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Olaf the Stout: A Viking Love Letter to Blizzard
Introduction
I'm not sure how many of you were a teenager in the early 1990's like I was, but if you were -- and if you were a gamer back then too -- it's likely you got to enjoy the awesomeness that was The Lost Vikings when it was brand new. These were the days when Blizzard Entertainment was still known as Silicon & Synapse. If you weren't around back then, or didn't get the chance to play it, then that's okay because as of this year Blizzard has released the game for free!
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the game, The Lost Vikings was a 2D platformer -- and one of the first to incorporate the use of multiple player controlled characters to solve puzzles (you're welcome Trine). I've included a brief video below for demonstrative purposes.
Of the three protagonists, Olaf the Stout would move on to become the most notable, appearing in Rock n' Roll Racing and just being generally lovable. The Lost Vikings even live on (in name only) within Starcraft 2 as a mini-game and achievement.
As a result of my life long appreciation for Blizzard's work and general desire, I've come up with what I think is an interesting concept that incorporates a playstyle befitting of the immovable object that is Olaf the Stout. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it.
Video
+ Show Spoiler +
Quick Notes
• All cards were created using hearthcards.net
• Artwork comes from a variety of sources. I tried to primarily use Blizzard, Silicon & Synapse, and WoW TCG art wherever possible; however, with such a theme this proved impractical. Additional artwork was leveraged from various artists on deviantart.com in collaboration between Creative Commons. Extra Blizzard points if you know where I obtained the artwork for Shield Toss!
• Thanks to Blizzard for over 20 years of innovation.
• Finally, thanks to TL.net for playing such a vital role in the eSports community for so many years.
Theme
At first, it might just seem as though theme is "Block stuff with your shield as much as possible", and while that's not entirely far off, there are a two primary themes at play.
The first theme is a tribute to the Lost Vikings console game. In The Lost Vikings...plot spoiler...+ Show Spoiler +The three heroes end up getting kidnapped by aliens at the beginning of the game and have to fight their way through time and space to return home. During their journey they travel to prehistoric earth, ancient Egypt, a mechanized workshop, a crazy world, and back to the spaceship again.
The result of which are seemingly unrelated minions: Wandering Direhorn, Croutonians, Clockwork Giant, and Ancient Mummy. As a random aside, the spell Omega Cyclone is a combination of an item from The Lost Vikings called "Omega" which damaged all enemies on screen and Cyclone from Warcraft.
I involved a second theme of Norse Folklore / mythology largely to fill the gaps where trying to force game references would make the deck awkward. References to this theme are as follows: Nordic Volva (witch), Svalinn, Ragnarok, Mead & Feasts, and Asgard.
Finally, one little easter egg is present for those of you that have been around the SC2 scene for long enough to recognize it ^_^.
Shields Up!
Obviously, a large part of what Olaf is about is his shield. This is easily recognizable by his hero power. Olaf the Stout can do what no other hero can do -- protect his minions by giving himself Taunt. Not only that, but when he Taunt's up he also decreases the amount of damage he takes while Taunted.
At first it might seem like it's somewhat overpowered as it's effectively 2 mana: heal for 2 and protect your minions from 2 attacks. However, because his hero power doesn't directly impact the board state, doesn't stack like Warrior armor, and can be destroyed by Acidic Swamp Ooze...etc, it is fairly on par with current powers.
Additionally, the various Shields that Olaf can equip are all slightly more effective than their vanilla heal counterparts (Reinforced Shield effectively can heal 9 Health for 3 mana vs Healing Touch's 8 Health for 3 mana). Again, this is due to the difference in mechanic and necessitates a slight offset. Several of his class cards rely on him being targeted to gain value (e.g., Nordic Volva, Lost Viking). In addition, many of his spells require him to already have a Shield equipped to take effect (similar to rogue). Unlike Rogue; however, many spells also use the Shield as a resource and will deplete it's durability. This is why a card like "Daze and Confuse" has a cost of 0 when it would likely be 1 noramlly.
The primary goal of the Viking deck would likely be to set up your Shield and protect powerful but fragile minions while absorbing as much damage as possible. Giving yourself Taunt might make it easier to build up your board but playing a Shield gives up tempo and makes facilitates beatdown/rush decks to killing you all the better.
