What is the “most dangerous game?” What if, instead of hunting Spectral Tigers or UDE Legionnaires, you were on the hunt for one of the most notorious personalities in the Warcraft universe?
As the name of the new World of Warcraft TCG set says, we’re on a hunt for Illidan. If you’re gunning for the ruler of Outland and the most dangerous demonhunter around, you’ll need some help. Heck, even 25 of us level 70 mighty adventurers couldn’t take him down quickly. We’re talking about fighting someone who killed the dreadlord Tichondrius! For those who have vanquished the likes of Ragnaros, Onyxia, Nefarian, Lady Vashj, Kael’thas, Archimonde, and even the old god C’Thun, Illidan was a whole new beast. Luckily for us, there were a few other personalities in the Warcraft universe that wanted to see Illidan gone, too. We teamed up, and some of our MMO allies have gotten their own cards.
To play these cards, though, you have to be on the right team. All the cards today require a bit of loyalty. What is a person good for anyway if you can’t trust his or her word? All three cards say “Loyal Hero Required,” and that means no Traitors allowed. As long as your hero hasn’t gone down that dark, alternate path, these cards are your new best friends.
Sure, the powers granted by turning against friends and allies are great. (Fans of Lionar the Blood Cursed and Desecrator Stormclaw can tell you that.) On the other hand, the loyalists have some new buddies to bring players back into the fold and fighting for good. When was the last time that evil vanquished evil, other than one of those Darth Vader “I turned to the dark side but now I’ve seen the error of my ways and I’m going to throw this emperor guy down the shaft, man isn’t that Han Solo guy the coolest with his care-but-don’t-care attitude” moments? Good has to vanquish evil. A wise and famous man once said, “Evil will always triumph because good is dumb,” but Maiev Shadowsong and Akama beg to differ.
In the MMO, Akama helps you in the quest for the key to get into Illidan’s fortress. Akama’s card has been given stealth, as he helps you enter the Black Temple, Illidan’s fortress. He also swears to help you against Illidan, so he is given protector and makes all your other allies untargetable. To top it all off, Akama only pretends to hold allegiance to Illidan and betrays the betrayer, so no one trying to get on Akama’s good side can play his or her evil Traitor cards. He’s an 8-drop, but nearly all his powers are “turned on” as soon as he enters play.
He’s also quite versatile. As he attacks for 7 damage, Akama’s stealth is going to make sure that he smashes the opponent uncontested. Protector ensures that he can enter combat right away. Sure, Akama is targetable himself, but Sudden Death has nothing on him. Able to dance around King Magni Bronzebeard tokens and do battle with The Abominable Greench and come out alive, Akama trumps most current end-game win conditions. It’s good to have friends in high places.
When you first meet Akama for a secret meeting, he promises that you will have the assistance of him and his loyal Ashtongue Deathsworn, the servants of Illidan who will pull away from the demon. If you’re loyal to Akama’s cause, he’ll reward you with not just his character card, but also the nifty quest, Akama’s Promise. Since costs are paid at the time of announcement, if you have no cards in hand, you can use the chain and pair this up with Orders from Lady Vashj to draw three cards for 2 resources. Just don’t tell Akama or Lady Vashj that you’re using those cards together; they don’t get along.
Finally, if you can get far enough into the Illidan fight, Maiev Shadowsong helps you trap Illidan and finish him off. Without Maiev, Illidan would enrage and go nuts all over your tank. If Maiev is on your side, she entombs Illidan in ice, and you’re able to beat him down.
In the Warcraft universe, Maiev was Illidan’s jailer after he betrayed the night elves. He was set free to help against the Burning Legion, but Maiev is one of those characters that hold a grudge. She’s currently jailed by Akama’s Ashtongue Deathsworn, but she’s in on the plan to kill Illidan. Apparently she’s not a fan of imprisonment and life sentences.
Break out the reading glasses, because this ally has just about every power imaginable. She may only have 1 health, but how do you kill an ally that’s elusive, stealth, and untargetable? For 8 resources, you get a lot of power in a little 5 / 1 package. While that is the same resource cost as Akama’s, they’re not competing for spots in the same decks.
[Maiev Shadowsong] fits perfectly into the recursion theme that has been around since Chris McMurry bashed people with Lokholar the Ice Lord via Spirit Healer. Lately, people have drawn upon the power of Ripped through the Portal, but that’s a Traitor card, so players will have to find something else to use with Maiev. Cards like Resurrection and Redemption can bring back the demonhunter, or you can simply pay the 8 for her and smash face.
While Servants of the Betrayer was all about getting a taste of evil, The Hunt for Illidan brings you back to the good. Fighting the good fight against Illidan and his lieutenants gives someone that warm and fuzzy feeling inside . . . until you look into those glowing green eyes behind Illidan’s blindfold. You know, demonhunters carve out their eyes so that they can better sense demons and magic—that doesn’t sound like an attribute of someone you want to take on alone. Allied with Akama and Maiev, you might actually have a shot at tracking Outland’s big man, and defeating your real-life opponents, too. Get back on the right side with The Hunt for Illidan and take out the Traitors. It’s hunting season!
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