A stroll over the Gnoll (knoll?).

Roles

Build Cycle

2

2

2

3

Shortest Cycle

9

3

3

4

Playable Anywhere

A fun Beast deck that utilizes a buffed Gnoll Brute and Hogger to pressure your unsuspecting opponent.

Since Hogger is less capable Early game until he builds up with his passive ability, this is a good place for the Gnoll Brute to step-in and provide that threat. I also considered the "Pillage" perk and lean into the siege threat. I found that A tanky Brute was more effective allowing Hogger to play the offensive role and becoming a terror.

This deck evolves as the pace of the match changes. As you can see this deck utilizes many weaker squad based minis, the current tower is very effective against these units. So the early game is going to be VERY defensive and reactive. All the units, aside from Hogger / Gnoll Brute, are gong to be for support and defense.

First "phase" being more focused on the Gnoll Brute to threaten towers / ground and cycling into Hogger while counter summoning for Gold control.

Second "phase" is the time when Hogger begins to really pressure your opponent. At this time Solely rely on Hogger to pressure towers and utilize the Gnoll Brute to split push another lane.

Overtime: Like all Beast Family Decks this is where you spam everything just putting immense pressure onto your opponent. I would recommend placing units in all lanes being smart after seeing everything you opponent has to offer. Try to refrain from grouping too many weaker minis together allowing for a big trade in favor of your opponent.

First strike is still very relevant with S.A.F.E. Pilot. This is going to be a key player in removing many threats such as Ranged minis like Troll and Murlocs or Flyers like Harpies and Griffins that would otherwise quickly eliminate Hogger or he Gnoll Brute.

Hogger and the Gnoll Brute are almost entirely interchangeable throughout each match, however, as the match progresses and Hogger has been cycled enough to be quite powerful you will find the Gnoll Brute becomes more of a defensive or tanky target rather than your actual focus.

Quilboar: This is your go-to unit for skill trading. Depending on how you use this mini may determine how your entire match may go. Due to the tanky nature of this unit, it can be skillfully used to distract other units and turning them around to engage BEFORE another weaker or more valuable mini gets within engage or threat range of a tower or opposing model. Use the Quilboar to take out Stealth minis, opposing Kobolds, or prior to engaging for positive trades.

Murlocs with Safety Bubble Perk: Generally good unit with a low cost that can provide ranged support to our frontline units.

S.A.F.E. Pilot does, what S.A.F.E. Pilot does. Practice timing to get the most out of your S.A.F.E. Pilot.

The interesting Picks:

Faerie Dragon with Fae Blessing: This make Both Hogger and the Gnoll Brute surprisingly tough. With many spells being elemental as well as having a few elemental models being available, the Fae Blessing really just makes your Hogger and Gnoll Brute surprisingly difficult to deal with. The Dragon also acts as a solid Ranged Flying unit if Resists are not necessarily needed and at an affordable price!

Chickens in a AoE Tower Meta?!?! This unit is literally here to DIE. The idea is that the Gnoll Brute and/or Hogger will be buffed with Resistance (Thanks Faerie Dragon) and may just need a cheap and fun way to heal while simultaneously cycling quickly into Hogger again. Chickens are also a pretty solid defensive pick against non-AoE minis or to distract any single-target mini. Chickens are quite fast, so playing chickens can happen after you throw out a combo and have regenerated Gold.

WEAKNESSES:
Hogger is a slow start Hero. You will need to learn how to contest Gold early on while cycling into Hogger frequently otherwise he opponent will always outpace you.

AoE is not your friend. Cairne is very much on of THE most difficult picks into this deck. Hogger and the Gnoll Brute will need help from the Faerie Dragon to effectively eliminate. Feel free to also reward the good doggos with a treat (Chickens Snackrifice) after successfully defeating AoE targets!

Opposing lists that have Tanks are going to also be a challenge, but only during the early game while Hogger is still weak.

CC (Crowd Control) decks or Unbound decks are generally very good, luckily this deck utilizes many cheap units to support a growing threat Hero and once you break through that early game you may then fight back quite effectively.

I personally don't believe this deck suffers from having a lack of Flying units.

Remember always try and deploy Hogger / Gnoll Brute with supporting units such as Murlocs, Faerie Dragon, or even the S.A.F.E. Pilot. The chickens can always arrive a little later! Also be mindful how the speed interactions work, the Gnoll Brute doesn't exactly sprint to the front like Hogger.

I hope this finds you well!

As always, Good Luck!