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The Military Quarter is perhaps the most fun I've had with Naxxramas yet. I mean, Loatheb and the hunter Class Challenge were like popping bubble wrap (an analogy I only managed to triumphantly score yesterday). However, this time around it felt like a pleasant Tetris game. The mechanics of the Hero Power and specific cards on the following three foes were something that really made me review my decks.



This time, there wasn't a single enemy I managed to beat on my first try. Instructor Razuvious was a cool fight - his Massive Runeblade (haha, no pun intended) is quite something: a 5/2 weapon. Ok, not that terrible—only it deals twice as much damage to the player hero than to minions. I had to modify my warrior deck with some Acidic Swamp Oozes and Bloodsail Corsairs after my first defeat, but it wasn't too difficult afterwards. Blizzard kinda hands this one to you as you get a free Mind Control Crystal in your hand, which steals his two 0/7 taunts for you right on the opening turn (even on heroic!). Regardless, having such comfort is quite pleasing. Kinda like stacking blocks on level 1 in Tetris and allowing that one long block through the corner hole. Ahhh.

That was a close call. Like, really close!

The next challenge was quite something, and I had to cook up a few variations of a Paladin deck to take advantage of the tricky Spectrals you're 'rewarded' with after killing certain minions. Gothik the Harvester will unload tons of Unrelenting Trainees, Warriors, and Riders, whose death-rattles release spectral versions of themselves to your side and deal 1 damage to your hero at the beginning of your turn. Clearly, some Blessing of Kings and Blessing of Mights are in order, since these 'gifted' minions are 0/2, 0/4, and 0/6 respectively. Buff them up and attack other minions with them to speed up their demise.

Needless to say, those Acidic Swamp Oozes made an appearance.

The last boss in the Military Quarter is Baron Rivendare, who was actually easy. The Baron acts as the hero, while three 1/7 minions with the ability to render the enemy hero invincible stand ground: Lady Blaumeux, Sir Zeliek, and Thane Korth'azz. Together, they form Voltron! Well, OK, just The Four Horsemen. Unlike the Metallica song, this quartet is quite mellow (yes, even in Heroic) since it's a gimmick-y deck. By silencing the minions, you render Baron Rivendare vulnerable and can charge against him. Another cool trick is to execute them with the warrior spell. Have no fear for minions against this foe: the Baron only has spells. The trick is that his Runeblade, normally a 1/3, becomes 3/3 when the Horsemen are dead. Also, he has a +1/1 for minions and weapon spell, which isn't fun if you allow things to escalate. With a modified warrior deck, it was an easy game. Silencing the Horsemen is the way to go unless you rush the Baron after they're gone.

The Class Challenges this time are shaman and warlock. Nothing much to report, other than I lost my first Class Challenge game against Gothik.

Oops.

Well, shaman was never my forte, but still, something must be said for the awesome card that you're rewarded from the challenge: Reincarnate, which is perfect for triggering death-rattles.


Next was the warlock challenge. It was somewhat uneventful. The only advice: don't use Jaraxxus— Baron Rivendare has Sacrifical Pact cards, and can nail you from there. Instead, let Jaraxxus be placed on the field with one of your Voidcaller death-rattles.

Ah, Heroic. Where would the world (of Warcraft) be without Heroic? Since my last beatings in the Plague Quarter, I chose to go backwards and started with the last boss first, just for kicks. Baron Rivendare is not much even in Heroic: his Runeblade is now 2/3, and when the Horsemen are dead, becomes 6/3 (this is why it's important to silence them rather than straight kill). The Horsemen merely gained one attack and thus 2/7. Rivendare himself is only up to 14 health, so after about two tries, I nailed it, but not before painfully learning that the Paladin's Equality is useless. Thanks Kel'thuzad.

Perhaps the best way to vanquish Heroic Gothik.

Heroic Razuvious was a little tougher. His Massive Runeblade is now a 'humble' 10/2, which still deals twice as much damage to the player hero. Acidic Swamp Ooze x 2, Bloodsail Corsair x 2, Harrison Jones x 1 plus a few taunts. Doesn't hurt to be cautious.

Gothik was a whole other level. His Hero Power now cost 1 mana (naturally making it compulsory), and drew 2 cards… and added a mana to his tray. So by turn 5, he was placing minions like crazy. I had to do some snooping on Hearthpwn to find a proper deck, and modified it until I managed to defeat him after around 7 tries. Not as tough as Maexxna, Loatheb, or Heigen, but right up there on the challenge notch.

You can view the decks I used to defeat each of them above.

Oh, that's just cheap, Kel'thuzad.

For some reason, the Military Quarter was the most entertaining. Maybe it was the change of pace from one enemy to the next with completely different strategies, or maybe I like the evil undertone this particular wing had over the past couple.

How did you guys cope with the Heroic enemies this time around? Are you warrior buffs like me, or did you play out a different strategy? Comment and stay tuned for the Construct Quarter!