To mark their upcoming rotation into Wild mode, we list the best Hearthstone cards from the Naxxramas and GvG expansions

At some point this Spring, likely in May to coincide with the Whispers of the Old Gods expansion release date, Hearthstone will undergo quite a transformation. Ranked play will essentially split into two modes, Wild and Standard, the latter of which will be the new official format for its World Championship tournament.

Here’s the crucial difference: In Wild, players can build a deck from any card that’s ever been available in Hearthstone since it officially launched in March 2014. But in Standard, the available cards are restricted to those released in the current and previous calendar year (Basic and Classic notwithstanding).

It means that, in Standard, all cards that were released in the Naxxramas adventure (30 of them) will no longer be playable. Nor will the 123 cards printed in the Goblins vs Gnomes expansion.

This, almost certainly, will result in the biggest change to Hearthstone in its two years since leaving beta. Some of the most desirable and detested cards will soon be removed from the Standard format.

But which will prove to be the biggest losses? GameSpot has put together a list of the best 36 minions and spells in Hearthstone that can be found in both GvG and Naxxramas.

Click on the next image to begin…

36. Coghammer

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

This fantastic three-mana control weapon for Paladin was released in an expansion that just so happened to come with an even better three-mana control weapon for Paladin. We all know how it feels to be Coghammer.

35. Shrinkmeister

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

He might seem like a soft touch, and yes, on his lonesome he is. But this gnomish mini-nerfer can swing a match if followed up with a Cabal Shadow Priest. His removal from Standard will ease the nerves of anyone playing Ysera or Malygos against Priest.

34. Sneed’s Old Shredder

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

It’s Cairne Bloodhoof for people who like to party. It fell out of the meta because the parties got a little messy.

33. Duplicate

Origin: Naxxramas

In essence this three-mana spell means you will eventually draw two cards of your next minion that perishes. So while that sometimes results in two bonus Piloted Shredders, in careless hands it results in the unwanted shrapnel of a Mirror Image spell. The full potential of this card is rarely achieved, but it’s fantastic at its optimum, especially for Freeze Mage decks that seek late-game and fatigue battles.

32. Whirling Zap-o-matic

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

There’s absolutely nothing special about this card until it kills you by turn four.

31. Crackle

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

Crackle is the world’s greatest jazz musician who unfortunately has come to enjoy the sauce a little too much. One evening it strolls in and delivers a scintillating performance that burns brighter than Mage’s Fireball. The next night it’s hangover, stumbling into furniture, spitting out a tune that sounds worse than a Headcrack.

30. Shieldmaiden

Origin: Naxxramas

Granted, a baseline 5/5 for six mana isn’t the most impeccable offer, but in practice Shieldmaiden tends to trade better than the stats suggest. What makes this card so useful is how it gives Warrior a late-game gasp of air whilst establishing (or bolstering) board presence. Its appeal has dimmed somewhat in the advent of Justicar Trueheart (also six mana), which gives Warrior a hero power that tops up four Armour each time.

29. Kel’Thuzad

Origin: Naxxramas

A terrible shame that this inimitable Legendary never reached its full potential. You’d have thought that surely someone would have got round to making a competitive deck that mixed Kel with Reincarnate. Alas, only rarely did you find two of these facing you on the same board. Rarer still are tales from those who survived such a predicament.

28. Avenge

Origin: Naxxramas

Never knowing is the worst part; You smash into a Piloted Shredder and a wave of relief runs through you as you determine in milliseconds that Noble Sacrifice is not the Paladin secret this time, only to discover near-instantly that the adjacent Shielded Minibot is now a 5/4. The tempo swing this provides, at one mana no less, should not be underestimated.

27. Tinker’s Sharpsword Oil

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

The heartbreaking erosion of Rogue (of all kinds) from the Hearthstone meta belies how valuable this card is/was. Buffing both weapon and minion with +3 attack, combined with Blade Fury, gave Valeera a burst that could prove to be even more deadly than Druid’s Savage Roar/Force of Nature combo.

26. Flamecannon

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

Did anyone expect Flamecannon to be as good as it is? When first announced eons ago, schmucks such as myself didn’t realise that RNG isn’t so much of a negative factor on turn two, when your opponent usually has only one minion on the board. Mana Wyrm followed by this can be a dominating opener.

25. Mal’Ganis

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

Mal’Ganis gives your other demons +2/+2, allows Gul’Dan to draw cards while immune, and Jaraxxus to bash foes without taking a scratch. So on paper this ornately dressed 9/7 dreadlord always seemed a tad OP. But it’s one of those cards that players only usually find a chance to use when they’re already in a late winning position. Mal’Ganis doesn’t swing games in players’ favour, at least not typically, and so his initial stardom has waned. Still, awesome intro music.

