Shadowverse Evolve: Which Class To Choose Based on Your Playstyle

George Giannoulidis - 14 August 2023

As the realm of trading card games continues to expand, Shadowverse Evolve has emerged as a rising star, captivating players with its engaging mechanics and unique class system. This TCG, which is gaining momentum day by day, invites you to step into a world where six distinct classes, each with their own playstyle, await your mastery. 

The allure lies not only in the rich variety of options but also in the well-balanced gameplay, ensuring that no class overwhelms the others (at least not by a lot…). 

In this article, we delve into the classes offered by Shadowverse Evolve, guiding you through the characteristics of each and helping you make an informed decision based on your preferred style of play.

How to Start Playing Shadowverse Evolve in 2023?

Embarking on your journey into the world of Shadowverse Evolve is a straightforward endeavor, offering a wealth of experiences and strategic delights. To commence your adventure, you need not look further than the six starter decks thoughtfully curated for aspiring duelists. These decks are not only an excellent introduction to the mechanics of the game but also a rapid means of accumulating staple cards for your chosen class.

Once you've selected your starter deck, your options expand dramatically. Engage in friendly duels with fellow players, honing your skills and familiarizing yourself with the intricacies of your chosen class. Alternatively, dive into the thriving local tournaments hosted by Black Flame Collectibles twice a week in Thessaloniki. These tournaments provide an excellent opportunity to put your strategies to the test while connecting with a passionate community of players.

As you begin your journey, the central question you'll face is: which class best resonates with your preferred playstyle, aesthetic sensibilities, and strategic inclinations? The following guide breaks down each class, offering insights into their unique mechanics, strengths, and approaches. Without further ado, let’s dive deeper into it:

Shadowverse Evolve: Class Introduction

1. Forestcraft

Forestcraft, a realm steeped in the enchantment of lush woodlands and mystical creatures, offers a captivating playstyle that revolves around low-cost fairies and clever buffs. The class's distinct artwork features ethereal beings like elves and fairies, mirroring the natural world they inhabit.

In the current meta, Forestcraft decks tend to lean toward an aggressive approach, utilizing their abundance of low-cost fairies to establish early board presence. As the game progresses, these fairies can be enhanced with buffs, leading to dynamic victories. Although the aggressive strategy is dominant, players seeking alternative tactics will find some control and tempo-oriented options at their disposal.

Whether you're drawn to the enchanting aesthetic or the swift, fairy-driven gameplay, Forestcraft offers a diverse and engaging experience that can be tailored to various strategic preferences.

2. Swordcraft

Ninjas, samurais, knights and warriors. What’s more to ask? Swordcraft is a class that thrives on amassing multiple followers on the field and orchestrating strategic moves to secure swift victories. With its unique mechanic of "storm," which allows followers to immediately attack the enemy leader upon deployment, Swordcraft's gameplay is marked by its aggressive tempo.

Staple cards like Floral Fencer and Sea Queen Otohime grant Swordcraft players an early advantage, setting the stage for dramatic finishes with powerful finishers like Tsubaki. While the class shares some similarities with Forestcraft in terms of summoning multiple followers, Swordcraft's emphasis on "storm" and its slightly higher-cost followers create a distinct feel.

While aggro decks dominate the competitive landscape for Swordcraft, some control variants offer a more methodical approach. Regardless of the specific strategy, Swordcraft's combination of multiple followers and the potent "storm" mechanic creates a fast-paced and dynamic gameplay experience that's sure to appeal to players seeking swift victories and tactical decision-making.

3. Dragoncraft

Dragoncraft stands as the most popular class in the early stages of Shadowverse Evolve. True to its name, this class revolves around the awe-inspiring power of dragons. Unlike the previously discussed classes, Dragoncraft's unique mechanic centers on "overflow," a gameplay feature that becomes active when a player's player points reach 7 or more.

The essence of playing Dragoncraft is to quickly ramp up player points, often utilizing cards like Dragon Oracle to hasten the activation of "overflow." This strategy allows Dragoncraft players to control the field in the initial turns, using spells like Blazing Breath and followers like Dragon Warrior and Shenlong to maintain dominance.

However, Dragoncraft truly comes into its own when colossal dragons like Fafnir and Genesis Dragon take the spotlight. These formidable creatures can swiftly turn the tide of a match, transforming a game that seemed lost into a triumphant victory. As the early meta suggests, Dragoncraft's unique gameplay mechanics and furious dragons make it a compelling choice for players who seek a powerful, strategic and impactful playstyle.

