A card combo in Hearthstone that defeats the opponent before they even get a turn? It exists – but it’s incredibly difficult to achieve.
In Hearthstone, there are many funny combinations that can lead to players being defeated within a turn, especially in the “wild” game mode. Such “OTK combos” (One-Turn-Kill) have been part of the game for ages and are usually quite difficult to execute. However, one player has found a way to decide a game right in the very first round – before the opponent has even had a single turn.
Priest vs Mage First Turn Kill (video from bilibili, by 小安又行了) from r/hearthstone
This is how the Turn-1 Combo works
What kind of combo is this? The combo only works in the “wild” game mode and requires the perfect cards in the starting hand – for both the opponent and oneself. The Priest must have two Mind Vision and two “Radiant Elementals” in hand. One of these cards can be drawn at the start of their turn. Then everything needs to go exactly as follows:
- Mind Vision (1) copies Summon Elemental from the Mage’s hand.
- The Priest plays Summon Elemental and then a Radiant Elemental.
- Then comes Mind Vision (2), whose costs are reduced by the Radiant Elemental. This grants a Conjuration.
- Conjuration is cast and creates a lot of Mage spells.
- Summon Elemental is cast, allowing for the second “Radiant Elemental” to be played.
- Glyph of the Ancients is cast, creating “Mind Games”.
- “Mind Games” summons a Flamecaller.
- Another Glyph of the Ancients is cast, creating “Mind Games” again.
- Mind Games summons another Flamecaller.
After that, the Priest unleashes the rest of the numerous spells that cost 0 mana. With each spell, the Flamecallers deal 2 damage to random enemies, which can only hit the opposing hero.
The end result is a dead Mage who had absolutely no chance to defend themselves – because they were never given a turn.
How likely is this combo? Almost impossible. In normal gameplay, you will probably never see it. The whole setup is artificial, and the Priest is literally relying on the Mage to have the necessary cards in their starting hand. However, it is highly unlikely for this situation to occur and for Mind Vision to also copy the right cards at the same time. It is also very unrealistic for Conjuration to create enough spells that can be used.
So it remains a staged scene that still impressively shows what could at least theoretically be possible if all the stars align (and Easter falls on Christmas).
Have you ever seen such a lucky combo? Do you know another way to win on turn 1?
