Question on this one as I'm scratching my head. As a finisher, isn't Herald worse than Gearseeker Serpent? They're the same cost, Herald taps the artifacts it uses to lower the cost, and if Thopter spam is relevant in this format (likely) then it gets chumped where the other cannot. Obviously the demon has upside like discard which depends on matchup for usefulness, and being able to sac redundant artifacts which is only really useful vs cheap aggro critters. Tell me if there's something I'm missing there please.

As far as the Expertise vs Languish argument goes...well, you'll just have to wait until Friday

Rest of it is solid, I'd have given the Prowler at least a 1 as being a creature with some useful utility, even if there aren't many X/1's to target atm.

Discard doesn't really depend on matchup, that's always good. And the removal ability is obviously huge. And Herald's evasion doesn't cost 6 mana per turn.

If Herald stays on board for a turn, you'll win. You could ignore the Serpent for 2-3 turns while they essentially tap out just to win in for 5.

Madness Vamps

But yeah that's why you guys are the brains and I'm the not.

I actually think mono-Green is already viable with KLD; we have three quality 1-drops (Kessig Prowler, Scythe Leopard, Gnarlwood Dryad; all at Uncommon), "Mythic Uncommons" in the 2-drop slot (Duskwatch Recruiter, Longtusk Cub, Undercity Troll (and also Sylvan Advocate)), and amazing curve-plays for t3-5 (Bristling Hydra, Verdurous Gearhulk, all of the Nissas, Tireless Tracker). Add two amazing combat tricks (Blossoming Defense and Primal Bellow (probably the best payoff for being mono-green IMO)), a good removal spell (Nature's Way) and maybe a vehicle or two; and there you have your Stompy deck.
Also I have had some success with GC Ramp; though I don't know whether you'd consider that mono-green.


Mono-Black is not that far off being playable; in fact I have had some success with mono-Black during BfZ and have built a mono-black deck for fun which is close enough to playable right now. Maybe AER gives that deck the (fatal) push it needs.

It's not really a 7 drop tho.

I think if I was playing Madness, I would try to abuse the forced discard outlet as best I can, but having a 5/5 flier on the table is pretty problematic. Hopefully by the time it gets out, my madness cards are burn and opponent is close to death. Has anyone worked out what the earliest turn is feasible for Herald to come out (let's be realistic here and not assume the opponent has hit me with a Declaration in Stone repeatedly).

Using legit cards? Possibly t1 Bomat, t2 Scrounger (smug Copter also does it), t3 Pia or Thopter Engi (also Tireless Tracker can get you there), t4 Herald.

If you wanted to do it in blue, I'm sure it's also doable t4, but I don't know what the three drop would be - still though it's no problem as you just need 1 artifact per turn up to t4. Doing it t3 is currently impossible, I think - as I can't think of anyway to get 4 artifacts into play by t4.

I believe Servo Schematic is the only 2 drop we've got access to that can put two artifacts into play on t2.

It's not really a 7 drop tho.

I think if I was playing Madness, I would try to abuse the forced discard outlet as best I can, but having a 5/5 flier on the table is pretty problematic. Hopefully by the time it gets out, my madness cards are burn and opponent is close to death. Has anyone worked out what the earliest turn is feasible for Herald to come out (let's be realistic here and not assume the opponent has hit me with a Declaration in Stone repeatedly).

Turn 2 demon with 4 Bone Saws and a 1-drop. You know someone gonna try and achieve it.

Probably not since outside the christmasland T2 Giant it is pretty ****. Maybe T3 is decent but still asking for a lot for it.