Image taken from the Riftbound Report pageJayce's kit is one of the most unique and interesting in the game, blending two opposing Domains with compelling late game options and unexpected synergies that could end up taking over the metagame.However, Jayce pushes a Gear archetype across two Domains that do not yet have many powerful Gears. Even so, because this color combination is inherently strong, he could still rank among the top decks, or at least in the upper tiers of the meta. Let us take a look at his cards.Jayce - Defender of TomorrowReadying Gears would be a very powerful effect if it were not tied to the Blue and Orange Domains. This is because this color combination lacks access to truly strong Gears worth readying.In this expansion, Blue and Orange received a few Gears that will end up being staples in this deck. However, they are not meta-defining, particularly strong, or self-sufficient cards.This leaves Jayce decks with a very clear weakness, which is a lack of resources or cards that naturally synergize with his Legend ability.Even so, Orange and Blue feature plenty of compelling late game options, direct removal, and top-tier combat tricks.As a result, Jayce decks might suffer an identity crisis, and his best lists could simply end up being midrange decks that completely ignore his Legend ability and purely leverage the powerful color combination. Jayce decks could become classic "Good Stuff" piles.Jayce - Hammer in HandOne of the best cards in this set, Jayce - Hammer in Hand is the definition of premium stats. He is a unit costing 4 energy and 1 power with 5 might that can gain accelerate 2, making him a 7-might attacker as early as turn 3.Without a doubt, this unit will see heavy play, not just in this archetype, but likely in any Orange deck in the meta, simply because it is one of the best cards in the game.It is a flexible unit that adapts well to many matchups and can carry your deck through the early game in almost any situation.This unit will almost certainly be Jayce's chosen champion, and it will be the card that determines whether you want to run the Jayce Legend just to play Jayce - Hammer in Hand from the champion zone on turn 2 every game.Jayce - Brilliant InventorThis is an interesting unit that combos with Jayce - Hammer in Hand, though it is not particularly mind-blowing.This is because it is a heavy card, and while it offers an immediate impact on the match, cheaper cards with similar effects already exist and see play in Jayce decks, such as First Mate.Therefore, while it can be strong depending on the matchup, it will likely be forgotten since other cards achieve the same results for far less energy and power.Acceleration GateThe card that could define this archetype is Acceleration Gate, a powerful signature spell that readies 4 cards.It is a spell that can close out the game instantly if you are already ahead, or serve as a comeback tool to catch your opponent off guard.Regardless of how you play this spell, it will always be impactful and swing the game in your favor. It serves as another card in Jayce's core kit that allows you to run his Legend without needing a Gear-heavy deck, effectively ignoring his Legend effect.It is reasonably priced and can be cast in the early game or saved to finish off the match.It might be one of the strongest cards in this set, and likely one of the most expensive as well.What to Expect From This ArchetypeWith a Legend that has a weak effect paired with two extraordinarily strong cards in his arsenal, Jayce will likely be a meta deck, albeit built in a way his archetype was not originally intended to operate.Cards like Hwei, the new Gangplank, Ruin Runner, and Watcher are a few examples of units you can add to this deck to make it work seamlessly.It is a very promising deck that will surely become a fan favorite, as it can be built in several different ways and still succeed.Therefore, it is safe to say that Jayce decks will rank among the top meta contenders. However, it is quite possible that he will not be the absolute best deck of Season 4, given the multiple deckbuilding limitations he faces despite having access to high-powered cards.ConclusionWhat do you think of Jayce? Do you think he will rank among the top decks in the meta, or will he flop due to deckbuilding limitations? Let us know in the comments below.Don't forget to share this article on social media. See you next time!
Reactions
0
0 Comments
Be the first to comment