Hearthstone: 15 Best Scholomance Academy Cards for Standard

Scholomance Academy is the newest expansion for Hearthstone. It is set to release on August 6 and includes 135 new cards for 10 hero classes.

This Hearthstone set is the first in the history of the game to introduce dual-class cards, where some cards can be used in only two classes. Also, Blizzard has introduced a new Spellburst mechanic, which requires players to cast spells for certain effects.

All this means that the Scholomance Academy meta will rely heavily on spell-based decks, which puts classes like Mage, Rogue, and Priest in the forefront.

This list includes 15 of the best new Hearthstone cards from Scholomance Academy, which will surely drive the meta in standard format this season.

Lab Partner

The new Mage 1-drop isn't exactly a Mana Wyrm, but it's pretty close, and many players will play two copies of it in their non-highlander decks.

Tempo lists that run Cinderstorm and Arcane Missiles will especially value Lab Partner due to its early damage boost.

But control players could fit in a copy as well, as it's really strong with AoEs like Flamestrike and Rolling Fireball.

In any case, extra spell damage is something all Mage players are looking for, and this card delivers exactly that.

Spirit Jailer

Designed for Warlock and Demon Hunter players, this is the best common dual-class card in the Scholomance Academy set.  

Spirit Jailer's battlecry puts Soul Fragment cards into your deck that heal your hero for 2 HP when drawn.

Spirit Jailer synergizes very well with Soulshard Lapidary in Demon Hunter, and Warlock players of all kinds will want that health and a 1/3 body for 1 mana.

Voracious Reader

If you've been playing Hearthstone since the Gnomes vs. Goblins expansion, then you should remember a card named Jeeves. It had a very similar effect, but Voracious Reader is much better: it only draws extra cards for you.

Since it's a rather cheap card and it's neutral, many tempo and aggro decks will want to have both copies of it.

Face Hunter players will be especially happy to get this, as card draw is the weakest point of these types of lists. Not anymore!

Coerce

This dual class spell for Warrior and Rogue is basically Execute combined with Assassinate. It's also quite cheap at just 3 mana, so it should definitely be on any list that relates to those two classes.

Coerce will be especially popular among Control Rogue players, who always complain about the lack of decent removal spells for their class. Well, it looks like their prayers have been answered.

Warrior players could also consider at least one copy Coerce, but they actually have enough removal spells as is, so it's up to your individual playstyle. 

Twilight Runner

This Druid rare card has been compared to the infamous Ultimate Infestation. Obviously, the UI spell is much more powerful, but the ability to deal 5 points of damage and draw two cards for 5 mana is guaranteed due to the stealth protection.

Twilight Runner can be utilized with Guardian Animals spell, which are able to put it on board, allowing players to draw two cards immediately with its Rush mechanic.

Of course, Twilight Runner could be too slow for the current meta, but in the right list, it should work quite well.

Secret Passage

Combo and Highlander Rogue players will be ecstatic to play this card. It can quickly help you find a combo or removal spell that will keep you alive in a pinch. Secret Passage will certainly be used to find Zephrys, too.

It's hard to believe that this spell costs only 1 mana, which could indicate an increase in the near future.

Argent Braggart

The text on this card may be a bit unclear at first, but it really is as broken as it sounds. Argent Braggart really does "gain Attack and Health to match the highest [card] on the battlefield." 

For example, if there is a 1/5 minion on board and a 5/1 minion, then Argent Braggart becomes a 5/5 minion for just 2 mana. Now imagine both of those stats on a higher level.

Of course, it can still be silenced, but that' true of any strong card in Hearthstone, which has never stopped anyone from playing them.

Krolusk Barkstripper

To activate the Spellburst effect for Krolusk Barkstripper, you don't need more than a 1-mana spell, and Hunter has plenty of those.

Beast and Highlander Hunter players should definitely consider Barkstripper for their updated lists, but even random copies of it could be seen in more aggressive archetypes, such as Dragon Hunter.

It could be compared to Deadly Shot, a staple card in many Hunter decks, but Barkstripper is even better, as it adds a significant body to the battlefield.

Devout Pupil

Pure Libram Paladin is getting one of the best cards in the Scholomance Academy by way of Devout Pupil. 

You can quickly buff your cheaper minions and put Devout Pupil on board as early as turn three, and that's really strong for a 4/5 minion with Divine Shield and Taunt. Without doubt, the second copy will be played for free.

Since this is a dual-class card, it can also be played in the Priest class, but it currently lacks cheap buff spells, making its immediate use in the class null. For now, it's all about Paladin.

Ace Hunter Kreen

This dual legendary card for Hunter and Demon Hunter classes is the ultimate protector for your minions and hero. Ace Hunter Kreen will be especially useful in the Rush Hunter archetype.

No longer will you lose your entire board because your minions trade into a huge Taunt. Now, you can pass through as many Taunt minions as you want, as long as Ace Hunter Kreen stays alive on the board.

Though, unfortunately, if your opponent has target removal, then Ace Hunter Kreen will die.

Lord Barov

Lord Barov is by far the strongest and cheapest board removal for Warrior and Paladin. You'll need an activator, such as Animated Broomstick or Rocket Augmerchant, to use it, but the combo will only cost 4 mana.

Currently, there are no board clears as cheap as that in Hearthstone, which makes Lord Barov one of the most valuable cards in the Scholomance Academy set.

Disciplinarian Gandling

Zoo Warlock players may have found the best new legendary card for their decks; Disciplinarian Gandling is super strong and clearly designed for those player types.

Priest players could also find this card interesting, but Priest doesn't have as much utility as Warlock for Disciplinarian Gandling to be viable.

This card also has very promising synergies with Deathrattle archetypes, which could better benefit from destroying their minions rather than summoning 4/4 students.

Lorekeeper Polkelt

Lorekeeper Polkelt is probably the most interesting legendary card that has been released in the last couple of years. 

It could be played in combo decks that look for specific cards or in control archetypes that look for strong plays late in the game.

Since it's a neutral card and not too expensive, many players will want to experiment with it.

Vectus

If you play Prime legendaries in your decks, then you may want to include a copy of Vectus in each of them. This card guarantees you two extra copies Prime minions in your deck.

Vectus also synergizes with any Deathrattle deck. Depending on how this synergy goes in the upcoming season, beware of all the Mass Dispel spells and other silence effects!

Forest Warden Omu

Kun the Forgotten King is back! Well, at least the mana refreshing part.

Forest Warden Omu is a great legendary card that will let Big Druid players execute very powerful combos as soon as they reach 10 mana.

Here's how you can utilize Forest Warden Omu on turn 10:

1. Play Garden Gnome (activated)
2. Play Forest Warden Omu
3. Activate Spellburst with Embiggen, Innervate, or Moonfire
4. Cast Survival of the Fittest

As a result, you will have a 9/8 minion, a 6/7 minion, and two 6/6 treants. That should be enough power to kill your opponent next turn if your opponent is out of board clears.

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These are the best 15 cards from Hearthstone's Scholomance Academy set. For more Hearthstone tips and card lists, be sure to head over to our guides and lists page.