Hooktusk Rogue deck list guide - Saviors of Uldum - Hearthstone (August 2019)

The new Rogue Quest rewards the class’ ‘Thief’ mechanics. Previously, this didn’t usually work out in favour of the Rogue player, but this time around we’ve got a long-term and extremely powerful reward for partaking in this wily scheme, as well as some dastardly Pirates helping out.

Combining the Pirate archetype with the brand new Quest, Bazaar Burglary, allows for a combination of high tempo and potentially brutal aggression. The meta is still developing, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for any changes or developments.

Hooktusk Rogue deck list and strategy

Here is the version of Hooktusk Rogue we’re using for the start of Saviors of Uldum. The meta is going to be hotly contested, so come back here for updates and changes!

Select and copy the long ID string below, then create a deck in Hearthstone to export this deck into your game.

Deck Import ID: AAECAaIHDLIC7QLIA68EqAXuBogH1owDkpcDqJgDiZsDp6gDCbQBx/gCqv8Cj5cDkJcD+5oD/poD+6UDqqgDAA==

General strategy

Get the thieving started as soon as possible, and the Pirate synergies will start paying dividends later. Below is the general gameplan to get you up to speed on this .

Early Game: Your Quest can be played out on turn 1, especially if you have some Burgle-style cards in your hand like Pilfer or Blink Fox. Backstabs are present to provide ludicrously efficient removal in the early game, and your Underbelly Fence is hugely strong once you’ve got on with thievery. Sometimes the cards you nab from other classes can bring you great value, but this is very matchup-dependent. Edwin VanCleef is a potential early-game swing, especially if you combine him with your Backstabs, the Coin, Vendetta, and the other cheap cards at your disposal.

Mid Game: Given that your Quest only needs 4 cards to be burgled from other classes, you might want to rush to complete it given the valuable prize on offer. Bazaar Mugger is a solid card that impacts the board with Rush whilst also pulling off this effect. When Ancient Blades is activated, you’ll obtain a 2 mana Hero Power that equips a 3/2 weapon that keeps your Hero immune whilst they’re attacking. Hugely efficient long-term removal for your game plan, this’ll be an amazing opportunity for you to extend the game to the length you need to make big finishing plays.

Late Game: Captain Hooktusk never fights fair. If you play her on turn 8 and pull a few Pirates from your deck with Rush, it’s all too often completely over for your enemy. Combined with Southsea Captain particularly, your rushing swashbucklers are massively powerful against any board the enemy has built up. Ticket Scalpers with Rush can Overkill to draw cards too, which can be a great way to refuel your hand for the final push.

Sahket Sapper, the brand new Pirate, holds a huge amount of potential for removal, with a Sap-like effect built into its Deathrattle. Heistbaron Togwaggle offers even more late game value if you’ve saved a Lackey, and the power of the upgraded Hero Power cannot be overstated in the long term. Use it primarily for keeping your opponent from contesting the board, but also feel free to push damage to face, especially if you’re looking for lethal with Leeroy Jenkins.

Hooktusk Rogue Mulligan Guide

You should be playing strongly throughout the whole game with this balance of aggression and control tools. Here’s the ideal situation to start with.

1. The quicker you can complete Bazaar Burglary, the earlier the enormous impact of that 3/2 weapon with ‘immune whilst attacking’ can be felt. Remember Odd Rogue and how it was such a powerful deck that it was part of the reason Baku the Mooneater was hall of famed? That gave you a 2/2 weapon. If you can complete this Quest early, you’re in for a treat.

2. Pilfer is a sound way to start your thievery, and can sometimes generate a valid card to play later in the game.

3. Underbelly Fence is a card you’ll want upgraded by the likes of Pilfer, as it offers great board control early on. However, sometimes you’ll need to just put it onto the board as a 2 mana 2/3 and follow it up with something stronger next turn - it’s a fine way to play it if it keeps you in the game.

Hooktusk Rogue tips, combos and synergies

Below are our favourite synergies and combos in Hooktusk Rogue:

- The clue is in the name, but Captain Hooktusk is a powerhouse. The ability to summon a whole board of Pirates and give them Rush is not something to be sniffed at. This is especially true considering the powerful abilities of minions like Ticket Scalper and Sahket Sapper when given Rush.

- Keep in mind the subtle differences between your burgle cards. Blink Fox always takes a card from your opponent’s class, making it somewhat less useful against another Rogue. All the others add a card from ‘another class’, meaning you’ll always be able to activate your Vendetta, Underbelly Fence and Bazaar Burglary.

- Captain Greenskin is a card that’ll frequently offer some decent rewards for completing your Quest. Turning a 3/2 weapon into a 4/3 weapon is surprisingly strong, offering more options for minion removal and also the option to go face for a big chunk of damage, whilst also leaving a threat on the board. He’s also useful with Waggle Pick though, so be flexible!

- As with any Rogue deck, EVIL Miscreant is an excellent card, with Lackeys delivering a great deal of value to whomever obtains them. Be sure to keep one on hand in case you feel like playing Heistbaron Togwaggle later on!

- Dread Corsair is a 4 mana 3/3, but if you have Waggle Pick equipped, it’s reduced to 0. The Quest’s Ancient Blades Hero Power will reduce the card to 1 mana, which is sound value in itself.

- Shadowstep and Leeroy Jenkins can be used on the same turn for 12 burst damage at the cost of 8 mana, a decent way to end a game with aplomb.