This is one of the toughest trials to vote for in my opinion.
If you feel like it, I'd like for all of you to review one deck, one iconic deck, the first deck I used against Shantu in finals of trials 6.
*Disclaimer: I have not actually played pre-1.32 Thunderstorm, but since its main function is the removal of 1hp creatures, I believe its use in this specific deck did not change much.
- This is a very interesting combo for a rarely used card, the Vulture. I have my personal negative opinions on this card as it is too vulnerable for use as a stallbreak in PvP, and I could say that this was a really daring pick, though it is also a very good one in-element.
- Grey Nymph seems to be a central card of the deck - it's a great for damage, it resists CC, and gets the combo going. If available, I would use 4 of them, but I don't even have 3. (my 3 ultrarare codes were spent on one Mark of Death and two Grey Nymphs)
- Skull shield sees great use in the deck: it neutralizes glasscannon attackers which are commonly seen in-element, and it blocks the resulting Malignant Cells.
- Thunderstorm works for the removal of the resulting cells, and assists in CC. This gives the deck its stallbreak property.
One of the common problems for death is its lack of ability to break through healing-sustained stalls, though this is sometimes ignored by its really strong rush, or with the use of Chrysaoras or Fractal. Vulture/Condor is a rarely used method, but because of the lack of CC in-element, it sees some use because of being able to survive in the field long enough to gain stats. Since the 1.32 patch, the use of thunderstorm has expanded to the inclusion of the removal of low HP creatures, like Mummies and Recluses, both expected in-element.
Potential improvements:
As mentioned, the addition of Grey Nymphs could improve the deck, if they are available. Plague is a way to get the combo into a single element, but it might not be as effective as its effects are delayed by a turn, making your Vultures vulnerable for a turn. There is the new option of Dry Spell or Dessication (introduced only after the deck created) which allows access to Purify. Dry Spell requires you to use Condors however, but it gives you the option of using Aflatoxin on your field if ever your opponent does not have creatures to use Aflatoxin on. The addition of boneyards is also an option for Dry Spell variants.