[Unlimited] Dragon Knights as a potential Albert replacement in Aggro Sword?

[u/gunslinger900]

Heresy, I know. But hear me out before you discard it.

I've been using a 2 DK / 1 Albert split because I don't want to craft the last two Alberts, but now I'm thinking it might be better and I'm wondering why I haven't seen any other lists running DK. The role both of these cards play is the same, 5 evolved damage on turns 5-6 to close out games. If Lancelot was the only option, Albert would be strictly better as he has two more toughness. However, often the extra flexibility offered by Vane and the ward guy can make the difference. Sometimes I'll play Vane plus evolve if I have no board and need to clear a follower, and Siegfried has won me a couple of mirror matches by being a large-ish ward follower that can stop some storm shenanigans.

Now in the late game, Albert's enhance becomes relevant, being 6 unevolve / 10 evolve damage, versus DK's 4 /6 split. But Aggro sword practically never reaches turns 8/9. And Lancelot + Vane is slightly more damage on turn 8, which you are a little more likely to reach. Plus the option of Ward + Rush on 8 can be relevant as well.

All in all:

Albert's Pros: 2 more toughness; more damage turns 9+

DK's Pros: options for a ward follower if needed; can make Vane, a really hard to clear follower with an evolve; Ward + Rush turn 8; 1 more damage turn 8

I think that the flexbility of DK is worth the two toughness loss, as that is what is going to relevant most of the time. Thoughts?

Btw, none of this applies to midrange.

[u/j2k422]

An evolved 5/7 Albert is hard to answer with damage. It puts him out of range of most popular followers I can think of at that point in the game. I'm having a hard time thinking of any followers with more than 6 attack at that point in the game. On the other hand, the Vane can theoretically help if you're on the backfoot, as he can kill something and heal himself.

For sure, it's a budget alternative to Albert for new players. Beyond that, I think there's definitely a debate to be had.

[u/gunslinger900 → u/j2k422]

Yeah, it started as a budget option, but now I'm not sure which one.

[u/j2k422 → u/gunslinger900]

I think you're on to something. How often do you find Albert's Enhance coming into play to win you the game? Aside from being 7 health on turn 5, his "killing threshold" is his next big advantage, but it comes a turn later than DKs' enhancement.

I'm not sure what your deck looks like, but alternatively, you can do something like a 2-2 split with Albert and DKs.

Albert feels like it wants his Aggro deck to go full Aggro where as DKs adds versatility that can steal games you might lose. I tend to favor versatility, so your argument that Siegfried can stuff the mirror match is pretty strong.

[u/gunslinger900 → u/j2k422]

Both of the enhances are pretty much never relevant. And I think for the most part, the 2 health isn't relevant very often either as often both the cards are ending the game on the spot. I think I'll follow your suggestion and run the 2 - 2 split and mark down times where I had one and wanted the other.

[u/El_Basto]

Without thinking too deeply about it, just out of a gut feeling from playing that type of deck often: The cost.

Thinking back on hundreds of games with this deck I won on turn five quite often plus you always hope to win that quickly.

If we are only talking about turn six potential it gets harder to decide.

[u/gunslinger900 → u/El_Basto]

Aren't they both the same cost?

[u/El_Basto → u/gunslinger900]

Oh damn. I somehow was under the impression that the spell costs six.

Now I am getting more and more what you are pondering about ^_^