Kaene Iron Court
Why fight their cards on the board when I can make them throw their hand away first? Gou the Iron Judge, Field Agent Ren, Boto and Ace shred their hand while Kaene the Reclaimer heals above 20 behind Kale and Lone Journeyman. Soon they're topdecking and cooked.
Deck
Game plan
Early turns
Treetop Scout finds Kale, Koyama Farm Plowman or Stone Masked Ancient. I play Rei, Kale and Lone Journeyman and hold Wrong Step open.
Middle turns
Field Agent Ren snipes a card on turn 4, then Gou the Iron Judge forces them to sacrifice a guy or pitch 2 cards. Plowman and Quicksand clean up whatever they already played.
Closing
Stone Masked Ancient and Sandcoil Python lock the ground down, and Ace makes them take 4 damage or discard 2 more.
Mulligan
I keep Treetop Scout or Rei with Wrong Step or Thornbloom Melon. Send back hands that do nothing before turn 4.
Key cards
They choose: sacrifice a Garden entity or discard 2. Drop him while they hold 2+ cards so both choices feel awful.
Forces 1 discard on play right on turn 4 while they are still holding their good stuff.
4 damage to their leader or discard 2 — late game they usually can't afford either.
2 IKZ Response to delete a 2-health attacker.
Heals 2 anytime, even above 20 health on Kaene.
Tips
- Portal through Stonehaven Gate on your turn so Rei or Kale gets Defender before they swing.
- Fire off Thornbloom Melon early at 20 health so Kaene banks a cushion before your 5-drops come online.
- Use Zubi to bottom-deck weapons or spells out of their discard pile before Surge Gate or Gate of Echoed Waves can replay them.
