The Plague Quarter Cometh

Let the festering of wounds and the spread of unholy maladies begin. The Plague Quarter, the second installment to the Hearthstone expansion, Curse of Naxxramas, launches within the next few hours, and if you’re like me, a fervent, sillily desperate fan of the online card game, the wait couldn’t be any longer. So instead of twirling thumbs and shaking legs, allow me to indite you, the lovely reader, a presumptuous preview of Naxxramas’ second wing.

  

Enter Noth the Plaguebringer, the sullen looking, pallid-skinned mage from Dalaran whose plushy white locks make Goldilocks’ hairdo look unruly—he is not one to be taken lightly. At normal difficulty his hero power is easily negated with cheap board clears, however at heroic level, the 5/5 skeletons have the potential to be more than bothersome. Back in the Arachnid Quarter Priests were by far the most popular class in heroic runs and it looks like the Noth encounters will follow a similar narrative. Play the beefy minions and keep them alive with heals, throw in a couple of SW:Deaths for good measure and Noth should be sinking six feet under in no time. If however the Plague proves to be a greater nuisance than expected, running Couterspell Mage might prove a viable alternative.  

Dispatch Noth and the next vile, equally sullen, pale complexioned magician to greet you will be Heigan the Unclean; who also happens to be the face of the expansion’s promotional art work, and who also, in my most honest opinion, bears a striking resemblance to Monty Python’s enchanter, Tim. Padding the board with the tankiest minion furthest left will probably be the best way to tackle Heigan the unshaven. Again, the Priests look the likeliest of candidates for this job with his healing capabilities pivotal to maintaining board control. Alternatively play plenty of expendable minions and pray that face-rushing takes him out before he does you. In the latter you might want to run as a Hunter, otherwise stick with the heals and watch that Gurubashi Berserker on the left amass unfathomable power!

Lo, the final boss of the Plague Quarter, the mushroomfarian, Loatheb. This oversized Fen Creeper packs some nasty cards and if not dealt with properly, will result in a swift and painful demise. Sitting at 75 HP on normal and 99 HP on heroic, Loatheb will soak up damage like a dry sponge on a puddle. This is one dense motherf*cker to burst which means this will probably not be the set up you’d want to be running. Instead run heals, pack plenty of silences, and strap in for a long fight because Loatheb will be a tough plant to put down. If the overgrown fungus’s light on board clears a well-protected Lightwarden could be packing some game winning punches in the late game.  

Well then, I’m not sure what else to say. I look forward to a smashing great time when the doors to the Plague Quarter finally open within the next 12 hours or so, and of course, I shall be eagerly anticipating the arrival of those sweet new cards that will come with each boss triumph. Perhaps only after using the new cards shall I offer my two cents on their efficaciousness but till then, look sharp and ready that 700 gold—the Plague Quarter cometh. 

Edit: revision to release countdown