4. Abysscraft

As its name suggests, Abysscraft is a class deeply rooted in sacrifice, darkness, and conjured spells. Similar to Swordcraft and Forestcraft, Abysscraft is aggressive in nature, aiming to secure victory during the early stages of the game. This strategy is bolstered by an array of low-cost followers like Ambling Wraith, Skeleton Fighter and Lilith.

At the heart of Abysscraft's gameplay is its unique mechanic: "necrocharge." This mechanic rewards players for having a specific number of cards in their cemetery. Consequently, most Abysscraft decks focus on depleting an opponent's resources early on, often at the cost of sacrificing their own cards and leader's health.

Staples like Cerberus and Dark General contribute significantly to the success of an Abysscraft deck, allowing for powerful plays and strategic control. The synergy between necrocharge and these essential cards creates a unique and satisfying gameplay experience, making Abysscraft an ideal choice for players who relish an aggressive and resourceful playstyle.

5. Havencraft

Havencraft stands out as one of the most versatile and intriguing classes in Shadowverse Evolve. With an art theme centered around celestial figures like nuns and priests, Havencraft's mechanics and playstyle offer a unique blend of control and support.

Most Havencraft decks heavily rely on amulets to summon tokens, boost followers on the field, and trigger various effects. This class also provides flexibility for hybrid decks that incorporate neutral cards with synergistic combos, such as Flame and Glass.

Key followers like Jeanne d'Arc further empower Havencraft decks by providing control over the board and offering strategic advantages. The wide range of amulets available also ensures that Havencraft decks can adapt to various situations, making them an attractive choice for players who appreciate adaptable and diverse gameplay.

6. Runecraft

If your preference leans toward spell-centric strategies and outwitting opponents with intricate spellchains, then Runecraft is the class that will captivate your interest. Runecraft decks revolve around the manipulation of spells to control the battlefield and dictate the pace of the game.

Most Runecraft decks feature only a handful of followers, which are primarily used for early-game board control. These include cards like Penguin Wizard and Merlin. However, the grand finale comes in the form of powerful finishers like Flame Destroyer and Arch Summoner Erasmus.

The unique mechanic that defines Runecraft is the spellchain. This mechanism rewards players for playing multiple spells during a match. Runecraft truly shines in the mid to late game, making it an ideal choice for players who revel in the intricacies of control decks and the art of spell weaving to secure victory.

Wrap Up

In the captivating world of Shadowverse Evolve, each class offers a unique experience and playstyle, catering to a diverse range of players. Whether you're drawn to aggressive strategies, spellcasting mastery, or field control, there's a class that suits your preferences.

As you embark on your journey through Shadowverse Evolve, we encourage you to experiment with each class to discover the one that resonates with your playstyle. From the forest realms to the heavens above, each class brings its own charm and challenges. 

With the game's balanced nature and evolving meta, the possibilities are simply endless. Whether you're a seasoned TCG player or new to the genre, Shadowverse Evolve welcomes you to a world of strategic depth and endless enjoyment.

Purchase your favorite class’s starter deck from Black Flame Collectibles today!

FAQ

What class is the best for a beginner on a budget?

All starter decks in Shadowverse Evolve are thoughtfully designed to help newcomers learn the game's mechanics while providing a solid foundation for their chosen class. However, if you're looking for a budget-friendly option, classes like Abysscraft and Swordcraft, with their aggressive playstyles, tend to be more affordable and accessible for beginners.

What’s the most popular class after the Advent of Genesis release?

According to official Shadowverse Evolve statistics, Dragoncraft decks have risen to prominence in this early stage of the meta. The allure of summoning mighty dragons and mastering the overflow mechanic has captured the community's attention.

Is the playstyle of each class going to change after the next releases?

As of current information, the upcoming sets in Shadowverse Evolve will introduce new mechanics while preserving the core playstyles that define each class. While the introduction of new cards and abilities might bring exciting variations, the unique essence of each class's strategy is expected to remain consistent over the next few years. 

Is it hard to learn how to play a deck in Shadowverse Evolve?

Absolutely not! The official starter decks of Shadowverse Evolve have been meticulously crafted to ensure that even beginners can grasp the game's mechanics and general gameplay. Additionally, each starter deck includes a comprehensive guide that outlines the essential rules and strategies, providing an accessible entry point for players of all skill levels.