the discard completely.

 

 

Warrior

Fiery War Axe

 

An economical way to take out creatures or simply go for the throat.

 

Battle Rage

 

It can take some effort to get this to be a real blowout, but all you need is one or two wounded creatures on the table to get a nice card bump. Remember, your hero is counted towards the total number so if you have to, grab a weapon and take a few points of damage by running into an opponent’s creature before casting.

 

Cleave

 

There’s a solid chance to go two-for-one with this card or work it into some larger plays. Goes great with spell power.

 

Slam

 

This is sort of the perfect removal spell. Either you eliminate your target, or you get a new card out of the deal.

 

Cruel Taskmaster

 

Versatility is the key component here. You can boost your own creatures to make them hit harder, or take out an opposing creature with one health. It’s a bargain.

 

Arathi Weaponsmith

 

You get a weapon and a creature? What a deal.

 

Kor’kron Elite

 

Here’s a great way to get in some fast points of damage. Even if the opponent has a larger creature on the field, you can often swing in and force them to use their attack on the Kor’kron.