Lu Shen played the SI:7 Agent and immediately ended his turn.
Next, it was Sada Kojiro's third turn.
After the ramp-up from Wild Growth in the first turn and Nourish in the second turn,
the Druid had 6 usable mana crystals this turn.
“Ah hahaha, ah woo.”
Sada Kojiro played a 6-cost legendary card.
A giant gnoll, armed with an axe and clad in armor, appeared on the battlefield.
Hogg, Minion, 6 Mana, 4-4.
“At the end of your turn, summon a 2/2 Gnoll with Taunt.”
Although Hogg, this legendary card, had average stats and was somewhat mana-inefficient,
if it couldn't be removed immediately,
its ability to summon a Taunt Gnoll every turn was truly disgusting.
Coupled with the Ramp Druid successfully ramping up in the first two turns,
facing an opponent who summoned Hogg on the third turn,
if it were an ordinary player, they might even consider conceding.
At this moment, Sada Kojiro looked full of vigor.
Watching the 2/2 Taunt Gnoll summoned by Hogg after the turn ended, his expression was particularly smug.
Equally smug were the foreign netizens in the National Luck Arena Livestream:
“Playing a 6-cost legendary on turn three, the Xia Kingdom guy is going to get soloed by Hogg’s little gnolls!”
“Hogg hides behind the Taunt gnolls and infinitely spawns, the Stalker will never get past the wall.”
“After the beginner’s good luck aura faded, the Ramp Druid finally showed its true strength.”
“After all, the previous 11-game winning streak wasn’t something certain low-cost decks could compare to.”
“Sada Kojiro still has Ancient of War and Eldritch Horror in hand, he’ll play two walls in the next two turns.”
“Haha, then let that Xia Kingdom kid experience what true despair is!”
…
“You cannot stop the power of nature.”
Lu Shen was initially surprised that Sada Kojiro didn't rope or use 'threaten' emotes this game.
But now,
ever since Hogg summoned the 2/2 little gnoll,
Sada Kojiro started spamming 'threaten' emotes again.
So, you don't emote on your turn, but you do on mine, is that it?
It's just playing a legendary after ramping up, right?
Is there a need to be so smug?
You don't think I can't remove Hogg just because it's hiding behind a 2/2 Taunt, do you?
“Well played.”
Lu Shen showed a 'well played' emote, then played two spell cards to clear the board.
Backstab dealt 2 damage, removing the 2/2 little gnoll.
Eviscerate triggered its 'combo' effect, dealing 4 damage, removing the 4/4 Hogg.
“Hey, lights out…”
The SI:7 Agent attacked for 3 damage.
“Let’s go.”
The Rogue attacked with a 1-attack dagger.
After taking 4 damage, the Druid's armor was gone, and his health was reduced by 3, leaving him with 26 health.
Finally, with 2 mana crystals remaining this turn,
Lu Shen chose to use the Rogue's hero power.
After equipping a 1/2 dagger, he ended his turn.
…
It was Sada Kojiro's fourth turn.
This turn, he had 7 mana crystals.
Even though Hogg was easily removed, Sada Kojiro was not flustered in the slightest.
Because he had two big walls in his hand.
One Ancient of War and one Eldritch Horror.
Ancient of War, Minion, 7 Mana, 5/5.
“Choose One: +5 Attack; or +5 Health and Taunt.”
Eldritch Horror, Minion, 8 Mana, 8/8.
“Taunt.”
Not only that.
This turn, Sada Kojiro drew another Ancient of War.
So.
Without any hesitation, he played one of the Ancient of War, choosing +5 Health and Taunt.
On the board.
The Ancient of War slowly sat down, 'rooting' itself into the ground, becoming a 5/10 Taunt shield.
…
National Luck Arena Livestream.
When they saw Lu Shen easily remove Hogg with spell cards, the foreign netizens fell silent in unison for a while.
But when Sada Kojiro played the 5/10 Ancient of War, the livestream immediately became lively:
“The Druid’s Hogg traded for the Rogue’s two removal spells; although the Rogue cleared the board, he lost card advantage, so the Druid clearly profited more.”
“Hogg was just an appetizer, Ancient of War is the main course.”
“All the board clear spells must be used up, right? Let’s see how the Xia Kingdom kid deals with a 5/10 behemoth.”
“Is he helpless? Is he feeling despair? Hehe, there’s an 8/8 waiting next turn!”
…
Actually,
Lu Shen indeed had no immediate answer for the 5/10 Taunt Ancient of War.
It was his fifth turn, and he drew a second Deadly Poison.
Looking at the cards in his hand, there was no room for any complex plays.
He only had 5 mana crystals this turn, so he could only play an Azure Drake.
Azure Drake, Minion, 5 Mana, 4/4.
“Spell Damage +1, Battlecry: Draw a card.”
(Spell Damage: Increases the total damage of spell cards.)
Azure Drake's Battlecry drew a card, which was Conceal.
Hmm, not bad.
With Conceal, he could play Gadgetzan Auctioneer next turn.
His current health was 29, which was quite healthy, with no immediate danger.
Lu Shen left the SI:7 Agent idle and ended his turn.
…
It was Sada Kojiro's fifth turn.
He had 8 usable mana crystals.
“You cannot stop the power of nature.”
After showing a 'threaten' emote, Sada Kojiro played the Eldritch Horror from his hand.
He glanced at Lu Shen's minions on the board.
One 3/3, one 4/4.
Small fry, nothing to worry about.
I have two big walls on my board.
Why should I clear the board?
Your 3/3 SI:7 Agent isn't clearing the board, choosing to stay idle.
Then my 5/10 Taunt War Tree will, of course, go face!
“Bang!”
The Ancient of War attacked face for 5 damage.
The Rogue's health dropped by 5, leaving him with 24 health.
…
Going face?
He actually didn't clear the Azure Drake?
Lu Shen knew that these National Fortune Possessors didn't deeply understand the game of Hearthstone.
But he didn't expect a player with an 11-game winning streak to be so bad!
He didn't even clear a minion that grants spell damage?
Are you sure you know how to play Hearthstone?
Lu Shen was very curious.
Just how terrible must the Hearthstone skills of the other National Fortune Possessors defeated by Sada Kojiro be!
But it was fine.
With Azure Drake on the board, Spell Damage +1.
This turn, he drew a second Backstab.
The original 2 damage now became 3 damage.
Once Gadgetzan Auctioneer started drawing cards, board clearing would become even easier.
…