Budget Deck: Shadow Paladin ("Diablo")

WEAKNESS IS A SIN

With the Aurageyser reprint confirmed, it's time to talk about one of the best decks that utilizes Aurageyser. [Hint: It's not Claret]. "Diablo" has risen in the meta as one of the most consistent Shadow Paladin decks around. While it doesn't have the early game of the RFD/Abyss combo deck, Diablo decks have a powerful calling engine as well as field control once the stride game begins. Having access to Aurageyser, "Diablo", and Spectral "Diablo" is very deadly. And the best thing about all of this? Diablo decks are cheap, even cheaper if you purchased the Ren Legend deck because it'll only take a few upgrades to finish off that "Diablo" deck.

Grade 3

Just $35 for a legion copy

Blaster Dark "Diablo" is the heart and soul of this deck. Run 4 at all costs. BDD's GB2 turns every card in your hand into Grade 3s, which lets your stride every turn once BDD's GB2 is active. Sweet, huh? But that's not the reason why BDD is so great. His stride skill is the most threatening, which nets a free retire whenever you stride into PBD, potentially up to 3 retires thanks to PBD himself.

For back-up? Abyss is becoming a popular back-up to BDD and turning the deck into a hybrid Revenger build. Abyss might have went down in price considerably, but but $35 total for him and his mate is going to be more than our whole deck will cost. So who should we use?

There is the former Gold Paladin unit revived as a Shadow Paladin, Whirlwind of Darkness, Vortimer "Diablo". Vortimer is great at deck thinning and striding over him with Spectral gets you so much field presence.

Another great back-up is Deathspray Dragon. Having Deathspray out during PBD turns is great, being able to retire two cards (Assuming BDD is the heart card) before PBD attacks is very dangerous. And if your opponent doesn't have 2 heal triggers to stop PBD? They're gonna have to eat 36k+ and 2 crit to the face.

Ruling Note: You can use Deathspray before PBD, in case you need to retire Deathspray for cost.

Grade 4

He will eat your cake

Run 4 Dark Dragon, Phantom Blaster "Diablo", no ifs and but. He's the best budget stride for SP and a powerful one at that. Run some Dark Knight, Grim Recruiter and Dark Knight Efnysein, and Spectral if you have him. Run 1-2 Ludvicks and then just fill the rest with Cray Elementals. PBD will be your finishing card and all the cards will help you achieved that.

And Aurageyser, once he gets reprinted.

Grade 2

Only real Shadow Paladin players can do this

Hoel is the MVP of the deck. Max him. Love him. He will turn PBD into an unguardable monster. Having Hoel out can make a big difference between being stopped by a G-Guardian and completely shutting down all form of escape from PBD's final turn assault. Giving stackable +3k power for any grade 1 you call is pretty great. And if you think that's all he does, well GUESS AGAIN! If the unit you call on the RC is Kahedin, you also get to CC1/SC1. Hoel does everything. Love him.

Dark Saga Painter has a great combo with Dark Heart so definitely run copies of her him. Macha is your Amber clone, and lets you get extra attack by comboing with Dark Saga Painter.

If you run Fullbau Diablo and can get hold of Blaster Dark Spirit, play him. Extra attack + retire is great. [A little tip: If you have a Deathspray, you can attack with DS -> sack Fullbau for cost -> Call Blaster Dark Spirit -> Retire. With BDD, you just retired three units before PBD attacks.]

There's Dorint if you really can't afford/get Hoel.

Grade 1

If you've gotten the Ren Legend Deck, there's your cheap PG right there. If you don't you can get her for $1-2. Then 2 Stride Fodders.

RUN KAHEDIN. He gives an amazing on-hit skill to your vanguard, as well as +5k power. Hoel and Kahedin truly pushes Diablo decks into the range of RFD/Abyss. [Tip: The on-hit stacks]

Charon is great for consistency and getting BDD to your hand so you don't have to ride Deathspray. Charon also counts as 2 units when paying retire costs which helps you keep your field presence. Dark Heart Trumpeter for free, easy calls.

You can also run some Swordbreakers if you have any, and Claudias if you are running Dorint.

Grade 0

Uses either Fullbau Diablo or David as your starter. Fullbau for more multi attacks (combos with BDS) or David if you have Aurageyser or you want a unit that can counted as 2 retires. For triggers, you can run a full 12 critical build or play a few draws [Play Howl Owl]. It's up to preference on how the trigger line up fits for you.

                                                                                                          

Decklist: 

NOTE: This is only an example decklist and should only be used as a base. I recommended that you create your own decklist through your own testing. I found this decklist to fit me, but it is up to you to find a decklist that fits you.

G0: 17

• Fullbau Diablo x1
• Triggers of Choice x16

G1: 14

• PG of Choice x4
• Pitch Black Sage, Charon x3
• Dark Heart Trumpeter x2
• Black Chain Spirit Dance Formation, Kahedin x3
• Cherishing Knight, Branwen x2

G2: 11

• Blaster Dark Spirt x2
• Dark Night Maiden, Macha x2
• Dark Saga Painter x3
• Black Chain Flame Dance Formatio,n Hoel x4

G3: 8

• Blaster Dark "Diablo" x4
• Whirlwind of Darkness Vortimer "Diablo" x2
• Deathspray Dragon x2

G4: 16

• Dark Dragon, Phantom Blaster "Diablo" x4
• Dark Knight, Efnysein x2
• Dark Grim, Recruiter x2
• Dark Dragon, Distress Dragon x2
• Dark Knight, Ludvick x1
• Dark Element, Dizmel x2
• Metal Element, Scryew x2
• Air Element, Sebreeze x1

                                                                                                          

Effectiveness: 9/10

Price: $70-90 [Even less if you own the Legend Deck]

Competitive: Yes

Final Words: "Diablo" is in a great shape right now. They are powerful, consistent, and have great field control. In a way, they're becoming the SP deck to beat because of the lack of current support for Revengers (about to change in GBT09). The main core of the deck is really cheap and majority of the price is in the G-Zone(Spectral, Aurageyser). With the Aurageyser reprint on its way, "Diablo" is now the go-to deck for budget players who want to try out Shadow Paladins. 

So if you are looking for an affordable deck and highly competitive, Diablo deck is a great place to start.  

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the post and remember to praise Coral!

-Verz