24. Voidcaller

Origin: Naxxramas

Printed at a time when Warlocks were either #TeamHand or #TeamZoo, this spicy deathrattle card was largely ignored at first. That was until pro players demonstrated that it synergises beautifully with Power Overwhelming and Void Terror, and can throw out Mal’Ganis or Doomguard as early as turn five (the latter without discard penalty).

23. Deathlord

Origin: Naxxramas

This has been an occasional favourite for control-types since its introduction in July 2014, but especially in the post-League of Explorers meta, where the drawback of its deathrattle is actually a countermeasure against Battlecry decks. Witnessing a Priest heal him up delivers a dreadful, sinking feeling that you’re in for a long night.

22. Lightbomb

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

Mountain Giant: This fool is going down.

Molten Giant: Oh indeed. We gon’ mess this scrub up.

Defender of Argus: I got your back. Merk this little poser.

Mountain Giant: Hey, what’s that white light in the distance?

21. Unstable Portal

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

Grommash Hellscream at turn five. A zero-mana Magma Ranger. Unstable Portal is demonstrably the gambling addict’s card of choice in Hearthstone. The three-mana discount can be unbelievably effective when the planets align, and players have found some excellent ways to synergise it with Mage-specific cards such as Mana Wyrm and Flamewalker.

20. Kezan Mystic

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

I’m serious about this: There are few better feelings in life than stealing an opponent’s secret and finding out it was Mirror Image. The Hearthstone gods have chosen you.

19. Glaivezooka

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

Of all the Hearthstone cards that deserve to be described through profanity alone, it’s this, a bargain-bin weapon that essentially deals five extra attack to the opponent’s face for two mana. Hunter classes have always had a firm grip on aggro strategies since Hearthstone launched. With the Glaivezooka added to its arsenal, it began to choke out the fun.

18. Nerubian Egg

Origin: Naxxramas

This minion is basically like sending your opponent a note reminding them they have to eventually fill out their tax return. Sadistic players like to twist the knife by buffing its attack too.

17. Shade of Naxxramas

Origin: Naxxramas

Interesting fact* about Shade: A script bug in Hearthstone means that any hero can use this Druid-exclusive card. No one seems to have noticed.

*not a fact

16. Velen’s Chosen

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

Hear that? That’s the sound of thousands of control-obsessive Priests flicking though their collection for a replacement spell. Ignore the Spell Damage bonus for a second; This +2+4 buff can transform a Northshire Cleric into the board’s alpha minion, and drug a Deathlord to its eyeballs until it resembles something akin to an impassable wall the size of a skyscraper. Oh, and if you’ve been ignoring Spell Damage, thank you. It’s turn five.

15. Annoy-o-Tron

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

You wont find a cheaper common card that can hold off an 8/8 giant for two whole turns, making Annoy-o-Tron a tempting option in numerous rush, mid-range and control decks. Plus, I mean, just look at it. Just listen to it.

14. Darkbomb

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

The most interesting thing about the Soulfire nerf was that it was still useful even after the downgrade; a rare outcome. But then came along Darkbomb and offered what is arguably the most dependable Warlock spell out there. Whether Blizzard creates a worthy replacement in its next expansion, Whispers of the Old Gods, will have major ramifications for Hand-lock, Zoo-lock, and Demon-lock decks. Malygos gently weeps.

13. Death’s Bite

Origin: Naxxramas

Since its introduction in Naxxramas, this unique deathrattle weapon has proven to be a most reliable tool for Warriors of all styles. At its peak, before the dramatic Warsong Commander nerf, Death’s Bite was a key part of Garrosh’s symphony of grim death. It’s not quite so deadly today, but still has fantastic synergy potential with the likes of Frothing Berserker, Acolyte of Pain, Grim Patron, and Armorsmith. But there’s more to Death’s Bite than synergy; paying four mana for nine attack in two turns, plus a one-attack AoE, is remarkable value.

12. Zombie Chow

Origin: Naxxramas

It becomes more and more of a liability the longer a game unfolds, due to the five health it pays back, but at turn one, there’s no better common card for establishing that crucial early-game control or fending off aggro decks. Fantasies about mixing this with Auchenai Soulpriest were beautiful when achieved in your mind, but always slightly unrealistic.

11. Shielded Minibot

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

In the merciless and somewhat random tussle for control that governs turns one to three, few minions have a foothold like the Shielded Minibot. It clears threats and absorbs energy. So rarely would a Paladin have this in their hand and not play it at the earliest available opportunity.