Absolutely Stunning
The second mechanic involved here is Stun. Rather than creating a whole new mechanic and confusing things, Stun is simply the same effect as Freeze. The difference would be purely aesthetic but the class has a lot more synergies involving Stun than Mage currently does with Freeze
Conclusion
As any designer can tell you, it's impossible to produce a completely balanced addition to a game; however, I think that the concept is pretty solid and fairly innovative from everything else I've seen. With a variety of tools, and shields, at his disposal Olaf the Stout would prove to be a difficult hero to take down.
His iconic image represents the long history of Blizzard Entertainment and I can only hope to see another 20 years of innovation and great games from the company.
Hero
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Mx4GquZ.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Lh0tX3a.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/pli70Ul.png)
Minions
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/7ySarmd.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Pw7ZQHp.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/nwf4KTo.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/8M0Zr2z.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/2IXCNZU.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3PCXn88.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/kxYSkTj.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/jNxcU9p.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/CcQQJXQ.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/kQvkkDb.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/VsZbfnd.png)
Spells
Important Note: Any card that contains the text "Reduce your Shield's durability..." infers a Shield must be equipped for this card to be used. This effectively offsets the undervalued mana cost of that card.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Rd7JIl0.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/a1fZ6xd.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/SQDoNTr.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/sHG9UcF.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/geAfYhQ.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Wk8HDCj.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/besCyyh.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/wPG2qhk.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/izL4hJx.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Z7rVf3L.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/IGVt5rA.png)
Shields
Important Note: Shields cannot reduce damage below 1.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/5aLj0zC.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/l3LVptf.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/SgJ05R0.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Ts7MEHP.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/WvZ80EA.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/deegyNs.png)
• Improvised Shield is a token shield created by Shield Refit
• Tempered Shield is a token shield created by Weary Shieldsmith
Secrets
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/QGVhqEF.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/mZBFQ6C.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/dbyg5SI.png) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/FuORxDN.png)
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I certainly want them in Heroes (:
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On September 28 2014 03:28 figq wrote:
I certainly want them in Heroes (:
I suggested this in the tech alpha forums months ago 
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You are missing the most important card:
![[image loading]](http://www.hearthcards.net/cards/b330e4d7.png)
For usage of the fart ability in the actual game: + Show Spoiler +
Loved Lost Vikings 2, thanks for reminding me of that with this beautiful deck idea
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On September 28 2014 03:36 Fi0na wrote:You are missing the most important card: For usage of the fart ability in the actual game: + Show Spoiler +http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWBwh6hYOc0 Loved Lost Vikings 2, thanks for reminding me of that with this beautiful deck idea
Lol! Forgot about the fart effect. I wanted to somehow incorporate the "shield glide" he does but it just didn't seem to fit.
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On September 28 2014 03:43 mythandier wrote:Show nested quote +On September 28 2014 03:36 Fi0na wrote:You are missing the most important card: For usage of the fart ability in the actual game: + Show Spoiler +http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWBwh6hYOc0 Loved Lost Vikings 2, thanks for reminding me of that with this beautiful deck idea Lol! Forgot about the fart effect. I wanted to somehow incorporate the "shield glide" he does but it just didn't seem to fit.
Haha I will probably never ever forget about the fart and its applications.
Decided to translate the glide refresh as a Windfury and the destroy-bricks-underneath as damage to character.
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Too many cards are op as fuck, the direhorn, the curounian commander, the very concept of giving your own hero taunt and being able to play dozens of minions benfiting from it. I mean, you will be the one making the beneficial trades every. single. turn.
On the upside though, I like the idea of cards freezing your own minions as a negative effect, making you have to be careful when you play them. Refreshing brew, millenium feast and especially spirit of the berzerker are all interesting cards imho.
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I don't think many of the cards are that OP, at least not compared to some of the past Hero concepts we have been shown in the past, especially Amaz's.
This one is well restrained and the design on the new mechanic is really interesting. Taunt for your hero protecting your minions instead of the other way around is fun new way of playing the game.
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On September 28 2014 05:47 RaiKageRyu wrote:
I don't think many of the cards are that OP, at least not compared to some of the past Hero concepts we have been shown in the past, especially Amaz's.
