Weapon Rogue – Year of the Phoenix
(Hearthstone Deck Overview)

What is Weapon Rogue

Weapon Rogue is a rogue class Hearthstone deck introduced with the release of the expansion Scholomancy Academy in August 2020.

Decklist

The version I am currently running:

### Weapon Rogue
# Class: Rogue
# Format: Standard
# Year of the Phoenix
#
# 2x (0) Backstab
# 2x (1) Deadly Poison
# 2x (1) Secret Passage
# 1x (1) Sinister Strike
# 2x (1) Spymistress
# 2x (1) Wand Thief
# 2x (1) Worgen Infiltrator
# 2x (2) Eviscerate
# 1x (2) Sap
# 2x (2) Sneaky Delinquent
# 2x (3) Greyheart Sage
# 1x (3) Hooked Scimitar
# 2x (3) Self-Sharpening Sword
# 2x (3) Vulpera Toxinblade
# 2x (4) Dread Corsair
# 2x (5) Cutting Class
# 1x (5) Doctor Krastinov
#
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#
# To use this deck, copy it to your clipboard and create a new deck in Hearthstone

Deck Overview

Weapon Rogue revolves around buffing weapons (Self-Sharpening Sword or Hooked Scimitar), and then taking advantage of cards that benefit from those buffs. It also uses a stealth-based minion package to supplement the weapon theme.

This is an aggro deck that is focused on reducing the opponent’s health total quickly. It does not have many comeback mechanics if it loses board, though it can use Secret Passage to refill its hand. However, it was recently announced that Secret Passage will be nerfed (4 cards drawn instead of 5), but I expect it to still be usable. Moreover, it does have a decent amount of burst as well.

How Does the Deck Perform?

This version of the deck has over 54% winning percentage in Legend. However, there have not been enough games to get a good picture of how it performs against specific classes or archetypes. Looking at Platinum we find these results:

Performs best against: Warlock, Shaman, Priest
Performs worst against: Druid, Paladin

Card Overview

Backstab (2x)

Free board control, especially helpful to maintain early aggression and as a free card off Secret Passage

Deadly Poison (2x)

Requisite weapon buff (at least 4 damage over 2 turns, even more with Self-Sharpening Sword)

Secret Passage (2x)

It says draw 5 (soon to be draw 4) for 1 mana. Don’t ask questions.

Sinister Strike (1x)

I see this as a stand-in slot that could be swapped out for testing other cards. I don’t recall a time in ~20 games where this card was necessary to get the final 3 damage.

Spymistress (2x)

Part of the stealth package

Wand Thief (2x)

Discoverable mage spells add some good, but random, flexibility

Worgen Infiltrator (2x)

Part of the stealth package

Eviscerate (2x)

2 mana, 4 damage is my kind of jam

Sap (1x)

This is a card I think could be strong, but I’ve yet to have it in hand when it would matter. Perhaps should be 2x? But, worried about being dead

Sneaky Delinquent (2x)

Part of the stealth package

Greyheart Sage (2x)

Part of the stealth package / refills hand

Hooked Scimitar (2x)

Weapon #1

Self-Sharpening Sword (2x)

Weapon #2

Vulpera Toxinblade (2x)

Weapon Buff; removal magnet

Dread Corsair (2x)

free taunt creatures are great for tempo; another free card that can make Safe Passage work even when cast early in game

Cutting Class (2x)

Many times a free or discounted Arcane Intellect (but for Rogue); oh so much sweeter when played off Safe Passage

Doctor Krastinov (1x – legendary)

Weapon Buff; another removal magnet (only had one game where I got a second swing; that one did not last long)

Quick Tips

• Always remember to attack first with Self-Sharpening Sword before casting Cutting Class (unless it is already free)
• You don’t always have to wait for a weapon card before using Deadly Poison; sometimes you just gear up the hero power.
• Don’t get greedy with Wand Thief; look for immediate answers or damage (generally). Expensive mage spells (like Deep Freeze or Puzzle Box) are most likely going to sit unused unless you are already at the mana required to use them.

Other Cards to Consider

If you plan to really play this deck, and want to test various configurations in order to find an optimal build, you will want access to these cards:

Jandice Barov

Abundance of stats on turn 5, especially when you most likely have been putting your opponent on the defensive all game

Frenzied Felwing

Another potential free minion to leverage early aggression and Safe Passage (and Cutting Class to a lesser extent)

Steeldancer

Cheat out high costed minions

Infiltrator Lilian

Adds to the stealth package; potentially a sticky minion to keep up aggression

Things to Watch Out For

Recently (9/5/20 – 9/7/20) I have seen much more lifesteal in decks. In particular, the combination of Wild Pyromancer and either Apotheosis (Priest spell) or Lightforged Blessing (Paladin spell). Even an increase in the use of Wild Pyromance without lifesteal is bad for this deck since it relies on the 1 toughness stealth creatures.