10. Loatheb

Origin: Naxxramas

This beautiful tech card has demonstrated a great deal of staying power since its introduction in the Naxxramas update, and to this day still has a presence in pro tournaments. Applying a five-mana penalty on opponent spells for one turn only, Loatheb artfully walks the line between tough and unfair. At any turn, it’s enough to delay Mage’s Flamestrike and Druid’s deadly combo, which probably explains its popularity in tournament finals. It’s also a 5/5 for five mana, which is completely reasonable considering the Battlecry. A pity really; surely no one wants to say goodbye to Loatheb.

9. Imp-plosion

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

While each turn in Hearthstone usually comes with the dilemma of either playing a minion or attacking directly, this glorious Warlock spell does both in one move. The random element does prevent this from becoming completely OP, but in two scenarios out of three, Imp-plosion punches way above its mana weight.

8. Clockwork Gnome, Snowchugger, Mechwarper, Spider Tank, Tinkertown Technician, Goblin Blastmage

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

Nothing provides an existential crisis in Hearthstone quite like this murderously predictable collection of meaningless, life-sucking tempo cards that deliver the highest success rate at the lowest level of brain activity. Knowing exactly what’s coming next from your half-assed Mage foe, and still not being able to do a thing about it, is just maddening.

7. Mad Scientist

Origin: Naxxramas

He really did show us all. Not only does Mad Scientist possess one of the best deathrattles in Hearthstone, which is to pull a secret from your deck into play, he costs a mere two mana–which is cheaper than all of Mage’s secrets, and is the same price as all of Hunter’s. That’s quite a discount code, effectively reducing its cost to zero or minus-one mana when applied. Plus, his baseline stat of a 2/2 for two mana is solid.

6. Haunted Creeper

Origin: Naxxramas

Perhaps the stickiest of all Hearthstone’s neutral cards is this appalling two-mana arachnid. The crux of Haunted Creeper’s success is the dilemma contained within; killing this 1/2 beast will discharge two 1/1 spiders, effectively opening the board to a bigger threat. That means three actions are usually required to remove it completely, and due to its initial modest threat, there is always a temptation to just let it peck away at you until you have more board presence and attack options. It’s hard to think of another minion with that degree of staying power.

5. Sludge Belcher

Origin: Naxxramas

The five-mana slot has never been the same since this waltzed in the Naxxramas adventure nearly two years ago. For virtually every month since, most mid-range and control players have dared not overlook this tricksy Russian Doll of Taunt. Nothing slows the opponent down quite like it, and the initial 3/5 body makes it the ideal foil for Piloted Shredder.

4. Muster For Battle

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

There is no early-game problem in Hearthstone quite as thorny as this Paladin spell. Not only does it spawn three 1/1 minions, it also provides a 1/4 Weapon, simultaneously granting players major board presence as well as one-attack removal (which, certainly at the early stages, is far more useful than it sounds.) Also it’s a wonderfully inexpensive way to bait out an opponent’s AoE spells. If they don’t bite, it’s a reliable base to build your buff cards upon. If that wasn’t enough, the synergy potential is simply fantastic, mixing with Sword of Justice, Quartermaster, Frostwolf Warlord, and (of course) Knife Juggler.

3. Piloted Shredder

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

It’s the economy, stupid. A four-mana 4/3 that drops a two-mana minion (of which the typical baseline body is 2/3) means the shredder offers value that players simply find irresistible. Plus, four attack at turn four is often enough to deal with most opposing threats. Granted, sometimes your eggs crack out a Darnassus Aspirant or Doomsayer. But, y’know. Omelettes.

2. Antique Healbot

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

In order to adequately demonstrate the pain-relieving euphoria of this beautiful, meta-changing, once-in-a-lifetime minion, I have summoned the ghost of Marvin Gaye, may his soul rest in peace. Marvin, if you would please…

And when I get that feelin’,

I want five-mana healing,

(gain eight health), oh baby,

Makes me live, one more turn.

1. Dr Boom

Origin: Goblins Vs Gnomes

I mean, really now, what else? This erratic practitioner of death has, for sixteen months now, been the subject of sustained demand from incensed fans that he be nerfed. Somehow he has survived all inquests, perhaps inexplicably too; he’s a 7/7 for seven mana that summons two 1/1 bots which both deathrattle 1-4 random damage apiece. That places an incredible sudden pressure on its opponents, demanding they allocate resources on three threats, two of which have a nasty sting in their tale that can’t be properly accounted for. There’s a certain degree of luck involved, true, but with the odds stacked in Dr Boom’s favour, so rarely does it miss.

Wherever you stand on the debate of whether Dr Boom was too powerful, perhaps we can all agree that this seminal Legendary represents the line. Anything more powerful, and it absolutely should be nerfed.