Patch 8.0: Every starter deck brings its jokers

Why this patch

Jokers were a feature most new players never saw: starter decks played without them, and jokers only came with level 2 and a pick in the deck builder. Now every match with a starter deck shows them from the first game on. The sets were chosen so the starter decks end up closer together: the weaker decks got the sets that help most, the stronger ones lighter sets. New players should also win more of their first games, without one starter deck being better than another: so the beginner computer plays easier, not the decks stronger.

How we measured it

Computer against computer with the game's computer opponent. First every possible set of 3 jokers for every starter deck against the other decks without jokers (750 games per set): a set raises the win rate by 3 to 18 points. Then all six decks with their chosen sets against each other, 2,000 games per deck: the win rates now lie between 48.8 and 51.2 percent instead of 43.4 to 56.1 percent without jokers. For the beginner computer: starter decks with their jokers against the simple computer without jokers, 1,500 games: the player wins 71.6 percent, between 69 and 74 percent depending on the deck (53.5 percent against the normal computer).

Rule changes

Starter deck Ember + Iron

Ember + Iron already won 50.3 percent without jokers. Breather, Shardlight and Binding Call keep it in the middle at 51.2 percent: Shardlight lets the fast attackers come out cheaper, Binding Call adds one more Shardling to the board.

Starter deck Ember + Mist

Ember + Mist won only 44.4 percent. Shard Sight, Ban Shard and Binding Call raised it from 45.2 to 59.5 percent against decks without jokers and now to 49.4 percent. Card draw and removing a trap fit its tricks.

Starter deck Ember + Root

Ember + Root was the weakest starter deck with 43.4 percent. Breather, Shard Sight and Binding Call were one of the strongest sets for it (from 42.9 to 60.4 percent against decks without jokers) and bring it to 48.8 percent. Breather fits its healing; the tutorial uses this deck and Shard Sight.

Starter deck Mist + Iron

Mist + Iron won 55.7 percent without jokers. Breather, Shardlight and Ban Shard helped it the least of all sets (from 57.1 to 59.7 percent against decks without jokers), so it ends at 49.9 percent.

Starter deck Root + Iron

Root + Iron was the strongest starter deck with 56.1 percent. Breather, Shardlight and Ban Shard was the lightest set for it (from 54.8 to 60.4 percent against decks without jokers), so it comes down to 50.8 percent when every deck has its jokers.

Starter deck Root + Mist

Root + Mist sat in the middle with 50.2 percent. Breather, Shard Sight and Ban Shard fit healing, card draw and traps and keep it there at 49.9 percent.

Other changes

• Own decks keep the unlock: one joker per level from level 2 to 6, up to 3 picked in the deck builder. A pick saved for a starter deck no longer counts; the starter deck plays with its fixed set.
• The computer plays a starter deck with its fixed jokers too, whatever your level. Ghosts with an own deck of a real player keep the jokers its owner picked.
• Beginner computer: for guests and up to level 2, the computer in Play Local and in the tutorial plays the simple way and without jokers. In the simulation the player wins about 72 percent of these games instead of 53 percent; from level 3 the computer plays as before. Quick Game, ranked and ghosts do not change.
• The tutorial has two new steps: where the joker bar is, what jokers cost and how you get more of them, then you use Shard Sight once.
• Play Local and the Jokers button show the fixed jokers of a starter deck, also for guests.

All patch notes