This one is well restrained and the design on the new mechanic is really interesting. Taunt for your hero protecting your minions instead of the other way around is fun new way of playing the game.
Thanks
After careful consideration, the following changes have been made:
- Roaming Direhorn changed from 3/5 to 3/4. It's effect has also been change to reduce damage by 1 instead of 2. The previous version was far too undervalued at 4 mana.
- The Slay spell has been removed and replaced by the Dragon Slayer minion. As a spell, the card is practically unplayable.
- Shattering Smash has been changed to also Draw a card. The mana cost was increased from 0 to 1. Previously, the card was too situational and otherwise outclassed by minions with the battlecry.
- Croutonian Commander was changed from a 6 mana 5/5 to a 5 mana 4/4. His effect was also changed from Battlecry: Stun all enemies to Battlecry: Deal 2 damage to two random enemies. This makes him more consistent with the character he's modeled after.
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6 mana 4/4 charge windfury puts Al'Akir the Windlord and even prenerf Leeroy to shame.
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On September 28 2014 09:26 LunarDestiny wrote:
6 mana 4/4 charge windfury puts Al'Akir the Windlord and even prenerf Leeroy to shame.
Other than the fact that:
1) Unlike with Al'Akir, this class has zero spells/minions that buff attack (ie, Rockbiter Weapon, Flametongue Totem)
2) Also unlike Al'Akir, Erik probably can't clear two minions and survive and likely can only kill one
3) Unlike a 4 mana neutral card that can benefit from every classes' possible combos and buffs, he's class specific and will only do 8 (abusive sergeant notwithstanding)...
I completely agree.
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i like that hero alot! :D i guess it is probably more of a control class, right?
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i dont get the sc2 reference?
does it have to do with old blue flame?
or that tychus says ragnarok and roll when he gets the odin in campaign?
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Man... I used to love Lost Vikings. Along with Gobliiins, they were the best puzzle games at the time.
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On September 28 2014 22:30 Rikudou wrote:
i like that hero alot! :D i guess it is probably more of a control class, right?
It would be up to you on how it was played, but I can think of ways to play it both aggressively and more control-oriented. If you are providing taunt for your minions you can try and go YOLO face!
On September 28 2014 23:33 Cricketer12 wrote:
i dont get the sc2 reference?
does it have to do with old blue flame?
or that tychus says ragnarok and roll when he gets the odin in campaign?
I don't want to outright give you the answer because I'm sure someone can see it...perhaps if you were from France, or better yet, Belgium, you'd probably get it right away...if no one get's it for a while, I'll tell the answer.
On September 29 2014 00:47 guitaraffa wrote:
Man... I used to love Lost Vikings. Along with Gobliiins, they were the best puzzle games at the time.
Agreed! Although I have a particular fondness for King Arthur's World as well. Using the SNES Mouse was just too cool.
Change Log:
Changed the hero power from 0/3 to 0/2. After some consideration, I came to the conclusion that Blocking up to 3 attacks from minions early on would be too much. However, a turn 2 Hero Power followed by an Ooze from your opponent would immediately throw the game in their favor.
Changed Omega Cyclone from 2 mana to 3 mana. This was originally supposed to be 3 mana but due to a typo on my part it got published as 2. Oops. At 2 mana the spell is far more powerful than Blade Flurry as most of the shields have more Durability than Rogue weapons have attack power.
I'm also considering the mana cost of Spirit of the Berserker because presently a turn 10 Beast + Spirit of the Berserker = 18 damage for 2 cards. Although that involves 10 mana and 2 cards, one of which is Epic and one Legendary...this might be okay. Also thinking about Nordic Volva as her draw potential is pretty great for a 3/3. She's probably okay as she can't draw cards the same turn she's played: unlike Northshire, Acolyte, Buzzard...etc.
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Greetings Mythandier.
So is Stun a Freeze effect that cannot be silenced?
Nordic Volva: if the enemy don't answer this with direct removal they might consider a concede.
Clockwork Giant: for a 8 mana card has no immediate impact on the board.
Also this class seems to be to much aggro oriented.
+ Show Spoiler +http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Feast
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On September 29 2014 01:43 illusiongamer wrote:Greetings Mythandier. So is Stun a Freeze effect that cannot be silenced? Nordic Volva: if the enemy don't answer this with direct removal they might consider a concede. Clockwork Giant: for a 8 mana card has no immediate impact on the board. Also this class seems to be to much aggro oriented. + Show Spoiler +http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Feast
Greetings!
1) Stun can be Silenced -- it is exactly like Freeze mechanically, it would just look different.
2) Nordic Volva can be pretty easily removed at 3 Health and silencable. I've been thinking of making her a 3/2 so she's more vulnerable to AoE but really think she's probably okay. She's not necessarily going to draw a ton of cards since the opponent can control how many she draws. Even if you had turn 2 Hero Power, turn 3 Volva, the opponent could potentially have hit your shield turn 2 then hit shield + hit Volva turn 3. Sure, she'd draw 2 cards but that's no worse than some Acolyte plays. Anyway, I'll continue to think about it.
3) It's basically a Ironbark type card. I didn't intend for it to be "great" -- just a class card that could potentially play a role if you lack other (better) options.
Aggro fun!
And thanks for the Spoiler tag! Great catch Edit: I just realized you were one of the guys that won my giveaway back when I was doing the Legendary Hopefuls Blog. Of course you'd figure this out too! XD
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On September 29 2014 02:23 mythandier wrote:Show nested quote +On September 29 2014 01:43 illusiongamer wrote:Greetings Mythandier. So is Stun a Freeze effect that cannot be silenced? Nordic Volva: if the enemy don't answer this with direct removal they might consider a concede. Clockwork Giant: for a 8 mana card has no immediate impact on the board. Also this class seems to be to much aggro oriented. + Show Spoiler +http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Feast Greetings! 1) Stun can be Silenced -- it is exactly like Freeze mechanically, it would just look different. 2) Nordic Volva can be pretty easily removed at 3 Health and silencable. I've been thinking of making her a 3/2 so she's more vulnerable to AoE but really think she's probably okay. She's not necessarily going to draw a ton of cards since the opponent can control how many she draws. Even if you had turn 2 Hero Power, turn 3 Volva, the opponent could potentially have hit your shield turn 2 then hit shield + hit Volva turn 3. Sure, she'd draw 2 cards but that's no worse than some Acolyte plays. Anyway, I'll continue to think about it. 3) It's basically a Ironbark type card. I didn't intend for it to be "great" -- just a class card that could potentially play a role if you lack other (better) options. Aggro fun! And thanks for the Spoiler tag! Great catch Edit: I just realized you were one of the guys that won my giveaway back when I was doing the Legendary Hopefuls Blog. Of course you'd figure this out too! XD
holy shit i havent heard from feast in sooooo long o.O
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On September 29 2014 22:27 Cricketer12 wrote:Show nested quote +On September 29 2014 02:23 mythandier wrote:On September 29 2014 01:43 illusiongamer wrote:Greetings Mythandier. So is Stun a Freeze effect that cannot be silenced? Nordic Volva: if the enemy don't answer this with direct removal they might consider a concede. Clockwork Giant: for a 8 mana card has no immediate impact on the board. Also this class seems to be to much aggro oriented. + Show Spoiler +http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/Feast Greetings! 1) Stun can be Silenced -- it is exactly like Freeze mechanically, it would just look different. 2) Nordic Volva can be pretty easily removed at 3 Health and silencable. I've been thinking of making her a 3/2 so she's more vulnerable to AoE but really think she's probably okay. She's not necessarily going to draw a ton of cards since the opponent can control how many she draws. Even if you had turn 2 Hero Power, turn 3 Volva, the opponent could potentially have hit your shield turn 2 then hit shield + hit Volva turn 3. Sure, she'd draw 2 cards but that's no worse than some Acolyte plays. Anyway, I'll continue to think about it. 3) It's basically a Ironbark type card. I didn't intend for it to be "great" -- just a class card that could potentially play a role if you lack other (better) options. Aggro fun! And thanks for the Spoiler tag! Great catch Edit: I just realized you were one of the guys that won my giveaway back when I was doing the Legendary Hopefuls Blog. Of course you'd figure this out too! XD holy shit i havent heard from feast in sooooo long o.O
I played a few games against him during HotS beta but haven't seen him since then really. I don't play on EU but I'm not sure if he's still around.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/KIVTFEn.jpg)
